PEN PACES Land O S Conservancy Volume 10, Number 4 Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Fourth Quarter, 1998

Under Development (homes) Under Development (homes) PV Drive East

Crest Road RPV City Future Uncertain

Hall Site Hawthorne Blvd

Forrestal Property (preserved in 1996) PV Dr South

Under Development Shoreline Park Under Development (homes) (Preserved in 1997) (homes) Proposed Long Point Development (hotel, homes, golf) Under Development Pacific Ocean (homes and golf) Dramatic Changes Underway on Peninsula he improving economy has struction. which would cover the old Marineland brought with it an improved Over the last ten years, some de- site, the City Hall property, and a T market for new homes. As a velopable land has been removed from portion of the open space in the new result, over the last year, dramatic play by the Conservancy. The 20- development at the end of Hawthorne changes are occurring on the Penin- acre Lunada Canyon property, the Blvd. sula. Some examples: 28.5-acre Chandler property (now the A portion of the property required • Major open space areas near Linden H. Chandler Preserve), the for the project is the City Hall site, San Pedro are being turned into homes 160-acre Forrestal property—all deeded to the City by the and a bluff-top golf course. could have had development, but now Department of the Interior in 1979 for • Travelers on Crest Road will are protected forever. The 53-acre “the perpetual use ...for public park notice two major developments—one Shoreline Park property, although not and public recreation area purposes.” where the Northrop buildings once developable in homes, has also been If a golf course is to be approved for stood, and another across the street. preserved as natural open space as a this site, it must be determined that a • At the end of Hawthorne Blvd., result of Conservancy work. In addi- golf course is consistent with this deed just north of the Pt. Vicente Light- tion, open space is being preserved requirement. house, bulldozers have finished re- within developed areas. Develop- What are other issues with this po- shaping the land for another bluff-top ment is changing the face of the Pen- tential new development? According development, this time over 70 homes. insula forever. to the “Initial Study/Environmental • Across the street from the old What’s coming? A recent applica- Analysis: Long Point Specific Plan” Marineland site, homes are once again tion submitted to the City of Rancho recently prepared for the City of being built in a development that was Palos Verdes by York Long Point Rancho Palos Verdes, the project could stalled for years. Associates proposes additional have “potentially significant impact” All told, five new developments changes—a 400-room hotel, 75 at- in a number of areas, including trans- totaling approximately 320 new tached units, 15-20 detached single- portation/circulation, biological re- homes and affecting approximately family homes, 50 guest houses, 3-4 sources, land use and planning, noise, 550 acres of land are now under con- restaurants, and an 18-hole golf course Continued on page 2 Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Fourth Quarter 1998, Page 2

