What You Can Do Today
You can add your name to a grassroots petition that is circulating on Change.org. It is titled, “Save Future P-22s: Tell LA City Council To Approve Wildlife Ordinance.” To sign the petition, link here, and please include a personalized message.
Follow LA City’s Council File 14-0518 for progress and comments on the Wildlife Ordinance. To submit your own public comment to the Council File, link to the portal here.
Below are several talking points to choose from to help personalize your comments:
▶︎ The Santa Monica Mountains are a natural resource and treasure for all of Los Angeles. Maintaining healthy connections within this resource ensures that all Angelenos can attain the physical and mental benefits that come with access to the natural spaces of this ecosystem.
▶︎ Los Angeles residents care about the environment and The City of LA should continue to be a nationwide leader when it comes to environmental protection.
▶︎ Our iconic population of mountain lions was recently given candidacy for the California Endangered Species list, and it is our imperative to preserve their habitat so they do not go extinct.
▶︎ In Agoura Hills, a $90 million bridge is being built because wildlife wasn't considered when planning the area. By passing this ordinance, we are being proactive about protecting our ecosystem instead of paying billions to repair the damage we've done in the future.
▶︎There are thousands of species of plants and animals that make their home in the Santa Monica Mountains. Some can only be found in this area. Others are at risk of going extinct. All of them are affected by sprawling development. This ordinance will ensure that our local flora and fauna maintain access to the connected habitat they need in order to thrive.
▶︎ Some effects of habitat fragmentation are not seen until years after development. We cannot sit and wait for these negative impacts to happen before we take action.
▶︎ Protecting native landscapes is a vital part of reaching L.A.'s goals regarding climate change resilience and water preservation. This will help protect the water we drink every day, and the air our children breathe.
▶︎ Sprawling development in very high fire severity zones has continually increased the frequency and intensity of fires. Preserving natural open space can help to reduce this fire risk by reducing irresponsibly crowded development.
▶︎ This ordinance will positively affect property values in the area. Studies of the California housing market suggest that properties within 1 mile of open space sell for nearly 10% more than similar properties elsewhere. Another 2003 study found that increasing the area of conserved land by just 1% has a significant increase in nearby property values.
▶︎ The regulations in this ordinance are common sense, apply only to new constructions, and prevent irresponsible and wasteful development.
