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We Are Nature
A s a lifelong outdoors enthusiast who greatly values the natural world, it is easy to be discouraged when I read the daily news. Not only are environmental protections being threatened (not new in political cycles), but the very people who devote their lives to our public lands and conduct the science vital to Earth’s survival are losing their jobs and seeing their life’s work put on hold. National Wildlife Federation’s Beth Pratt shared with me
Iconic Butterfly Facing Sharp Decline Due to Habitat Loss, Climate Change By Elizabeth Smilor Special Sections Writer I magine a world without the iconic orange and black monarch butterfly. “What will future generations say if we allow the monarch butterfly to go extinct, the biggest, most showy insect on the North American continent,” speculated National Geographic Explorer and Photo Ark
dedicated to insects. “That’s why everyone should care.” The main reasons for the population decline are habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use. Monarchs need host plants (milkweed) for breeding and flowering plants that provide nectar for adults. They also need overwintering sites. While the eastern monarchs make a 3,000-mile migration in winter to Michoacén, Mexico, western monarchs have many overwintering sites along the coast and some have been lost to development. Climate change, with extreme storms and an earlier spring in some areas, has affected monarch life cycles. Finally, the widespread use of
Elizabeth Smilor Executive Editor
from her home near Yosemite that she’s saddened and angry. “I never thought in my lifetime that I’d have to be defending the value of our National Parks. It’s one thing we almost all agree on, that we love our public lands.” NWF is a bipartisan non-profit that she said will continue to protect America’s natural resources for all, as well as the science that guides conservation. “Without science we would not have known why and how to build the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing,” Pratt said. And as you’ll read in this edition of Southern California Earthday, Angelenos have rallied behind this project because it will reconnect habitat vital to the survival of species from mountain lions to monarch butterflies. National Geographic Explorer and Photo Ark founder Joel Sartore continues his mission to document the world’s 20,000 species in human care before some of them disappear. He’s at 16,625 species and counting. He sees the monarch butterfly as a beautiful example of the plight of many species. “If you can’t save the most beautiful insect in North America. If you don’t even try, what hope is there for the other things?” These experts, naturalists and scientists have a reminder for us: We are nature. We are part of this ecosystem we call Earth. What we do, and don’t do, matters. I implore you to care. Step outside and observe the nature around you. Watch the smallest insect, listen to the birds, and, yes, stop to smell the roses. Stuck at your desk? Go to the Friends of Big Bear Valley live webcam FOBBV Eagle Nest Cam and be inspired by this bald eagle family along with tens of thousands of other human beings. Or tune into another live cam at Explore.org . Pick up one of Sartore’s photo Ark books and look into an animal’s eyes via his photographs.
Elizabeth Smilor birding in Rocky Mountain National Park photo by Alex Smilor
pesticides and herbicide-resistant crops has decimated native plant habitats vital to many insects. “The thing that people don’t understand very well is that monarchs and other pollinators
Founder Joel Sartore. “If we didn’t care enough to plant native plants. We didn’t care enough to do the right thing. I think they will be angry and disappointed. How bad does it have to get?” The monarch butterfly
Chris Lancaster Elizabeth Smilor Scott Pasewalk
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have to have habitat that is not constantly sprayed with
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population has declined sharply over the past 20 years. Though genetically
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National Geographic Explorer Joel Sartore started the National Geographic Photo Ark in 2006 to create a photo archive of global biodiversity that will feature portraits of more than 25,000 species of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. He has traveled to more than 60 countries for the project, photographed more than 16,000 species, published multiple Photo Ark books, the most recent is Photo Ark: Babies , started a YouTube Video Ark and addressed many live audiences. He estimates the project will take 25 years to complete.
similar, there are two geographically distinct Monarch populations. The eastern monarch overwinters in Mexico and breeds east of the Rocky Mountains. The western population overwinters along the California coast and breeds in areas west of the Rockies. The eastern population has decreased by an estimated 80% and the western by about 95% in two decades, according to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Overall, butterfly populations in the U.S. have declined by almost 25%, according to a study published in March in the journal Science . The team of more than 30 researchers collected data from scientists and community volunteers and analyzed 12.6 million butterfly sightings to reach their conclusion. “We need insects or we can’t survive ourselves. We need pollinators to grow fruit, but others, like ants, clean the plants. If they go away, so do we,” said Sartore, whose Photo Ark book catalog includes one
Find hope. It is out there, literally. Then, take action. Cut down on a destructive habit such as plastic use, pesticide use, and driving. Start small and build upon new habits. Start something new. Plant a pollinator garden. Pick up trash. Become a citizen scientist (Examples: ebird. org , inaturalist.org and monarchwatch.org ). Support a non-profit with money or service hours, or both. “Human beings are very destructive, but we are also very caring when we need to be,” Sartore said to me. The time to care is now. For the sake of every species. For the sake of planet Earth. Ultimately, for our own survival.
