Annenberg name given to Agoura wildlife crossing


BRIDGE RENDERING—Artwork courtesy of Living Habitats and NWF.

BRIDGE RENDERING—Artwork courtesy of Living Habitats and NWF.

The National Wildlife Federation’s #SaveLACougars team and the Annenberg Foundation announced last week that the proposed wildlife bridge at Liberty Canyon in Agoura Hills will be named the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.

The announcement follows a series of major funding milestones that leave the campaign only $6.2 million short prior to the expected start of construction at the end of the year. Most of the project’s funds have come from public donations, but some tax money will be allocated to the venture via public bond measures dedicated for wildlife conservation, officials said.

Walter Annenberg was a 20th century American businessman, investor and diplomat who made his fortune in the publishing industry.

Annenberg’s other philanthropic endeavors include the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.

The crossing will span 210 feet over 10 lanes of highway and Agoura Road. Total cost is expected to be about $90 million, and when completed it will be the largest wildlife crossing in the world.

GETTING READY—Above, a sign is posted at the approximate location of the animal crossing just north of the Liberty Canyon freeway exit in Agoura Hills. A name change will reflect the new nomenclature: Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing. At right, secretary of the California Department of Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot, announces the new name during a Sept. 24 ceremony at the Hollywood Bowl overlook in Los Angeles.

GETTING READY—Above, a sign is posted at the approximate location of the animal crossing just north of the Liberty Canyon freeway exit in Agoura Hills. A name change will reflect the new nomenclature: Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing. At right, secretary of the California Department of Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot, announces the new name during a Sept. 24 ceremony at the Hollywood Bowl overlook in Los Angeles.

Among the guests who participated in the Sept. 24 name unveiling at the Jerome C. Daniel Overlook above the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles were Wade Crowfoot, secretary of the California Department of Natural Resources; members of the state Wildlife Conservation Board; and representatives from the offices of Sen. Henry Stern, Assemblymember Richard Bloom, and U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu.

To learn more about the proposed wildlilfe bridge, go to https://savelacougars.org.

John Loesing

Courtesy National Wildlife Federation

Courtesy National Wildlife Federation