Community Corner

Fundraiser Brings in Funds, Awareness for Mountain Lion Research

Last month's Mountain Lion Fundraiser, hosted by the Santa Monica Mountains Fund at King Gillette Ranch, raised over $15,000, according to event organizers.

"The Santa Monica Mountains Fund and I were more than pleasantly surprised by the response that we received," said Julie Newsome, event organizer. "We sold out by the final response date and there was overwhelmingly positive support from the public."

Proceeds will go directly to support the decade-long mountain lion study currently conducted by the National Park Service. Park biologists are currently tracking eight mountain lions in an effort to understand how mountain lions survive in such a fragmented, urban landscape and how best to conserve them.

“Advances in technology like remote cameras and GPS collars have allowed researchers to learn more about the behavior of mountain lions,” said Arthur Eck, executive director of the Santa Monica Mountains Fund. “Unfortunately, these high-tech collars average about $5,000, which includes purchasing data time, so it’s increasingly difficult for the park to cover the cost of the research.”

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Newsome said she became interested in mountain lion research after meeting Jeff Sikich, an NPS biologist who studies the animal in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area.

"I felt that this research effort was very important because it provides a unique opportunity to learn how these solitary carnivores are affected by living next to millions of people," she said. "I decided to organize an event to help raise both awareness and funds."

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The Santa Monica Mountains Fund is the official fundraising partner of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Anyone interested in making donations to the organization, or specifically to the mountain lions or bobcats, click here.


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