December 27, 2012
National Park Service Premieres Native American Art Exhibit January 6
THOUSAND OAKS,Calif. – The National Park Service will host an exhibit opening for Native American artist Michael Chas Williams on Sunday, January 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center in Newbury Park.
December 06, 2012
Visitor Center Hosts First Annual Holiday Sale on December 15
CALABASAS, Calif. – Western National Parks Association (WNPA), a nonprofit education partner of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA), will host its first annual holiday sale at King Gillette Ranch on December 15.
November 29, 2012
Dead Mountain Lion Was Exposed to Rodenticides
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Necropsy results from the mountain lion found dead by hikers last month in the Santa Monica Mountains were inconclusive, but did indicate rodenticide exposure. Because the carcass was partially decomposed, the actual cause of death cannot be determined.
November 09, 2012
Native American Winter Solstice Sale Set for December 2
NEWBURY PARK, Calif. -- As an early winter solstice celebration, and just in time for holiday shopping, the National Park Service will host its annual Winter Solstice Art Show and Sale on Sunday, December 2 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center in Newbury Park.
November 08, 2012
Volunteer Restoration Project Set for December 1
NEWBURY PARK, Calif. -- The National Park Service will host a volunteer restoration project at Rancho Sierra Vista in Newbury Park on Saturday, December 1 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
October 30, 2012
National Park Service Teams with Mountain Bikers to Promote Safe Riding
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – In response to increased complaints and collisions on local trails, the National Park Service (NPS) has teamed with the Concerned Off-Road Bicyclist Association (CORBA) to promote safe and courteous riding in the Santa Monica Mountains.
October 25, 2012
Volunteer for Stokes Creek Restoration November 10
CALABASAS, Calif. – Lend a hand and donate a plant at Stokes Creek in the Calabasas area on Saturday, November 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
October 24, 2012
Hikers Find Dead Mountain Lion in Santa Monica Mountains
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Hikers reported a dead mountain lion near Newbury Park in Point Mugu State Park on Sunday. A National Park Service biologist identified the carcass as Puma-25, a female lion approximately one year old, and transferred the remains to the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory for necropsy.
October 22, 2012
National Park Service Presents Preliminary Findings and Alternative Concepts for Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The National Park Service (NPS) has published preliminary findings and alternative concepts for the Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study.
October 15, 2012
Seminar on Co-Existing with Wildlife Set for October 23
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. – The City of Westlake Village will be hosting a free seminar titled "How to Coexist with Wildlife" on Tuesday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m.
October 04, 2012
“Net Zero” Dorm Receives Federal Energy and Water Management Award
CALABASAS, Calif. – The U.S. Department of Energy honored the National Park Service today with a 2012 Federal Energy and Water Management Award for a "net zero" dormitory in Calabasas. Completed in 2010, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area building is the first net zero facility built by the National Park Service.
September 27, 2012
Free Astrophotography Workshop October 13
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The National Park Service (NPS) will host a two-part program about astrophotography -- and the heavens in general -- on Saturday, October 13 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
September 21, 2012
Spirit of the Mountains Photo Contest Announced
CALABASAS, Calif. -- Entries are now being accepted for the Spirit of the Mountains 2012 Photo Contest sponsored by the National Park Service.
September 14, 2012
Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center Premieres New Art Exhibit October 7
NEWBURY PARK, Calif. -- The National Park Service will host an exhibit opening for Native American gourd mask artist Bernie Granados, Jr. on Sunday, October 7 at Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center.
September 11, 2012
National Park Foundation Grant Brings Local Students to Santa Monica Mountains
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) was recently selected to receive nearly $7,000 in transportation funding from the National Park Foundation (NPF). The grant will provide funding for approximately 700 students and family members to experience a ranger-led program in the Santa Monica Mountains.
August 31, 2012
Volunteer for National Public Lands Day September 15
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. -- In celebration of National Public Lands Day, the National Park Service invites you to a clean-up of Medea Creek at Paramount Ranch on Saturday, September 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
August 30, 2012
Navajo Trading Post Coming to Santa Monica Mountains September 8
CALABASAS, Calif. – Western National Parks Association (WNPA), a nonprofit education partner of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA), will host a Navajo trading post at King Gillette Ranch on September 8.
