This past weekend, the 9th cohort of the San Gabriel Mountains Forever Leadership Academy had their orientation at the Rio Vista Park and in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Please welcome Henrry Abarca, Diana Esquivel, Ryan Farmer, Marlene Gutierrez, Syllenne Moody, Michelle Okawa, Pearl Omiya, Bonnie Rodriguez, Dení C. Rodriguez, Darlene “Darling” Rueda, Jose “Niko” Salas, Evelyn Shieh, Maria Venegas, Dominique Vitti, and Leo Cordova Walhood.
These 15 individuals come from Los Angeles, Orange County, and the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys. They are diverse in age, work experience, and cultural backgrounds—yet all are committed to protecting and enhancing our parks, mountains, rivers, and wilderness land in the greater Los Angeles area.
The participants work or volunteer with the following organizations: Camp Wrightwood, Community Services Unlimited, design east of La Brea (de LaB), East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center, Garden Studio, Inner-City Arts, Kid City Hope Place, Los Angeles Conservation Corps, National Park Service, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, San Gabriel Mountains Trailbuilders, San Gabriel River Discovery Center, San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps, Sustainable Works, U.S. Forest Service Generation Green, Watts Towers Arts Center, and YouthBuild Charter School of California.
Participants also include students at the following schools: Alliant International University: California School of Professional Psychology, California State University, Long Beach, East Los Angeles Community College, El Camino College, Long Beach City College and Pasadena City College.
