Whether you’re a hiker, biker, picnicker or sightseer, we all value the beautiful shared spaces of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Through trail maintenance and vigilant activism, the Sierra Club’s Santa Monica Mountains Task Force is intimately involved in the preservation of these spaces, and on this Giving Tuesday, we’re seeking donations.
We are in urgent need of more helpers for our outreach efforts at CicLAvia—The Valley on Sunday, December 8th, where we will be co-hosting an info booth with the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council volunteer trail crew. No experience is required.
We have a great opportunity here to connect with the people who use the Santa Monica Mountains trails for recreation, and to let them know of the significance of the Sierra Club and Trails Council volunteer trail crews.
However, in order for our organizations to participate, we need enough volunteers confirmed by Tuesday, November 26th.
Two kinds of volunteering opportunities are available: assisting with traffic control, or staffing our booth to talk about volunteering on the trails.
Using provided shirts and signs, volunteers will be supporting traffic control at vehicle crossing points by slowing / stopping participants, so that vehicles may cross at appropriate times. Don’t worry about the vehicles — traffic officers will handle all motorists, and any related issues. There will also be barriers and signs on the route to slow vehicle traffic.
In addition, volunteers will be providing directions to the participants, and answering route-related questions. A brief training orientation will be provided.
This particular job is very important, as our booth presence depends on us being able to provide volunteer traffic controllers.
Staffing the Booth
The second opportunity will be staffing our pop-up booth, offering information to folks who might be curious about the Sierra Club and Trails Council volunteer trail crews.
This is for everyone of all experience levels, from those who’ve been working trails for years to those who just recently joined us.
Please contact either of us to sign up for a shift, or if you have questions:
National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands.
Held on the fourth Saturday in September each year, NPLD fosters a strong connection between people and the environment, educating and cultivating environmental stewards.
From trail maintenance to tree planting, beach clean-ups to forest bathing, and more, volunteers of all ages and abilities will roll up their sleeves and join forces for a common goal: stewarding America’s natural resources for future generations to enjoy.
Thanks to the members of community-driven environmental groups like Sierra Club, and with support from federal and state agencies, this event ensures resilient natural spaces for generations to come, encouraging volunteering and environmental engagement.
The Santa Monica Mountains Task Force is hosting an “Intro to Trail Maintenance” event in Topanga State Park on Saturday (9/28) in celebration of NPLD 2024.
The Dead Horse Trail was designed and constructed by Sierra Club volunteers — ie. our very own Ron Webster and his Trailies — in 1980. You are invited to join the crew for a “taste” of our regular Saturday events, as we carry out routine maintenance and minor repairs. We will have complimentary coffee and donuts at the trailhead, starting from 8:00 am (the volunteer activity begins at 8:30 am). For more information contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Rachel Glegg, at smmtaskforce@gmail.com.
Additionally, there will be a Sierra Club information booth at the Dead Horse parking lot throughout the morning, where folks can drop by to learn about the many fantastic recreational and stewardship opportunities taking place in the Santa Monica Mountains with Sierra Club Angeles Chapter.
Discover how you can get involved in efforts to protect and steward California’s State Parks as a volunteer with the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force of the Sierra Club!
We’ll be cleaning up trails at Trippet Ranch from 8:30 am until about 12:30 pm, and then head down to the oak-shaded picnic area outside the skeet lodge (near the Trippet parking lot) for lunch. The work will include vegetation clearance, removal of invasive plants, and minor trail tread repairs. Participants will receive a complimentary lunch and a free t-shirt.
We are grateful for the Foundation’s generous financial support, providing us with funding for new tools and equipment, volunteer appreciation gifts, and refreshments for our event on Sunday.
Between June 12th and 16th, there will be a range of engaging activities, educational programs, and memorable events across the state. Below we’ve highlighted some of the other activities that will be taking place in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area during CA State Parks Week (please note that, with the exception of Sun 6/16, these are not Sierra Club events).
Explore new experiences
From epic beach days to the magic of ancient redwood forests, there is so much to see, do, and experience in California’s incredible 280 state parks. We encourage everyone to visit a state park and try something new. Interested in camping? Many parks and beaches offer beautiful campgrounds with amenities for first time campers. How about an interpretive hike to learn about your local history or adventures like surfing, boating, or offroading? California State Parks Week is your invitation to explore an activity that you just might fall in love with.
