Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Toyota Motor Sales USA Unveil the ``Hidden Treasures'' of Los Angeles
19 September 2000
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Toyota Motor Sales USA Unveil the ``Hidden Treasures'' of Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES--Sept. 19, 2000--The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) and Toyota Motor Sales USA have come together to celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 23, a day-long public lands conservation effort that includes tens of thousands of volunteers nationwide.
As one of the largest public landowners in California, the DWP will highlight a selection of properties it holds in stewardship for the citizens of Los Angeles. Featured areas open to the public on Sept. 23 include Hollywood Reservoir, Griffith Park, and Tillman Reclamation Plant.
As the national sponsor of National Public Lands Day, Toyota Motor Sales USA will host volunteer environmental restoration projects throughout Southern California. Residents are encouraged to join efforts at:
| -- | Ernest E. Debs Regional Park in Los Angeles, 323/254-0252 |
| -- | Sepulveda Basin in Van Nuys (Tillman Reclamation Plant), 213/367-1326 |
| -- | Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge in Seal Beach, 562/598-1024 |
| -- | Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas, 909/599-8411 |
| -- | Laguna Coast Wilderness Park in Laguna Beach, 949/494-9352 |
"National Public Lands Day provides the City of Los Angeles with the opportunity to discover the treasures in its own backyard," said S. David Freeman, general manager of DWP. "We hope to show Angelenos the care DWP invests into maintaining these public properties."
The DWP will showcase recent public land improvements, including the $35 million water project just completed at Griffith Park. To celebrate National Public Lands Day the DWP will sponsor its quarterly equinox hike to Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park on Sept. 23 from 4:30 p.m. to sunset. The 1-1/2-mile walk starts from the Griffith Observatory parking lot to the Charlie Turner Trailhead. Everyone is welcome to come, especially families, to enjoy the sunset! For more information, contact Tom LaBonge at 213/367-1362.
Residents also have an opportunity to tour the Tillman Plant, which is the filtration and pumping site of the DWP's East Valley Water Recycling Project. Those who are in attendance at the Tillman Plant can also take part in a tree planting ceremony at 10 a.m.
Volunteers from Toyota and the DWP will be on hand at Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, located on Monterrey Road past Via Marisol in Los Angeles from 8:30 a.m. to noon. All Angelenos and their families and friends are invited to volunteer their time to beautify Debs Park so that the residents of Los Angeles can continue to enjoy the natural beauty of this area.
"Preserving the environment is the responsibility of every member of society," stated Douglas M. West, Toyota's senior vice president and chief administrative officer. "That's why Toyota is so pleased to be involved in National Public Lands Day. We really appreciate the efforts our volunteers make to protect these areas for future generations."
About Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
The DWP serves more than 3.7 million people in Los Angeles and was established almost 100 years ago to provide the water and electric services to Los Angeles residents and businesses. The DWP is a recognized local and national leader in community and environmental outreach programs.
About Toyota
As one of America's major automobile manufacturers, environmental awareness and stewardship are on the forefront of Toyota's priorities. Events such as National Public Lands Day provide Toyota with the opportunity to partner with a recognized national, environmental leader and provide hands-on volunteerism for Toyota employees to enhance and renew public lands.
Toyota's name is shared by a family of companies encompassing automobile research and development, design, manufacturing, sales and service. From New York to California, in cities and rural communities alike, Toyota provides meaningful work and economic prosperity to more than 100,000 Americans.
About National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day is a program coordinated by the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation, chartered by Congress in 1990. The Foundation focuses on environmental learning as a solution to critical challenges in natural resources management, education, health care and business. In its mission to support environmental education, NEETF initiates programs and public/private partnerships that will result in an environmentally knowledgeable public, environmentally competent professionals and environmentally capable leaders and policy makers.