Dear Valued Customer,

August 7th marked seven months since the devastating Eaton and Palisades Fires swept through Southern California. Since the early days following the fires, the Corps has stood alongside our community—distributing food and supplies, protecting our watershed, and restoring the trails and habitats that were damaged or lost.

We wanted to take a moment to share a few updates with you about the LA Conservation Corps’ Wildfire Recovery & Restoration Efforts. We cannot thank you enough for your support, which has enabled the Corps to aid our communities in meaningful and lasting ways. We are truly grateful.

We hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch and read the updates below and hear directly from our Corpsmembers about what it meant to be part of the response and recovery efforts.

• Video One: Click here to watch the LA Conservation Corps Recovery Video.
• Video Two: Click here to watch a PBS Clip About the LA Conservation Corps Wildfire Recovery Efforts

We welcome any feedback and thank you again for your support of the Corps.  

There are four specific projects we’d like to highlight:

1. The re-greening of Loma Alta Park
2. The restoration of the Altadena Crest Trail
3. HAZWOPER training
4. The removal and repurposing of burned wood with Angel City Lumber

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Project Number 1: Loma Alta Park

By the numbers:

• 220 plants installed
• 14 trees planted
• 2,000 square feet of mulch applied
• 5 Corpsmembers received work experience and on-the-job training

In April, a Corpsmember crew re-greened Loma Alta Park in Altadena to prepare it for the public ahead of the summer season. They worked alongside volunteers from the community, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, and other nonprofits committed to fire recovery. Today, the park has reopened to the public and stands as a beacon of hope as Altadena continues to rebuild.  

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Project Number 2: Altadena Crest Trail  

Click here to watch our video about the Altadena Crest Trail.

By the numbers:

• 14 burned trees removed
• 28 reverse dips created
• 15,000 square feet of trail reconstructed across 3,400 linear feet
• 44 Corpsmembers received work experience and on-the-job training

Corpsmembers are restoring the Altadena Crest Trail. So far, work has included debris clearance, tread surface repair, slide clearance, rock armoring, retaining wall replacement, drainage improvements, and fencing and signage installation. These efforts have significantly improved trail integrity and will help protect the surrounding ecosystem. Soon, the 45,000 residents of Altadena will once again be able to enjoy this public trail.

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Project Number 3: HAZWOPER Trainings

By the numbers:

• 80 Corpsmembers trained
• 20 Corps staff trained

Thanks to critical funding, dozens of Corpsmembers and staff completed HAZWOPER training—equipping them with the skills and certifications needed to safely manage hazardous waste in the aftermath of natural disasters like the Eaton & Palisades Fires.

This specialized training has helped Corpsmembers launch careers in the environmental sector—working on projects that prevent harmful chemicals from polluting our communities, oceans, and waterways.

Our rapid response to recent watershed protection efforts in Altadena and the Palisades was made possible because many Corpsmembers had already completed this training. In moments of crisis, they were prepared to step up as skilled professionals when we needed them most.

HAZWOPER training is essential to building a resilient, skilled workforce ready to meet the environmental challenges of tomorrow.

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Project Number 4: Angel City Lumber

By the numbers:

• Two 10-foot Torrey Pine logs removed
• 90 fencing boards produced
• Two 10-foot table slabs produced
• Three 48-to 52-inch-long rounds produced
• 30 furniture-grade boards (2-1/4 × 7 inches) produced
• 3 Corpsmembers received work experience and on-the-job training

In May, Angel City Lumber led the effort to remove burned wood from the Palisades Fire area and repurpose it for building materials and consumer goods, such as furniture. The project involved transporting burned wood, training Corpsmembers in portable sawmill operation, and hands-on experience in turning planks into finished products. The specialized effort focused on a Torrey Pine tree, and three Corpsmembers gained specialized experience in sustainable wood reuse and production.