- State: CA
- NPCA Region: Pacific
- Est. Date: 1978
Issues
The world’s largest urban national park can be found in the backyard of Los Angeles. The park's 150,000 acres span lush Mediterranean and coastal marine ecosystems, providing habitat to more than 1,000 different plant and 500 animal species. Hike trails, enjoy city views, see spectacular beaches and waterfalls, learn about American Indian cultures, and tour a working film set.
More about Santa Monica Mountains
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Advocacy in Action Support the Proposed Rim of the Valley Expansion With more than 17 million people, the Los Angeles Metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the country, yet it has less open space than any other large urban area on the West Coast. The Rim of the Valley proposal, which would expand Santa Monica National Recreation Area, represents an opportunity for the National Park Service to protect some of the last wild lands and historic sites in the greater Los Angeles area.
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Blog Post Preserving More of Our History in Southern California and Beyond 3 ways the federal government can honor Hispanic Heritage Month by including irreplaceable cultural sites in the National Park System
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Magazine Article Coyotes and the City Researchers in Los Angeles are tracking urban coyotes and collecting scat to find out how humans and these wild canids can live peaceably side by side.
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Press Release Congressman Schiff Proposes to Expand Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Preserve and Protect Culture, Wildlife and Waterways The Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act would expand Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to include critical waterways, landscapes, wildlife corridors and important cultural and historical sites.
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Press Release National Parks Group Applauds Recommendations to Expand, Greater Protect Santa Monica Mountains NPCA supports the final "Rim of the Valley" proposal by the National Park Service, which could add 170,000 acres of important waterways, historic and cultural sites, and open spaces to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
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Press Release Forgotten Founders: The Hidden African Ancestry of Los Angeles During African American History Month, NPCA is co-sponsoring a new art exhibit, showcasing the diverse and multi-cultural founders of Los Angeles.
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Blog Post Parks and the City: 9 Spots for an Urban Nature Fix Need more time in nature? You might not have to travel as far as you think. Some of America’s most beautiful national parks are just a walk, a boat ride, or a short drive from major cities. Here are 9 landscapes and waterways you might not even realize are a stone’s throw from the skyscrapers and city lights.
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Blog Post Porter Ranch: A Dangerous Wake-Up Call for People, Parks, and the Climate Two federal agencies are already working to address the problem of methane leaks—why we need to push harder for better regulations.
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Interactive Map Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study Area
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Blog Post Parks after Dark: 9 Ideas for Nighttime Fun Summer nights may be short, but national parks often host extra activities to educate and entertain visitors during this popular tourist season. Whether you’re exploring on your own or hanging out with a ranger, try a few of these excuses to stay out late in special places.
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Press Release Revitalizing the Heart of Los Angeles Volunteers Participate in a Day of Service at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument with National Parks Conservation Association.
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Magazine Article A Lion’s Den The mountain lions of the Santa Monica Mountains face a rash of urban perils. Can they be saved?
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Talking Points Community Support for Rim of the Valley Community Comments on National Park Service, Rim of the Valley Study, April 2015
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Report Center for State of the Parks: Mediterranean Biome Recognizing the unique natural and cultural resources resident in the Mediterranean biome, the Center for State of the Parks has endeavored to determine the conditions of natural and cultural resources in Channel Islands National Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Cabrillo National Monument.
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