THUR-FS-06: When Our Wildlands Burn: Community and Recovery at Eaton Canyon

Field Session Leader(s)

• 

  Megan A. Horn, ASLA, CA Naturalist (she/her/hers)

  Principal
  Studio-MLA
  Los Angeles, California
• 

  Marco Rangel, ASLA (they/them/theirs)

  Senior Project Designer
  Studio-MLA
  Los Angeles, California

Field Session Presenter(s)

• 

  Brianna Gorton

  Sustainability Planner
  LA County Parks
  Alhambra, California
• 

  Nina Raj (she/they)

  Founder
  Altadena Seed Library
  Pasadena, California
• 

  Richard Smart (he/him/his)

  Regional Park Superintendent
  County of Los Angeles, Department of Parks & Recreation.
  Los Angeles, California
• 

  Samantha M. Johnson Yang

  Tribal Ecologist
  Gabrieleno Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians
  San Gabriel, CA

Eaton Canyon/ Edgar McGregor

Before the 2025 fire, Eaton Canyon welcomed over a million visitors annually and served as a first encounter with nature for many Angelenos. Ignited here, the Eaton Fire caused devastating loss. This session explores how design addresses trauma, fire risk, invasive pressure, and public memory while advancing recovery and stewardship.

Includes transportation. Moderate walking.

Learning Outcomes:

• Evaluate how Indigenous land stewardship practices, locally sourced seed collection, and on-site nursery strategies strengthen long-term ecological resilience in post-fire landscapes.
• Assess community-led invasive species management strategies and understand how historical planting decisions influence current restoration challenges.
• Identify collaborative governance, cross-sector partnerships, and funding strategies that accelerate implementation in complex, multi-agency restoration projects.
• Recognize the biodiversity value of urban wildlands and apply design strategies that protect sensitive species while sustaining equitable public access.