Civic Publications Executive Editor Elizabeth Smilor is a freelance writer and former editor for the Southern California News Group and the Ventura County Star. A Colorado native, she has lived in Southern California since graduating from USC, and is the proud mom of two Eagle Scouts.
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Southern California Earthday is published by Civic Publications, Inc. ©2025. For comments or questions, email Chris Lancaster at chris.lancaster@civicpub.com www.civicpublications.com
Joel Sartore, photo by Ellen Sartore.
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What You Can Do to Help Monarchs • Plant a pollinator garden with locally appropriate flowering plants and native milkweed species. (See Xerces Society California plant list here ). Susie Vanderlip (See more tips on her blog: www.tinyurl.com/AllAboutMonarchs ) suggests planting at least 3-5 gallon- size milkweed and about the same number of flowering plants, that bloom at different times. Space them out as female monarchs like to spread their eggs out. Plants need plenty of sun and water. (Caution: Wash hands if you touch the milkweed leaves or a caterpillar as the oils are toxic to the human eye.) • Ensure any plants you purchase from nurseries are pesticide-free. • Do not use pesticide, fungicide, or herbicide on any milkweed plants or nectar plants as this can poison and kill monarch caterpillars and butterflies. Absolutely no pesticide should be used adjacent to overwintering sites during the overwintering period (October - March). • Become a community scientist by volunteering to collect data on monarchs and milkweed or help create butterfly habitats in public spaces • Useful links: monarchwatch.org xerces.org monarchjointventure.org www.westernmonarchadvocates.com Endangered Species Act. The comment period for the proposed rule published on Dec. 24, 2024, is open until May 19. Learn more about the reopened comment period. “Human beings are very destructive, but we’re also very caring when we need to be. Saving nature now needs to be intentional. We can’t take it for granted that all of this will be here,” said Sartore. “If you can’t save the most beautiful insect in North America. If you don’t even try, what hope is there for the other things?”
insecticides,” Sartore said. At his office building in Lincoln, Nebraska, a huge native prairie garden is filling in all the landscaped spaces. “It’s important that people start planting native, nectar bearing plants everywhere we can in order to save insects.” Orange County resident Susie Vanderlip is a volunteer Monarch Conservation Specialist for Monarch Watch, a University of Kansas-based education, conservation and research group. Vanderlip was inspired when she discovered monarch caterpillars in her back yard 15 years ago after an emergency appendectomy slowed her down. She started learning all about them, taking photos, and even writing a children’s book. “They literally float across the garden. I think people feel this connection to them in part because monarchs are so calm and you can get so close to them,” said Vanderlip. “Then, when I watched their metamorphosis it made me think about my own healing. I think it gives us all hope that the trials and tribulations of life will turn out to create something beautiful in our lives.” Vanderlip created a Facebook group with about 1,600 members throughout Southern California who share information. She also helps coordinate volunteers for projects, such as Dana Point’s campaign to plant 10,000 square feet of monarch habitat over 10 years in public spaces. And, of course, she cultivates her own monarch garden space. While she used to tag monarchs, California Fish and Wildlife
regulations now prohibit human contact with monarchs. Unfortunately, Vanderlip explained, when people raised large populations of monarchs in netted environments conservation professionals said it may do more harm than good. “Some people were raising 200 to 1,000 monarchs every season in an effort to create more monarch butterflies and then release them. That is not healthy conservation, because that means you’re collecting eggs and you’re not letting natural selection happen, in which normally one out of a thousand monarch eggs becomes a butterfly,” she said. Everyone is still encouraged to create monarch habitats. The Monarch Watch Waystation Program is nearing 50,000 registered habitats after almost 20 years. Monarch Watch also distributed 100,000 free milkweed plants last year. “However, we are still losing more monarch habitat each year than we are gaining through these efforts and others,” the website states. “We need to register 50,000 Monarch
Waystations every year (or every few months!) instead of every 20 years, and we need to distribute 1 million or more milkweed plants each year.” As Vanderlip pointed out, monarchs are a complex species and research on their decline and how to help them is ongoing. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to list the monarch butterfly as threatened under the
Photo by Susie Vanderlip
Susie Vanderlip is a Monarch Conservation Specialist for Southern California for Monarch Watch. She is the author of a children’s photo storybook The Story of Chester about the butterfly life cycle, maintains a blog and Facebook group, and is available to speak about monarchs and butterfly habitat. For more information, go to www.MonarchButterflySpeaker.com
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FOBBV Eagle Nest Cam
