The Conservancy worked with the Trust
for Public Land to preserve 15-acres on Chaney Trail and
Alzada Road for sale by the owners, conservation-minded
individuals named Werner Mueller and Bill West. In December
2001, TPL completed purchase of the 15-acres in the Chaney
Trail Corridor. The Conservancy committed to paying part
of the appraisal and doing all maintenance on the land while
it was held by TPL.
Board members went on a planning retreat
to Catalina Island in February 2002, at which we developed
our first strategic plan. The retreat was funded by a grant
from the Durfee Foundation, and the Catalina Island Conservancy
provided their conference facility to us free of charge.
We also met with the Catalina Island Conservancy’s
education director, Deb Jensen.
The Conservancy releases its first
formal Conservation Plan for Altadena in November 2002 and
presents the conservation plan to the Altadena Town Council
in general session and in its Land Use committee.
In December 2002, AFC closes escrow
to purchase a 1.5 acre parcel on Chaney Trail. AFC friends
donated over $30,000 in three months in amounts ranging
from $5 to $3,000. In 2003 the Conservancy applies for and
is awarded a matching grant to complete the purchase from
the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
In 2003, the Conservancy embarks on
two important projects with a seed-money grant from the
Metropolitan Water District: a biodiversity survey and watershed
education.
In 2004, the Conservancy receives the
biodiversity survey of Altadena canyons from contractor
Rick Fisher.
Also in 2004, the Conservancy commits
to production of a watershed educational film, “Eaton’s
Water,” based on the life of Alice Taylor Clark and
Benjamin Eaton, early settlers of Altadena. We raise $15,000
in donations for a film produced by Art Center College of
Design and begin working with Pasadena Unified School District
toward development of curriculum to go with the film.
In 2005, the Conservancy receives a City Makeover grant from Metropolitan Water
District to build a pocket park at the southwest corner of Marengo and Woodbury.
This 8000 sq ft park will bring the mountains down into the city through plantings
of oaks and other native plants, along with demonstrating "waterwise" gardening.
The park will be constructed by the end of 2006.
