As the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) kicks off a 50-mile trek to retrace mountain lion P-22’s footsteps from the Santa Monica Mountains to Griffith Park, the presenting sponsor The Annenberg Foundation issued a $1 million challenge in support of the proposed wildlife crossing at Liberty Canyon Road in Agoura Hills, California.
This grant initiates an impetus for private foundations, philanthropists and institutions to join this effort. The Annenberg Foundation will match contributions from private foundations dollar for dollar up to $1 million.
“Urban wildlife is all around us, even in Los Angeles, and we don’t do enough to protect the animals and ensure that they not only survive, but also breed and thrive,” said Wallis Annenberg, chairman, president and CEO of the Annenberg Foundation. “That’s why I’m so glad that we’re able to provide this new challenge grant, to help build a critically needed wildlife crossing in Agoura Hills.”
“This challenge grant reiterates the Annenberg Foundation’s renowned leadership and visionary commitment to ensuring that people and wildlife living in greater Los Angeles can continue to flourish for generations,” said the Federation’s CEO and President Collin O’Mara.
The proposed construction of the wildlife crossing will span 10 lanes of U.S. Route 101 in Agoura Hills. When completed, this structure is likely to be the first in a highly urbanized setting and a model for future urban conservation efforts. Contributions to the effort will provide funding for the crossing, as well as education and community programs that teach citizens how they can help connect green spaces and wildlife habitats by linking their own backyards, schoolyards, civic parks and corporate campuses.
This is the first leadership level commitment received by a private foundation in support of the #SaveLACougars campaign, which focuses on raising public awareness and securing funding for the much needed wildlife crossing. NWF and its partners have received more than 1,500 smaller donations from other private sources to date.
The Annenberg Foundation is a family foundation that provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations in the United States and globally.
