Watershed Conservation Authority

On a patch of land that for a decade has been mowed once a year to comply with fire safety requirements, this little stand of wildflowers still persists. Despite changing hands and uses through the last century, from Tongva land and probable oak woodland to agricultural fields to home of the Voorhis School, then Pacific Coast Bible College, then being cleared for a planned development before becoming protected for conservation as Walnut Creek Habitat and Open Space, the land still holds secrets. This year WCA will be working with to develop an approach to sustainable land management that balances fire resilience and biodiversity in this Wildland Urban Interface.

https://www.wca.ca.gov/fire_resilience_in_the_wildland_urban_interface

RFP: Invasive Species Removal and Sustainable Land Management Planning for fire resilience on WCA lands WCA serves communities in our region through the conservation and preservation of open space and through the improvement of access to parks and trails.

Congratulations to Watershed Conservation Authority and Rivers & Mountains Conservancy Executive Officer Mark Stanley for being honored by Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority. We are proud of our partnership to maintain ecosystem services in the hills that are in the very heart of Los Angeles County.

WCA and 21 other entities, including local and tribal government entities, national and local nonprofits, as well as grassroots groups supported environmental leaders Kevin and Nathan Nunez in a request to Judy Chu to consider recommendations for actions to address the crisis of overuse in the San Gabriel Monument. Such actions will provide a foundation for the success of the proposed National Monument Expansion. Canyon City Environmental Project and East Forks Golden Preservation have been leading grassroots efforts to mitigate the trash issues in the Angeles National Forest for years. But the scale of the overuse issues begs for action on the federal level. Examples of projects that balance sustainable recreation with natural resources protection include the Watershed Conservation Authority’s collaboration with the USFS on Azusa River Wilderness Park and San Gabriel River Confluence with Cattle Canyon Improvements Project. These projects support designated river access points, day use sites, trails, restrooms, waste removal services, and information kiosks/stations in heavily used areas, to limit impact to the surrounding fragile ecosystems. Read more in the links in bio.
Canyon City Environmental Project Watershed Conservation Authority City of Azusa - Government Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indians City of Industry, California East Forks Golden Preservationn Azusa Beautiful Friends of the Los Angeles RiverHeal the BayLatino Outdoors Nature For AllNO Canyon Hills San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps - YouthbuildThe River Project Trout UnlimitedTheodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers & Native Plants Takataka Club
Straight outta Whittier making your city prettier SO CAL TRASH ARMY Rivers & Mountains Conservancy

Did you know that birds are considered pollinators? Or that bats help us manage pests such as mosquitoes?

Join us for a walk adjacent to the Los Angeles River and learn about the relationship between birds, bats, our ecosystem, and humans living in Los Angeles. Discover the simple practices you can implement to support a healthy and thriving ecosystem, as well as how these critters make our lives more enjoyable.

Binoculars will be provided. Meet at the North Eastern section of the park, next to the parking lot. This program is kid friendly.

10:00 am - 11:00 am Nature Walk at John Anson Ford Park
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Birding on the LA River

Conservation Corps of Long Beach City of Bell Gardens - local government RIA Nature For All

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birds-and-bats-of-la-tickets-736017577387?aff=oddtdtcreator

The WCA is proud to announce the hiring of Project Manager Nola Eaglin-Talmage and Accountant Faby Sarwono!

Nola Eaglin-Talmage is a Landscape Designer and graduate of the UCLAx Landscape Architecture Program. She’s also a Founding Principal at Field Sound — a Los Angeles-based landscape design studio. She is excited to bring her experience in construction document support, knowledge of Best Management Practices and her passion for sustainable environmental design to WCA. Nola is a mother of 2 teenagers and has lived in Los Angeles for 25 years. In her previous career she worked in commercial photography as a technical assistant, producer, and location scout. Her advocacy work includes serving as the Membership Chair for the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee for several years. Most recently she’s engaged as a student outreach volunteer with YO! 4 LA (Youth Outreach for Landscape Architecture in Los Angeles), a committee of the Southern California ASLA Chapter, and is a Board Member of NAMLA (National Association of Minority Landscape Architects).

As Faby Sarwono begins his journey with the WCA, he is excited to merge his accounting experience from both the private and public sectors with his passion for the outdoors. This passion aligns perfectly with the WCA’s mission, and he is enthusiastic about contributing to the organization’s environmental efforts. By working closely with project managers and fiscal manager, Faby will ensure accurate and efficient budgets for WCA projects.