T ens of thousands of people, including many classrooms of students, are tuning in to watch the Big Bear bald eagle family via a live nest webcam operated by the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV). The world-famous pair, Jackie and Shadow, had three eggs hatch in March. It was the first hatching since 2022 for the pair. Up to 100,000 viewers tuned in from around the world during the hatchings. The FOBBV YouTube channel has more than 600,000 subscribers. The observers share how watching the bald eagles brings them joy and peace, and sometimes sorrow _ as when one chick did not survive a snowstorm in mid- March. FOBBV volunteers named the deceased chick Misty, in honor of a dedicated FOBBV volunteer Kathi Misterly who was lost to cancer “and is still very missed.” As is tradition, Big Bear elementary students (this year third, fourth and fifth graders) chose the surviving chicks names from a randomly drawn list of names sent in by nest watchers. About 54,000 names were submitted during the online FOBBV fundraiser with 30 finalists drawn. The students voted for Sunny and Gizmo. The
older and bigger chick is Sunny and the one previously known as Little Chick is Gizmo. FOBBV, a nonprofit educational group, operates two webcams near the nest, 24/7 advertising free; and moderates daily live chats. Cam1, nearest the nest, lost sound and IR light capabilities in the March snowstorm, so sound and nighttime IR light video is from the wide- view Cam2. Per wildlife regulations, no one is allowed to go near the nest which is 145 feet up a Jeffrey pine tree. In fact, the San Bernardino National Forest closes hiking trails in the area every year during the brooding season. Tune in and you’ll feel like you’re right there in the nest with this bald eagle family. Get to know protective mom Jackie, fastidious dad Shadow and the adorable Sunny and Gizmo, who grow exponentially every day. Take it from someone who knows, you will not be able to stop yourself from checking in, and you will learn so much from the dedicated moderators.
Big numbers for big reductions in emissions at the Port of Long Beach. This Earth Day, the Port of Long Beach is celebrating Leading Green. Over the past 20 years, we’ve reduced diesel soot by 92%, nitrogen oxides by 71% and sulfur oxides by 98% as cargo has increased to record levels. 92. 71. 98.
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Reconnecting Nature
“It is the most hopeful project,” Pratt said. ”It is not just an L.A. story or a California story, it’s a story that the world is really behind.” Phase 1, the structural construction of the 174-foot-wide crossing spanning 10 lanes of the Ventura 101 Freeway at Liberty Canyon Road, is now substantially complete. Phase 2, a smaller crossing over Agoura Road and slopes connecting the crossing to the landscape on both sides, will begin soon. In the meantime, rocks, soil, seeds and plants will be placed on the main crossing to have a year to establish before the estimated opening toward the end of 2026. Designed for Wildlife Caltrans worked with expert partners and applied research by NPS wildlife biologists, to choose the crossing site and design every last detail. First, the location: “This is the last place on Ventura freeway where there is open space on both sides of the freeway,” Comeaux said. “From the tracking collars used by scientists in the National Park Service on bobcats and mountain lions, we see that for years they have tried to cross the freeway at this point.” The size of the crossing was also mandated by science. “You cannot build something very long and narrow, because animals will view it as a trap. That’s why tunnels have limited success,” Comeaux explained. “It had to be very open and natural.” NWF’s Pratt had worked on other wildlife crossings with Robert Rock, President and CEO of Rock Design Associates in Chicago, and brought him into this project. Rock worked with Caltrans to alter the color of the concrete to a dusky mocha that reflects less light, put lower temperature lights on shorter poles, and to use walls that scatter sound and decrease light both on the crossing and leading up to it. Rock led the landscape design and plant propagation. “We are using exclusively
Phase 1 Construction of Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing Nearly Complete By Elizabeth Smilor Special Sections Writer I n the dark of night last May, a barn owl followed the path of the unfinished Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills. “For the first time in decades, there was a dark spot over the freeway and Dr. Travis Longcore (UCLA adjunct professor and director of the Urban Wildlands Group) and a group of students witnessed this unexpected flyover,” said National Wildlife Federation (NWF) California Regional Executive Director Beth Pratt, who led the crossing fundraising effort. The sighting was exciting for the many people involved in the public-private partnership behind the planning and building of what will be the largest wildlife crossing in the world and the first of its kind in California.
together. This isn’t just a wildlife crossing, it is reconnecting a really significant wildlife habitat, so that all kinds of species can continue to live successfully in the Santa Monica Mountains.” The project broke ground on Earth Day 2022 and was inspired in part by the story of P-22, the only mountain lion known to have successfully crossed the maze of freeways to live in and around Griffith Park, until his death in December 2022. It involves the collaboration of Caltrans, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), the National Park Service (NPS), NWF, and the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCD) along with a number of additional supporting agencies and organizations. Over 5,000 individuals, foundations, agencies and businesses from around the world have raised more than $98 million. The total cost comes from about equal parts private and public monies, Comeaux said, adding that all public funds were from environment-specific grants, such as Prop. 68, not transportation funds.
