Bridge to Nature - Winter 2023

818-238-5440

Naturecenter@burbankca.gov

STOUGH CANYON NATURE CENTER NEWSLETTER

In Memory of P-22, the Mountain Lion That Changed Los Angeles

2010-2022

IN THIS ISSUE:

IN MEMORY OF P-22

HAUNTED ADVENTURE

DOCENT PROGRAM

COYOTE SAFETY

WESTERN HOGNOSE

SNAKE

MOUNTAIN LIONS

GO PARTY & ROOM RENTALS

SUMMER CAMP INFO

SPRING PROGRAMS

The infamous mountain lion, P-22, lived in the wilderness of Griffith Park, where he was celebrated. His 8 square miles of territory was minutely small compared to the usual territory of male mountain lions, 100 square miles.

P-22 was born in the Santa Monica Mountains in 2010 and first identified in Griffith Park in 2012. He made a miraculous 50 mile journey from the Santa Monica Mountains to Griffith Park, crossing two major freeways and avoiding human detection. He hunted deer and even killed a koala at the Los Angeles Zoo in 2016.

P-22 was euthanized on December 17, 2022 due to injuries sustained from being hit by a car and chronic disease. When he passed, he was estimated to be 12 years old, very old for a mountain lion. Sadly, there most likely will never be another mountain lion living in Griffith Park.

P-22 inspired millions and his legacy will live on - in the new wildlife crossing - and the hope that we can all co-exist peacefully with wildlife.

To learn more about mountain lions, check out the Cougar Conservancy @ www.cougarconservancy.org

Photo courtesy: Johanna Turner

The 2023 Haunted Adventure was a huge success with over 800 visitors and over 60 volunteers, totaling 850 volunteer service hours! We want to thank everyone for helping us and all the patrons who came out to see us! If you are interested in volunteering for the next Haunted Adventure, send an email to naturecenter@burbankca.gov.

NATURE

Youth and Adult Docent Program

Stough

Canyon Nature Center

2300 E Walnut Ave

Burbank, CA 91501

818-238-5440

Naturecenter@burbankca.gov

TUESDAY -

9AM - 5PM

SUNDAY 12PM - 5PM

WINTER 2023

We are currently looking for docents to assist in the following:

Recreation class assistance.

Reptile and snake care

Animal/reptile interactions

Leading monthly hikes

Special event/field trip assistance

It's recommended that Docents volunteer once per month or more. Please call or email the Nature Center if interested.

CoyoteSafety

With a wave of sightings and reports of attacks, here are some tips on how to coexist peacefully with our wildlife neighbor.

Do not feed wildlife. We may inadvertently feed coyotes by leaving out garbage and pet food. This causes the coyote to lose their fear of humans.

Leash your pets when walking. Do not run from a coyote, throw something or shout at them. Carry a noisemaker such as a can filled with rocks.

Coyotes can be active at anytime during the day, but most during dawn, dusk, and night.

Coyotes are members of the canine family and incredibly adaptable.

They are omnivores but prefer meat.

Meet the animals at the Nature Center: PORK CHOP!

The Western Hognose is not native to California, but found in the central parts of America. They use their “snout” to dig in sand and gravel, hunting for small amphibians like toads. They keep the toad population under control, playing an important role in the ecosystem!

Come by the Nature Center to meet Pork Chop. He's usually shy and hides under his water bowl, but you can might see his head poking out!

One method to deter threat is by "playing dead." Hognoses will flip onto their back with their tongues hanging out!

When threatened, they puff up and hiss. They may fake strike with their upturned snouts but rarely bite.

Female western hognose can grow up to three to four feet long, while males are much smaller, at twenty inches!

I'm moody but extremely cute and loveable!

Mountain Lions can jump 20 feet in height and 40 feet in distance. They can sprint up to 50 mph!

Mountain Lion Facts

Females can weigh from 85 pounds to 120 pounds.

Males can weigh from 120 pounds to 180 pounds.

They can live 8-10 years in the wild.

Male mountain lions need a territory range of 100 square miles.

Mountain Lions in Verdugo

Many are surprised that we have mountain lions in the Verdugo mountains. These secretive, misunderstood, and solitary creatures are a wonder to behold. As a keystone species, they are integral to the health of our ecosystem and help maintain the deer population.

Cougars, panthers, pumas, and ghost cat are other names associated with the mountain lion.

Mountain lions usually fear and avoid humans. The chances of seeing one is astronomically small, but on the rare occasions that you find yourself face to face with one...

If You Encounter a Mountain Lion:

DO NOT RUN, this will kick in their natural instinct of chasing. Give it space for them to leave, don't corner them. Slowly back away, do not turn your back to them.

Scream and wave your arms, you want to appear threatening and that you can put up a big fight should they attack.

STOUGH CANYON NATURE CENTER NEWSLETTER

2300 E Walnut Ave

Burbank, CA 91501

818-238-5440

Naturecenter@burbankca.gov

TUESDAY - SATURDAY

9AM - 5PM

SUNDAY 12PM - 5PM

The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing

Once completed in 2025, it will be the world’s largest wildlife crossing and the largest wildlife crossing in an urban area. It will cross the 101 freeway and allow wildlife to move between the Santa Monica Mountains, Simi Hill, and the Santa Susana Mountains. This provides a safe corridor for wildlife to go up the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. Wildlife, such as mountain lions, lizards, quails, and mule deer can depend on the crossing to help expand their territories.

Native plants such as sagebrush, toyon, California buckwheat, and other natives, will be planted along the bridge to help wildlife learn that the bridge is safe and part of their natural habitat. Once completed, the crossing will be 210 feet long, 170 feet wide, and 10-12 acres total.

Why we need a wildlife crossing

To provide a safe passage for wildlife to cross the 101 freeway.

To increase genetic diversity, instead of isolated “wild area islands ”

To prevent collisions between wildlife and vehicles

To read more about the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, visit: https://annenberg.org/initiatives/wallis-annenberg-wildlife-crossing/

Room Reservation Information

Price is for 20 kids, additional kids are $8 each. Includes 1.5hr of staff led activities for kids. Price includes a $50 refundable cleaning deposit.

Room rentals do not include staff activities. Price includes a $50 refundable cleaning deposit. Each additional hour is $50.

Amphitheater Fees

RENTAL

2 hours for $ 110

Amphitheater rentals do not include staff activities. Price includes a $50 refundable cleaning deposit. Each additional hour is $15.

ADDON

2 hours for $30

Amphitheater is available as an add on for Go Parties and Room Rentals. Each additional hour is $15.

STOUGH CANYON NATURE

This price is for 20 kids, additional kids are $8 each. Includes 1.5hr of staff led activities for kids. Price includes a $100 refundable cleaning deposit.

Room rentals do not include staff activities. Price includes a $100 refundable cleaning deposit. Each additional hour is $75.

Applications for reservations must be completed online at burbankparks.com

Applications require supervisor approval. Payments are due in full at time of booking. Cleaning Deposit refund is not guaranteed. Those that qualify for their deposit to be returned, will be refunded the week following reservation. Depending on form of payment, refunds can take anywhere from one to four weeks to receive.

Spring