The SMMF fulfills a crucial role in preserving and protecting America's largest urban park. Most people are astonished when they find out that the Santa Monica Mountains comprises over 75,000 acres (and counting!) of protected parkland in and around Los Angeles - the only city in the world divided by a mountain range. The SMMF needs a much larger budget and greater support and visibility. I'm working to help make that happen.
The Santa Monica Mountains Fund is currently working on a project with the National Wildlife Federation which I think is one of the most important efforts underway in the area to help preserve and protect biodiversity – that is to build a wildlife crossing at the 101 Freeway and Liberty Canyon in Southern California.
This location has been identified as the most logical spot to provide access to mountain lions – and other wildlife – which currently are isolated in the “island” that is the Santa Monica Mountains, cut off by some of the busiest freeways in the world – the 405 and 101. Sadly, too many mountain lions try to cross these roads and are killed. Creation of this crossing would help connect animals in the Santa Monica Mountains with two other vital wildlife habitat areas.
I highly recommend supporting this organization and its work to protect the Santa Monica Mountains and all its biodiversity.
This is the time for all of us to help create connections and consciousness about our fragile planet. The Santa Monica Mountains Fund helps people of all different ages and lifestyles spend time in a treasured landscape. Having this kind of opportunity for experiencing flourishing nature right next door to a huge urban metropolis helps drive the Fund's mission to provide support for a diverse range of projects and places.
SMMF has been working magic in the Santa Monica Mountains and California since 1988 -- everything from trails development and accessibility, way-finding for motorists, hikers, equestrians, bicyclists, tourists, tyros, and Sunday adventurers. It focuses on developing, preserving, and learning from the lands of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and educating folks about the importance of this region -- one of five such Mediterranean ecosystems on the planet. The unique geography is home to very special biological resources -- from mountain lions at the top of the food chain to benthic macro-invertabrates (stuff that aquatic life needs) essential for fish resources from endangered steelhead to tidewater gobies. The research, the people managing the lands, and the vision that drives the benefits SMMF brings to the National Recreation Area are worthy of our support -- funding, partnerships, alignment with public and private organizations and philanthropic individuals. Your time, energy and contributions are well invested in SMMF.
Review from Guidestar