Preservation of Continued from page 1 The future of the last large area of open Open Spaces-- space remaining in the South Bay, the utilities, and geology. 1,000-acre landslide moratorium area in The City must now make a determi- Rancho Palos Verdes, is still uncertain. A Statement of nation of whether the project “may or Owned by York Capital Group and Palos Purpose may not have significant unmitigatable Verdes Land Holdings Company, both environmental impacts.” If it is deter- having development as a goal, proposals The Palos Verdes Pen- mined that the project would have sig- for homes, golf or other revenue-produc- ing uses may be expected—unless the Con- insula Land Conservancy nificant impacts, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) would be required servancy is successful in its efforts to ac- is a nonprofit, non-politi- to further evaluate issues. quire these properties. cal, public-benefit corpo- The Initial Study is undergoing a 45- Our vision is the creation of a 1,000 acre ration formed to preserve day public review period, and com- “ Nature Preserve” in this undeveloped land in per- ments from the public and responsible area—a site where generations to come petuity as open space for agencies on the project relative to envi- may enjoy the special peace and solitude historical, educational, ronmental issues are to be submitted to unique in the South Bay. Will we be ecological, recreational the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. The successful? We need the active, vocal and scenic purposes. first public hearings were held in Janu- support of our community to make our A diverse group of vol- ary. vision reality. unteers from the South Bay makes up the PVPLC's managing Board of Direc- tors and its adjunct advi- sory board. These private citizens have been drawn together by their belief that open space is crucial to the well-being of our com- munity. Land acquisition by the PVPLC is through pur- chase and gift. In addition to the good will engen- dered by gift giving, land- owners and others who do- nate land or funds to the PVPLC may realize sig- nificant tax benefits. Lunada Canyon Update by Eric Randall unada Canyon is the first parcel of ship director Alison Lipman, and local Lland owned by the Land Conser- resident and Conservancy Board member vancy. Donated by the E.K. Zuckerman Eric Randall. Committee membership is family in 1992, its 20 acres of land have open and interested local residents are in- been preserved as open space in perpe- vited to participate. Following a sugges- tuity. The canyon is bordered by tion of the Steering Committee, prepara- Abbottswood Drive on the north, by tion of a master plan for the canyon has Kings Harbor Drive on the south, and El begun. Rodeo Road on the east, with access to The most visible recent changes at the canyon from Posey Way and Rock Lunada Canyon are the fences and signs Park Drive. installed in August at the Posey Way and In October, a steering committee com- Rock Park entrances. Split rail fences prised of representatives of the neigh- were selected both for aesthetics and low borhood was formed to guide the Land maintenance, and the signs announce that Conservancy in developing plans for the land is a natural preserve and encour- the future of the canyon. Members of age all that pass to treat the land with the committee include Dr. and Mrs. respect. The neighbors have reacted fa- Archer Parham, Conservancy steward- Continued on page 3 Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Fourth Quarter 1998, Page 3

25th Street

San Pedro

Western Blvd. White Point Park

Paseo del Mar Weymouth Ave

Pacific Ocean

White Point Preservation Effort Initiated an Pedro’s White Point has played vow to restore a natural environment interpretive signage. San important part in the evolution nurturing to the native birds, plants, The Conservancy would also work of the Peninsula, from the resort hotel and animals which once thrived here.” with local historians to develop ex- and spa operated by local Japanese The Conservancy has offered to hibits highlighting the historical and early in the century, to the fortifica- assist the effort by developing an military significance of the property. tions and large guns installed above agreement with the City of Los Ange- We would work to incorporate pro- the bluff to protect Los Angeles har- les for land which is to be preserved in grams in local schools where students bor. More recent use of portions of its natural state. Under the agree- can assist with restoration, take na- the property has been construction of ment, the Conservancy would be as- ture walks, and otherwise use this housing for Air Force officers. Now signed day-to-day management and property and its features as part of a community group is forming to pre- habitat restoration responsibilities. their educational program. serve the remaining 100 acres as natu- There would be no cost to the City for The property would be open to the ral open space. these services. public for hiking, bird watching, and Led by Leah Marinkovich of Subject to specific terms of the similar low intensity uses. Rancho Palos Verdes, this group has agreement, the Conservancy would Individuals interested in assisting defined a vision that the former mili- lead a community-based effort to re- in efforts to preserve the property tary reservation will be “preserved in move debris and undesirable plants, should contact Marinkovich at (310) perpetuity for recreational, educa- restore native habitat, establish and 831-3609. tional and ecological purposes and maintain hiking trails, and provide

