by Timothy Rutt
The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy voted to authorize a grant of $100,000 Monday night to the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy to complete toward the purchase of 13 acres of Millard Canyon, according to a release from Assemblyman Anthony Portantino.
According to the release, the grant comes after the State Wildlife Conservation Board granted $375,000 in August toward the purchase.
It’s an important piece of the financial puzzle to forever save Millard Canyon,” Portantino said in the release. “It’s a great day for the residents of Altadena and surrounding communities. I am very pleased to have joined my friends at the Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy in advocating for Millard.”
Portantino, who represents the 44th Assemby District, is an advisor to the Arroyo & Foothills Conservancy and previously served as vice chair of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Board.
“I am very grateful to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for this grant and to Assemblymember Portantino for working with the Arroyos and Foothills Board on crafting the request and being such a tireless advocate for open space preservation in our region,” commented Tim Wendler, President of the Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy Board.
UPDATE 9/26: While the press release from Portantino's office said the purchase was complete, Arroyos & Foothlls Conservancy President Sean Howell says that they are still $66,000 short, and are trying to raise the remaining funds from the local community. The story and headline have been rewritten to reflect this.
