Big Day at Tejon Ranch

Audubon California Executive Director Graham Chisholm snapped this photo of eleven California Condors roosting in an oak tree during a visit to Tejon Ranch. The visit was part of a two day effort during spring migration to document species of plants, birds and other animals on the ranch. Prior to the effort, Jim Hardesty of San Fernando Valley Audubon Society led Olga Clarke of Los Angeles Audubon and others on a private field trip on the ranch as part of the Southwest Bird club. To join the club, contact Jim by email here

San Fernando Valley & Los Angeles Audubons celebrate CALTRANS victory

Chapters in SoCal celebrated CALTRANS selection today of Alternate 1 for a project to improve the southbound San Diego Freeway (I-405) connector to the Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101). A Negative Declaration (ND) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) have been approved. Activists including Muriel Kotin, Seth Shteir, Kris Ohlenkamp and Garry George from the chapters wrote comments and appeared publicly to defeat the other alternatives.

The project will involve a new, upgraded 50 mph two-lane connector that would replace the existing 20 mph single-lane connector, and require right-of-way from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers near the Sepulveda Dam but avoids direct impacts and encroachment on Sepulveda Wildlife Area, a 225 acre reserve that includes some of the best riparian habitat on the LA RIVER, a wildlife lake and extensive plantings of native annuals, shrubs, and trees.