arroyos & foothills conservancy 2018 Annual Report

ow did I get involved with the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy (AFC)? It started when I talked to my friend Matt DeVoll about a backpacking trip I had just taken with four other women in the John Muir Wilderness of the High Sierra. Matt knows that I also love to hike in our local mountains and asked if I would like to hear about a conservation organization that is making a big difference right here in our area. Matt shared that he serves on the board of AFC because it focuses on local protection of vulnerable open spaces. Matt explained that AFC’s plan to conserve land is grounded in research, collaboration and community engagement. AFC sorts through complex variables to rank the ecological value of properties to protect and then pursues them strategically. I had often wondered how I could personally impact conservation in my own neighborhood, and AFC’s work with government funding partners and people like you appealed to me. I told Matt I wanted to get involved. Since joining AFC’s board I have seen the organization grow. Here are a few of the successes we have had this past year that make it exciting to be a part: i Buying Cottonwood Canyon by convincing the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Natural Resources Agency and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to provide $1.3M in funding. i Buying a second property in Cottonwood Canyon. i Teaming with the United States Geologic Survey and Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo to install 24 wildlife cameras throughout our Hahamongna to Tujunga Wildlife Corridor—read more inside. i Securing grants from 3M, Edison International, National Park Service, Pasadena Community Foundation and Patagonia to introduce kids to nature and the community to conservation. i Partnering with Descanso Gardens on their stunning, first-ever exhibit focusing on urban nature, seen by 20,000 visitors—check out the full story inside! I am proud to say that AFC accomplishes a great deal with its modest operating budget and a devoted staff who work closely with people who are eager to help by volunteering their time and expertise. AFC leverages your support across a spectrum of opportunities, from saving land, to urban wildlife research, to nature education, to designing demonstration-quality trails. Thank you for being our supporter. Please let us know if you would like to do more and we will find a fit for you—AFC is a great fit for me!

Warmly,

Katie Poole, Board Chair

1 AFC is driven by a passionate group of conservationists— there are literally hundreds of you giving your time, money and effort to ensure our success. This year AFC benefited from over 5,000 hours of volunteer time. Here are a few highlights showing that your impact is measurable!

AFC recognized for excellence in creating a conservation community.

On Earth Day the Crescenta Valley Town Council recognized AFC and especially its Friends of the Rosemont Preserve for our work conserving the Rosemont Preserve and establishing it as an outstanding community resource. DENIS CALLET DENIS CALLET “The Friends of Rosemont are our gold standard when it comes to community engagement and property stewardship. They are the model for our other Friends groups.”

John Howell, Chief Executive

The Friends of Rosemont draw folks from the community to the Preserve to experience nature and help restore its natural condition. Here is a short list of accomplishments by these industrious volunteers: virtually every plant that doesn’t belong (other than pesky grasses) removed, like castor bean, tree tobacco, Spanish broom and an 80’ Eucalyptus; invasive seedlings hunted down and pulled monthly; creekside bank

below neighbors’ houses fully revegetated with native plants; JOHANNA TURNER interpretive trails installed and maintained; native plant seed lending library established at the La Crescenta Public Library; docent tours about Native American history, medicinal uses AFC Remote Wildlife Camera Program of native plants, geology, animal tracking and scat identifica- Partners Capture New Mountain Lion tion conducted monthly; local classroom field trips with STEM compliant curriculum created for the Preserve; 1 Bronze, 3 Johanna Turner began placing remote motion triggered Silver and 2 Gold Girl Scout and 5 Eagle Scout award cameras in the Verdugo Mountains back in 2009, and Denis projects completed. We entrust our Friends groups with a Callet in 2013. AFC partnered with them starting in 2015 lot of autonomy and support them with our expertise. because we wanted to learn about the animals on our lands and were enraptured with their images; they were longing to shoot in our riparian canyons and thought we could help wildlife by working together. Since Nikita was ‘widowed’ with the passing of P-41, Denis & Johanna arranged cameras in the Verdugo’s in hopes a new male might arrive to take his place. Indeed, on June 20 Johanna got a shot of a new male who she nicknamed “Adonis” for his stature and remarkably large paws. Denis captured spectacular shots of the new male and they both sent word to the National Park Service in hopes of collaring him to follow his movement. Shots from other cameras tell us he doesn’t take long to find Nikita. Once they meet up they stay with each other for two weeks. Then he disappears. Johanna says “I can say with surety he is not there now. I measure all the tracks and they are all Nikita’s. Found a big one in the mud in early February that I passed around to all the good trackers I know, but they all Here CVTC President Harry Leon, CVTC Earth Day Chair Desiree agreed it was Nikita. I don’t have the first clue as to how he got Rabinov, California State Senator Anthony Portantino, and in or out of the Verdugo’s. Gotta have a collar for that.” California State Assemblywoman Laura Friedman help AFC With a collar Adonis would have shown us a passageway Chief Executive John Howell ceremoniously plant a tree at the out of the Verdugo’s to focus our efforts. What we do know is Rosemont Preserve. that no kittens came out of his time with Nikita.