Wednesday, June 12th 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm The Secrets of the Oak Woodlands – Guided Hike at Malibu Creek State Park More information
Nourish your health and wellbeing
There’s a reason why playing outside, having a barbecue or picnic, or taking a walk in the open air feels so good. Studies have shown that time in nature can boost people’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Everyone should have access to these benefits. California’s state parks give us all places where we can find refuge, inspiration, and joy. When we connect with nature, we are connecting with ourselves and boosting our overall health.
Thursday, June 13th 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm Sunset Yoga at the Adamson House More information
Support climate resilience
Did you know that forests, oceans, grasslands, and other ecosystems throughout California’s public lands store huge amounts of carbon, making them some of the world’s most powerful tools in adapting to climate change? That’s one of the reasons why it’s critical that all of us protect lands and waters. On this day, we encourage you to learn about and support state parks and their partners’ efforts to ensure climate resilience across California’s State Park System—from expanding protected lands in state parks and restoring forests to engaging in educational dialogue about climate threats and solutions.
Friday, June 14th 9:00 am to 12:30 pm Leo Carrillo Beach Cleanup More information
Celebrate community and culture
California’s state parks are for all people. We reaffirm this truth by elevating the perspectives and experiences of communities that have been historically underrepresented in public lands. On this day and every day, we honor Black, Indigenous, and communities of color and the many ways these communities care for, relate with, and enjoy our shared parks. Join us for celebrations and cultural events at state parks statewide.
Saturday, June 15th 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Campfire Program at Malibu Creek State Park Campground Amphitheater More information
John McKinney of the L.A. Times writes: “Over the past 20 years I’ve asked several thousand Californians to name five state parks. Fewer than 5% can do so. And most of these baffled respondents are outdoorsy folks — the kind of people I meet on the trail or at my talks about hiking.
This lack of awareness is more than surprising right now. It’s dangerous.
If Californians can’t name a handful of state parks, they won’t recognize the threat when Sacramento defers investment in the system or — as is inevitably happening again — attempts to cut funding.”
Join our annual celebration of local trails and parkland!
Santa Monica Mountains Trail Days is a time for individuals, families, and groups to give back to the parks by working together to maintain the trails. There’s an important task for everyone, from seasoned trail builders to first-time volunteers, as well as age-appropriate activities for children.
This year’s event will be held over the weekend of April 19th-21st (Friday-Sunday) at Danielson Group Campground in Point Mugu State Park. Registration is required.
Come out just for the day (Saturday or Sunday) to help clean up trails with the Sierra Club work party — or perhaps stay for the weekend, and enjoy a night or two of free camping, waking up both mornings to hot beverages and bagels. Volunteers can also look forward to a complimentary BBQ dinner on Saturday night, and a jumbo thank-you gift drawing on both days, generously sponsored by our organizers and community members.
(Event registration is handled by another of the organizing parties, the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council, who will contact registrants directly).
Santa Monica Mountains Trail Days is a beloved, free-to-attend annual celebration of our local trails and parkland. Held in Point Mugu State Park over the weekend of April 21st-23rd (Fri-Sun), it is a time for individuals, families, and groups to give back to the parks by working together to maintain the trails. There’s an important task for everyone, from seasoned trail builders to first-time volunteers, as well as age-appropriate activities for children.
We are proud to have been one of the festival’s founders, and it has continued to be the highlight of the SMMTF trail crew’s yearly schedule since its inception. Other organizing partners for the event include the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council, California State Parks, National Park Service, and the Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association (CORBA).
Join us on Saturday, April 22nd (Earth Day) join us as we restore several recreational trails surrounding Danielson Group Campground at the 40th annual Santa Monica Mountains Trail Days — whether it’s with the Sierra Club work party (details) or another of the work crews — and perhaps stay for the weekend, and enjoy a night or two of free camping, waking up both mornings to hot beverages and bagels. Volunteers can also look forward to a complimentary BBQ dinner on Saturday night, and a jumbo thank-you gift drawing on both days, generously sponsored by our organizers and community members.
Registration is required.
Featured image by Jessy Lu
Sign up for Trail Days with the Sierra Club Trail Crew
To participate with the Sierra Club trail crew on Saturday, April 22nd, just send us an email (smmtaskforce@gmail.com) by April 17th with the following information for each registrant:
Name
Home address
Phone number (best number to reach you in emergency)
Emergency contact (name, phone number)
Camping on Friday night? yes/no
Camping on Saturday night? yes/no
Barbecue on Saturday night? yes/no meat/vegetarian
Additional trail work (with a non-Sierra Club crew) on Sunday? yes/no
Oak trees play a critical role in the ecosystem of the Santa Monica Mountains. 5000 species of insects, 150 birds, 105 mammals, 58 reptiles and amphibians, and 5 fish are dependent on oaks for their survival.
