Mountains Restoration Trust
The Santa Monica Mountains, a unique transverse range, running along the western edge of Los Angeles County's LA Basin and the San Fernando Valley and ending in Ventura County, represents the collision of urban sprawl and the wild, producing enclaves that neither belong entirely to the city nor to the mountains.
The fragile balance and rhythms that evolved over thousands of years made this modest range a place like nowhere else in the world. However, improper use and mismanagement of natural resources threatens to compromise the mountains' continued existence as a viable wildlife habitat by consuming the mountains with urbanization.
For more than 30 years Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) has worked to preserve, protect and restore this fragile ecosystem by offering responsible preservation and restoration programs, acquiring resource-rich land, and offering educational and recreational activities to the public.
Year in Review
Preserving and protecting our Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the largest urban park in the world, is no easy task. Yet, for 30 years MRT has been committed to that challenge - negotiating for prime land acquisitions, doing the physical work of restoration, creating progressive educational programs, and raising the funds to make it all happen. We do this because we believe that the mountains, like the beach, belong to the public.
Here`s what we accomplished this year for the public benefit:
-- adding 78 acres to the 1600-acre Cold Creek Preserve towards opening a new hiking trail;
-- obtaining 120 acres surrounding the 1.59-mile Secret Trail to protect the trail and its surrounds with one of the highest densities of wildlife in the range.
-- organizing 2865 volunteers who dedicated 11,763 hours to plant 2653 native plants.
-- expanding our SHRUB and Youth Naturalist Programs to introduce hundreds of youth to a Mountain Experience.
We are an organization of action. Our goals take diligence, perseverance, time and funding.
MRT receives no corporate funding or major sponsorships. The support for our ongoing efforts comes from individuals like you. Not special interests but from people who respect the environment, who love the mountain experience, who care about the future.
By adding MRT to your year-end charitable gift list you are helping to protect a very diverse and unique Mediterranean biome, a natural outdoor legacy of beauty, history, and ecological significance within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area that should be owned by the public.
For contributions $100 to $249 our gift to you is a set of hand-crafted, sterling-silver blend earrings designed from oak leaves found on MRT land (valued at $25).
For $250 and up, an oak leaf pendant, made with the lost wax technique, and sterling silver chain (valued at $50) will be added with the earrings for a total gift value of $75. They can be a present to yourself for your support or a great gift for the naturalist on your list!
And, as we wrap up our 30th year celebration we invite you to stop by Headwaters Corner at Calabasas to pick up a free commemorative reusable bag and enjoy a short walk-about.
Our thanks and wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2012!
Help Mountains Restoration Trust extend natural values in the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains.