2 cottonwood canyon

Last year we closed escrow on 2 critical properties in the Hahamongna to Tujunga Wildlife Corridor (HTC). Both are in the Cottonwood Canyon area of Pasadena. Cottonwood 1 is 11 acres that provides a gateway to the San Rafael Hills above Brookside Golf Course. Development could have easily blocked wildlife passage and ended our hopes and plans for the HTC. Cottonwood 2 is just up canyon. We acquired it through LA County’s tax default auction bidding process. AFC also determined another property in Cotton-

DENIS CALLET DENIS CALLET wood Canyon to be conserved. When it came on the market we did a deep dive on its value to the corridor. The matrix ranks it highly, but a careful review of the Descanso Wildlife Exhibit criteria for development led us to conclude it will not be developed. After a year it was taken off the market. AFC partnered with Descanso Gardens to help create While we are still keeping our eye on it we now “Growing Habitat: LA’s Wildlife,” an exhibit focusing on wildlife consider it “naturally protected.” connectivity in our area. It ran May through August. Over Our Friends of Cottonwood Canyon stewardship 20,000 visited and learned about the work AFC is doing to group is crucial to what happens next. They are our identify and protect wildlife corridors. eyes and ears in the surrounding community and play AFC advisors Denis Callet, Mark Duttweiler, Althea Edwards, an important role introducing AFC to their neighbors Johanna Turner, Amanda Zellmer and board member Joe and friends. They are currently working on a water Rohde contributed pieces to the exhibit. management project at Cottonwood 1. Check out what folks had to say: If you would like to join them in stewarding the

JOHANNA TURNER canyon, please contact Friends of Cottonwood and AFC “As a long-time Wildlife Docent at Descanso Gardens, it was Program Administrator Tim Martinez (626) 808-7964. a privilege to view and experience the Growing Habitat exhibit at the Sturt Haaga Gallery prior to its public opening. As an active birder, wildlife conservationist, world traveler, and part-time educator I found the information, exhibits, AFC participates in Urban Wildlife photographs, interactive content and artwork engrossing Information Network (UWIN) and, frankly, world-class.” study assisted by US Geological Survey Dave Weeshoff, San Fernando Valley Audubon Conservation Chair

We are now deploying 24 more remotely placed motion triggered cameras generously provided by the US Geological Study as part of a national study of wildlife in fifteen urban afc finances fye 2018 regions (and growing) created by Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. It is called the Urban Wildlife Information Network. We place cameras, collect images and upload information to a national sources of income $ 1,565,154 database according to their wildlife-monitoring protocols. Too little is known about urban wildlife. This study hopes to p Government Grants 80.20% understand why animals behave differently and what patterns p Individual Donors 11.90% hold true from one region to the next, all part of creating p Corporate/Foundation Grants 5.90% smarter, greener cities. p Foothills Society 2.00% Oxy biology prof and AFC Advisor Amanda Zellmer is heading up the work in our study area—the Hahamongna to Tujunga Wildlife Corridor. We expect that information gained uses of income $ 1,611,404 will better inform us of the most critical pathways and habitat to preserve and help monitor wildlife activity over time. p Land Acquisition 79.26% p Program 18.53% p Fundraising 1.19% p Management/General 1.02%

