New 92-acre Carbon Canyon Open Space Dedicated in Malibu
November 4, 2020
Philanthropist Alex von Furstenberg donated $350,000 in gap funding
to purchase the spectacular parkland which will connect the Coastal Slope Trail
MALIBU, CALIFORNIA (November 4, 2020)—The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced today that it has acquired and dedicated to the public 92 acres of prime Malibu open space in Carbon Canyon. Offering panoramic views of Saddle Peak and the Pacific Ocean, the acquisition creates 130 acres of contiguous MRCA public open space. The property will eventually be part of the regional Coastal Slope Trail, providing the connection from Sweetwater Mesa to Carbon Canyon.
Philanthropist Alex von Furstenberg, who has previously donated sizable open space dedications to the MRCA in Malibu, provided $350,000 in critical 11th hour funding to secure the acquisition, which was brokered by the nonprofit Trust for Public Land.
The acquisition was made possible by a consortium of public funding sources. Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl provided $730,000 in 3rd District landfill mitigation funds for the purchase, California Natural Resources Agency contributed $500,000 in EEMP funds, and the California Coastal Conservancy contributed $350,000 in Proposition 12 funds.
One hundred percent of the newly protected open space is designated as an “Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA)” and contains almost 2,000 feet of USGS blue line stream.
“I am grateful that the Conservancy continues to create public hikes for all to enjoy the outdoors,” said Alex von Furstenberg.
“The public sector did not have quite enough funding to protect this ecologically significant land,” said Joseph T. Edmiston, Executive Officer of the MRCA. “Mr. von Furstenberg’s generosity at a critical time assured preservation of a segment of the regionally significant Coastal Slope Trail, which will ultimately provide hikers a path from Topanga State Park to Leo Carrillo State Park where they can enjoy blue water views.”
The property contains a wide variety of vegetation communities including oak woodland, grassland, coastal sage scrub, and chaparral. Beautiful rock outcrops add to the diversity of the rugged terrain. The MRCA will seek additional grants to develop trail access and viewing areas to make the new parkland accessible to the public.
The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity dedicated to the preservation and management of open space and parkland, watershed lands, trails, and wildlife habitat. The MRCA works in cooperation with other government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, provide natural resources and scientific expertise, and complete major park improvement projects. The MRCA manages and provides ranger services and fire protection for almost 75,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy or other agencies and provides comprehensive education and interpretation and leadership programs for youth. It is one of the lead agencies providing for the revitalization of the Los Angeles River.
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