Mountains Restoration Trust

Description

Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) is a non-profit land trust dedicated to preserving natural land in the Santa Monica Mountains through restoration, education and land acquisition. Founded in 1981, MRT collaborates with the local community and government agencies in an ongoing effort to maintain a cooperative relationship between urbanization and native land.

Restoration projects are top priorities for MRT's stewardship of the Santa Monica Mountains, a range transversing from Griffith Park to Point Mugu in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, California.

Non-native plant and animal invasion has been occurring in this fragile ecological zone since early explorers arrived with mustard seeds to mark their trails. Non-native grasses, trees, plants and animals have found a similar home far from their lands of origin, and are a threat to native species.

Meeting this challenge requires a holistic management and monitoring program of the mountains soil, streams, organisms and wildlife, as well as the human influences around the perimeter. MRT manages several programs to help the mountains increase their function, vitality and productivity.