LEGO ® bricks in the crossing model designed by Rock Design Associates
and Martin Egemo. Vote for it in the LEGO ® Ideas contest here: https://ideas.lego.com/ projects/75c9526f-98f6- 43bc-8411-b6ff5b2eda43
native plant species, all part of the coastal sage scrub family to fit the environment of the structure and the fairly shallow soil depth of 1-4 feet,”
Rock said. “All the plants grown are from seeds sourced within a five-mile radius of the crossing, and propagated in a nursery. We’re literally stitching the land back together with plant species from either side of the crossing.” In addition to the collection of more than 1 million hyper-local seeds, Rock said the team has collected native soil biology – mycorrhizal fungi, beneficial bacteria, and soil microorganisms – from local reference sources that are being used to propagate the plants in the nursery and will be installed with the plants on the crossing as well. This attention to detail was
“It corroborated what researchers already knew, that once we block out the headlight glare and much of the traffic noise, animals of all types will in fact cross there,” said Michael Comeaux, recently retired Caltrans District 7 Public Information Officer for the project. “It’s been almost magical watching this project coming
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Photo by Mel Melcon, Los Angeles Times
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Newport Beach philanthropists Frank and Joann Randall gave $5 million for educational overlooks on both sides of the freeway with interpretive panels and benches. So, from a short walk away, people can get two distinct views of the crossing and the wildlife using it, Pratt said.
accomplished with a great deal of collaboration to reach a common goal. “It was like putting a puzzle together on top of a bridge,” Pratt said. “Some wildlife that will cross need open space, some need shelter, and some wildlife will live on it. How do you stitch an ecosystem back
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together? This was an exquisitely planned project, because we recognize that this is restoring, reconnecting, restitching the habitat for 100 years or more. It had to be done right for the future of the Santa Monica Mountains and the wildlife that lives there.” The Human Component This is the first wildlife crossing to be built in an urban area so heavily trafficked by people and cars. Every day, about 300,000 cars use the 101 Freeway at this site. To build the crossing, the freeway was closed in one direction overnight for five nights a week in April and May of 2024. Temporary closures alongside the freeway will continue during the construction of Phase 2. Comeaux said he’s been overwhelmed by the public support for the project and the absence of complaints during construction. “The request from the community was to let them know in advance about closures and that’s what we did and what Caltrans will continue to do,” Comeaux said. “I was totally blown away by the incredible public support beginning at the early environmental meetings for this project.” A total of 8,859 comments were received in response to the draft environmental document, with only 15 opposed. At those early meetings, most community members also said they did not support a hiking trail on the crossing. “It was proposed to put a trail for people across, but the overwhelming public sentiment that they wanted it just for wildlife,” Pratt said. When the crossing initially opens, she said they will probably have security and volunteers to keep people off and educate them. After that, they will determine if other measures are needed. “I think for the most part people will do the right thing.”
Rock said he too has been amazed by how much people care about this project. From his 11-year-old son who wants to sell his uncle’s toy cars to raise money (he calls it “Cars for Cougars”) to university students, Rock said, the curiosity is inspiring. “What makes me most proud is that this project is influencing the next generation,” Rock said. “It is creating a substantive and palpable level of change for kids in elementary school right now, who are going to understand the need for connected habitat for species because we’re all a part of this unique habitat we call planet Earth.” Along with many other Angelenos, Comeaux said he is eager for the opening and looks forward to using the nearby trails. “For this to be happening in L.A., makes this an extraordinarily special place,” he said. “If we can do anything to keep our home healthy and diverse, it makes it better for all of us.” Pratt said the project is a great example of the power of public- private partnerships and hopes the model can extend to more crossings in California. “We humans messed with the ecosystem. We didn’t know back when the 101 Freeway was built what we were doing, but we now know from research that islands of habitat don’t work. Biologically, we need to do this. We are designing this for everything from mountain lions to monarch butterflies, because this impenetrable wall of the 101 impacts them all,” she said. “Even if you don’t care about wildlife, I think we all care about our own survival. We are nature. We are part of these ecosystems. I think we fool ourselves into thinking we can mess with it and it will all be OK for us.”
A great blue heron at Rio Hondo Spreading Grounds, which uses recycled water to replenish groundwater.
Properly disposing of your household hazardous and electronic waste at one of our free local roundups (www.lacsd.org/hhw). Keeping trash off of streets by placing in trash cans. Putting paper, cans, bottles and other recyclables in the bin for recyclables. You can help by: We all have a role in protecting our planet. The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts help protect the environment by converting sewage into clean water and waste into recycled commodities and green energy.
P-22, the only mountain lion known to have successfully crossed the maze of freeways. photo by Steve Winter
For more ways to be green, visit www.lacsd.org/begreen.