August 13, 2012
New Superintendent for National Recreation Area Selected
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – David Szymanski has been selected as the new superintendent of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. Szymanski replaces Woody Smeck, who recently transferred to Yosemite National Park after serving as the park's superintendent for ten years.
August 07, 2012
National Park Service to Host Sky Star Party August 18
NEWBURY PARK, Calif. -- Experienced and novice star gazers alike are invited to attend a "Sky Star Party" on Saturday, August 18 from 7:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at Rancho Sierra Vista in Newbury Park.
August 02, 2012
National Park Service Welcomes Birth of Mountain Lion Kittens
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Biologists from the National Park Service recently discovered two mountain lion kittens in the Santa Monica Mountains. The female and male kittens were outfitted with tracking devices after researchers located their den east of Circle X Ranch in Malibu.
July 16, 2012
Inner-City Youths Begin Summer Employment with National Park Service
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Eleven local high school students recently began work in the Santa Monica Mountains, part of a National Park Service program to prepare ethnically diverse youth for careers with the agency.
July 02, 2012
Caltrans Mitigation Efforts Improve SR-23 Wildlife Movement
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – A recently released report from the National Park Service concludes that Caltrans' efforts to mitigate the impact of the widening of State Route 23 on local wildlife are effective. Installation of wildlife fencing and one-way gates, as well as clearance of three key underpasses, led to a six-fold increase in the number of successful wildlife crossings and an 88% decrease in coyote road mortalities.
June 25, 2012
Native American Art Lecture and Exhibit Set for July 8
NEWBURY PARK, Calif. – The National Park Service will host an art lecture and exhibit at the Satwiwa Native American Culture Center on Sunday, July 8.
June 14, 2012
DNA Results Shed Light on Dead Santa Monica Mountain Lion
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Recently released DNA results from the mountain lion that wandered into downtown Santa Monica confirm the young male was genetically tied to the local population and not a pet.
June 12, 2012
Santa Monica Mountains Visitor Center Opens to Public, First "Net Zero" Center in National Park Service
CALABASAS, Calif. – The National Park Service, along with its partners, dedicated a new interagency visitor center in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) on Saturday, June 9. Located at King Gillette Ranch in the historic heart of the Santa Monica Mountains, the interagency building unifies the local, state and federal park system for SMMNRA's 35 million annual visitors.
June 04, 2012
Free Peter Strauss Ranch Concert Set for June 17
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. -- Two local bands, The Greybeards and Nobody's Business, will perform at the Peter Strauss Ranch outdoor amphitheatre on Father's Day, June 17th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m..
May 29, 2012
National Park Service Hosts National Trails Day June 2
NEWBURY PARK, Calif. -- The National Park Service invites you to join a community of partners in an effort to repair popular hiking trails at Rancho Sierra Vista on Saturday, June 2nd from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.
May 24, 2012
New "Net Zero" Visitor Center Opens in Santa Monica Mountains June 9
CALABASAS, Calif. -- The National Park Service, along with its partners, will open a new interagency visitor center in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) on Saturday, June 9.
May 07, 2012
Santa Monica Mountains Fund to Host Annual Native Plant Sale May 12
NEWBURY PARK, Calif. – The Santa Monica Mountains Fund will host a native plant sale and community planting event Saturday, May 12 from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The annual event, which falls the day before Mother's Day this year, offers the opportunity for community members to buy plants native to the Santa Monica Mountains, get free expert advice and publications, learn about fire-safe landscaping techniques and join other enthusiasts in a special planting event.
April 18, 2012
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Launches Online Camping Reservations and New Fee Structure
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area will launch a new online reservation system and fee structure for its group campground on May 2. The Circle X Ranch Group Campground accommodates groups of 10 to 75 people and is located in Malibu.
April 12, 2012
Visitor Center Exhibits "Color and Light" Art Through April 30
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- A fine art exhibit featuring painter Harvey Cusworth, a plein air specialist reminiscent of impressionism, runs through April 30 at the National Park Service Visitor Center in Thousand Oaks. Titled "Santa Monica Mountains: Color and Light," the exhibit is the last art show before the Visitor Center relocates to King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas on June 9.