Soon after I first started working at WCA, I corresponded a little with Pam Munro, who teaches the Tongva language. She posted this word of the day for me.

Water paar "water"

Thank you to all who joined WCA's series of stewardship walks on Glendora Ridge above Azusa this past fall and winter. The workshops were a pilot program for planning for public access on these lands, and for soliciting ideas from the community on how to develop a structure for access that works for Rancho Vasquez, neighbors, and WCA. We invite you to download the plan and view video clips from our workshops at https://www.wca.ca.gov/azusa_foothills_stewardship_plan
photo by Maricela Cueva Azusa Beautiful Chaparral Chick Rivers & Mountains Conservancy Canyon City Environmental Project City of Azusa - Government Rancho Vasquez Raul Roa

For more information on these positions, please visit the link in our bio. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected].

PROJECT MANAGER: Work requires the exercise of discretion and independent judgment. Duties include managing budgets and schedules, report preparation and presentation, managing grants and agreements with government agencies and others, and managing consultant contracts. Tasks require knowledge of best practices in land management, environmental planning, stakeholder engagement, partnership coordination, and environmental policy administration including compliance with the Californian Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act). The WCA is a local government agency, and the position typically includes participation in public meetings, including reporting to the WCA board as well as updating stakeholder groups with project status and opportunities.

FISCAL MANAGER: The successful candidate will be responsible for managing all fiscal matters of the Agency, including, but not limited to, operational budgeting and fiscal management that includes, but not limited to, accounts receivable and payables, preparing and analyzing financial reports, fiscal budgeting preparation, forecasting and monitoring cash flow, contract and purchase order management, audit support, property management, payroll processing, and human resource related duties. The position serves as liaison with our fiscal agent and partners the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller’s Office and Los Angeles County Flood Control District, including participating in the annual audit process. The position shares responsibility for Human Resource duties and shall assist in directing the work of general office staff.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. For the full job description and more information, visit
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/c116igqf650z72g426m65/WCA_Watershed-Project-Manager_Natural-Resources_FINAL.pdf?rlkey=so1nrnot92qduc0p31c5j5tvx&dl=0

Did you know that Crystal Lake and Coldbrook campgrounds in the Angeles National Forest offer activities like camping, hiking, and fishing within a 90 minute drive of Downtown LA? (traffic permitting 🙂)

Recently WCA team members visited these sites with .s.forestservice staff. The WCA will manage various improvements and construction of agreed upon projects, funded by the Forest Service.

Thank you to the LA Times's Louis Sahagun for bringing new attention to overuse issues in the East Fork of the San Gabriel River and including the perspectives of Watershed Conservation Authority and Rivers & Mountains Conservancy Executive Officer Mark Stanley, Angeles National Forest, Heal the Bay, Nature For All, Stillwater Sciences, and most of all, Kevin Nunez and Nathan Nunez who have been grappling with the enormity of these issues for years, through their advocacy and hands on work with Canyon City Environmental Project and East Forks Golden Preservation

Trash heaps and wild parties: Blight invades a beloved L.A. escape Nine years after President Obama created the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, park officials struggle to cope with hordes of visitors.

Catalina Island Conservancy staff shared their extensive knowledge of Catalina’s ecology and natural history during our visit today. We also toured their impressive native plant nursery and seed farm, a perfect setting to “sow the seeds” of future collaborations! Thank you CIC for your hospitality.

Another day working in the Wildlands Urban Interface- This morning driving to work, I had to pull over numerous times to allow emergency vehicles to pass. Then I received a notification from Ranger Laura Just from L.A. Mountains about a brush fire reported near our office. Then spent some time communicating with other staff members to assess the situation and notify other neighbors about the possibility of evacuation. Amazingly, within an hour, the fire was out. Thank you to Los Angeles County Fire Department and Angeles National Forest support and our neighbors at Rancho Vasquez for their incredible work protecting Glendora Ridge and the land that WCA purchased for public benefit above City of Azusa - Government!

Kevin Takumi on Twitter “ small 1-2 acre quickly handled by with a few drops and hand crews ”

The Conservation Corps of Long Beach is currently recruiting for its 3rd cohort of River Ambassadors! Ambassadors have an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in community engagement, park/trail maintenance, restoration, land stewardship, and much more.

