Cub Scouts donate dues for open space

SAVE OUR SANTA MONICAS- Members of Trailblazers Den Cub Scout Troop, Zion Christensen, 12; Ryan Marangola, 11; Dustin Trisler, 11; Cedar Christensen, 9; and Kip Roberts, 11, present the troop's dues collected during 18 months for a Webelos project to Mountains Restoration Trust Executive Director Steve Harris and Program Manager Jo Kitz.

Cub Scout Pack 3732, the Trailblazers Den of Agoura Hills, donated their recent dues to Mountains Restoration Trust for the acquisition of open space in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Six Scouts in the pack- Joseph Boyle, Cedar and Zion Christensen, Ryan Marangola, Kip Roberts and Dustin Trisler- recently hiked the 60-mile Backbone Trail through the Santa Monica Mountains. The experience inspired the boys to donate the packs' dues to the trust, known for its stewardship efforts throughout the Santa Monica Mountains.

Trailblazers Den leader Annette Trisler, a resident of Cornell, said project dues usually go toward a trip or reward after the boys complete a major project. Her nature-oriented pack had spent a year learning about the Santa Monica Mountains before hiking the Backbone Trail system.

"Along the trail, the boys saw expansive pristine open space. They were also concerned about the urban sprawl that threatens and is overtaking so much of the Santa Monicas," Trisler said, explaining how the trek over a threemonth period prompted them to donate their dues toward more land acquisition.

After researching the various organizations in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Trailblazers Den selected Mountains Restoration Trust to receive the dues, an amount of $162, which was presented to the trust in small bills and coins. Steve Harris, the trust's executive director, and Jo Kitz, program manager, took the troop to walk the property where their funds will be applied, an upcoming purchase in the Cold Creek Preserve.

"This is a special place, with waterfalls and important biodiversity," Kitz told the Scouts. "I hope you'll return one day with your own children and tell them how you helped preserve it." Kitz also explained to the Scouts how their participation helps the trust obtain the larger funding needed because it shows community support.

"These youngsters are contributing more than a gift of money," said Harris. "They are role models demonstrating that we all own these mountains and protecting them is not just the responsibility of government or other agencies. It is a community effort, and they understand that, even at their age."

Mountains Restoration Trust, at 3815 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Calabasas, is a nonprofit land trust working in partnership with the community to preserve, protect and enhance the natural resources of the Santa Monica Mountains for present and future generations.

For more information, call (818) 591-1701 or visit www.mountainstrust.org.