3 Cole, Barbara Hribar, Robert Huang, Kuhn, Kayley Vernallis & Randal Parker, thank you, donors! Walter Hubert & Mark Saltzman, Callae Walcott-Rounds & Ed Rounds, Sue Fiscal year July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018 Michelle Huneven & Jim Potter, Ann & Seth Walworth, Lisa & Bruce Wasson, These gifts are in addition to Foothills Society donations. Hazeltine Hyde, Karen Jain, Missy & Paul Sharon & William Weisman, Mitchell Jennings, Nancy Johnson & David Bame, Weiss, Virginia & Barry Wetherby, James Laura Johnson-Beal & Richard Beal, Joan Williams, Judy & Randy Wilson, Kim Martyn Belmont, Arlene Bennett, Cynthia Kaplan & Rex Mayreis, Susan Kilpatrick, Winiecki, Phillip Wolf, Suk Woo, Lincoln individuals Bennett, John Bennett, Priscilla & Richard These contributors made donations Virginia & John Kimball, Charles Wood, Judy & Bill Woodmancy, Mary Benson, Dawna & Rick Berger, Kathryn Kohlhase, Art Krieger, Lynn Miyamoto & Yui, Lee Zanteson, Linda Zinn, Valerie in the fiscal year to support our Bikle & Daniel Weitekamp, Toni Bird, Kevin Kroeker, Caroline & Todd Kunioka, Zografos programs and steward our properties. Kayli Blundell, Mary & Graham Bothwell, John Labella, Maria & Frank La Casella, Michelle & Barry Bottrell, Helena & Ross Pamela & Mike Lawler, Jeanne & Patrick community groups Arroyos Donors Bowman, Tom Brady, Chris & Geoff Lejeune, Patricia Lewin, Lisa & David Diggers Garden Club $50,000 Bremer, Joseph Bricio, Jeanne Broberg, Lewis, Mary Lewis & Rebecca Lowry, Jay Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Helen & Will Webster Foundation Laura Brown, Karen & Harry Brumer, Lieske, Carol Liu & Mike Peevey, Raymond Girl Scouts Troop 8861 Antoinette & Robert Buckner, Gerrie & Maddocks, Mary Marasco, Dolores & Glendale Unified Schools $25,000 Thomas Bunn, John Callas, Jane & Bruce Harvey Marsh, Dale Matsuda, Dorothy Pasadena Community Foundation Gordon Crawford Campbell, Janet Capanna, Sara Carnahan, & John Matthiessen, Alison McAlpine, Pasadena Unified Schools $10,000 Jason Celek, Michel Choban, Gerald Karen & Peter McAulay, Carlin & David Pasadena Garden Club Anonymous Cichlar & William Peer, Suzanne & Walter McCarthy, Daniel McCleese, Susan Polytechnic School Cochran-Bond, Beth & Frank Colcord, McClymonds, Carol & Bob McCrary, $5,000 – $9,999 Barbara Cole, Mary Coles, Julia Collins, Patricia McDonald, David McGee, Mary Dennis Dewenter Trust employee matches Bette & John Cooper, Maria Cousineau, McGilvray, Beverly & Larry McReynolds, Andeavor Henry Fliegel Jim Craig, Dave Davis, Janice DaVolio, Winkee Melton, Wei Mi & Hong Tang, Bank of America Don Hall Drew Dembowski, Michael DeVilliers, Patricia Jean Minor, Brenda & Mario Walt Disney Company Carolyn & Bruce Hancock Maria DiMassa, Cara Mia DiMassa & Miralles, Marilyn Morgan, Sarah Melody Malmberg & Joe Rohde Shawn Nelson, Denise Dorgan & Rich Morrison, Sue Mossman, Lorraine Ninarose Mayer event underwriters Diephuis, Hilary & Steve Dorsey, Deirdre Munsey, Janice & Timothy Munson, Craftsman Brewing Co. $1,000 – $4,999 Duhan, Monica Dybalski Stathatos, Rebecca Nasori, Charles Nearburg, Pat Descanso Gardens Chet & David Barclay Patricia & Duane Ebbert, Pamela & & Samuel Nicholson, Janet Nippell,