Apply at https://www.cclb-corps.org/hsdiploma-work-program AND send an email to [email protected] requesting the River Ambassador Questionnaire.

Happy Birthday America! We hope you have a fun and safe 4th of July holiday!

PARK CLOSURE: Azusa River Wilderness Park will be closed to the public from Sunday, July 2 through Tuesday, July 4, for fire safety precautions. We will reopen to the public on Wednesday, July 5th. Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July weekend!

Please welcome the newest member of the WCA Team, Brianna Gorton!

Brianna is excited to work on projects dedicated to green space equity and land stewardship. Her background in fine art and landscape architecture informs her appreciation for landscapes as living, breathing, evolving communities and ecosystems.

Brianna believes that through community engagement and land stewardship we can foster the mutually beneficial relationship that ecologist Robin Wall Kimmerer describes: “Knowing how that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street to a sacred bond.”

🐦Come join for Family Birding Day this coming Saturday, June 24, at 9am in Deforest Park! 🌿

As part of the LA River Ranger Program, Nature For All , RIA and Conservation Corps of Long Beach are hosting a Family Birding Day with a guided nature walk and family activities to learn about the local and migrant birds and the natural and urban ecosystems along the lower LA River community!🪶🪺
This event is for all ages and binoculars will be provided! 🦆🐥🦉

RSVP using the link here and more info on Nature For All ‘s page:

https://lanatureforall.org/2023/05/10/family-birding-day/

This Juneteenth we celebrate the emancipation and resilience of Black Americans. We reflect and recommit ourselves to the work of social and environmental equity. Happy Freedom Day from the WCA.

Happy Father’s Day from the WCA!

Thank you to the City of South Gate for allowing us to present at their council meeting this week! The River Ranger Pilot Program Project Team did an amazing job presenting on the great work they are doing along the Lower LA River and Rio Hondo Confluence.💦 CCLB River Ambassadors, Brionna and William, also shared their experiences being part of the program and the LLAR communities! Awesome work to everyone!🎉
RIA Nature For All Conservation Corps of Long Beach Rivers & Mountains Conservancy

Happy from the Watershed Conservation Authority! We celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community this month and every month and stand for a more diverse and inclusive planet for everyone 🏳️‍🌈

Thank you to the City of Bell Gardens - local government for the opportunity to share and connect about the River Ranger Pilot Program at their City Council Meeting on Monday!

The River Ranger Program Project Team and CCLB’s River Ambassador, Jhai Green, did a great job presenting to the city on the River Ranger Program activities and how they foster connections with local communities, agencies and resources to promote safe, equitable usage and stewardship of the LA River! 💦

🌎🌏🌍Check out the River Ranger Project Team’s profiles for community events along the lower LA River, including some great Earth Month events coming up: RIA Conservation Corps of Long Beach Nature For All

Rivers & Mountains Conservancy

Join Nature For All for a BioBlitz of the Lower Los Angeles River as part of the 2023 City Nature Challenge! The City Nature Challenge is an international event, motivating people to document wildlife in and around their city. This friendly competition has cities from around the globe vying for the most nature observations, finding the most species, and engaging the most people. Join us in our attempt to get Los Angeles to first place!

When: Saturday, April 29th
Where: Meet at the parking lot in Monroe Ave at Hollydale Regional Park
Time: 10am to 12pm

This event is open to the public and high school participants are eligible to receive volunteer hours/ credit.

Happy Women’s History Month and Happy César Chávez Day! 🌿

In closing out the month and celebrating community activistas today and throughout the year, we’d like to recognize both César Chávez and Dolores Huerta for their phenomenal work and dedication in creating the United Farm Workers Association, and improving the lives and work environments of migrant and field workers. Thank you to all whose work and dedication promotes social and environmental equity and changing the world for the better!🌎🌏🌍

In Dolores Huerta’s inspirational words, “Sí, Se Puede!” (Yes, we can).



Image: Texas State University

🚲We had some fun in the sun along the lower LA River this past weekend!🔆💦
Thanks to our partners, Nature For All , for planning an awesome Bike Along the LA River Event for the community w/ the Conservation Corps of Long Beach River Ambassadors and Healthy Active Streets 🚲🌿

Thanks to all our partners in making the River Ranger Pilot Program possible and fostering connections between communities, agencies and resources to promote safe and equitable usage and stewardship along the LA River 💧💧💧 Rivers & Mountains Conservancy Nature For All Conservation Corps of Long Beach RIA