Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Announces New Environmental Equity Officer

June 11, 2021

Sarah Rascon will lead the agency’s engagement efforts with communities, elected officials, and public agencies to expand access to the region’s natural resources, while ensuring that the MRCA’s programs and services promote and achieve equitable outcomes.

LOS ANGELES (June 10,2021) –The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced today the appointment of Sarah Rascon to the inaugural position of Environmental Equity Officer. Rascon, who joined the MRCA in May 2017, was previously responsible for overseeing urban river programs and initiatives. During her tenure, Rascon led the MRCA’s continuing efforts to revitalize the Los Angeles River with new natural parks and recreational opportunities.

Rascon will be tasked with cultivating, building and strengthening coalitions and networks to advance access to natural resources, parks and conservation among diverse urban constituencies, with an emphasis on marginalized communities. Rascon, most recently oversaw the development of the Upper LA River and Tributaries Revitalization (ULART) Plan, which identifies more than 300 opportunities for environmental and community enhancements, incorporates more than 1,500 public and stakeholder comments, and establishes climate resiliency metrics. The ULART plan spans six cities throughout Los Angeles County in the Upper LA River watershed.

“Sarah’s significant accomplishments in community building, economic vitality, and legislation make her standout to bring neighborhoods and their elected officials together to forge a bold future for equitable public access to the region’s rich natural resources,” said Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy Chairperson, Irma Muñoz, who is the Conservancy’s delegate to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.

A native of Los Angeles and fluent in Spanish, Rascon served as field deputy for Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez in the 51st Assembly District where she oversaw Latino/a and LGBTQ affairs, in addition to environmental issues. Rascon was also responsible for more than half of the 51st district, which is her hometown district and encompasses El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, Mt. Washington, Cypress Park, Glassell Park, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Silverlake, Echo Park, Chinatown, and unincorporated areas of LA County.

Rascon remains committed to public service outside of work and is engaged in the Greater Los Angeles area while serving as an active Board Member of CicLAvia, a delegate to the CA Democratic Party, and also as an appointed Commissioner for the City of Los Angeles, East Area Planning Commission. She is a graduate of the University of California, Merced.

Rascon’s appointment comes as the MRCA continues to enhance and expand its mission to acquire, protect, and preserve open space, wildlife habitat, and urban, mountain and river parkland that is easily accessible and welcoming to all people.

Ms. Rascon will continue to work out of the MRCA’s Los Angeles River Center and Garden’s headquarters in Cypress Park, which is known as the focal point for community driven environmental organizations. Sarah can be reached at sarah.rascon@mrca.ca.gov.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority is a local public park agency dedicated to the preservation and management of open space, urban parkland, watershed lands, trails, and wildlife habitat. The MRCA manages more than 75,000 acres of public parkland and provides natural resources and scientific expertise, critical regional planning services, operations, fire prevention and ranger services, as well as education and leadership programs for thousands of youth each year. It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles River.