Representatives from the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, National Park Service, National Parks Conservation Association, local park advocacy organizations, and citizens will attend “Listening Sessions” at Thorne Hall, Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Eagle Rock in Los Angeles, CA 90041.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by Thursday, July 1 by sending an email to sun.nelly@epa.gov with your name, the name of the organization with which you are affiliated, if any, your telephone number, and email address.

If you plan on attending and would like to meet with NPCA staff at the event, please e-mail our Pacific Regional Office at pacific@npca.org.

Below is a list of talking points specific to our region that you can print and bring with you to the event:

Talking Points
* The Los Angeles region is home to the world’s largest urban national park–Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. This national park offers more than 10 million area residents a haven to escape the traffic and smog, find healthy recreational opportunities, view wildlife, and soak in the exquisite landscape of canyons, seashores, and mountains that weave throughout the region. The National Park Service should play a greater role in bringing these opportunities to urban communities.

* The partnership programs created at Santa Monica Mountains serve as a blueprint for how to bring the “parks to the people” and connect youth with the natural world. In nearby LA County’s eastside, in communities with high obesity rates and a dearth of open space, a diverse coalition is steps away from replicating these programs through the creation of a new national recreation area. The National Park Service should be provided the resources to play a similar role in other urban areas around the country.

* The Los Angeles region contains a checkerboard of open space and developed land parcels. More federal land conservation funding, including full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), is needed to help conserve our outdoor heritage, protect wildlife, provide public access for recreation, and protect scenic vistas for the enjoyment of our children and grandchildren.

* The innovative youth employment partnerships at Santa Monica Mountains work to employ diverse youth from undeserved communities, helping the National Park Service develop a workforce for its second century that reflects the cultural diversity of our country. The program, in partnership with local school districts, hire youth as interns and helps them develop the job skills to eventually become Park Service employees. The Administration should provide the resources to expand this model in other communities.

* Many urban and rural communities have national park units in their backyards; we must ensure young people and all Americans have the opportunity to experience these places that hold our natural and cultural heritage. For example, at Santa Monica Mountains, nearly 10,000 inner-city youth have learned to grow native plants and care for restoration sites. Three out of four fifth-graders participating in a year-long learn-and-work program live in poverty and although the park is within walking distance, most had never been there before entering the program. This educational program should be replicated and funded at other national park sites across the country.

Bonita Skate Park, on Bonita Avenue just east of Second Avenue south of  Huntington Drive is a 10,700 square foot area for skateboarders and in-line skaters who want an advanced park in which to practice and perfect their skills.

Classes will be held at the skate park in spring.  For more information please call 626.574.5113.

For the safety of everyone at the park, the following rules are in place for Bonita Skate Park and they will be enforced:

•    All users are required to wear a helmet, kneepads and elbow pads.  Those not wearing protective equipment can be cited for an infraction and required to pay a fine.
•    The park is for skateboarding and skating only.  Bicycles and scooters are not allowed.
•    Additional obstacles, ramps and jumps may not be used at the park.
•    No food or drink is allowed on the skating surface.  No glass is allowed in or around the skating area.
•    The City of Arcadia does not assume any responsibility for injuries that occur at the park.  Skateboarding and rollerblading are hazardous recreational activities.  Participation may result in serious injury.

Protect your Skate Park from graffiti and abuse. Report any vandalism, damage or hazardous conditions to the Recreation and Community Services Department at 626-574-5113.

The free event that is held rain or shine will once again feature skydivers, a flyover of World War II fighter planes, live music, food booths, and a tribute to our armed forces at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 626-967-1441 or 909-394-2264.

The following videos show highlights of this year’s event and the 2007 program.
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Learn all the tricks to successful planting and harvesting of the best tomatoes for this area and consider purchasing any of 100 flats of tomato plants.

Free to Members, and free to non-members with Arboretum Admission.

Explore The Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., and experience nature-related art and craft projects, story-telling, games, music, face painting, photo opportunities, and lots of tricks and treats! Special surprises for all children dressed in costume!

Regular Arboretum admission fees apply for non-members, plus $10 per child to participate in the event. Goblins in the Garden is free to Members!

For more information on this event, as well as other activities and volunteer opportunities at The Arboretum, contact Nancy Carlton, Volunteer and Special Events Manager at 626. 802. 8471 or nancy.carlton@arboretum.org.

The Arboretum is open from 9: 00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (except Christmas day). The cost of admission is $8.00 for adults; $6 for seniors (62 and over) and students with ID; $3.00 for children 5-12; and free for children 4 and under.  Members are admitted free. For additional information, please call (626) 821-3222 or explore www.arboretum.org.

Fees: Regular Arboretum admission fees apply for non-members, plus $10.00 per child to participate in the event.
Member children invited at no charge. Pre-registration is not necessary.