13. Bonus Episode: LA Wildfires

In this bonus episode of Planet People, Natalie and Coral discuss the devastation around the LA Wildfires for both people, wildlife and the planet. As a scientist Natalie offers insight into the climate crisis while Coral sheds light on the LA community and the people that have been displaced and affected by this tragedy. They discuss how extreme weather patterns like intense rainfall, followed by a significant drought year, and hurricane like winds, created ripe conditions for wildfire to spread. With California experiencing two wet years in 2023-2024, it also allowed for invasive tree and grass species to grow unchecked and create a mat and corridor for fires to spread rapidly in 2025. The Santa Ana Winds also brought extremely dry conditions and with the lack of moisture in the air, the fires started with no warning. 

Habitats impacted by these state parks including, coastal sage scrub, wetlands, chaparral, and oak woodlands. State parks were also destroyed by the fire, including Will Rogers State Park and Topanga Canyon State Park. Resources and organizations to donate to and support through volunteer efforts are listed below. Our hearts go out to LA during this unprecedented disaster. 

Wildlife Impact Alert!

• Mountain Lions: P-22's family & local populations are necessary top predators for ecosystem services to thrive
• Mule Deer: Critical prey species for mountain lion & seed dispersal
• Rattlesnakes: Essential pest control
• Grey Foxes: Under threat from habitat loss
• Red-tailed Hawks: Nesting sites at risk
• Coyotes: Den sites at risk 
• Habitat Impact Alert 
• Oak Woodlands: Ancient trees threatened that are endemic to southern California, occur in Mandeville Canyon and Malibu State Park
• Coastal Sage Scrub: One of the rarest and most endangered habitats that songbirds, like endangered California gnatcatcher, dominate in Topanga State Park
• Native Grasslands: Fire recovery needed to prevent invasive species from outcompeting native flora
• Chaparral: Habitat that dominated Will Rogers State Park and Topanga canyon, shelter for bobcats, quail, snakes and more.

Learn more about the LA WildFires.

Follow @planet.people.pod for updates and resources to get involved. 

RUNNING GOFUNDME LIST

WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER & DONATION OPPORTUNITIES:

*Please check each of these before showing up to know exactly what they need and what time they are in need of volunteers. Keep your volunteer and donation work sustainable because we have a long way to go.*

• Volunteer for restoration efforts on MLK day with Santa Monica Mountains @santamonicamountainsnps 
• Community clean up with @echo_park_trash_club. Register here
• Stay up to date on replant efforts in Los Angeles with @weexploreearth. Sign up here 
• Join volunteer restoration teams with @treepeople or wildlife support teams @laanimalservices
• Support wildlife corridor projects, like the Annenberg-Wallis Crossing in Augora Hills w/ @calwildlife
• Share resources with neighbors about wildlife-coexistence, like @cougarconservancy on best practices to living with wild animals 
• TreePeople: Local restoration projects - @treepeople
• Donate and help support Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy - @santamonicamountainsnps 
• LA Animal Services -@laanimalservices
• Cal State Parks - @calparks 
• CA Wildlife - @cawildlife
• Pasadena Humane Society @pasadenahumane

HUMANITARIAN VOLUNTEER & DONATION OPPORTUNITIES:

*Please check each of these before showing up to know exactly what they need and what time they are in need of volunteers. Keep your volunteer and donation work sustainable because we have a long way to go.*

• Donate supplies to @9thirtyla 930 Mateo St. - in need of Spanish-speaking volunteers
• Donate women's material to @altadenagirls
• Majority of LA's YMCA's are doing donation drop off and need drivers to drop off supplies to those who can't leave their home

INFLUENCER RESOURCES:

Ben Goldfarb, Author of Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of the Planet. Read previews here

Lauren Bash, Influencer of environmental sustainability. Learn more about her through IG and TikTok as @relauren 

Nina Raj, Master Gardner and California naturalist of @altadenaseedlibrary can help you reseed your urban landscape and garden for those affected by the Altadena fire. 

Tiptoe the tortoise, Influencer pet with @caitlinandtiptoe who survived the wildfires