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creating better transit access to the core of downtown, and providing a seamless journey for riders. Additionally, during the Games and in partnership with Caltrans, a Games Route Network (GRN) of roads will be designated for the Games vehicles traveling between official accommodation venues, competition venues, and other key sites. A Games Enhanced Transit System (GETS) also will be created to link rail/bus stations and temporary park and ride sites to the venues. The GETS is expected to be comprised of ZEB and Compressed or Renewable Natural Gas buses (CNG or RNG) from Metro’s fleet and donated buses from partner agencies. The permanent transit improvements — from tree-shaded bus stops to rapid bus routes and new rail lines — will ultimately benefit all residents and businesses long after the 2028 Games are over. Angelenos that have no or limited experience taking transit prior to the 2028 Games will gain familiarity with the system, addressing a major barrier to system utilization. “The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a real opportunity for Metro, to show LA County and the world how transit can protect our environment, improve our health, and give us a better quality of life,” said Wiggins. “For decades, LA County has been infamous for its
Transit for a Resilient Los Angeles T he Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) embodies the Earth Day values of environmental awareness, responsibility and action into every service they provide and every project they build. “Using public transportation is one of the best ways people can reduce their personal environmental impact,” said Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro. “Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword: it’s who we are; and we’ve taken concrete actions over the past few years to combat climate change and build a healthier, more sustainable, and resilient Los Angeles.” In recognition of this basic principle and in support of state carbon neutrality targets, Metro has set goals for reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and implemented a requirement for VMT analysis to be included in board reports. This builds accountability into these targets and ensures that the full range of VMT impacts are being considered during the decision-making process. Metro’s initiatives are guided by its 10-year Sustainability Strategic Plan (Moving Beyond Sustainability), which provides the blueprint to accomplish its goals. The plan makes bold commitments to tripling Metro’s on-site renewable energy generation by 2030; reducing total
Go green: Ride Metro.
efforts of its kind in the U.S., increasing competition and interest among U.S. bus manufacturers. “This is the first time Metro is partnering with transit agencies across LA County to buy new buses together. It’s an opportunity to pool our purchasing power while also supporting zero-emissions bus manufacturing jobs here in the U.S.,” said Metro Board Chair and LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “This is the sort of creative approach we need to get all of our transit providers closer to a zero-emissions, clean air future.” Conversion of Metro’s J (Silver) Line BRT into a fully electric fleet is underway and is anticipated to be completed in 2025. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure construction has begun at Division 9 and is slated to be completed by 2026. Planning for the electrification of El Monte Transit Center has begun and is also slated to be completed by 2026. From 2022 to 2023, Metro saw a more than 14% reduction in air pollution emissions and a 15% decrease in its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Expansion of the transit system and increased utilization of that system will continue to reduce GHG emissions throughout the region. Metro has been working to identify creative opportunities to scale its efforts to cut greenhouse gases. For example, in 2022, the agency adopted a tree policy and has partnered with cities and communities to support tree canopy along transit corridors and near stations. A Los Angeles County Climate Vulnerability Assessment found that, by 2050, nearly 2.2 million people will be residing in areas with exposure to extreme heat — many of whom are transit riders. “Metro’s tree policy will mean cleaner air, more shade for pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders, and more walkable, livable, and beautiful neighborhoods,” said Chair Hahn. The upcoming 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in a transit-first future for Angelenos. In 1984, LA lacked today’s public transportation network. Today, the region includes more than 100 miles of rail and over 40 miles of bus-only lanes. With currently planned expansions to Metro’s network, there will be high-quality transit service for most of the major 2028 Games venues. Metro’s Twenty-Eight by ’28 Initiative outlines projects slated for completion by 2028. Five projects have already been completed, including the transformational Regional Connector in Downtown LA, which opened in June 2023, closing a missing link in the rail system,
agency greenhouse gas emissions by 79%; reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 54%; and reducing potable water use by 22%. Metro is making significant progress on the priorities outlined in the Sustainability Strategic Plan, which is exemplified by its progress on efforts to electrify the bus. Metro currently operates one of the largest clean-air bus fleets in the U.S., with the transition from renewable natural gas fueled buses to zero- emissions buses underway. Last fall, the Metro Board of Directors took a big step toward helping the greater region by approving another policy to support U.S. zero -emission bus manufacturers by approving $49.84 million in state Zero Emission Transit Capital Program (ZETCP) funds for Los Angeles County Municipal Operators Association (LACMOA) member agencies. The policy allows purchase of zero-emission buses and charging infrastructure through a Regional Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) Procurement Policy, one of the largest collaborative procurement
“This is the first time Metro is partnering with transit agencies across LA County to buy new buses together. It’s an opportunity to pool our purchasing power while also supporting zero- emissions bus manufacturing jobs here in the U.S.” Janice Hahn, Metro Board Chair and LA County Supervisor
“Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword: it’s who we are; and we’ve taken concrete actions over the past few years to combat climate change and build a healthier, more sustainable, and resilient Los Angeles.” Stephanie Wiggins , CEO of Metro
traffic and air pollution. The 2028 Games will give us the opportunity to show the world how serious we are about embracing transit and reducing our environmental impact here in LA County.” Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for LA County and carries nearly 1 million boardings daily on four light rail and two subway lines and 119 bus lines utilizing a fleet of over 2,000 clean-air buses, including battery electric and CNG models, fueled by renewable energy. The agency seeks out and implements innovative solutions to improve air quality, protect and preserve natural resources, reduce and reuse waste, and more importantly, create connected communities. To highlight the benefit of public transportation and encourage ridership, Metro offers free rides on Earth Day and California Clean Air Day in October. The agency works with its employees and strategic partners in communicating its efforts through social media, blog posts, employee training programs, after-school activities and stakeholder engagement through community-based organizations. On a global scale, Metro creates awareness for sustainable public transit and serves as an example, inspiring others to take on leadership roles in their own networks and locations
The LA Metro G (formerly Orange) Line in the San Fernando Valley is fully electric.