April 11, 2012
National Park Service Hosts Third Annual Science Festival April 27-28
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. -- Discover the national park right in your backyard, at the third annual National Park Service Science Festival. The event and parking are free and open to the public.
April 09, 2012
Mountain Lion Captured, Collared and Released in Griffith Park Area
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Biologists from Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) captured a mountain lion in the Griffith Park area on March 28.
April 05, 2012
National Park Service Pilots Maps for Smartphones
NEWBURY PARK, Calif. – Smartphone users at select sites in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area can now scan a Quick Response Code for a free digital map. The pilot program is believed to be the first of its kind within the National Park Service.
April 03, 2012
National Park Service Presents Free Lecture on Wildflowers
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Visitors are invited to meet photographer Kahlee Brighton of the Wildflower Conservancy and learn about the spectacular array of local wildflowers at a lecture from 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21. Part of the National Park Service's free lecture series, the event, titled "Capturing Ephemeral Beauty: A Celebration of California's Wildflowers," will be at the NPS Visitor Center, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.
March 07, 2012
NPS to host free lecture on 19th century Native American woman
(THOUSAND OAKS, CA) In honor of Women’s History Month, the National Park Service is sponsoring a free lecture by Moorpark College Professor Susan Kinkella on the fascinating life of a 19th century Native American woman who lived near present-day Calabasas. The 2:00 p.m. program on Saturday, March 24 will provide highlights from the life of Espiritu Chijulla, the daughter of a Chumash chief and the wife of Miguel Leonis, the namesake for the Leonis Adobe in Calabasas.
February 28, 2012
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area = visitors, money and jobs for local economy
Thousand Oaks, CA – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 568,371 visitors in 2010 spent $22,915,000 in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and in communities near the park. That spending supported 301 jobs in the local area.
February 17, 2012
National Park Service to Host Annual Science Festival April 27 - 28
(Agoura Hills, CA) Come discover your neighborhood national parks at the third annual Science Festival. The event and parking is free and open to the public. Hours are 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, April 27th, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 28th at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills, CA.
October 26, 2011
This week's National Park Getaway
Thousand Oaks, Calif. – You might expect that the world’s largest urban national park would be among the most crowded. So, you may be surprised to learn that this week’s National Park
Getaway, with its endless sandy beaches and hundreds of trial miles, is not one of the top 100 most visited national parks.
October 04, 2011
California Department of Fish and Game and National Park Service seek information
(Thousand Oaks, CA) One of the last remaining male mountain lions in an important wildlife study was found dead in the Southern California mountains recently. The animal, named P-15 in a National Park Service (NPS) research study was discovered on September 11, 2011 and officials say it did not die of natural causes.
September 20, 2011
National Park Service adds another section to 65-mile Backbone Trail
(Thousand Oaks, CA) The National Park Service announced that it has acquired one of the three remaining pieces of land necessary to complete the 65-mile Backbone Trail. The trail stretches from Will Rogers State Historic Park in Los Angeles all the way to Point Mugu State Park in Ventura County.
September 15, 2011
Public Comments Sought for Proposed Online Reservation and Fee Structure Change at Circle X Ranch Campground
(Thousand Oaks, CA) Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is composed of approximately 153,250 acres and has over 500 miles of trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Visitors can also enjoy the park by camping in one of the many campgrounds located in the recreation area. The National Park Service manages one group campground for overnight use located at Circle X Ranch in Malibu, California.
September 14, 2011
Volunteers to clean up beaches and trails for National Public Lands Day
(Thousand Oaks, CA) The National Park Service and California State Parks will host a volunteer event in celebration of National Public Lands Day on September 24 from 9 am to 1 pm at Leo Carrillo and Point Mugu State Parks.
