• Established in 2017, the Laurel Canyon Land Trust ("LCLT") is the sister organization of the Laurel Canyon Association, a long-standing neighborhood association. LCLT is a non-profit organization established for the purpose of conserving undeveloped land in Laurel Canyon, California.
  

• The Laurel Canyon Land Trust is a public benefit 501(c)(3) corporation. Donations are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. We work to preserve the natural topography and wildlife of the Santa Monica Mountains and hillsides in Laurel Canyon for the benefit of all the people of Los Angeles. Among other things, the open spaces we acquire are used for historical, educational, ecological, recreation and scenic purposes.
  

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Donating Land

• LCLT accepts donations of land. Non-cash charitable donations are tax deductible as provided by the Internal Revenue Code. LCLT will pay for an appraisal of the land to determine the fair market value as determined by a qualified appraiser. LCLT will provide donors IRS Form 8283 (signed by the qualified appraiser) attesting to the fair market value of the property and affirming the donation to LCLT (a 501(c)(3) entity).
  

• Donors can obtain a tax write-off for the non-cash charitable donation (i.e. the fair market value of the property). LCLT will pay for the closing costs associated with the donation.
  

• Donation of a parcel can also be outlined in a estate plan or will. If you are interested in either of these options please do not hesitate to make this known to us! Find our contact page here.
  

Donating Funds

• Those that want to donate money to LCLT electronically should go through Donorbox. You can donate via donorbox towards a specific campaign or towards our general fund.
  

• Please consider becoming a support member by clicking the donorbox button and selecting a monthly or annual donation commitment.
  

Conservation Easements

• A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust in which the landowner retains ownership of the entire parcel in question but surrenders the right to develop or otherwise harm the environmental value of a designated section of the parcel. A conservation easement persists indefinitely, regardless of change of ownership.
  

• Since a conservation easement has the potential to decrease the market value of a property, the amount by which the property is devalued (as designated by a certified appraiser), will be reimbursed in the form of a tax write-off should the conservation easement be donated to LCLT. We are also willing to discuss the sale of conservation easements. Those interested should contact LCLT’s President, Jamie T. Hall, to initiate the donation process. Wishes to grant a conservation easement can also be honored as a part of an estate plan or will.
  

Include us in your Estate Plan

• If you are considering including a donation of land or conservation easement in your will, please make it known to us as soon as possible, so that we may make any necessary arrangements with you.
  

• Many of the open plots of land in Laurel Canyon are home to beautiful native and non-native tree species. These species include (but are not limited to) the Coast Live Oak, California Sycamore, 100 species of eucalyptus, maple, and cotton wood species. The open space of Laurel Canyon is a beautiful mosaic of tree species, but when left unprotected this scenery will be replaced with often oversized real estate developments. The trees of Laurel Canyon are not only good for scenery though. The trees themselves host ecosystems of smaller plants and animals, that depend on them for their survival.
  

• The Santa Monica Mountains provide a home for 450 animal species, including rare species such as the golden eagle, mountain lion, and bobcat. Sadly, given the pace of development in the Los Angeles region, it is unlikely that these animals will be able to survive in increasingly small pockets of wilderness. This is where LCLT comes in. We have made it our mission to acquire and protect the remaining wilderness of Laurel Canyon and we can do it, but only with your help!
  

• The preservation of the remaining vacant land in Laurel Canyon is especially important because Laurel Canyon is located in an environmentally sensitive area and is home to a watershed and greenbelt in the vastly developed plains of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. The natural space and beauty of Laurel Canyon has inspired residents, artists and musicians for over 100 years. Additionally, the hills in Laurel Canyon have provided a scenic backdrop for the rest of Los Angeles and the forested valleys and chaparral-draped hillsides have offered habitat for native wildlife.
  

Learn more from our sister organization, Laurel Canyon Association here.

Witches Trail

• The Witches Trail Acquisition was a big win for LCLT, purchasing a parcel that featured a trail (known as Witches Trail), possessing not only ecological value but recreational value as well.
  