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Bentley Mills Incorporates Design, Style and Environmental Sustainability in Carpet
By Amy Bentley Special Sections Writer
Jay Brown, Bentley Mills’ President and Chief Operating Officer, said, “We feel a lot of humility in receiving this award. We have a great legacy not only in the carpet industry but in the community.” Bentley Mills manufactures award-winning broadloom, carpet tile, and area rug products for commercial interiors
B entley Mills, headquartered in the City of Industry, is a leader in design, quality, customer service and environmental responsibility in the carpet industry. Their building is the world’s first and only LEED-EB Gold carpet manufacturing facility. All carpet manufactured by Bentley is Red List Free, meaning they are free from the most dangerous chemicals prevalent in building materials that pose a risk to human health and the environment. “Sustainability has been a large focus since 1994. The CEO at the time was very concerned with what we were going to leave behind for our children. So that’s what really started us on this journey,” said Sandy Eppard, Bentley Mills’ Senior Director of Sustainability and Technical.
the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. Bentley Mills is always striving to reduce its environmental footprint, which includes reducing its use of energy and water and purchasing all renewable energy. The company proudly shares its environmental policy on its website, explaining that Bentley Mills will continually: • Improve our Environmental Management System. • Address high-risk environmental issues identified during the environmental risk assessment process. • Promote waste elimination and pollution prevention. • Meet or exceed applicable environmental laws and regulations. • Establish environmental goals and objectives to support our sustainability missions. • Communicate our environmental policy to our internal & external communities. Bentley Mills was established in 1979 as a privately owned boutique carpet manufacturer. It has consistently been recognized for leadership in design, performance, and customer service in the architecture and interior design community. Headquartered in City of Industry, Bentley Mills has about 400 employees and maintains showrooms in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C.
Jay Brown receives the Heart of the City Award from Mayor Cory Moss
City of Industry—2025 Heart of the City Award Winner
worldwide, such as corporate offices, retail spaces, education facilities, multifamily housing, healthcare and hospitality spaces. The design work and products are all developed on site in the City of Industry, offering customers a one-stop shop experience. Bentley Mills is committed to sustainable commerce, safety and social responsibility, evolving product lines with an eco-
City of Industry City Council | email: COICouncil@cityofindustry.org | phone: (626) 333-2211
USC-AECOM Iconic Intensity
conscious focus and achieving top industry
Bentley Mills also practices social responsibility, giving back to the nearby LA Food Bank and other charities. “Bentley Mills proves that innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility do go hand-in-hand,” said City of Industry Mayor Cory Moss in presenting the company with the 2025 Heart of the City Award. “They aren’t just making a product. They’re making a difference.”
