Chatsworth Nature Preserve Open House Worth the Wait
By Christina Holland
The Chatsworth Nature Preserve Open House, an eagerly anticipated annual event, faced an unexpected delay of nearly three months from April to June due to heavy rains. However, attendees unanimously concurred that it was well worth the wait. And as an added benefit, the event was held in the late afternoon for the first time ever, allowing visitors to enjoy the cooler temperatures and views of the landscape at dusk.
When the event finally took place on June 24, it attracted an impressive turnout of nearly 3,000 nature enthusiasts. They gathered to revel in the splendor of a picturesque day, which proved to be the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable experience. To kick off the festivities, a captivating summer-solstice themed opening ceremony was led by the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians Tribal Vice President Mark Villaseñor and Tribal Elder Dennis Garcia. As the day progressed, attendees were enchanted with storytelling sessions. Garcia, followed by Tina Calderon, Culture Bearer of Gabrielino Tongva, Chumash & Yoeme descent, held the audience in rapt attention with their tales.
“Our celebration is a reminder that every day, not just one day in April, is a good day to celebrate the earth, and reflect on our individual relationships with the natural resources the earth provides. LADWP embraces the responsibility to fight climate change, and sustainability remains at the forefront of our mission to provide our customers with reliable water and power in an environmentally responsible manner.”
Nurit Katz
Commissioner, Board of Water and Power
Before this 1,300-acre property was deemed a nature preserve by L.A.’s City Council in 1997, it was placed in service in 1919 as a reservoir in the City of L.A.’s water system. And long before it was a reservoir, it was home to the Tataviam, Tongva and Chumash Indian Tribes for centuries.
Meanwhile, those who embarked on a nature hike found themselves in awe of the preserve’s beauty and tranquil atmosphere. The chance to see the vernal pool at a record level was a rare treat. This cherished Chatsworth property stands as the sole nature preserve within the City of Los Angeles, and boasts the presence of magnificent 100-year-old oak trees and numerous animal species, including three families of red-tailed hawks who are doing a great job controlling the rodent population. Attendees eagerly absorbed the knowledge shared by their hike leaders.
The event also served as a platform for community-based organizations and environmental advocates to showcase their initiatives. Even our youngest guests got in on the action as they enjoyed getting their faces painted, picking up reptiles and learning about electric safety.
Hosted by LADWP, the Herp Connection, the Santa Susana Mountain Park Association and Sky Valley Volunteers, the annual open house event concluded with a grand finale music fest. Led by the talented Martin Espino, many attendees joined in, singing and playing instruments, with rhythmic beats reverberating through the air and creating an atmosphere of unity and celebration.
Videos by Serena Beltran and Oshin Manoukian. View photos from the event below, photos by Chris Corsmeier.
share this page
This publication is written and published by the Communications and Corporate Strategy Division. For 2022-2023 issues, click the three horizontal lines icon next to the Contact logo at the top left of the document. Then click the “Editions” tab. For issues from 2000-2021, see Intranet page MyDWP/.