Let's Buy a Mountain

• The very first project completed by Laurel Canyon Land Trust in 2017. This project ended up saving roughly 9 acres of open space, which serves as a habitat hosting a wide array of species. (see video)
  

• Check out the official "Let's Buy a Mountain" website here.
  

Let's Buy a Mountain Phase 2

• An June of 2020 we announced the acquisition of an approximately 6,000 square foot parcel in Laurel Canyon, nearby Wonderland Avenue Elementary. The purchase was made possible by a generous donation from the David Schwartz Foundation.
  

• The parcel is also located in a mapped Habitat Linkage Zone by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and provides habitat for rare and threatened species (both flora and fauna).
  

Let's Buy a Mountain Phase 3

• In March of 2022 we acquired a 9 acre parcel located at 8516 Lookout Mountain . This acquisition increased the Let's Buy a Mountain Nature Preserve to 26 acres. This acquisition was made possible by grant funding from the California Natural Resources Agency, and donations from over 70 private donors and the Laurel Canyon Association.
  

Jewett Acquisition

• The Laurel Canyon Land Land Trust raised approximately $6000 in August of 2017 to acquire a 3,051 square foot parcel located at 1935 N. Jewett. The parcel is located along a "paper street" used by residents for hiking and walking. The parcel is located in a designated Habitat Linkage Block designated and mapped by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
  

Laurel Canyon Boulevard Phase 1

• In October of 2018 we announced the purchase of 2243 Laurel Canyon Boulevard. After two years of advocacy, appeals, litigation, and (sometimes very heated) settlement meetings, this land was acquired to preserve as permanent open space.
  

• California Black Walnut Trees (a threatened native species) were planted on the newly purchased parcel in order to mitigate the impacts of the development.
  

Laurel Canyon Boulevard Phase 2

• In May of 2022 we acquired two parcels at 2135 and 2141 Laurel Canyon Boulevard. These parcels are located along a locally designated Scenic Highway and are within a walnut woodland.
• The acquisition was made possible by funding from the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, two private family foundations and donations from over 60 private donors.
  

Brier Open Space

• In September 2020, we acquired three vacant parcels at the end of Brier Drive.

• This newly protected open space includes a public viewing lookout with a picnic table, providing recreational value to residents in addition to the property's ecological value
  

Crescent Drive Acquisition

• Approximately 5,000 square feet at 8993 and 9009 W. Crescent Drive. The parcels are in Wildlife Habitat Block 61 mapped by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
  

• Deer and other animals frequent these parcels. They are also home to an extensive walnut woodland mapped by the National Park Service.
  

Advocacy

Measure HH

• Measure HH is an initiative that was passed in 2020 with the enthusiastic backing of LCLT. This measure was so important to us because it ensured that the Mountain Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) would have the resources they needs to protect open space. Learn more here.

Senate Bill 1425

• Senate Bill 1425 ("SB1425") was written and sponsored by LCLT President Jamie Hall.

• In 2022, Jamie Hall testified before the State Senate in favor of Senate Bill 1425. With the enthusiastic support of LCLT it was subsequently passed into law.
  

• SB 1425 requires every city and county of California to review and update its local open-space plan by January 1, 2026. It requires every new open-space element to include plans and an action program that address specific issues like climate resilience and other benefits of open space. LCLT is hopeful that this bill will have a positive impact on conservation efforts across the entire state of California.
  

Wildlife Ordinance

• The Wildlife Ordinance is currently in the final phases of being passed into law. It's purpose is to limit excessive and destructive real estate projects by imposing much needed limits on height, square footage, basement size and more.

• Jamie Hall attended and testified at the Planning and Land Use ("PLUM") Committee hearing in which the wildlife ordinance was approved in 2023.

• The Wildlife Ordinance is a huge step towards protecting environmentally sensitive sections of Los Angeles from excessive real estate projects.
  

• LCLT proposed amendments designed to strengthen the ordinance, several of which were incorporated by the city.
  

Whether you need more information on what we do, want to volunteer, or have a killer idea for how to keep the Canyon wild, please don't hesitate to reach out.

We can't do this alone.