History & Overview
The Work We Do
As a land trust, AFC identifies and conserves undeveloped private properties situated along the San Gabriel Mountains, from Altadena to Tujunga and in the San Rafael Hills and Verdugo Mountains. Through our strong network of expert advisors and collaborative partnerships with conservation organizations and state agencies, we gather extensive biological research on each potential property and the Critical Wildlife Passage area of which it is a part. We put together an “ecological package” of information about the water, habitat, and wildlife at each property, along with its potential for community programs. We then acquire high priority parcels from willing owners by purchase or donation, or place use restrictions on properties in order to preserve them as open space in perpetuity. AFC raises funds to preserve these properties from government agencies, foundations, community non-profits, and community members.
Our accomplishments and acquisitions include:
- In Altadena
41 acres of open space in Rubio CanyonÂ
 13 acres in Lower Millard Canyon
16.5 acres of open space along Chaney Trail Corridor - In La Crescenta:
8 acres of open space in Goss Canyon, now known as the Rosemont Preserve - In Pasadena:
11 acres we call Cottonwood Canyon Preserve, which was the last undeveloped open space above Brookside Golf Course leading into the San Rafael Hills. - In Glendale
3.5 acres we call Sunshine PreserveÂ
10.2 acres divided into four properties off East Chevy Chase Drive we call Sycamore Canyon Preserve - Additionally, a supporter donated 40 acres to us of high-value habitat land in the high desert of Antelope Valley to create the Piñon Hills Reserve. We also built a demonstration pocket park known as Old Marengo Park, using native plants and water-wise gardening techniques.
How We Got Started
Four visionaries formed the Altadena Foothills Conservancy (AFC) in 2000: Nancy Steele, Astrid Ellersieck, Diane Walters and Lori Paul. They moved quickly to build an all-volunteer corps committed to conservation in Altadena. They worked wisely, saving parcels, creating a water-wise native plant pocket park, and making a film on the history of water in Eaton Canyon for local schools, all while creating a vibrant conservation community.
This small but effective group of volunteers had an immediate impact on conservation in Altadena.
In 2008, the Altadena Foothills Conservancy board resolved to change the name to Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy to better reflect a new vision to conserve lands in the communities along the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. In 2010, AFC hired John Howell, then a member of the board, as its first Executive Director. One year later, President Nancy Steele stepped down and off the board, having been privileged to lead the organization from its founding.
OUR APPROACH
Our most pressing project is the Hahamongna to Tujunga Wildlife Corridor Initiative. This 20-mile long corridor project has a goal of linking the San Gabriel Mountains at Hahamongna Watershed Park to the San Gabriels at Big Tujunga Wash for wildlife passage through the San Rafael Hills and the Verdugo Mountains. A successful project will enhance 4,200 acres of habitat in the San Rafaels and 11,000 acres in the Verdugos by connecting them with the 700,000-acre Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriels. Wildlife can then live in these urban hills with access to others of their species in the abundant range of the San Gabriels. This helps assure genetic diversity. AFC authored a biological study of the entire corridor, which was approved by the California Department of Fish & Wildlife in 2017.
AFC’s commitment to conservation encompasses more than preserving our properties in perpetuity. We feel a strong responsibility to teach each community surrounding our properties about the beauty and importance of wildlife and native habitat. As we acquire each property, we establish a local, volunteer-driven community “Friends” group to husband it. The Friends provide program ideas, outreach to the community, and manpower; AFC undergirds it with expertise and resources needed to execute programs and effectively manage the property. Together, we provide opportunities for community members to visit our properties and learn about the unique natural diversity of our foothills.Â
In addition, we have a strong Conservation through Education program where we offer free field trips to our preserves for schools across Los Angeles County. Our goal is to make access to nature more equitable for every child living in the County. We also provide dedicated mentors for Boy and Girl Scouts interested in completing projects at our properties, and provide a traveling habitat exhibit for presentations at local schools.
We know conservation is a team sport, and we strive to collaborate in everything we do— from consulting with national, regional, and state agencies on our conservation projects and employing the California Conservation Corps to do fire hazard reduction work, to partnering with community organizations to create events in our communities. We rely heavily on our advisors who expand our capacity by bringing their skill and expertise in everything from biology to geospatial analysis, public relations, and wildlife photography. There is little we do without their wisdom and guidance.Â
All of this we do in furtherance of our mission to secure, protect and steward our precious open spaces and nurture the next generation of land stewards.
Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.