As our small plane flew over the San Fernando Valley, I was in awe of just how remarkable and diverse the region’s wild lands are.
I smiled remembering all the hikes I’ve taken in this area, also known as the Rim of the Valley corridor. I’ve huffed and puffed up the steep Verdugo Mountains on the eastern side of the valley, playing on boulders in the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains. I’ve stood in awe of ocean views from high above in the Santa Monica Mountains.
But the biggest takeaway from that flight — hosted by nonprofits National Parks Conservation Association and EcoFlight — was just how developed the area around the Rim of the Valley is. When I joined the group for a tour of the region on Oct. 22, I saw thousands of homes (including a mansion with a Lakers-themed basketball court) and businesses drawing ever nearer to the foothills of our local ranges. It was witnessing that creeping urban sprawl from thousands of feet up that helped me understand why advocates are urging legislators to protect it.
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