Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Massive Milestone For Massive Wildlife Crossing Over 101 Freeway
(Courtesy National Wildlife Federation)
()
The effort to build a massive wildlife crossing over the 101 Freeway just hit a big milestone. An anonymous $1.4 million donation pushed the project over the $18 million mark (the final cost is estimated at $87 million).
The planned bridge will span 10 lanes of the freeway at Liberty Canyon and provide a safe pathway for endangered mountain lions and other wildlife that live in the Santa Monica Mountains to cross busy lanes of traffic without getting hit by cars.
(Courtesy National Wildlife Federation)
(
(Courtesy National Wildlife Federation)
)
Beth Pratt, California Regional Executive Director for the National Wildlife Federation, says this latest donation means they've hit the homestretch:
Support for LAist comes from
"This is an incredible milestone, and we owe it to people, we owe it to the public. Caltrans has always been an incredibly supportive partner on this. They have told us since the beginning, they want to build it, they just don't have a budget. So that's where it was up to all of us to step up. And people have."
And more good news!
Those big cats in the Santa Monica Mountains have some new company. Wildlife officials say they successfully captured and released a 90-pound male mountain lion last week. He now has a GPS collar and a new name: P-95. Biologists think he's about a year-and-a-half old, and may have been traveling with a sibling or his mother.
Welcome to the fam, P-95! The male mountain lion was captured in the #SantaMonicaMountains 1/16. He weighed 90lbs & is about 1 1/2 yrs old. "Chirping" was heard nearby & another cat was later spotted by scientists. P-95 is likely still traveling w/ a sibling or his mom. pic.twitter.com/ZlS0Kj3jWw
— Santa Monica Mtns (@SantaMonicaMtns) January 26, 2021
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades. -
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend. -
The bill would increase penalties for metal recyclers who possess or purchase metal used in public infrastructure. -
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter.
Best of LAist