The Santa Clara River watershed and surrounding areas have finally been proposed as a Significant Ecological Area, or SEA. The map for this region can be seen above. This is a big step forward in recognizing and protecting the animal corridors in the region. As our city expands, more and more habitat...

Many youngsters who live in and around the Santa Clarita Valley have never had the opportunity to experience the outdoors, nature, hiking, wild animals, plants or wilderness. There is a growing body of scientific research that suggests children who are given early and ongoing positive exposure to nature...

Hurrah for the U.S. Congress. (Did I really say that?) Both the House and the Senate approved a wilderness bill in Michigan earlier this month. The fact that they could actually agree on something, and the fact that the bill was wilderness, is amazing. Up to now, not a single wilderness bill has passed...

Illegal dumping has become a chronic problem throughout Los Angeles County. But it is especially disturbing in Santa Clarita, because this is my home, and 10 years ago, it wasn’t like this. One of the reasons I moved to Santa Clarita was because it was safe and clean. What happened? Where’s the respect...

This year, 2014, is the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. Prior to 1964, we didn’t have any designated wilderness, nor did we have an idea of what wilderness should be. This bill revolutionized land protections and conservation. Howard Zahniser, its author, changed all that, giving us a legal...

So, how’s that New Year’s resolution looking now? We’re two months into the year and approaching Spring, and I’m thinking those New Year’s resolutions are about as old as that New Year’s champagne. Most of us vow to lose weight. Again. But in our hearts, we know this resolution won’t last....

CFLs, or Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs, have been touted as the eco-breakthrough of the century. We’ve all been told to make the switch now, to reduce energy use and to prevent greenhouse emissions which contribute to global warming. All of this hype is true, but before you change over completely,...

The world’s population at the turn of the century was over 6 billion people. By 2050, it is expected to top 9 billion. Our natural resources are being stretched to the maximum already, with some being nearly depleted. We are also seeing toxins being introduced into our landfills, our farmed fields...

A wildlife corridor is a continuous thread of habitat that connects species of animals that may have been separated by roads, housing developments or other human activities. These animal corridors are important because they allow different populations of animals to inter-breed, which gives them genetic...

The Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates and the Community Hiking Club combined their efforts to present an educational program about condors earlier this month. Nearly 150 individuals attended the program, including several Boy Scout troops. After the presentation, the Boy Scouts, parents and other...