Dec. 15, 2025 8 AM PT
To the editor: I used to be grateful to see the latest protection of Scouts returning to Camp Josepho to start the sluggish work of therapeutic fire-damaged land (“L.A.’s Scouting troops lost their camp in the Palisades. Now they’re working to heal the land,” Dec. 9). What they’re doing mirrors what many people throughout Pacific Palisades and Altadena have been doing since January.
Therapeutic the land is just not an summary job. It’s bodily work that must be carried out in a well timed method earlier than invasive species change into an excessively costly and unmanageable drawback. It’s not a vacation spot, however a long-term journey that requires regular consideration.
Along with the Scouts’ efforts, volunteers all through the burn scar have been quietly restoring open area each week. Beneath the management of group teams like Resilient Palisades’ Elimination of Invasive Vegetation staff, residents have been clearing extremely flammable invasives, reestablishing native species and offering security and restoration steerage to native youth teams and colleges.
This work issues greater than most individuals notice. Ecological restoration after a hearth is not only about rebuilding buildings, but in addition stewarding the land so it may regenerate safely.
The Scouts supply a robust instance of how individuals of all ages can take part on this restoration. I hope Los Angeles continues to uplift and spend money on these efforts, as a result of our restoration relies on long-term, community-led take care of the land all of us share and hope to return to securely.
Sara G. Marti, Pacific Palisades
This author is board member and communications director for hearth restoration nonprofit Resilient Palisades.
