Celebrating CLAW: 10 Years of Wildlife Advocacy and Green Space Preservation in Los Angeles
The City Council celebrated the 10th anniversary of Citizens for Los Angeles Wildlife (CLAW) for its work in preserving green spaces. Council members Bob Blumenfield and Nithya Raman honored Alison Simard, Tony Tucci, Shawn Silver, and other CLAW members with a resolution. They described CLAW as a movement that unites communities and inspires youth.
Founded in 2014, CLAW helped the city create L.A.’s first wildlife district in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains. The organization has advocated for the protection of two new tree species. It also persuaded the Department of Recreation and Parks to stop using harmful chemicals in parks.
CLAW educates residents about barn owl nesting and collaborates with LA Sanitation on its Biodiversity Expert Panel. The group runs a nature camera initiative, capturing images and videos of local wildlife like mountain lions and hawks.
What inspired Alison Simard to co-found Citizens for Los Angeles Wildlife (CLAW)?
Interview with Alison Simard, Co-Founder of Citizens for Los Angeles Wildlife (CLAW)
By: [Your Name], News Editor
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Citizens for Los Angeles Wildlife (CLAW) was recently honored by the City Council for its significant contributions to preserving green spaces and fostering community engagement. We sat down with CLAW co-founder Alison Simard to discuss the organization’s achievements and future goals.
Interviewer: Alison, congratulations on this important milestone! Can you tell us about the creation of CLAW and what motivated you to start this initiative?
Alison Simard: Thank you! CLAW was founded in 2014 with the goal of uniting communities around the preservation of our unique wildlife and green spaces in Los Angeles. We saw a need for advocacy in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains, where urban development was threatening local ecosystems. Our motivation has always been about ensuring that both wildlife and communities can flourish together.
Interviewer: What are some of CLAW’s key accomplishments over the past decade?
Alison Simard: We are incredibly proud of several milestones. One major achievement was helping the city establish L.A.’s first wildlife district. We’ve advocated for the protection of threatened tree species and successfully pushed the Department of Recreation and Parks to eliminate harmful chemicals from our parks. Additionally, our educational programs about barn owl nesting have made a significant impact, and our partnerships with LA Sanitation have allowed us to contribute to the Biodiversity Expert Panel.
Interviewer: It sounds like education is a major component of CLAW’s mission. How does the organization engage the community and inspire youth?
Alison Simard: Absolutely! We believe that education is crucial for fostering a love of nature. We organize workshops, community events, and youth programs that encourage hands-on learning about local wildlife. Our nature camera initiative also allows residents to connect with wildlife by capturing images and videos of animals like mountain lions and hawks, sparking curiosity and appreciation for our natural environment.
Interviewer: CLAW recently achieved the permanent conservation of 17 acres of wildlands in the Santa Monica Mountains. What does this mean for the community and the local ecosystem?
Alison Simard: This conservation effort is a significant victory for both the community and the ecosystem. The area will become Laurel Springs Park, providing residents with access to natural spaces for recreation and education. It’s a step towards preserving biodiversity and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the beauty and benefits of our local wildlife.
Interviewer: What does the recognition from the City Council mean to you and the CLAW team?
Alison Simard: It’s an incredible honour to be recognized by the City Council. It validates our hard work and dedication over the past decade. The resolution highlighted how our efforts have contributed to making Los Angeles a better place, which is truly heartening for our entire team. It motivates us to continue advocating for our environment and engaging the community in meaningful ways.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, what are CLAW’s goals for the next decade?
Alison Simard: Our vision is to expand our educational programs and continue to push for wildlife-friendly policies in the city. We want to strengthen our community partnerships and explore more conservation projects that can protect our existing green spaces. Ultimately, we hope to inspire even more residents to become stewards of our environment.
Interviewer: Thank you, Alison, for sharing your insights. We look forward to seeing CLAW’s continued impact in Los Angeles.
Alison Simard: Thank you for having me! I appreciate the opportunity to share our journey and vision for the future.
Recent efforts by CLAW led to the permanent conservation of wildlands in the Santa Monica Mountains, including a 17-acre site that will become Laurel Springs Park. The council’s resolution stated, “Through steadfast ways and caring deeds, CLAW has made Los Angeles a better place in which to live, work, and play.”