Updated: Rubio Canyon Habitat Restoration, Trail Project Receives State Grant

Updated: The Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy reports the grant has been officially made.

The state Wildlife Conservation Board will consider today at its quarterly meeting whether to award a $545,000 for the purchase of land in Rubio Canyon that would ensure that open space in the area is preserved and a new trail system is built in the area.

The local Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy applied for the grant in August and has been fund-raising and working towards the goal of purchasing 18 acres in the area since that time.

John Howell, the conservancy's executive director, said the group had been seeking any amount of financial assistance from the board and was surprised and very happy to find out the organization was willing to grant the full price of the 18 acres.

"It was in their discretion to determine how much to fund," Howell said. "So we're delighted."

Howell will be in Sacramento today to attend the Wildlife Conservation Board meeting.

The group had received $20,000 in local grants from Eaton Canyon Nature Center Associates as well as some more funds in private donations from local residents.

That money will now be used for trail improvements, habitat restoration and other costs for the property, Howell said.

The group is getting a biological study on how to best preserve native plant and animal life, he said.

In addition, they will be working with a local group to help restore several trails in the area, including the closure of a gap on the Altadena Crest Trail that will allow hikers, joggers, and bikers to move between the Cobb Estate and the Eaton Canyon area.

Paul Ayers, a local attorney and trail advocate, will be coordinating the efforts to build the trails, and has said that he hopes to finish the work by the end of 2011.