River Ambassadors - Future of Keywords: education–school-based, environmental justice & diversity, the L.A. River recreation & public access, youth Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority Los Angeles, CA Contact Information: Setting Collin O’Mara-Green, MRCA Los Angeles River? That’s right, this highly urbanized, concrete
[email protected] channel is not the first thing that comes to mind when a person http://www.mrca.ca.gov/ thinks about nature in Los Angeles (LA). Once wild, supporting the (323) 221-9944 x112 Tongva American Indian Tribe, the river had been channelized by the mid-20th Century for its entire length from the San Fernando Valley Howard Kahan. EPA Region 9. to the port at Long Beach (about 51 miles). Today, a staggering one
[email protected] million people live within one mile of the river. The river is formed About the by two different Organization creeks; Bell Creek from the Simi Hills The Mountains (northern Recreation & watershed) and Conservation Arroyo Calabasas Authority is from the Santa dedicated to the Monica Mountains. preservation and These two creeks management of local open space and converge at Canoga parkland, watershed lands, trails, and Park which is the wildlife habitat and is and is one of the technical start of lead agencies providing for the the LA River. There revitalization of the Los Angeles River. are only two portions of the river The MRCA provides natural resources that are not and scientific expertise, critical regional completely paved planning services, park construction over. An 11-mile services, park operations, fire stretch known as the Glendale Narrows, which runs east and south prevention, ranger services and along the edge of Glendale, CA and a stretch along its last few miles educational and leadership programs in Long Beach.