certifications, including Cradle to Cradle and NSF/ANSI 140. The company proudly operates in a LEED-EBOM® Gold carpet manufacturing facility, where it has been located since 1984. The LEED Green Building Rating System is
Mayor Cory Moss
Mayor Pro Tem Michael Greubel
Council Member Mark Radecki
Council Member Newell W. Ruggles
Council Member Steve Marcucci
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Spring Melt Replenishes Basin Stores A s the snow on the San Gabriel Mountains melts in spring, water flows downhill where it is diverted into spreading grounds to percolate into a massive groundwater basin beneath the communities of the San Gabriel Valley. The Main San Gabriel Basin surface area spans 167 square miles and it lies about 100 yards beneath homes, businesses and streets. This groundwater basin, which can store 8.6 million acre- feet of fresh water, supplies about 90% of the water that 1.5 million residents depend upon every day. The Main San Gabriel Basin is the primary source of drinking water for 25 cities and unincorporated areas of the San Gabriel Valley. Rainfall, snowmelt, as well as imported water fill the basin, which is managed by the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster (Watermaster). “San Gabriel Valley communities are extraordinarily fortunate
to have such a massive source of drinking water right beneath their feet,” said San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority (WQA) Executive Director Randy Schoellerman. Since 1973, Watermaster has managed the replenishment and withdrawal of water from the Basin. In 1984, the EPA placed a large portion of the Basin on the federal Superfund cleanup list, due to industrial contamination. The State legislature established the WQA in 1993 to “to coordinate, plan, and implement groundwater quality management programs to efficiently remediate groundwater contamination and assist in preventing future contamination.” “The improper disposal and handling of chemicals for decades forced the shutdown of wells and threatened to render this huge drinking water source unsafe,” said Schoellerman. “From the beginning, WQA’s role has been to coordinate the cleanup of the Basin to ensure the sustainability of the groundwater supply for today and for future generations.” There are 34 active groundwater treatment plants in the San Gabriel Basin. To date, WQA has coordinated and supported cleanup efforts that have resulted in the
BOARD MEMBERS
treatment of more than 2.1 million acre-feet of water while removing 110 tons of contaminants. An acre-foot is equal to 326,000 gallons. The cleanup coordinated by the WQA includes funding from state and federal sources as well as contributions from the responsible parties. This funding helps to lessen the burden on local ratepayers. Watermaster manages water levels in the basin by regulating how much water can be pumped out each year, which is balanced by inflows from rainfall or imported water. The water table is currently 73 feet higher than its historic low elevation just a few years ago. Though
Lynda Noriega Chairwoman
Robert Gonzales Vice Chairman
Valerie Muñoz Secretary
Bob Kuhn Treasurer
variable, on average about 200,000 acre-feet of water is pumped from the Basin annually for use by residents as drinking water. Meanwhile, the WQA coordinates the cleanup of the Basin to ensure safe drinking water whether the area is in a state of drought or abundance. “As recent statewide drought conditions and variability in rainfall affect the big water picture, a clean Basin becomes even more important,” said Schoellerman.” Through the years, new contaminants and drinking water regulations have emerged, making WQA’s job as vital today as it was at the start. PFAS (Per-and Polyfluorinated Substances), known as “forever chemicals” because they remain in the environment, are of particular concern for the WQA and throughout the nation. The California Legislature has extended the life of the WQA to July 1, 2050. The WQA will continue to safeguard one of the San Gabriel Valley’s most valuable assets: The Main San Gabriel Basin Aquifer. The WQA keeps its focus on the key mission of making sure your water is safe. Learn more at www.wqa.com
Ed Chavez Board Member
Robert DiPrimio Board Member
(626) 338-5555 info@wqa.com
www.wqa.com
Mark Paulson Board Member
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From the ‘Human Right To Water’ to Long-Term Water Sustainability By Mike Eng SGVMWD Board Member
thrilled at the international attention paid to this issue. Today, to keep our human right to water promise fulfilled, the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District is focused on California’s water future and the long-term sustainability of imported water. The SGVMWD supports the Delta Conveyance Project, which would build a tunnel under the Delta to improve supply reliability. In November 2020, the SGVMWD board approved the use of $2.68 million to assist with environmental planning for the Delta Conveyance Project. And, in October 2024, the Board unanimously approved $2.37 million to support pre- construction work for the Delta Conveyance Project. The SGVMWD also supports Pure Water Southern California, a regional water recycling project by developed by Metropolitan and the L.A. County Sanitation Districts, that would purify and reuse cleaned wastewater that currently flows into the ocean, producing 150 million gallons of purified water daily and providing a new, climate-resilient supply of locally available water. We need these projects for a secure water future. Lastly, I hope to encourage young people and students to become interested in water issues and carry on this important work in the future. How do we get young people to be excited about water? We have to reach out. Our district does a lot of work with local schools. We fund conservation programs to help young people evaluate things like drought tolerant plants. We give many grants to school districts to work on student projects so they can learn and take their water saving ideas home to their families. There is a need for young people to get involved and our water district remains devoted to this essential effort. Mike Eng is a board member of the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District and represents the city of Monterey Park. Previously, Director Eng served in the California State Assembly representing cities in the San Gabriel Valley. He authored the “Human Right to Water” legislation and AB153 which brought millions of dollars to the San Gabriel Valley to clean polluted groundwater, and worked on legislation leading to the 2009 State Water Bond. Director Eng also served as Mayor and Councilmember for the City of Monterey Park and helped lead the efforts to clean the city’s drinking water from the perchlorate pollutant. He started the region’s first Environmental Commission to address long-term environmental issues. He was also elected to the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Community College District. Director Eng has been a San Gabriel Valley resident for over 35 years with his wife, U.S. Representative Judy Chu.
