The San Gabriel National Monument is on fire–again–and it’s bad. The Bridge Fire ignited on September 8th and has consumed over 50,000 acres, burning through dense desert chaparral in steep, inaccessible terrain.
It’s been a year of highs and lows for the San Gabriels, from earning a dishonorable mention on Fodor’s 2023 Do Not Travel List to President Biden adding another 105,000 acres of protected land to the monument along with the promise of increased funding.
For the 1 million Angelenos who don’t have A/C or can’t pay their utility bills, places like the East Fork are a free and easy-to-access refuge from sweltering summertime heat.
Unfortunately, the East Fork is also emblematic of the broader issues impacting LA County’s largest open space–littering, graffiti, and a disregard for Leave No Trace ethics.
Yes, the San Gabriel National Monument is chronically underfunded and has been since it was designated a national monument in 2014.
No, telling people to stop visiting a place is not a long-term, sustainable solution to a cultural and institutional problem.
Yes, it’s great the expansion of the monument will come with funding and additional resources to address these problems.
No, I don’t believe that alone will be enough.
When we know better, we do better. However naive that may sound, it’s something I truly believe. I have to believe it.
How we instill the value of nature and its role in promoting healthy individuals and communities doesn’t look like preaching to our echo chambers on social media (oh, the irony).
It’ll require focused investments in LA’s most vulnerable and park-poor communities.
Building new parks, greening our streets, and opening up more community gardens can create a positive ripple effect that starts within city limits and radiates out to LA’s beautiful backyard.
Read my full thoughts on the matter by picking up the latest issue of Trails Magazine!
#Outdoors #OutdoorWriter