Post-Fire Restoration at Camp Trask

Back in the summer of 2019, we led a restoration effort around Camp Trask in Monrovia’s Canyon Park, a project made possible through collaboration, community effort, and a shared commitment to protecting our natural spaces.

With the support of local Boy and Girl Scout troops and the expertise of Kizh Nation tribal biologist Matt T., we planted a wide variety of native tree saplings around the camp. This project aimed to restore native vegetation, enhance biodiversity, and support long-term ecological health in the canyon.

A highlight of the day was the reintroduction of rare and endangered species such as the Engelmann oak, once common across Southern California. Volunteers also cleared non-native brush, reducing wildfire risk and giving native plants the space they need to thrive.

This restoration wouldn’t have been possible without generous donations from The Huntington Library, the Los Angeles County Arboretum, and Steve Ask-List, who supplied containers and plant materials. Local residents played a big role too, collecting acorns and saplings that contributed directly to the effort.