Continued from page 2 walks in Lunada Canyon. These walks fice (541-7613) if you’d like more vorably to these improvements. are part of the Conservancy-led natu- information on activities at the can- Land stewardship is active at ral habitat segment of the PVP Uni- yon or on the Canyon’s steering com- Lunada Canyon. Periodically there fied School District’s Hands-On Sci- mittee. are volunteer days focused on habitat ence Program. restoration, with the major thrust be- Please call the Conservancy’s of- ing removal of nonnative plants, such as ice plant and anise, which have Coming Back to Life... intruded and overgrown some spots of the canyon. Restoration of native ...will be the subject of a two-day tion, and to organize ongoing sup- plants will encourage native butter- workshop presented by Dr. Joanna port groups for personal and social flies and birds to frequent the area. Macy at Pacific Unitarian Church. change." Call (310) 519-8952 for For several years, Vista Grande The workshop will "offer methods more information. to release energy for creative ac- third grade classes have had nature Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Fourth Quarter 1998, Page 4 On a Solitary Trail Hike By Julia Foster ow far do you go on the Penin- Especially important is the firm Historical Society held an event which Hsula for that hour with nature? walking shoe, according to podia- was attended by one of the last living Under the eucalyptus trees shuffling trist, Dr. David Bernstein, who stated Gabrielino. the leaves like a scarecrow ? Along the requirements of a good walking Trail Surrounded by Ivy the Shoreline Preserve on a cliffside shoe. “A well fitting shoe gives ad- If one walks past the former Malaga walk to see remnants of the Domina- equate support and shock absorption,” Cove school grounds to Arroyo and tor? There are so many wonderful he said. “People who do serious Via Media, there is a path starting up spots to get away from everything amounts of standing, walking or bik- the hills, surrounded by climbing ivy, and to just be by yourself for a true ing realize the importance of a sup- pines and honeysuckle. You can cross Emersonian renewal. porting shoe to prevent injury from Palos Verdes Drive very cautiously, The median strip on PV Drive North strains to the foot.” then take the upper cut, crossing the is popular with horses and people. No Maps for Some Trails fire road to continue on the path. From , heading down It has hundreds of steps made of the narrow dusty trail to Portuguese With the right clothing and good railroad ties, which were put in by Bend with a view of walking shoes, you head for the trails. former, now re- the entire bay, you can tired, inspector of take a great hike with Therearesomanywonderfulspotstogetaway public works Norm magnificent vistas. Crochetiere when Or maybe you’ll fromeverythingandtojustbebyyourself... he first started with head cliffside to city maintenance. Lunada Bay canyon “Fire roads are for emergency use,” for the sweeping white water coast- Unfortunately, there are no maps for he stated, "but there are many open line. Or go take pictures from Paseo some of the walking trails; they’re paths.” del Sol, finding the necklace view of often just discovered and remem- Exit on Via Del Monte, halfway the bay. bered. However some walking trails between the Plaza and Via Somonte. A short walk at sunset at Paseo are well known. From the curve of Continue up Del Monte to the 700 Lunado is delightful: dogs, young- Paseo del Mar you can park and stroll block and cross the street. Here the sters, and lovers form silhouettes along the median strip to the south path continues with stone steps, against the sky. Surfers, friends and city limits. The path is firm gravel and matching the original path pictured neighbors meet to watch that red/ the city has planted Australian pepper 30 years ago. Continue on to exit on orange sun disappear into the sea. trees, ficus and eucalyptus along the upper Via Somonte. Then each goes his solitary way. course, which was first landscaped by neighbors. Today the walking trail You have just traveled the Somonte Great Way to Keep Fit reaches past Paseo Lunado all the Canyon path, traced years ago when For a real brush with nature, trail way to the city limits. no reputable hiker or cyclist ever took hiking is rewarding and a way to keep Local author Donald Gales has to public streets. According to Jack physically fit. I’ve found that there listed names of canyons and trails in Bauman, long time resident, kids ac- are many trails and many people who his Wildflower handbook*. Rattle- tually hiked to school. There were will tell you about them at the drop of snake Canyon, known years ago as planned pathways then, one just north a shoelace. From the minute you buy Rocky canyon, runs south of St. John of the library, called the Chico path. your Happy Camper hat, compass Fisher to the dip on Crenshaw and In the early days some 35 miles of and canteen you may be hooked, right descends steeply west of the Vanderlip bridle paths were also used by hikers. here on the Peninsula where even the estate, all the way down to Abalone There were no horses on the names of trails are intriguing: Rattle- Cove west of Wayfarers’ Chapel. Altamira Canyon or Rattlesnake trail snake Canyon, the Burma Road, Bit- That’s just about as far west as you when I started down the wide road, ter Water, or out where Altamira meets can go without setting sail. new shoes digging in and the alumi- a steep rocky incline, there’s a spot A little known trail starts from the num canteen hitting my hip bone. The fondly called Heart Attack Hill. rocky shores of Rat Beach, (named only thing I forgot was lunch, which Besides that light backpack you for Right After Torrance), and here if is highly recommended. I remember will probably carry; clothes you wear you walk up the access road, you can this trail, even sometime ago, wide at are important. For comfort and stop at the gazebo and then at the first, then with connecting exits that weather, light loose fitting clothes are marker which commemorates weave continuously to Palos Verdes good, with a layer to be shed when the Gabrielino Indian Village, Chowigna. Drive South and the ocean. sun comes out. Here the Rancho de las Palos Verdes Continued on page 8 Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Fourth Quarter 1998, Page 5 1999 Plein Air Art Show Scheduled for May he 1999 plein air art exhibition events, which last year attracted over give as the weather, light, and shad- Tentitled “Seasons of the Day" will 1,000 guests. ows change.” display Peninsula landscapes at six Describing the show, Humphrey This year’s exhibit, a collaboration different times of day: dawn, morn- said, “We wanted to do something between the Art Club and ing, midday, afternoon, twilight, and that hadn’t been done before. When the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Con- night. servancy, promises to The exhibit hall be the most distinctive will be arranged so yet. If you love the that each painting open spaces of the Pen- will be viewed in a insula or just love to specified order that view art, this is the will take the viewer show to see. You may through an entire view previews of the day and night. The paintings on-line at: paintings, viewed in this manner, will we paint on location, we see how light www.pvplc.org/art99.htm. dramatically reveal how an area is and shadow affect an area. You dis- The opening reception is Sunday, transformed and will show its many cover so many moods in the land- May 2 from 1 to 4 P.M. at the Malaga moods. scape. A very familiar spot in the day Cove Plaza Library, located behind The exhibit will feature the paint- can look so completely different at the Malaga Cove Plaza in Palos ings of California Art Club artists night. Add to this the ever-changing Verdes Estates. The show will run Daniel W Pinkham and Rick weather conditions, and you have in- through May 27 . Artists will donate Humphrey, who were featured in the finite possibilities. We thought that a portion of the proceeds from sales of first exhibition in 1997. Humphrey the viewer might enjoy seeing the paintings to the Conservancy and to has organized each of the yearly vast array of colors that one area can the Palos Verdes Library District. Membership Tops 1,200 in 1998 hanks to energetic membership efforts in 1998, in several neighboring cities. We will provide a list of our Tour membership nearly doubled, going from 1998 membership in our next newsletter. We are most approximately 600 in 1997 to over 1,200 in 1998. pleased that so many people and families have shown A major influence was our first color brochure, their support for preservation of Peninsula natural areas which was mailed to residents on the Peninsula and by contributing to our organization. Haiku Corner: The Peninsula from Another Perspective By Jorg Raue aiku, which had its origin in hopefully, your haiku will cause the kestrel wings flutter H17th century Japan, is a unique reader to have similar feelings. mouse scurries in brush below form of poetry that centers on nature. My plan is to share with you haiku kestrel dives quickly Haiku poems consist of three lines, that involve single events of scenery by Bill Ailor with five, seven, and five syllables, and nature, and specifically, events respectively. that occur on our beautiful Peninsula. no rain yet this fall For over 300 years, haiku was but from tree-tops lost in fog Here is another example: strictly tied to the seasons. Beginning slow drops are falling. around 1920, some Japanese haiku eucalyptus trees — by Catherine Ratner poets began to compose haiku with- layers of bark litter ground out links to the season, but usually stems clean, smooth, like new... If you have composed a haiku about with a strong sense of place—an as- elements of our Peninsula, please sub- pect quite common in non-Japanese Here are some haiku submitted to mit them for possible publication in haiku of today—and always involv- this corner: this corner. My e-mail address is: ing the world of nature. [email protected]. Through haiku we can share feel- and seacliffs crumbling ings and see nature’s events more stand, backs stooped at ocean’s clearly. Try to compose a haiku edge about an observation in nature that old men in frayed clothes has given you a good feeling and, by Jess Morton Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Fourth Quarter 1998, Page 6 Annual Picnic Celebrates Volunteers

