Volunteer to save the Whittier Narrows Natural Area from developers.
Meet the Natural Area. Enter at 1000 N. Durfee Avenue, South El Monte, California.
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Above left. June 11, 2008. Docent Naturalist calls to & locates Endangered Least Bells Vireo.
(For 2008 Whittier Natural Area photos of the Least Bells Vireo see Updates.)
Above right. A school field trip and nature walk concludes with learning about a king snake.
BIOLOGISTS SAY "DISCOVERY CENTER PROJECT INCOMPATIBLE IN A SIGNIFICANT ECOLOGICAL AREA". On May 5, 2008 LA County Department of Regional Planning biologists (SEATAC) met and voted to reject the Biological Restraints Analysis of Discovery Center.
NOTICE: Because of the holiday, Friends will not meet on July 6. We return to our weekly meetings on Sunday July 13 at 1:00PM in the Nature Center picnic area. Join us!
Friends of the Whittier Narrows Natural Area
P.O. Box 3522
South El Monte, CA 91733-0522
ph: 626 286 3850
alt: For official Natural Area inquires and for official activities of the Whittier Narrows Nature Center please call 626 575 5523.

White-tailed kite in tree near Whittier Narrows Nature Center
The area supports over fifty Special Status bird species (some seventy species from the State Special Animals List have occurred) such as Least Bittern and Least Bell's Vireo, in picture on Home page.
Friends of the Whittier Narrows Natural Area is seeking ideas and participation on these important issues:
• Discussing alternatives to the proposed “River Discovery Center” on the Whittier Narrows Natural Area. Your ideas are needed. Participation is essential.
• Is the public interest being best served by the destruction of the current nature center building and replacing it with one fifteen times the size? What are other future plans of the “River Discovery Center” supporters beyond the initial building and parking area expansions and how will they affect this natural area? What are Phases II, III & IV?
• How can an anticipated $30 million in state water bond funds, earmarked for this project, be better used to improve and protect natural area while providing the public education about this water shed location?
• Is moving and tripling the paved parking from the current 50 spaces to 140 spaces on undeveloped natural area land improving a natural setting? Does outdoor education need a 150 seat conference center? A large gift shop?
• Any other sensitive issues concerning this special interest project which are important to the public and nature lovers throughtout the San Gabriel Valley!

EL PROFESOR, Tecolote residente del Area Natural de Whittier Narrows
En el Area Natural de Whittier Narrows vive un pájaro muy especial que representa las muchas especies de aves y animals que no pueden hablar por si mismos y por su medio ambiente. Los que lo aprecian, a el y la vida animal en ese lugar tienen que reunirse para defender a los animales que viven allí. Actualmente, el Condado ha tomado grandes pasos con la ayuda de fondos del Estado para mejorar la vida de las plantas y mantener el lugar en su estado nativo y natural. El plan “El Centro de Descubrimiento del Rio” no ha explicado completemente como mantendra el lugar en su estado nativo y natural que existe en el Area Natural de Whittier Narrows. Todo lo contrario, parece que ese proyecto y sus partidarios estan tratando de crear una area muy diferente a la de ahora. Esa falta de planificacion podría cambiar para siempre ese lugar especial que la mayoría de nosotros conocemos y queremos. Como personas que les encanta la naturaleza podemos proteger ese lugar por el bien de la naturaleza.
is organized exclusively for charitable purposes, more specifically to promote the preservation of the Whittier Narrows Natural Area and neighboring lands as open space corridors; Promote restoration and educational uses in the open space corridors that are compatible with the conservation of plant and animal habitat and migration, historical resources, water quality, and public health and safety.
(from the bylaws of Friends of the Whitter Narrows Natural Area)
Friends of the Whittier Narrows Natural Area
P.O. Box 3522
South El Monte, CA 91733-0522
ph: 626 286 3850
alt: For official Natural Area inquires and for official activities of the Whittier Narrows Nature Center please call 626 575 5523.