Federation applauds environmentalists

Group aims to preserve richness of mountains



FOR NATURE—Assemblymember Richard Bloom, left, and state Sen. Fran Pavley pose for a photo with Citizen of the Year John Sibert at the Las Virgenes Homeowners Federation banquet.

FOR NATURE—Assemblymember Richard Bloom, left, and state Sen. Fran Pavley pose for a photo with Citizen of the Year John Sibert at the Las Virgenes Homeowners Federation banquet.

Top government and environmental leaders once again gathered at the Malibou Lake Mountain Club May 10 for the annual Las Virgenes Homeowners Federation dinner.

The gala marked the federation’s 46th year of service to the Santa Monica Mountains communities.

Kim Lamorie, president of LVHF and Woman of the Year for Los Angeles County Third District, saluted “the warriors” who have been champions for environmentalism and fought to protect the mountains, ridgelines and coastlines.

The event was dedicated to the memory of LVHF past president John Low, who died in 2012 at the age of 62.

Lamorie called Low a “gifted leader and a passionate advocate for the Santa Monica Mountains.”

“It’s not easy. It’s a struggle and takes courage to prevail,” Lamorie said of the work required by individuals and groups to minimize development in the mountains and keep pollution in check. She talked about the quality of life in the “wild and wonderful” mountains and the fight to keep the ridgelines and beaches pristine.

“We can’t let them vanish or get bulldozed over,” Lamorie said, adding that she wouldn’t want future generations to look back in years to come at the richness of the mountains as something that “once was.”

Lamorie introduced guests whose work has made a dent in environmental battles. Los Angeles Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky implemented “protection policies” over his years in charge of the Third District that includes the Santa Monica Mountains.

Yaroslavsky said that since 1995, 17,000 acres have been added as permanent open space. He said his work has been a “labor of love.” Most recently, the 525 acres in the Ladyface Mountain area have been acquired as open space.

Yaroslavsky said the Proposition A money that has allowed for the acquisition of land is a “gift that keeps on giving.”

State Sen. Fran Pavley said everybody had gathered at the banquet as a “collective team” to celebrate their “collective success” in environmental protection.

Retired USMC Maj. Gen. Anthony L. Jackson, director of California State Parks, was the keynote speaker. He was appointed to the post in December 2012.

Jackson said he was raised to provide “service above everything else.” He fulfilled his duty as a United States Marine and served as the assistant chief of staff, G-7, Marine Expeditionary Force. He also served as the commanding officer of the 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

Jackson retired from the Marines in 2012, then was called to the post of director of state parks. The position fit with his philosophy of service.

“It was my calling,” he said.

Jackson said the richness and diversity of the Santa Monica Mountains is a resource that should not be squandered.

“We, as Americans, we think that the richness of our (environment) will be here forever,” he said. “We, as Americans, are pretty arrogant. We believe we have the right to do as we please. The greatest contributions come from active minorities—conservationists, environmentalists.”

In addition to regaling the guests with details of how the U.S. entered the Gulf War in 1990, Jackson said water, not oil, has been an “undermanaged resource.”

“We are not promised forever,” Jackson said, adding that if natural resources are not valued, archaeologists in the year 2300 will wonder at the foolishness of people who wasted their resources.

“You are in possession of the Eighth Wonder of the World,” he told the crowd. “You have extraordinary, dedicated people in the state parks.”

The 3,200 park employees and 67 leaders are working to restore the public trust, he said. Funding for parks has been slashed, but 21 different bonds and bills provide a “crazy quilt pattern” of funding.

Jackson outlined goals for the parks. Sustainability, environmentally designed facilities and connecting parks with urban centers topped the list.

“We have to connect parks with the urban communities,” he said. “We’ve got to gain a youthful constituency and their parents.”

On a visit to Malibu Creek State Park, Jackson said “busloads of children” were enjoying the park.

“These kids see the creek and they think that they’re seeing the Mississippi River.”

Jackson ended his talk with a reference to Abraham Lincoln and how the birth of the national park system coincided with the end of the Civil War. Next year, the National Park Service will celebrate its 150th anniversary.


PARKS CHIEF— Ret. USMC Maj. Gen. Anthony L. Jackson, director of California State Parks, gives the keynote speech at the LVHF banquet.

PARKS CHIEF— Ret. USMC Maj. Gen. Anthony L. Jackson, director of California State Parks, gives the keynote speech at the LVHF banquet.

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