Friends of Moon Canyon

Art by Brianna Amore. Join us Friday, September 11, 8PM in Moon Canyon for the annual Planting Party. There’ll be free tacos and aguas frescas, live DJ sets from Selektra & Kiya K, and plenty of planting to do — bring gloves, and we’ll provide the tools. All are welcome — neighbors, families, first-timers. Hope to see you in the canyon.

Join us on Sept. 10th at 7:30PM at 4093 San Rafael Ave to celebrate the history of Mt. Washington. Presented by Don Gaspard, Peter McNulty, and Friends of Moon Canyon.

You may have spotted this plant on a recent walk: it's Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), one of the most aggressive invasive trees in California. You can usually tell it apart from our native trees by its long compound leaves, each with a dozen or more smooth-edged leaflets, and by the strong, unpleasant smell the crushed leaves give off (some people compare it to rancid peanut butter).

  Volunteers spent the afternoon weeding, watering, planting, and mulching to help the newest additions take root. Small, steady efforts like these are what keep the canyon's restoration moving forward.

Torrential rainfall is becoming the norm in Southern California. The need for both more groundwater and urban resilience requires us to slow, spread, and sink runoff, rather than directing it to the storm drain. Using Permaculture practices can store water in the ground where plants can access it. This has the triple benefit of wildfire resistance, soil retention, and water protection. 

Thank you to everyone who came out for the 2025 Planting event. It was a warm, sunny day and a wonderful turnout. Every plant in the ground brings Moon Canyon a little closer to a healthy native landscape. Photo by Brianna Amore