Greetings from the MRCA 
From George Lange, Chair
Dear Friends,
Welcome to another issue of the MRCA Symbiosis Newsletter. This issue focuses on “Stay Safe in the Great Outdoors”, intended to get us all thinking ahead of time about being safe and aware — anticipating the potential for experiences both positive and negative, expected or not expected — while in open space and out on the trails.
More specifically, what does “Stay Safe in the Great Outdoors” mean? We all have our own vision of being outdoors, but what thoughts go through your mind when you hear the word “safe”? Everyone wants to be safe (from danger, harm, disappointment, etc.), yet we know that there is always the possibility that not so pleasant things may happen. There are always unforeseen circumstances that occur throughout our life. However, if we do our best with planning and preparing we can minimize the likelihood and impact of the negative circumstances. These principles also apply when venturing into the Great Outdoors — which is the message we want to communicate in this issue. Read more
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 What to Know Before You GoPlanning and Preparing for Safe Outdoor Activities With summer starting, people are looking forward to spending some time in the outdoors. From hiking and camping to horseback riding and biking, summer is a popular time at the parks. But with the recent headlines about lost hikers and injured park visitors, you may be a bit hesitant about going out on the trail. While it is everyone’s personal responsibility to be prepared, we want to set your worries at ease and make some suggestions for your future park visits. Luckily with a few simply steps, you can be well prepared and keep yourself safe while enjoying the beautiful outdoors. Read more |
 Staying Safe in Nature’s Playground What to Do While on the Trail Picture yourself out hiking on a trail in the Santa Monica Mountains. It is a beautiful day, 80°F, with a gentle breeze blowing through the chaparral. You had a scrumptious lunch break with a spectacular view looking out over the rolling hills and valleys, forgetting the hustle and bustle of the big city that is only a few miles away. As you pack up your lunch and start to head back, you accidentally stumble on a rock in the trail. You feel a sharp pain in your ankle. Not sure whether you broke or just badly sprained your ankle, you are certain you will not be able to walk out on your own. Without anyone else around to help, you call 911. Read more |
 Showing Gratitude to Nature Principles of Leave No Trace and Outdoor Etiquette Manners are good skills to have no matter where you go or what you are doing. They go a long way, especially in the outdoors! Followed by many outdoor adventurers for decades and officially established by the US Forest Service in 1994, Leave No Trace (LNT) was designed to spread the word of outdoor etiquette. LNT’s 7 principles encourage respect and stewardship of the land, a way you can demonstrate your “pleases”,”thank yous”, and gratitude for recreating in a space shared by other living organisms. Read more |
 Knowing Your Neighbords Notable Plants and Animals in the Parks How well do you know your neighbors? If you are anything like me, you know a few names and occasionally wave a friendly hello. When you are out enjoying your local parks this summer it can be helpful to know your nature neighbors a bit better. Take a moment to meet some of our notable neighbors so you can be better prepared when visiting their wildland homes. Read more |
 Staying Cool and Hydrated in the Summer Heat Lessons from Nature Our summers in Los Angeles can be extremely hot and dry which makes it more important to keep cool and stay hydrated. Whether you are hiking the trails, enjoying a day at the beach, or relaxing under an oak tree, water is a key component for a successful day. Often when we are enjoying our activities, we lose track of time and forget to take a sip of water. While it is easy to get carried away in our activity it’s crucial to replenish our loss of fluids. Read more |
Get to know the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority with Symbiosis. In every issue we will share news, stories, and photos on a different theme.  Published by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority and partially funded by a Proposition 84 grant from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
Contact Information: InterpPrograms@mrca.ca.gov |
Stay Safe in the Great Outdoors | MRCA Summer Newsletter
