This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Tech Savvy Hikers are Helping the National Park Service in the Santa Monica Mountains
Geotagged map of invasive plant locations, play with an interactive version of this map here
When a bald eagles disappear from the Channel Islands allowing room for Golden Eagles, who eat really cute little foxes, to take over, everyone freaks out (got 20 mins? Watch this amazing short documentary). When a pretty flowering Spanish Broom begins to grow, not many take notice despite it being one of the top invasive and harmful-to-the-ecosystem plants found in the Santa Monica Mountains. Now, that might start to change.
For the past month or so, UCLA has teamed up with the National Park Service to see if hikers and other trail users would be willing to become citizen scientists, collecting GPS data while they hike by notating where they see invasive plant species on their phone and snapping a photo. So far, volunteers have given scientists over 1,100 data points.
"This was a very easy and convenient way to get data," explained John Tizler, a plant ecologist with the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, which covers the range from the 101 Freeway in the Cahuenga Pass to the coastline. "Invasive plants unfortunately, no pun in tended, are a growing problem... This is a wonderful way to record new occurrences."
If you have GPS-enabled mobile phone that can geotag photos and you happen to spend time in the Santa Monica Mountains (Runyon Canyon counts, too), then you're more than half way there. Check out more at the project's website.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
