About Us

TreePeople Land Trust (TPLT) oversees more than 3,000 acres of land in the Santa Monica Mountains–protecting these spaces for the benefit of future generations. Our programs include public recreation, environmental education, scientific research, and more.

Meet our team →

TPLT By the Numbers

3,230 acres

of land protected

13 Miles

of public trails for passive recreational use

268

native species restored

8

active research projects

Our Focus Areas

Protect

TPLT works to permanently conserve natural land in the Santa Monica Mountains & beyond through a broad range of methods including property acquisition, conservation easements and management agreements with our partner agencies. We currently own and/or manage over 3,000 acres of undeveloped open space–encompassing a broad range of habitats
and ecosystems.

Connect

Bringing together local communities through outdoor recreation, TPLT operates an extensive network of public hiking trails in the central Santa Monica Mountains. Popular routes include the Yucca Trail Loop and the Cold Creek High Trail, which provide access to beautiful, diverse habitats in the Cold Creek watershed. These trails also serve as major connections within the overall local trail system, making the area more accessible to a wide range
of trail users.

Restore

TPLT has a long history of successful habitat restoration efforts that continue into the present day. Native plant revegetation & invasive species removal projects make up the core restoration activities that the Land Trust has practiced since its beginning. Past project examples include the Dry Canyon Creek restoration at Headwaters Corner, invasive Arundo removal in Malibu Creek, Coast Live Oak plantings on Stunt Road in Calabasas, and the ongoing rehabilitation of the Cold Creek Valley Preserve.

Research

As stewards of high-quality ecological areas, TPLT provides resources for scientific research throughout its many preserves and properties. Central to these is the research-only Cold Creek Canyon Preserve, home to some of the most pristine wetland & riparian habitats remaining in Southern California. TPLT has and continues to host studies on subjects such as flora, fauna, fungi, soil and water quality in our local mountains.

Explore the Land

FAQs

A land trust typically has many of the same goals as State or National Parks: to conserve land, connect people with the natural world, and protect/restore ecological systems, but land trusts achieve these goals as private, non-profit organizations supported by donors. Land trusts come in many shapes and sizes, but at TreePeople Land Trust we aim to be the premier regional land trust for southern California.

The land in Southern California, especially the Santa Monica Mountains, is crucial due to its unique ecological, cultural, and recreational value. This region is a biodiversity hotspot, home to an incredible array of plant and animal species, and plays a vital role in water resources and hydrology. Rich in cultural heritage with historical sites from Native American tribes to early California settlements, it also offers extensive recreational opportunities for one of the most populous metro regions on earth. The scenic beauty and essential environmental benefits, like air and water purification, make preserving this area vital for both current and future generations.

TreePeople Land Trust is a separate legal entity from TreePeople and is structured to manage real estate and open space conservation. The Land Trust is a subsidiary of TreePeople, which allows us to share staff and other resources to further the goals of both organizations.

Yes! We regularly host corporate volunteer opportunities through our Teams for Trees Program. Visit our webpage to learn more and find the perfect team building activity!

Yes! TreePeople’s Education and Outdoor Equity team takes school groups to Stunt Ranch in Cold Creek. See our Education page for more information.

Yes, many of our properties are managed for general public use. Online trail maps and downloadable printable maps coming soon.

Donations specific to the Land Trust can be made online here. We also accept checks made payable to “TreePeople Land Trust”. Please mail your check to our address: 23075 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, CA 91302