Friends of Griffith Park

Summer is on the horizon and so are the snakes, so stay on trails and watch where you place your feet. And, we can't emphasize enough... keep your dogs on leash and close!

Currently Mayor Garcetti’s proposed budget is under review by LA City’s Budget and Finance Committee. We’re asking individuals concerned with how proposed cuts will affect Griffith Park to please weigh in. There are two budget items of grave concern relating to Griffith Park: Completion and implementation of the Wildlife Pilot Study... with a draft ordinance coming very soon... This ordinance will help reduce rapid loss of wildlife connectivity across the Santa Monica Mountain range, critical for Griffith Park connectivity. The ordinance will discourage tall fencing, create safe wildlife passages and reduce habitat fragmentation. The survival of species due to genetic isolation is based on solid science. Currently, the Mayor’s proposed budget will eliminate four staff positions designed to carry out this important work. These positions should be reinstated in the budget. Loss of 140 staff positions in City Parks... During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) lost 140 staff positions through early retirement, including many maintenance workers. Hiring authority for these positions should be restored, otherwise deferred maintenance will cost the City far more over the long term. LA City Parks must continue to be safe environments, and if they’re not well-maintained, equitable access becomes more limited. We’ve made it easy to conveniently send a message to the committee https://cityclerk.lacity.org/publiccomment/?cfnumber=21-0600 Suggested message: I am (name) and reside in Council District (x). Because of my love for City Parks, and especially Griffith Park, I request the Committee take action to recommend corrections to the Mayor’s proposed budget: 1. Save the four critical staff positions within City Planning in order to complete the Wildlife Pilot Study and implement upcoming measure to retain wildlife connectivity and reduce habitat fragmentation. 2. Grant hiring authority for 140 Recreation and Parks (RAP) staff positions. (Of course, feel free to elaborate)

We can get it done, folks!

Recently AB 1788 was signed into legislation, eliminating second generation rodenticides from our CA landscape. This was important and will hopefully have a positive impact on wildlife. But even as we see this bill come to fruition, we see how DDTs (banned from use in the US after publication of "Silent Spring") continue to devastate the environment. FoGP's article on the Rachel Carson book can be accessed here https://friendsofgriffithpark.org/preventing-a-silent-spri/ Th...e real challenge will be 1. the extensive cleanup 2. holding manufacturers of these poisons responsible In the meantime, this should be hugely concerning to everyone. See more

Even though AB 1788 was passed and signed into law, there is still much work that needs to be done.

We are currently unable to provide our volunteers with any activities due to the continuing pandemic... However, our good friend Gary Regester made a really special video of the Bird Sanctuary planting in Jan. 2020 which he shared with us... go here to view. https://friendsofgriffithpark.org/bird-sanctuary-native-pl/

Well, this is a first... a new wildland fire camera positioned at the 4-way stop near Griffith Park Ranger Station.

Occasionally we find ourselves on the Bette Davis side of Griffith Park, checking wildlife cameras. Today, as we were parking, we chanced upon this buggy being pulled by a horse decked out and looking very dapper.

This is so cool... Miguel explains why bats are so important in our environment!

A win for cougars and other critters in Temecula as a development is scaled back to allow wildlife a path between natural areas. This represents another win for the environment.

You don't need to be an ecologist or a landscape architect to attend this 5-day, 2-hour per day, symposium. Learn about wheels turning on the biodiversity movement in Los Angeles, a world class hotspot of biodiversity. Friends of Griffith Park will be there taking notes.

Apparently this osprey was rescued today in Griffith Park... short on details, but the bird will be transported to the Ojai Raptor Center, a specialized raptor rescue. https://www.ojairaptorcenter.org/ If anyone comes across a raptor in distress, please contact Nurit Katz 818.384.9493

A couple of articles to peruse... how the trump wall is impacting wildlife and how the Liberty Canyon wildlife crossing just might save the cougar in S CA... https://www.theguardian.com//wall-of-the-wild-animals-on-t https://www.thedailybeast.com/roadkill-and-its-dangerous-te

Gov. Newsom shares some insights about cougars during P-22 Day!

Assemblymember Laura Friedman visits the P-22 Day event and Beth Pratt. She gives the passage of the rodenticides bill AB 1788 and Friends of Griffith Park a shout out. Good to see you, Laura. Thanks for your great work!

We’re at the opening of the Virtual P-22 Day and look who showed up... FoGP boardmember Miguel Ordeñana and daughter Reya wearing a lovely outfit! Miguel also spotted P-22 when he first entered Griffith Park, btw.

Last night's online LA Times had an article about the intrusive Griffith Park Aerial Tram, and as FoGP’s Gerry Hans says I think it’s predictable that it keeps coming back, but it’s also predictable that the public keeps pushing back at it so forcefully. Let us know your thoughts, and if you haven't seen our online article, it’s available here... https://friendsofgriffithpark.org/griffith-parks-aerial-tr/

Hiking with Beth Pratt of National Wildlife Federation to the P-22 DAY (virtual) FESTIVAL this morning, Gerry Hans pointed out where the proposed aerial tram would traverse wild peaks and ridgelines to take paying customers to a viewing platform below the Hollywood Sign. Bad idea! Let the Mayor and your Councilmember know what you think. Info on our website.