Former Board member Loren DeRoy received the Conservancy's Volunteer Service Award, the Conservancy's highest honor, for her work in organizing and coordinating our Ten Year Anniversary Celebration. The award was presented by President Bill Ailor at the Conservancy's annual Chefs Bob Bothamley (left), Allen Franz, Volunteer Appreciation Picnic in November, 1998. and Craig DeRoy prepare burgers for hungry picnickers .

Shirley Borks received a special thanks for her Good food and good fellowship were enjoyed by the 30 participants, orchestration of the Anniversary Banquet held in who shared a damp afternoon taking shelter in the home of Loren and September. Craig DeRoy.

Nature Center Offers Science Program for Children our Sunday programs devoted to the science of activities designed to explore and discover the world Fnature and the environment will be presented by around us. Guaranteed to be fun, educational, and "Mad Science of Los Angeles" at the George F Canyon entertaining, the sessions, for ages 5 through 12, are Nature Center in Rolling Hills Estates. The programs $10 per child per session. Call (310) 547-0862 for will be held on February 28, March 28, April 25, and more information. May 23, and will include demonstrations, games, and Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Fourth Quarter 1998, Page 7 Inner Fat: Good and Bad for Different Birds hen a bird has eaten a lot before low, a condition necessary for high Here on the Peninsula, our Land Wthe long fasting period, and thus maneuverability. Then, in areas where Conservancy is doing great things to built-up sufficient inner fat, the body the sparrowhawk was eliminated by preserve habitats and to restore useful gets the needed energy by deteriorating the pesticide, the great tits’ average botanical organisms to assure that the bodily fat, with no harm to the bird’s weights rose noticeably, especially dur- local and migratory birds that reside body. Then when the necessary fasting ing the coldest weather, so that each of here have sufficient reserves. period ends, the bird will have enough those birds had body insulation and no by Joseph K. Slap muscular strength to feed again and to worry about predation. preserve its life. When those pesticides were con- In contrast, if a penguin, particularly trolled in the late 60’s, the sparrowhawks an Adélie penguin, has too little inner increased in number and spread, and by fat, its body gets the needed energy by the late 80’s, they had returned to the deteriorating certain muscles; and that early 50’s locations and population lev- can lead to the penguin’s death because els. Continued studies into the late 90’s it wouldn’t be able to swim or to escape have confirmed all the ideas that had from a predator. been previously derived by the orni- As for other bird species, many little thologists. adult birds eat heartily early in the winter in anticipation of winter food Jim Moore Joins Conservancy Board shortage. That eating increases the body fat during the day, and allows it to be DeRoy, whose two-year term expired nourishingly utilized during a cold night. in 1998. Studies in England have found that Jim and his wife Lois are natives of members of the several bird species Seattle, Washington, and have lived retain less body fat than the ornitholo- in Southern California for more than gists had expected. This finding sug- 40 years. A resident of the Peninsula gested to the ornithologists that there since 1967, Moore was active on Save must be a problem for those birds if Our Coast and in the formation of they retain a lot of body fat. Further Rancho Palos Verdes, and currently studies indicated that high body fat serves on that city’s Traffic Commit- would reduce the maneuverability of tee. such a bird, giving it higher risk of He has also been prominent in the being a predator’s prey. effort to plan, obtain approval for, In the late 1950’s, use of bird-toxic and implement a trails and habitat pesticides led to an almost complete plan for lower Hesse Park. loss of sparrowhawks, a primary preda- im Moore of Rancho Palos Verdes Moore, a registered mechanical tor of the great tit (Parus major), in most Jwas elected to the Conservancy’s engineer, retired from The Aerospace of Britain. Before then, the average Board of Directors at our October Corporation and now operates a con- weight of the great tit was relatively meeting. Moore replaced Loren sulting business.