September 09, 2011
10th Annual Spirit of the Mountains photo contest is here
(Thousand Oaks, CA) “Cell phone Snapshots”, “Young Photographers”, and “People in Parklands” are just a few of the categories amateur photographers can submit to for the 10th annual Spirit of the Mountains photo contest. The contest takes place at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
September 08, 2011
Old marijuana grow site reoccupied in Santa Monica Mountains
(Thousand Oaks, CA) Nearly 4000 marijuana plants were removed from National Park Service land off of Kanan Dume Road north of Malibu last Friday, September 2. Park Rangers and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies gathered and flew out two tons of trash and mature plants.
August 31, 2011
Mountain lion P-18 killed while attempting I-405 crossing
(Thousand Oaks, CA) On early Tuesday morning, P-18, one of the mountain lion kittens born in
the Santa Monica Mountains in May, 2010 was hit and killed while attempting to cross I-405 just
south of the Getty Center southbound onramp.
July 19, 2011
Marijuana Grow Site Found in Santa Monica Mountains
(Santa Monica Mountains, CA) Park Rangers seized over 3500 marijuana plants across a 9.6 acre area of park land in the heart of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area this month.
June 24, 2011
Summer continues with movies, music, and star-gazing in the Santa Monica Mountains
Looking for fun outdoor activities that beat the heat? Seven July events offer relaxing musical afternoons, nighttime star-gazing adventures, and even an electric campfire singalong.
April 22, 2011
Parkland added to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
No abstract supplied.
March 28, 2011
National Park Service to Host April 15-16 Science Festival
No abstract supplied.
February 18, 2011
National Park Service Announces “ParkCaching” Program
(Thousand Oaks, CA) Visiting national parks isn’t just about campfire programs and nature walks anymore. This week, the National Park Service unveiled a new park activity in the Santa Monica Mountains, known as “ParkCaching.”
January 26, 2011
National Park Service Needs Volunteers
(Thousand Oaks, CA) Share your knowledge of the Santa Monica Mountains with visitors from around the world. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is seeking volunteers to staff the Visitor Center in Thousand Oaks.
January 26, 2011
Hupa Basketmaker to Lead Workshops at Satwiwa Culture Center
(Newbury Park, CA) On Sunday, February 6, Hupa artisan and storyteller Kat High will serve as the guest host at Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center in Newbury Park.
January 12, 2011
Gamache Photographic Exhibit to Open with Artist Reception
(Thousand Oaks, CA) The National Park Service is featuring the work of landscape photographer Tom Gamache in a free art show and opening reception at the Visitor Center at 401 Hillcrest Dr. in Thousand Oaks, CA.
January 12, 2011
Billy Warsoldier to Premiere Documentary
(Newbury Park, CA) On Sunday, January 23rd, the National Park Service will screen a short documentary film about the art of Cahuilla Apache Artist Billy Warsoldier at Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center in Newbury Park.
April 30, 2010
Nearly 3000 come to inaugural science festival
No abstract supplied.
March 25, 2010
First Annual Santa Monica Mountains Science Festival
No abstract supplied.
March 23, 2010
"Urban Carnivores" covers Santa Monica Mountains wildlife
The National Park Service announced today that a new book entitled Urban Carnivores: Ecology, Conflict, and Conservation is now published and available to the public. The book is the first to address the topic, and covers the ecology and behavior of well-known urban carnivore species around the world. Several of the chapters were authored by National Park Service wildlife ecologist Seth Riley and are based on carnivore research done in Southern California. These chapters discuss the impact that urbanization has on mountain lions, bobcats, and coyotes in the Santa Monica Mountains region, and represent one of the most comprehensive accounts of wildlife activity in the mountains to date.
February 18, 2010
Citizen Science Spider Survey Comes to the Santa Monica Mountains
On Saturday, February 20, at 2 pm, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area will present a lecture by Jan Kempf of the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum.
February 11, 2010
King Gillette Ranch Visitor Center Public Comment Period Open
No abstract supplied.
January 25, 2010
Citizen Science Continues in the Santa Monica Mountains
No abstract supplied.
December 03, 2009
Winter Solstice Art Show and Sale at Satwiwa Culture Center
On Sunday, December 6 from 10 am-3pm, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area will host a day of hand crafted art, music, and family fun at the scenic Satwiwa Culture Center.
