In the hills overlooking the San Fernando Valley directly above the town of Chatsworth is a 1325-acre nature preserve that not many people know about. It used to be a reservoir and major water storage facility for the city of Los Angeles from 1920 – 1950. The nature preserve is only open to the public one day a year in April to celebrate Earth Day.
Find things to do and where to stay near Chatsworth, here.
It was drained in 1972 shortly after the Sylmar earthquake for safety reasons and is owned by the Department of Water and Power. The old reservoir was designated a nature preserve in 1994 and is now the home of over 200 species of birds, coyotes, rabbits, foxes, raccoons, bobcats deer, and an occasional mountain lion.
You are allowed to enter on Earth Day to go on guided hikes by nature experts and visit vendor booths that include the Audubon Society, Neighborhood Council, and other environmentally conscious groups in the San Fernando Valley The celebration is blessed with an opening ceremony by a Native American Indian from the Chumash – Tongva tribe, who were the original inhabitants of the area.
Learn more about Earth Day and what you can do to help, here.
Watch this Native American Earth Day blessing
Click on the player below.
The dry lakebed is now a vast savannah with grassland, trees, and an ecology pond.
It suffered greatly during the drought. The pond completely dried up and the animals and birds were left high and dry. They are happy when L.A. gets rain.
The neighborhood fought with the DWP to fill up the pond during the drought, but it wasn’t a priority.
It is sacred land for the Chumash and Tongva tribes. A centuries-old kiln, called the Chatsworth Calera still stands and was used to make bricks and construction materials for the San Fernando Mission and other buildings after the Mexican takeover of California.
The Ten Commandments, Karate Kid, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, and Dukes of Hazzard are a few of the films and television shows that have used the area as a film location.
I’ve been to the Chatsworth Nature Preserve Earth Day celebration twice and look forward to it every year. The DWP and some city officials want to turn it into a golf course, real estate development, or other project but, so far, the neighborhood has fought to keep it as it is. It’s a serene and protected area for wildlife and vegetation to be free from exploitation in the midst of our urban environment.
Canadian Geese often sunbathe on the shore of the ecology pond.
During their migration, they can be spotted in large clusters on the savannah from the roadway.
The beauty of the nature preserve reminds us to take care of our environment even if it simply means picking up trash. I miss the “Don’t be a Litterbug” ad campaign that came out in 1961. It made a huge impact on me. That campaign and my Girl Scout training taught me to always leave a place cleaner than when you came. So many people toss garbage onto our roadways and parks and never once think about the damage they’re doing to our environment.
About Earth Day
The first Earth Day rallies took place in 1970. The idea came into being after the Santa Barbara oil spill of 1969 and was inspired by the student anti-war movement. Its founder was Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. senator from Wisconsin.
I distinctly remember Earth Day celebrations in elementary school, Which was a long time ago! We planted trees. It was more memorable than I would have thought, I guess.
Planting trees is such a great idea for kids. We have the Tree People here in LA that plant trees and go into schools. It’s a wonderful organization.
I live in LA and didn’t even know this existed! So glad that LA has left this area as a wildlife preserve. So many natural areas in LA are being subdivided. We need more green spaces that are preserved!
Hi Rosemond,
I didn’t know it was there either until I moved next to it. It’s gorgeous. We’re hoping we can keep it that way.
I’m overjoyed to hear this preserve is only open one day a year! I haven’t heard of another one like it. Bravo! xoxo, Brenda
It’s unique. We’re just hoping the DWP lets it stay that way. So beautiful and serene.
How fortunate you are to be near something so beautiful and special! Love your photos.
Thanks Sheryl,
I’m so glad you like them. The hike was wonderful too. It was a perfect day that day.
Wow, the pictures are amazing! I would LOVE to go there. Earth Day would be a great excuse to go. I’ll be sure to check that link too. Loved that vid too. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Thanks so much Carolann. Glad you were able to watch the video too. It’s a powerful message.
I’ll have to look up where you are on my map tomorrow. We are taking my mother on a cross-country trip in September heading to San Francisco and then down the coast to LA before heading on to Vegas for the return trip. She’s never traveled before and I can’t wait to show her how beautiful your state is. I’m going to show her these pictures in the morning. Beautiful photos!
I live overlooking the San Fernando Valley but I know your mother will love California. It’s beautiful up and down the coast. Make sure to stop in Solvang. It’s a Danish Village with wineries all over. Also, Santa Barbara.
the blue of the sky is just so amazing – especially as a backdrop to those photos
The sky was insanely blue that day. We were lucky because it rained a few days later. It’s back to blue again.
What beautiful photos of such a special area. Love that it is open to the public on Earth Day.
It’s a very special place and luckily it’s just minutes from where I live. It’s like being in the country in the middle of a huge city.
I loved these photos and the video. Congratulations to you and your neighbors for keeping it as it is and good luck making it forever.
We are fighting hard in our neighborhood to keep some open land. Real estate investers are a tough bunch to fight.