Santa Monica Mountains Fund

EDUCATIONThe Fund delivers strategic education and workforce development programs that create pathways into conservation careers. The fund provides funding for Programming and transportation. The Open Outdoors for Kids program continues to connect youth with the natural world. This program brings approximately 25,000 fourth graders to the park each year to learn about plants, animals, and Native American heritage. For college students, the Fund provides valuable opportunities to engage with NPS and gain practical experience in conservation and education. The Youth Employment Mentoring program places students in seasonal roles with NPS leadership.

OUTREACH AND OTHER SPECIAL INITIATIVESThe Fund provides yearly support for various volunteer programs that support the NPS and its partner park organizations in the Santa Monica Mountains, such as the Mounted Volunteer Program, the Mountain Bike Unit, National Trails Day, and a variety of other volunteer activities. The Fund also supports various cultural preservation projects including archaeological research projects and cultural programming and interpretation at the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center, developed in collaboration with Indigenous community members.

WILDLIFE RESEARCH AND PROTECTIONThe Fund supported wildlife research on mountain lions, deer, and red-legged frogs. Interns supported field research using satellite collars and wildlife camera traps, contributing to long-term studies on mountain lion migration and urban-wildlife conflict.Community education included the Nature Neighbor program and Break the Poison Chain awareness campaign. The Fund supported key volunteer programs and cultural preservation at Satwiwa through youth-led interpretation and archaeological events.