Olivia Garfield & Michael Newkirk Michael Edwards, Bethany Ehlmann, Kendra Nitta, Cynthia Null, Jean Owen, used in this report. the photos for and Johanna Turner Long Denis Callet, Mickey to Thanks Heather & Paul Haaga Kellan & Ted Eisenhardt, Barbara & Jim Mimi Paller, Diane Park, Susan & George Scarlett & Don Hibner Eisenstein, Steve Elkins, Joan Evans, Parker, Laura Parker, Juana Pearce, Dianne Thanks to our supporters Judy & Fred Hoeptner Michael Evans, Doug Farr, Joan & John Philibosian & Tom Seifert, Barbara Poland, Cameron Hotchkis Fauvre, Patricia Ferguson, Glenn Ferris, Elizabeth Pomeroy, Sarah Pratt, Shannon Jennifer & Remington Hotchkis Marsha Fowler, Mie & Steve Frautschi, Quinn, Paula Rao, Martin Ratliff, Kathie Perlette Jura Janice & Steve Freeland, Ann Fuller & Reilly, Julie Richards, Elizabeth Richardson, Desiree & Paul Rabinov David Weinstein, Julie Furmidge & Jessica Robinson, Joanne Sakamoto & Lisa Richter & Howard Newman Candace Kay, Brooke & Edward Garlock, Gary Lieskovsky, Elena & Richard Saydah, Sharon Scull Cynthia Gasparri-Lusnia, Carol Gibson, Carla Schamet & Jason Celek, Leonard Mary & Mike Veselich Katherine & Robert Gillespie, Susan & Schaustal, Diana Sertich, Alice Sheehy, Kathy & Jeff Vlaming Frank Gilliland, Sandy Gillis & Tom Donna Shelby, Elizabeth Short & Michael Gammill, Pennie & Dino Gioia, Ruth & Friedman, Arnie Siegel, Tamara & Michael Foothills Donors ($10 – $999) Richard Goldstein, Traude Gomez, Janet Silver, Elaine Silvestro, Susan Sironi, Joan Aarestad, Joan & Andreas Aebi, & Paul Gordon, Maria & Richard Grant, Brenna Snider, Susan Southwick, Janet Priscilla Allen, Barbara Ansell, Pam David Grant, Vickie Guagliardo, Bruce Sporleder, Rody Stephenson, Christopher Aschbacher, Coriena & Randall Baer, Hale, Lisa & Bob Harrison, Nichole Stevenson, Randy Strapazon, Jaynie Debbie Baird, Barbara Ballinger & Peter Harrison, Lyle Hatridge, Debbie Heap, & Woody Studenmund, Frances Teng, Tarbox, Adele Baquet-White, Marylyn Patricia Hill, Jonathan Hofer, Karen Sharon Thompson, Elaine Tietjen, Maria & & Tracy Barnes Miller, Sally Barngrove Holgerson, Debbie & Schuyler Terry Tornek, Sally & Ray Turner, Stephen & Tom Gertmenian, Beth & Dean Batali, Hollingsworth, Cindy Horitz, Susie & Unwin, Naomi & Vincent Varsh, Audrey Lisa Baum, Sally Beer, Pat & David Beggs, Mark Horn, Melinda Howell & Steve Vaughan, Vandana Verma & Stephen foothills society bequests: Did you know Foothills Society members support AFC with 3-year pledges. that you can leave/create a Fiscal year July 1, 2017–June 30, 2018 legacy that commemorates Canyon Live Oak ($5,000 per year) Coast Live Oak ($500 per year) Toyon ($100 per year) your commitment to AFC’s Don Hall Sharon & Pat Crandall Joan Aarestad, Joan & Andreas Aebi, mission? By making a gift Dave Doody Larry Allen, Edwina Berg, Bob Berger, through your estate or nam- Bay Laurel ($2,500 per year) Judith & Stan Farrar Tom Brady, Karen & Harry Brumer, Jennifer & Matt DeVoll Christine Hessler Rev. Theodore Clarke, Bronwyn Dawson, ing AFC as a beneficiary of Katie & Chris Poole Ninarose Mayer Lynn & Avery Drewe, Jill & John your retirement or insurance Andrea Rawlings & E.J. Remson Fosselman, Ruth & Richard Goldstein, plan, you will ensure that our Engelmann Oak ($1,000 per year) Nancy & Bruce Steele Chuck Hains, Willow Healy & Devin Thor, Marilynn & Jim Hildebrandt, Sean Howell, work of protecting the land Sara & George Abdo Jeannie & Marc Stirdivant Monica & Thomas Hubbard, Katie & will continue. To learn more, Gwen & Guil Babcock Colleen & Luke Welsh Jim Ipekjian, Joan Kaplan & Rex Meyreis, Laurie Barlow Linda & Bob Winters Roger Klemm, Mary Ellen Kramer & Peter contact your estate planning Claire & Bill Bogaard Eisenhardt, Art Krieger, Caroline & Todd professional. Carole Brady California Sycamore ($250 per year) Kunioka, Jeanne & Patrick Lejeune, Sandy Gillis & Tom Gammill Christle Balvin, Behr Building Co., Susan Kathleen Linowski, Jan & Mickey Long, Barbara & Roy Goto Bleecker & Michael Roffina, Mary Lea Joan Maguire, Marilee Marshall & Carolyn & Bruce Hancock & Bill Carroll, Claudia & Doug Forbes , Bruce Wright, Alison McAlpine, Nairi Judy & Fred Hoeptner Linda & Stephen Gill, Katherine & Robert Megrabian, Emily Montague, Gregg Sally & John Howell Gillespie, Margie & Paul Grossman, Jane Oelker, Eleanor Pott, Eileen and Charlie Kelly Kimball Herrmann, Michael Horner, Melinda Read, Mike Reibel, Dana Roth, Frank Sharon Laubach & Andrew Mishkin Howell & Steve Cole, Thomas & Joy Simpson, Susan Sironi, Carla Slepak & Majich, Dorothy & John Matthiessen, Joanne & Ethan Lipsig Gary Day, Marie & John Slonski, Peggy Bill Meurer, Leslie Miller, Scarlett & Stewart, Marianne & John Thompson, Jim McManus Jim Osterling, Sharon Scull, Edwina Dianne Philibosian & Tom Seifert Marilynne & Roger Wilander, Felicia Travis-Chin & Robert Miller, Lynn & Don Williams, Michele Zack & Mark www.arroyosfoothills.org Betsey Tyler Voss, Joanne & Tim Wendler Linda Zinn Goldschmidt

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