Helpsaveopenspace! Yourtax-deductibledonationhelpsussavenaturalareasonthePeninsula. Donors will receive Open Spaces, and be acknowledged therein, unless anonymity is requested.

❒ Patron ($1000) ❒ Sustainer ($500) ❒ Sponsor ($100) ❒ Supporter ($50) ❒ Regular ($35) ❒ Student ($10) ❒ Other donation ______Make checks payable to PVPLC. ❒ Please send information on volunteer opportunities.

Name ______Address ______

City ______State ______Zip ______Phone ______Please mail to: PVPLC, 904 Silver Spur Rd., Suite 274, RHE, CA 90274 Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Fourth Quarter 1998, Page 8

NON-PROFIT Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy ORGANIZATION 904 Silver Spur Road, Suite 274 U.S. POSTAGE PALOS PAID VERDES PENINSULA Land Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 Conservancy Palos Verdes Pen. CA 90274 Permit No. 232

Read the Label. . . Open Spaces Our mailing label contains useful information about your donation status. On A Newsletter Published by the the top line after your name is the date when your last donation was received by Palos Verdes Peninsula the Conservancy. If the top line contains only your name, according to our Land Conservancy records, you have not yet contributed. Please make your 1999 commitment to 904 Silver Spur Road, Suite 274 preserving open space now--we need your help! Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 Office Telephone: (310) 541-7613 Office Fax: (310) 541-7623 Continued from page 4 E-mail: [email protected] I thought of the tribes of ancient Home Page: www.pvplc.org A View of Bays and Coves Gabrielinos who wandered on the Here you can see all of the bays and highest hills overlooking the vast Pa- Board of Directors coves of the entire coastline. After cific ocean. They would hunt and Bill Ailor, President taking a branch path swerving to the fish, tar up their canoes and head for Mike Kilroy, Vice President Ken Servis, Vice President gully, I found a ridge of tall pines, the trading “malls” of the Indian neigh- Shirley Borks, Secretary standing like sentinels. This area, bors in Catalina. But once back on the Nell Mirels, Treasurer Robert Bothamley some of which was planned as a copy beautiful Peninsula, they too enjoyed Allen Franz of an Italian villa, was graded in 1928, their solitude. Ginny Leeuwenburgh Jim Moore part of the dream of the late Frank Eric Randall Vanderlip, who founded Palos Verdes * “Wildflowers, Weeds, Wildlife, and Anke Raue Weather of the Palos Verdes Peninsula,” June Schwarzmann Estates. Douglas Stern You might even see in the distance by Donald M. Gales. This book is avail- Warren Sweetnam what was known as cypress alley and able from the Conservancy, (310) 541- Executive Director the Vanderlip peristyle, with columns 7613. Wendy Millet of marble and steps leading down Photojournalist Julia Foster is a Palos Office Coordinator Gloria Anderson between tall rows of cypress trees. Verdes Estates resident and a contribu- The Portuguese Bend Pony Club tor to national newspapers and maga- Land Stewardship Director Alison Lipman used to have horses, looking like min- zines. A former associate editor of the iatures from the top of the hill. Some- Student Representative Palos Verdes Review city magazine, she Juewon Khwarg Chadwick how a sensation of other-worldliness is a member of writers’ groups, including Max Schmid Chadwick lies in the mist of the hills, where International Food, Wine and Travel Educators thousands of acres were once planned Writers Association, and Manuscripters Linda Hagerty Deena Sheridan for European carousels and bridle and Surfwriters. trails.