The Santa Susana Mountain Park Association has been in existence for 40 years, since 1970. Our mission is to protect, preserve, restore and enhance the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains in Chatsworth, California. This beautiful area is rich in natural and cultural history. These hills, ridges and canyons contain wildlife corridors that serve as "land bridges" between the nearby Santa Monica Mountains, Los Padres National Forest, San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest. If these vital wildlife habitat bridges are lost, the animals, birds and native plants living in these area will disappear from the Earth forever.

SSMPA members and members of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Santa Susana Mountains (FPSSM) labored and lobbied for 29 years to bring about the establishment of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=611

SSMPA Board members for 2010-2011 are:
President - Jack Unger
Vice-President - John Luker
Secretary - Teena Takata
Backup Secretary - Carla Bollinger
Treasurer - Diana Dixon-Davis
Newsletter Editor - Chris Beauvais
WebMaster - Warren Stone
Members at Large - Reid Bogert
Members at Large - Bob Dager
Members at Large - Elizabeth Harris  

Honorary Life Member - Janice Hinkston

We invite you to join us in the noble quest to protect and preserve these lands for future generations.
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2009 SSMPA Activities and Accomplishments In Review

The California State Parks closure spurred SSMPA to enlist volunteers to keep the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park open. California Governor, Arnold Schwartzenegger, announced the planned closure of over 200 parks throughout California which would have included our own Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park. Board Members of SSMPA put their super-hero suits on and began politicking and working with State Park officials to set up a Volunteer Program. Led by John Luker, Jack Unger and Teena Takata with assistance from Warren Stone, Diana Dixon-Davis, Chris Beauvais, Reid Bogert, and Carla Henry, a California State Park Volunteer Program was put into place providing "Citizens Watch", Graffiti Clean up and Interpretive Hikes. Over 60 volunteers signed up to provide these services!

Archaeological Site Stewardship Program : During the past year, SSMPA worked with State Parks to coordinate the training of approximately 40 Archaeological Site Stewards who take responsibility for monitoring the many significant archaeological sites contained within the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park. Protecting these sites from vandalism and graffiti is an important part of protecting our cultural heritage.

Community Meetings :  SSMPA holds community meetings covering a multitude of topics and interests. Recent topics included the History of Western Movies presented by Jerry England, a local and migratory bird presentation by Art Langton, a member's photography exhibition hosted by John Luker, a native plant presentation by Brenden Galipeau, a Rim of the Valley - Los Angeles Trail Project presentation by Mary Benson and a Chatsworth wildlife presentation by Karma Graham.  We think some people come just to see what homemade cookies Patty Miller will bring – thanks Patty!

Santa Susana Field Lab (SSFL) Transition :  Like many other community organizations, SSMPA Board Members have toured the SSFL. There are major contamination problems on this site. Boeing, NASA, and DOE are monitored by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and are responsible for cleaning the site. SSMPA is working with Boeing, NASA, DOE, the California State Parks, the National Park Service, the Santa Monica Conservancy and the General Services Administration toward the long-term goal of permanently preserving this area as a protected open-space park.

Chatsworth Nature Preserve (CNP) :   This open space nature preserve is the only one in Los Angeles County . It is currently owned by the Department of Water and Power. Very few visitors are allowed - Canada Goose counters, Audubon Society bird watches, Herpetology walks, and the annual April Earth Day event. SSMPA members have been a steward of the CNP for over 30 years and are active in preserving and protecting this site.

Community Activities:  Woolsey Canyon clean up... Tree People/Boeing-sponsored tree planting at Chatsworth Oaks Park ... Pioneer Days at the Minnie Palmer/Virgina Watson Homestead Acre ... Earth Day at Chatsworth Nature Preserve ... Neighborhood Council Meeting Officer Diana Dixon-Davis ... Neighborhood Council Land Use Committee Secretary Teena Takata,.. Meetings and letter-writing campaigns with elected officials... John Luker's hard work to organize our natural-history museum at the Devonshire Elementary School...   "Enchanting the City" conference participation led by Jack Unger... Presentation by Carla Henry, Jack Unger and John Luker at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Visitors' Center on the history/culture/ wildlife corridor/current activities in the Simi Hills/Santa Susana Mountains region ... numerous meetings attended by John Luker and Jack Unger at local council meetings and others on the subject of the SSFL ... and very special thanks to Chris Beauvais, who creates SSMPA's newsletter and Warren Stone who maintains the SSMPA website!

(Prepared by Carla Henry)

Santa Susana Mountain Park Association