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Desert and Mountain Conservation Authority | Fact Sheet |
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Desert and Mountain Conservation Authority | Fact Sheet |
August 2006
The Desert and Mountain Conservation Authority is a new entity created in July 2006 through a Joint Powers Authority Agreement between the Antelope Valley Resource Conservation District (AVRCD) and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC).
The rapid growth of residential and commercial growth in the northern portion of Los Angeles County (and in surrounding areas within the AVRCD) has driven increasing loss and fragmentation of habitat, resulting in degradation of the area’s natural biodiversity. This creates an urgent need for proactive efforts to identify, acquire, and manage areas that will preserve open space and the natural resources of the region.
The D&MCA has been established to identify, acquire and manage open space lands within the boundaries of the two founding agencies for long term conservation benefits. It provides a capability to cooperate with local government and developers in creating an offsite mitigation program to offset open space loss and improve habitat for species such as burrowing owls, desert tortoise, alkali mariposa lilies, Joshua-juniper woodlands, and so forth.
The Authority is managed by a four-person Board consisting of local citizens with a sound understanding of the resource heritage of the area, and a vision of long term needs and possibilities for both the community and the ecosystem. Initial appointments include:
Jim Dodson. Retired financial manager from Edwards Air Force Base, with a long history of activism for public lands protection. Current President of the AVRCD.
Milt Stark. Author and lifelong resident of the Antelope Valley with a well known and respected expertise on its cultural and natural history shown in his books and articles. President of the local State Parks Interpretive Association.
Rick Gould. Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services for the City of Santa Clarita.
Dave Myerson. Resource consultant and principle with the Resource Opportunity Group, LLC.
Contact Information:
The D&MCA can be reached in care of the Antelope Valley Resource Conservation
District:
44811 N. Date Ave., Suite G, Lancaster, CA 93534
Phone (661) 945-2604 Ext. 107, Fax (661) 942-3305
www.avrcd.org.