WHO WE ARE
#SAVELACOUGARS
AN UNPRECEDENTED PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
It takes a village to save our local cougars—and to build the largest wildlife crossing in the world!
The wildlife crossing at Liberty Canyon is a large-scale public/private partnership, with a core project team of the Liberty Wildlife Corridor Partners: Caltrans, the National Park Service, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservatory/ Mountain Recreation and Conservation Authority, the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, and the National Wildlife Federation—along with local and state elected officials.
The #SaveLACougars campaign, which supports the conservation, education and fundraising for the project, is a collaborative effort of the National Wildlife Federation and the Santa Monica Mountains Fund. As one of the oldest and largest conservation groups, the NWF has 6 million supporters across the country and a successful track record of large scale conservation work, such as multi-million dollar projects in the Great Lakes or the Gulf Coast.
“When we started this campaign a few years ago, the crossing was just an idea and had no funding. With the generous donations of our supporters, we have completed the environmental documents, entered final design and engineering, and we will continue our efforts to keep Caltrans on schedule to break ground in 2021.” Beth Pratt, California Regional Executive Director, National Wildlife Federation and Leader, #SaveLACougars
A QUOTE FROM P-22
“TBH, BETH AND THE NWF ARE MY ONLY HOPE AT SURVIVAL. JOIN THEM IN KEEPING ME AND MY FAMILY FROM BECOMING EXTINCT. ”
#SAVELACOUGARS
THE EFFORT
It takes a village to save our local cougars—and to build potentially the largest wildlife crossing in the world! The wildlife crossing at Liberty Canyon is a public/private partnership. The core project team, which meets regularly to discuss the planning, design and engineering, along with the fundraising and educational activities, includes representatives from local, state, and national agencies and organizations—Caltrans, the National Park Service, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservatory, the Mountain Recreation and Conservation Authority, the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, City of Agoura Hills, and the National Wildlife Federation—along with local and state elected officials.
The #SaveLACougars campaign, dedicated to raising funds to support the effort, along with conducting the educational activities and public engagement around the project, was founded by a partnership of the National Wildlife Federation and the Santa Monica Mountains Fund.
Liberty Wildlife Corridor Partnership
CALTRANS is the largest transportation agency in the nation and manages more than 50,000 miles of California’s highway and freeway lanes. The agency is responsible for the development, construction, and maintenance of the crossing.
Since 1980, the SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY has helped to preserve over 75,000 acres of parkland in both wilderness and urban settings. The MOUNTAINS REC-REATION & CONSERVATION AUTHORITY is dedicated to the preservation and management of local open space and parkland. These two entities share joint oversight for the land the crossing connects, and will provide the long-term management of the habitat on the crossing.
The NATIONAL PARK SERVICE manages Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area—the largest urban park in the country—where the crossing is located. The agency also conducts the important study of mountain lions and other wildlife in the region.
The RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT OF THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS partners with public and private landowners to restore native habitat, and to protect and create green space and corridors for sensitive wildlife. Their team provides critical expertise to the project for design, architectural services, and habitat restoration.
As one of the oldest and largest conservation groups, the NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION has 6 million supporters across the country and a successful track record of large scale conservation work, such as multi-million dollar projects in the Great Lakes or the Gulf Coast. The non-profit is responsible for conservation guidance and education, fundraising, and outreach for the project.
#SAVELACOUGARS
NWF TEAM
BETH
PRATT
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION’S
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Beth Pratt, National Wildlife Federation’s California Regional Executive Director, leads the #SaveLACougars campaign, and has worked in environmental leadership roles for over twenty-five years, and in two of the country’s largest national parks: Yosemite and Yellowstone. From working with wolves to bears, she says “nothing has inspired me more than helping to build this landmark crossing outside of Los Angeles to help save this urban population of mountain lions”.
She is also the author of the book, “When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors: People and Wildlife Working It Out in California” and featured the story of P-22 in her TEDx talk, “How a Lonely Cougar in Los Angeles Inspired the World”.
AMANDA
LEON
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION’S
REGIONAL PHILANTHROPY OFFICER FOR CALIFORNIA
Amanda Leon, Regional Philanthropy Officer for California, enjoys strengthening the connection National Wildlife Federation members and philanthropists have to wildlife conservation projects throughout the state and the country. Born and raised in the Golden State, Amanda values the diversity of the population, landscapes and ecosystems that make California an exceptional place to bring people and perspectives together around saving and coexisting with wildlife – especially LA Cougars!
Prior to joining the team, Amanda raised funds for student scholarships and services at Mihaylo College of Business and Economic at her alma mater, Cal State University, Fullerton. She enjoys hiking new trails and listening to live music in her free time. Amanda looks forward to hiking alongside Beth and other cougar fans at the next Urban Wildlife Week & P-22 Day.
APRIL
GILBERT
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION’S
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR AND EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
April Gilbert, Operations Coordinator and Executive Assistant for the California Region, provides administrative and operational support for the California Team and Regional Executive Director. She is completely charmed by the courageous and charismatic P-22 and particularly excited about the Wildlife Crossing at Liberty Canyon.
Previously, April worked at the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation as the assistant to the CEO and earned her Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management from the University of Wisconsin, Stout. An avid backpacker, April believes the more we can connect with nature, the more we can connect with ourselves and each other. April is currently a student in the Conservatory at Second City, Hollywood.
JONATHAN
LIPTON
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION’S
CAPITOL CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR
Jonathan Lipton is the founder + principal of Lipton Strategies, a strategic consulting firm working at the intersection of philanthropy, politics, public policy, and social impact. He comes to the #SaveLACougars campaign with nearly a decade of experience directing and raising multi-million-dollar campaigns for clients across the country and around the world.
A native Los Angeleno, Jonathan has worked across the United States and around the world in the social, political, for-profit, and public sectors. He began his career as a Partnership Specialist in the Office of U.S. Secretary of State managing global public-private-partnerships for the U.S. Government, and later went on to serve as a Director for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the third most influential lobbying organization in the country. As the founder + principal of Lipton Strategies his clients include numerous political campaigns, social service, and advocacy organizations with a vast array of interests.
A passionate change agent, Jonathan is excited to join the #SaveLACougars campaign and bring his expertise in philanthropy and public-private-partnerships to build the world’s largest wildlife crossing.