Harris honored for longtime MRT work
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

STEPPING DOWN- Steve Harris receives a congratulatory plaque from Calabasas Mayor Mary Sue Maurer. Harris was head of the Mountains Restoration Trust for 10 years.

After 27 years of service to the Mountains Restoration Trust, Steve Harris has retired. A founding member of MRT in 1981, Harris recently stepped down as executive director of the land conservation agency. He'd held the post since 1998.

The Mountains Restoration Trust is an organization that works in several areas for the betterment of the environment, including land acquisition, open space restoration and education and recreation programs. MRT is the largest nongovernment landowner in the Santa Monica Mountains and has participated in the acquisition of more than 3,000 acres since its conception in 1981.

The Calabasas City Council recognized Harris at its April 2 meeting.

"Steve leaves a very long legacy of good work," said Mayor Mary Sue Maurer. "We are so appreciative of everything that you have done, certainly within our city boundaries, but (also) throughout the mountains. You've always been a pleasure to work with, easygoing, funny and full of ideas. And I know for one I will be missing you sorely."

During his reign Harris was involved in a number of open space acquisitions for the city of Calabasas, including Headwaters Corner, the Calmont property now known as Wild Walnut Park and many parcels on Dorothy Road in Old Topanga and Le Mans property.

There have also been several acquisitions in Cold Creek and the Santa Monica Mountains.

"For all my years involved in the mountains, I never lived in the boundaries of Calabasas," Harris said. "But I have been involved in this community since its conception and in no way am I leaving. I will- and I've told everybody- I'll be around."

Under Harris' leadership, the Benefit Assessment for the eastern Santa Monica Mountains was passed, as was Assembly Bill No. 1011 for the Conservation Easement Indexing.

Councilmembers Dennis Washburn and and James Bozajian both said Harris' departure came as surprise and urged him to stay active.

"It was practical experience and good advice that makes Steve so valuable and so loved by all of us here," Washburn said. "We're not letting you go; you are just moving on to a different hat at this point, looking forward to working with you in whatever new capacity you decide to pursue."

Harris said he's interested in becoming more involved in affordable housing projects and raising funds to buy conservation properties.

"I've recognized that there are not enough funds around to acquire all the conservation properties everybody would like," Harris said. "I believe that there can be development and there can be conservation, and part of it is working with (both) communities, trying to combine both small scale development on conservation properties- they won't impact the conservation properties- but at same time be able to bring in cash flow to either acquire or restore funds to maintain the property."