November 13, 2009
New and Rare Lichens from the Santa Monica Mountains and Channel Islands
On Saturday, November 21 at 2 pm at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Visitor Center, expert lichenologist Kerry Knudsen will unveil his latest scientific discoveries from the Santa Monica Mountains and Channel Islands National Park. Knudsen has been highlighted in Los Angeles Times articles about lichens, and recently received international attention for discovering a new species of lichen at Channel Islands National Park, and naming it Caloplaca obamae after President Obama.
November 12, 2009
Spirit of the Mountains 2009 Photography Contest Winners to be Announced
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area invites the public to an afternoon of photography with acclaimed professional photographers Tom Gamache and Van Webster on November 14 from 1:30-4 pm at the National Park Service Visitor Center in Thousand Oaks, CA. The afternoon will feature three different activities, including a lecture on effective landscape photography techniques, an opportunity to observe a professional photography critique, and the unveiling of the 2009 Spirit of the Mountains photography contest winners.
October 21, 2009
New Phone Application Helps Combat Invasive Plant Species in National Parks
No abstract supplied.
September 29, 2009
Native Plant Landscaping Without Embarrassing Your Kids and Neighbors
No abstract supplied.
September 29, 2009
Spirit of the Mountains Fall Photo Contest
This fall, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area invites you to participate in its annual Spirit of the Mountains photo contest. Submissions will be accepted October 1-October 31, 2009.
September 17, 2009
King Gillette Ranch Visitor Center Focus Workshops
No abstract supplied.
September 17, 2009
A New Environmental Education Campus for Southern California Kids
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to be home of fourth
NatureBridge residential education campus.
September 16, 2009
Make your Santa Monica Mountains even better - Volunteer for National Public Lands Day
No abstract supplied.
September 16, 2009
Sneak peak of the new Ken Burns National Parks documentary
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area invites you to a special sneak peak screening of the upcoming Ken Burns Film: The National Parks: America’s Best Idea premiering on PBS.
August 11, 2009
Young Female Mountain Lion Collared in the Santa Monica Mountains
No abstract supplied.
August 05, 2009
Come take a visual hike through the Backbone Trail
On Saturday, August 15, from 2-3:30 PM, come to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Visitor Center and experience the 62 mile long Backbone Trail without the summer heat. Photographer Jim Belsley will take you on a virtual hike through his photos and maps. If you are curious as to what the trail’s all about, or if you’ve thought about hiking the trail on your own but aren’t sure how to get started, come and get the latest information.
August 05, 2009
Untold Stories Premiers in the Hollywood Theatre District
On Saturday, busses pulled into Los Angeles neighborhood community center parking lots and then, filled with excited children and families, headed for the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre in the heart of the Hollywood Theatre District.
July 21, 2009
Multi-Agency Effort Successfully Eradicates Marijuana Plants in the Santa Monica
July 21, 2009: National Park Service Rangers from Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, California State Park Police, CAMP (Campaign Against
Marijuana Planting), and Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority (MRCA) entered three marijuana
plantation sites, two located in Malibu Creek State Park and one located in the Zuma-Trancas Canyon area on National Park Service land.
April 02, 2009
Environmental Assessment of the Santa Monica Mountains
No abstract supplied.
March 21, 2009
Ventura County Star - Thousands attend outdoor screening
Filmmaker's work to air on PBS in fall
By Brett Johnson
Saturday, March 21, 2009
History “is a place where we can all gather,” filmmaker Ken Burns noted Thursday evening during an interview in an old saloon.
So, too, are our national parks, the subject of Burns’ next opus that will air this fall on PBS. Burns and about 2,000 people gathered for an outdoor “sneak preview” of his film “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” at Paramount Ranch south of Agoura Hills.
November 02, 2006
Battle against New Zealand mud snail intensifies
From The Malibu Times
11/02/2006
www.mudsnails.com
The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, UCLA and Heal the Bay released a report last month that says the highly invasive New Zealand mud snail is present in 15 of the 44 sites surveyed in the Malibu Creek watershed. Mud snails were found in Medea Creek, Malibou Lake and multiple sites in Malibu Creek and Las Virgenes Creek, including the confluence of Las Virgenes and Malibu Creeks.
