News - Page 10
June 10, 2016
SFVAS Response to the Problematic AngelFest “Environmental Assessment”
The case for siting the AngelFest music event in Sepulveda Flood Control Basin's Woodley Park is embodied in a “Draft Environmental Assessment” -- a scrupulous analysis required by the Army Corps of Engineers that oversees and manages the Basin. The purpose of the "EA," as its called, is to convince the Corps to waive many of… read more
May 26, 2016
Encino Neighborhood Council Withdraws Support from Angelfest
The ENC voted on Wednesday evening to A) rescind their 12/2/15 vote supporting (in concept) Angelfest and B) move to disapprove of placing Angelfest in the Sepulveda Basin. The meeting was well-attended by Valley residents opposed to the event, who spoke passionately when given their thirty seconds of time at the microphone. Before the vote(s), several Council… read more
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May 16, 2016
General Membership Meeting — and Roadrunners!
Thurs., May 26 -- Roadrunners of Southern California -- with Mark Mendelsohn Mark Mendelsohn is a wildlife and vegetation biologist working under a cooperative agreement between the Mountains Restoration Trust and National Park Service in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. His love for field biology sprouted during his undergraduate work at Cal Poly… read more
May 1, 2016
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An Open Letter to Colonel Gibbs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Col. Gibbs, It has come to my attention that Make Good Group has recently been soliciting their clients, friends, and supporters, from near and far, to send you letters regarding their conservation credentials. Of course that is their right and privilege. I’m sure you surmise that many (most?) of those who write on their behalf might… read more
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April 29, 2016
Update on Drones in Woodley Park
Thanks to the efforts of SFVAS, notably our Board Member (and Encino Neighborhood Council Treasurer) Patricia Bates, the City has finally posted permanent signage banning drones from Woodley Park. Enforcement has also increased, to the point that drone fliers have largely taken their toys elsewhere. Work continues toward the banishment of fighting kites in the park… read more
April 28, 2016
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Angelfest 2016 Postponed — the Fight Will Continue
Good news. Plans for Angelfest have been scrapped for October 2016. The marketing company that hoped to bring 65,000 people a day to the area surrounding the Sepulveda Wildlife Reserve has announced plans to try again next year, but of course none of the environmental concerns will be any different then. We will not resist… read more
April 16, 2016
April 28 — General Membership Meeting — and Parrots!
SPEAKER TOPIC: Identify Parrots in our “Urban Jungle” SPEAKER: Karen Mabb. Karen Mabb, M.S., Biological Sciences, is the heart of the California Parrot Project. Her dedicated research; compilation and analysis of data spanning more than a decade has lead to a comprehensive understanding of wild parrot populations in California. In 2003, Karen published her Masters Thesis… read more
April 3, 2016
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It’s Birdathon Time! What’s a Birdathon?
Join the annual SFVAS Birdathon as we put “fun” in fundraiser! April and May dates are scheduled for Birdathon leaders trying to improve on their last year’s count and competing with each other to see who identifies the most species. Everyone is a winner when SFVAS has the funding to continue it’s important functions. Anyone… read more
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February 23, 2016
Drones In The Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve — the Next Chapter and A Call to Action!
Saturday, 2/20, late afternoon a recently-hatched great horned owlet was found in bad shape at the base of the nesting tree. Unfortunately it did not survive. This tree is adjacent to where most drone flying in the Basin has been taking place. While emphasizing that we can’t prove there's a connection, it must be noted… read more
February 10, 2016