Often, following a wildfire or in response to combating climate change, there is a community response to plant trees in order to “do something”. Many areas of the mountains do not support trees, however, and some areas that do now may not in the future. It’s crucial to avoid indiscriminate tree planting in places where planting is not necessary or successful, and to focus restoration efforts in areas where trees can persist into the future.
The LA County Native Tree Priority Planting Plan is a coordinated effort by land managers and ecologists to consider the anticipated effects of climate change, and the recent impacts from the seven-year drought and Woolsey Fire, regarding restoring and expanding native oak and riparian woodlands within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
The plan articulates strategies to maintain biodiversity and resiliency of local trees and woodlands that provide critical habitat and linkage connectivity, as climate change creates significant stressors to their long-term survival.
During the trail crew’s off-season this summer, some of our volunteers spent a morning at Trippet Ranch in Topanga State Park with the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, who have been working with CA State Parks to restore 10 acres of oak woodlands that were devastated during the last drought.
“Growing trees that will outlive us gives us a tangible, real action to take in the face of the myriad climate associated problems facing our planet,” said Rosi Dagit, Senior Conservation Biologist for the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains. “Planting them in places where they have a chance to live long lives means taking a thoughtful approach to our restoration efforts, and using the info we have to make the best possible choices so that the trees survive.”
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DEVELOP is a NASA program which partners with organizations like the RCDSMM that are interested in integrating NASA Earth Science observations to inform their environmental decision making. The program addresses environmental and public policy issues through interdisciplinary research projects, building capacity in partner organizations to better prepare them to address the challenges that face our society and future generations around the globe.
Under this program, the Santa Monica Mountains Climate Team at JPL is using data collected by two airborne NASA Earth Observations (satellites) to isolate vegetation and monitor the changes to said vegetation over time.
UAVSAR (Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar) senses physical properties, and areas of vegetation are isolated by looking for rough or complex surface returns. AVIRIS (Airborne Visible / Infrared Imaging Spectrometer) measures over two hundred spectral bands, making it very sensitive to variations in spectral reflectance between the live and dead vegetation within these areas.
To learn more about how the NASA program informs the Native Tree Priority Planting Plan, watch this video (run time 3:00).
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As we helped water and monitor the hundreds of young coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) trees that were recently planted to mitigate for the loss experienced in the park, Rosi described the project as an “act of hope”, in reference to the fact that none of us will see these young trees reach maturity for ourselves.
Sierra Club hikers in their 60’s and 70’s can often be heard to say, “We want to be like Ernie when we grow up.” It’s easy to see why.
Ernest M. Scheuer made the Los Angeles Westside his home around 25 years ago, after retiring in 1993 from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. Before JPL, he taught at Cal State Northridge for more than two decades.
In his search for new places to hike — and new people to hike with — on the Westside, Ernie turned to the latest issue of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter’s Schedule of Activities, where he learned of the Tuesday Conditioned Hikers (TCH) and subsequently its sister group, the Tuesday Moderate Hikers (TMH). These two groups, both sponsored by the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force, have been leading the public on hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains since the early 1970’s.
And so began his many years of exploring the peaks and trails of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Ernie leading a hike for the Sierra Club | Photo by Bob Cody
Ernie became a Sierra Club outings leader in 2007, and has subsequently been a mentor and provisional evaluator for several others. He is well-known to be a “quietly rock solid leader” who many find to be a calming presence on the trail. He has been described as “selfless” and “stalwart”.
In Ernie you will also find a great conversationalist: thoughtful, knowledgeable on a number of topics, and forever curious — he always takes a great deal of interest in anything his hiking companions share with him. He is also, according to his friend and TCH hiker Jeri Segal, “a bit nerdy (in the very best sense!)”
Ernie has done a great deal to support TMH and TCH off the trails, too, including serving as Outings Chair for TCH, taking the lead in scheduling the weekly hikes and writing them up for the schedule, maintaining the sign-in sheets, and additionally undertaking the role of Safety Chair for both groups. In 2015 he received the Outings Service Award from the Angeles Chapter for his dedication to the program.
To mark his milestone birthday in July, Jeri Segal conspired with his friends in the Club and beyond to surprise him with a “birthday book”, bringing together an astonishing number of heartfelt tributes, special memories, cherished photographs, and entertaining anecdotes.
Fellow hiker Craig Percy said of his friend, “One thing that makes Ernie special for me is his eyes and smile. He always, always, has an impish grin and sparkle. He always looks like he’s ‘up to something.'”