O ver a dozen years ago, when I was a member of the California Legislature, I championed a bill that would make clean water a right for all Californians. My interest in writing Assembly Bill 685 – which passed in 2012 – grew after I had learned from water advocates that residents in disadvantaged communities in California were buying clean water at
supermarkets and convenience stores each morning to take home because their tap water was brown and dirty. This was not right, especially considering the families were also paying for their unclean water at home. Around the same time, the United Nations was conducting a survey of water around the world with the idea that clean water should be a human right. I thought, “Let’s start here with California.” Despite initial opposition from water agencies fearing litigation, my bill became law in 2012. On Sept. 25, 2012, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Assembly Bill (AB) 685, making California the first state in the nation to legislatively recognize the human right to water. The law says, “It is hereby declared to be the established policy of the state that every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water adequate for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes.” It turned out the United Nations declared my bill to be one of the most significant bills for that year. I couldn’t have been more
The San Gabriel River cuts through the mountains into the canyon spreading grounds.
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Manager and Chief Engineer Matthew Litchfield, P.E.; giving an example of how this project would affect his water district’s service areas. Portions of Three Valley’s service area can only receive imported water from the State Water Project, not from Colorado River water, Litchfield explained. During the recent prolonged drought, Metropolitan and its member agencies, including Three Valleys, received, for the first time, a zero percent allocation from the State Water Project. To provide imported water to the cities of La Verne and Claremont, the district had to pump water uphill.
water supply. “I believe it’s a viable plan, absolutely,” Marquez said.
Delta Conveyance Needed for Water
Another supporter is Jennifer Santana, President of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District. She said, “We have been wanting for this to be done for a long time. We know it is going to be done and this is quite necessary for the Southern California water supply. This solution makes so much sense.” Three Valleys Director Jody Roberto is also impressed by the Delta Conveyance Project. “Had we had this in place already, we could have captured and stored so much water,” Roberto observed.
Resilience The Proposed Project
Matthew Litchfield & Nina Hawk
for years, Hawk said, is the massive infrastructure project called the Delta Conveyance Project,
By Amy Bentley Special Sections Writer L ocal government and water agency officials from Discussed at Three Valleys MWD Leadership Breakfast
commonly referred to as the DCP. The DCP entails the construction of a new underwater pipeline, spanning roughly 45 miles and measuring about 36 feet in diameter, beneath the Delta. This pipeline is designed to transport water from the Sacramento River north of the Delta, where fresh water flows from snowmelt and runoff are routed deep under the Delta to a pumping facility on its southern end. The proposed pipeline is intended to bypass the Delta to protect endangered fish species, provide resistance to earthquakes, sea level rise, salt water intrusion and ensure that water can be transported during large rain or snowstorms without being wasted to the ocean. Today, the $20 billion-plus
“We like water to move downhill by gravity, without the expensive energy cost of pumping water. We had to flip our operation completely around during the zero percent allocation period,” Litchfield said. He said that if the Delta Conveyance Project had been in place, Three Valleys would have had access to more stored water on the State system and could have avoided using drought contingency plans and severe outdoor water restrictions. “It is going to improve the reliability of the State Water Project. We need to build this project,” he said. Three Valleys Director Jorge Marquez agreed. He said he is
Nina Hawk
Keynote
across the San Gabriel Valley gathered for the Three Valleys Water District Leadership Breakfast to learn more about the Delta Conveyance Project, an ambitious project to make Southern California’s water delivery system more resilient against climate change. Nina Hawk, Bay-Delta Initiatives Group Manager/Chief of Bay- Delta Resources for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan), was the keynote speaker at the Three Valleys Municipal Water District Leadership Breakfast, held on Feb. 27 at the Kellogg West Conference Center at Cal Poly Pomona. She gave a brief overview of the State Water Project, which provides Southern California with high-quality, affordable water, and reviewed the main threats to California’s drinking water supply in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta): seismic events, levee failures, saltwater intrusion, the need to protect endangered fish, water scarcity, and climate change. She said Metropolitan is monitoring levees with drones and satellite imagery; using a robust science program to examine these issues; and looking at developing additional water storage and delivery options. However, the solution that Metropolitan has been considering
“We like water to move downhill by gravity, without the expensive energy cost of pumping water. We had to flip our operation completely around during the zero percent allocation period.” TVMWD General Manager Matthew Litchfield, P.E
concerned about climate change and saltwater intrusion into the
project is on schedule and on budget, Hawk said. Outreach to local water agencies and the public, planning and permitting work, and financing work
Interviews
continues. By 2027, the project should reach the final stages and be ready for final approval and construction, she said. “The next two to three years will be some of the most important to make this project come to life,” Hawk said. Three Valleys MWD supports the project, said TVMWD General
TVMWD Directors, from left to right, Bob Kuhn, Jorge Marquez, Jeff Hanlon, Carlos Goytia and David De Jesus.
Continue Recovery, Page 12 From left to right: TVMWD Director Jody Roberto, Upper District Board President Jennifer Santana, keynote speaker Nina Hawk of Metropolitan, and WQA Board President Lynda Noriega.
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