Nature For All coalition members celebrate the third anniversary of the San Gabriel Mountains National monument at Eaton Canyon with Cortada Elementary students, our Leadership Academy, volunteers, friends and supporters.
Events
Event: San Gabriel Mountains Monument 3rd Anniversary Celebration
“The notion of a national monument is interesting because it reminds us that America belongs to all of us — not just some of us. My commitment to conservation isn’t about locking away our natural treasures; it’s about working with communities to open up our glorious heritage to everybody — young and old, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American — to make sure everybody can experience these incredible gifts.” — President Barack Obama
Three years ago, on October 10, 2014, President Obama designated the San Gabriel Mountains a National Monument.
To celebrate, Nature For All will be hosting a picnic luncheon at Eaton Canyon (outdoor picnic area) at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. Mix and mingle with our team of coalition members, volunteers, stewards and our Leadership Academy participants.
We will also be joined by Cortada Elementary School students to celebrate the Every Kid in a Park (EKIP) initiative, which provides 4th graders with free passes to national parks across the country.
Complimentary lunch will be provided; please RSVP via Eventbrite to guarantee your spot!
Monument Defense Event Recap
What a great event today, with supporters rallying to protect the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, along with other public lands being threatened by the Trump administration.
Daniel Rossman (The Wilderness Society, SGMF) served as emcee for the event, and speakers included Congressmember Judy Chu, Congressmember Adam Schiff, Congressmember Jimmy Gomez, Congressmember Brad Sherman, El Monte Mayor Andre Quintero, Scott Ammons (REI), and San Gabriel Mountains Forever Leadership Academy graduate Karen Gutierrez.
“These fights are not won overnight,” said Congressmember Jimmy Gomez of the hard work to get the national monument designated. “But now President Trump wants to roll back that designation. And it is a shame because this area is home to so much wildlife, to waterfalls to natural habitat that people get to enjoy. And this hard-fought fight that you all won, we have to continue it. We have make sure that President Trump and his administration know that there is no lack of public involvement in this area. That you guys had those meetings time and time again. We had those champions of this area making sure that everyone’s voice was heard….”
“We are here because our beloved San Gabriel Mountains national monument is being threatened,” said Congressmember Judy Chu, who pointed to the benefits of having national monument status, as well as the progress that’s been made since its designation in 2014. “Now Angelenos, especially minorities, will have more opportunities to experience this wonderful piece of nature. It’s easier to get to the mountains, rivers, and forests, with safer trails and more signs in more languages so everybody can benefit from this monument.”
Congressmember Adam Schiff stressed that “we need bipartisan support in Congress to protect this area even more,” adding “the urgency now is protection of our monuments, of our open space.”
“This is the direction in which must move — forward, not backward, protecting our public lands not exploiting them,” said Schiff. “Being good stewards of nature, not putting it at further risk…. This is a proud legacy of so many presidents. But like so many other actions, this current president would tear down what others have done, offering nothing constructive in its place. But we are gathered here in these numbers to say, ‘This, like everything else, we will resist.’ ”
San Gabriel Mountains Forever Leadership Academy graduate Karen Gutierrez shared her experience growing up in a park-poor community, adding that the national monument provides “the best option to experience fresh air, flowing rivers, and open spaces all in one area.”
“We cannot afford to lose the San Gabriel Mountains national monument,” she said. “Rather, we need to expand it and improve access… so that park-poor communities like my own can enjoy all the health and recreational benefits it has to offer.”
More Photos:
Coverage of the event:
ABC7 News: Lawmakers fight to keep San Gabriel Mountains a national monument
Los Angeles Daily News: Interior Department won’t eliminate national monuments but some may shrink
Patch: Trump May Shrink San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
National Monument Defense Work at Climate Day LA
SGMF member organization Climate Resolve invited El Monte Mayor Andre Quintero to take the stage at their Climate Day LA conference on June 27, to urge attendees to submit public comments in support of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Our outreach team and volunteers were also there with a table to speak to attendees and collect postcards to send to the Interior Department.
Happy National Trails Day 2017
We began National Trails Day this morning with a rally with Congresswoman Judy Chu, where we celebrated new legislation to expand the monument and create a National Recreation Area, then we embarked on an afternoon of trail work at Crystal Lake.
What you can do:
- Be inspired by some of our favorite places to hike. (Share your own favorites in the comments!)
- Help us protect the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument! Sign our letter to the Interior Department
- Share a video selfie to help us make a film to celebrate the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
On the Ground Work Update: Guiding The Eagles to Their Nest Project
Leadership Academy graduate Liliana Camacho Guzman led a workshop at Drew Magnet High School, followed by an Eaton Canyon visit and hike with the students. As part of her project, Guiding The Eagles to Their Nest, she discussed environmental justice, access to green and open spaces, and our work in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and region, with the students.
“It was so rewarding seeing all these students enjoying themselves in their backyard,” said Liliana. “It was their first time wetting their feet (literally) in the San Gabriel Mountains. They can’t wait to go back with their friends and families!”
Golden Streets Success!
Photo: BikeSGV
Fire postponed the original date and rain came for the rescheduled date — but it didn’t stop the crowds from filling the streets for the 626 Golden Streets event, hosted by member organization BikeSGV. SGMF was proud to be a partner and to engage with community members at three hubs along the route.
More: Video from LA County (below); short video on our Facebook; more photos on BikeSGV’s Facebook page.
From Sasquatch to Star Wars: check out the human-powered, car-free fun at 626 Golden Streets from Los Angeles County Newsroom on Vimeo.
