February 2026

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Dear Laguna Canyon Conservancy Members,

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A Call to Protect What Protects Us

Laguna Canyon has always been more than open space.
It is our natural passage between coast and inland, a refuge for wildlife, a living classroom, and a reminder—every time we drive through it—of what makes Laguna Beach extraordinary.

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For more than three decades, the community has risen again and again to protect this canyon from threats both visible and subtle. But 2026 presents a new chapter. Climate change, infrastructure pressures, wildfire realities, and increased recreation are converging at once. These challenges are complex—but so is our capacity to respond.

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The Laguna Canyon Conservancy proposes a focused, hopeful, and action-oriented framework for 2026—built around three event pillars that educate, engage, and empower the community to safeguard the canyon we love.

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Pillar One: Fire + Resilience

Living with fire—without losing the canyon

Why this matters now

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Laguna Canyon sits squarely in the wildland–urban interface. Climate-driven drought cycles, increased grass fuel loads, and updated fire hazard severity mapping have raised the stakes. Fire is no longer a distant risk—it is an ever-present reality.

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At the same time, poorly planned fire mitigation can damage habitat, accelerate erosion, and invite invasive species that actually increase future fire danger.

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Key concerns

• Rising wildfire frequency and intensity

• Fuel reduction practices that unintentionally harm native ecosystems

• Post-fire erosion and invasive species spread

Conservancy response

• Community fire forums focused on fire-smart canyon living that protects both homes and habitat

• Advocacy for science-based, habitat-sensitive fuel management

• Creation of a post-fire ecological response network, mobilizing volunteers for invasive removal, erosion control, and native restoration

• Education reframing the message: Resilience is ecological, not just structural

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Pillar Two: Protect & Connect

Infrastructure that serves people—and wildlife

Why this matters now

 

The Laguna Canyon Road (SR-133) corridor is undergoing renewed scrutiny and planning—addressing safety, congestion, utility undergrounding, and mobility options. These improvements are necessary—but they must be done right.

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Laguna Canyon is also a critical wildlife movement corridor. Every design decision has the potential either to fragment habitat—or to preserve the invisible pathways animals depend on to survive.

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Key concerns

• Wildlife movement disruption

• Construction impacts: runoff, erosion, noise, and lighting

• Balancing safety improvements with canyon integrity​

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Conservancy response

• Championing wildlife-permeable design in all corridor improvements

• Advocating for dark-sky lighting, runoff controls, and construction timing safeguards

• Convening a Canyon Stewardship Advisory bringing agencies, scientists, and residents to the same table

• Hosting educational programs explaining why connectivity equals survival for local wildlife

 

Pillar Three: Keep It Wild

Recreation, respect, and restoration

Why this matters now

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Laguna Canyon’s beauty draws more visitors than ever before. Hiking, biking, and outdoor exploration are gifts—but without education and stewardship, increased use can degrade the very landscapes people come to enjoy.

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Confusion around trail rules, e-mobility, drones, and off-trail use has real consequences for wildlife, vegetation, and fire risk.

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Key concerns

• Trail crowding and erosion

• Rule conflicts and lack of awareness

• Invasive species spreading along disturbed edges

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Conservancy response

• A friendly but firm “Canyon Etiquette = Canyon Survival” campaign

• Improved trailhead education with QR-based guides explaining the why behind the rules

• Expansion of trail ambassador and restoration volunteer programs

• Public framing of invasive species as a shared threat: invasives are fuel​

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Why These Pillars Matter Together

​Fire resilience, infrastructure decisions, and recreation pressures are not separate issues—they are interconnected. A fire-damaged slope affects wildlife movement. Poor drainage worsens post-fire erosion. Invasive grasses increase fire danger. Every action echoes across the canyon.

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These three pillars provide a unified vision:
Protect what exists. Connect what must move. Keep wild what sustains us all.

A Call to Action: This Canyon Is Ours to Defend

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Laguna Canyon does not protect itself. It depends on neighbors who speak up, volunteers who show up, and a community willing to look beyond the present moment.

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In 2026, the Laguna Canyon Conservancy invites you to:

• Attend events, walks, and forums

• Learn how your daily choices affect the canyon

• Volunteer for restoration and stewardship days

• Stay informed—and engaged—when decisions are being made

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The canyon has given Laguna Beach its soul.
Now, at a pivotal moment, it is asking for our voice, our vigilance, and our care.

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Together, we can ensure that Laguna Canyon remains wild, resilient, and alive—for generations yet to walk its trails.

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Sincerely

Gayle Waite

President, Laguna Canyon Conservancy
949-887-3247  -  GayleWaite100@gmail.com

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The Laguna Canyon Conservancy is a non-profit organization; however, donations are generally not tax deductible. Since we do take positions on issues of public policy, the LCC is not a 501 (c) 3 organization, but rather a 501 (c) 4. California Corporation Number (CCN) 1428036 and Federal Employer Identification number (EIN) 33-0294068.