Six Los Angeles City Council members introduced a motion on Tuesday to create a regional wildlife habitat connectivity plan that includes Los Angeles and Ventura counties, noting that “our native wildlife does not respect jurisdictional boundaries.” .
The motion was presented by Councilors Nithya Raman and Monica Rodriguez and Councilors Paul Krekorian, Paul Koretz, Mike Bonin and John Lee.
He noted several local and national efforts to conserve wildlife habitat and address climate change. Along with the city’s draft wildlife ordinance — which aims to promote wildlife habitat and connectivity between the 405 and 101 freeways in the Santa Monica Mountains — the motion noted conservation preservation plans from state and federal “30% by 2030,” Senator Alex Padilla’s public Land Act and Wildlife Connectivity Ordinances of LA and Ventura Counties.
However, council members warned that ‘separate and disconnected wildlife conservation efforts run the risk of failing’.
“Indeed, a blockage of habitat connectivity can ruin the whole business. An interconnected regional effort is essential for this work to succeed. The City of Los Angeles should therefore partner and coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions to pool resources, personnel, funding and expertise to ensure that our wildlife connectivity efforts are on their own. connected,” the motion adds.
If passed, the motion would call on LA Sanitation and Environment, the LASAN Biodiversity Expert Council and the Department of City Planning to participate in meetings with local and regional jurisdictions and conservation and environmental justice groups to share best practices. practices, information, and resources for creating a Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Plan that includes Los Angeles and Ventura counties, connecting the Valley Rim, Los Angeles River, Arroyo Seco, Verdugo Mountains, and San Gabriel and more.
The motion also calls for an expanded proposed City of Los Angeles Wildlife Ordinance to cover more areas, including valleyside areas in the city.
The motion will first be considered by the Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice and River Committee before going to the full city council.