The Inner Greenbelt

The Inner Greenbelt consists of hundreds of acres of steep hillsides within Laguna Beach, some of them protected and publicly owned and others privately owned and not yet placed into open space conservation. Laguna Beach neighborhoods are nestled among the natural hillsides, yet the pressures are great to extend developments beyond the present limits. These lands were studied by the former Open Space Committee whose concerns are now incorporated under the responsibility of the Environmental Committee of Laguna Beach. They include Hobo Canyon and parts of Aliso Canyon, Laguna Canyon, Park Canyon, Rimrock Canyon, and all the canyons and hillsides not yet developed. They are of concern to us everywhere as we reach out to preserve them through acquisition with city, community, county, state, federal conservation and open space funds.

The Inner Greenbelt is also the concern of the Laguna Greenbelt, Inc., a non-profit organization founded by Jim Dilley in 1968 that has succeeded in conserving some 18,000 acres of land around Laguna Beach. This land called “The Greenbelt” includes Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and the Aliso and Wood Canyon Wilderness Park as well as other properties that have been preserved by the City of Laguna Beach. These wilderness lands are places to enjoy beauty, preserve flora and fauna, and to be able to observe and protect nature’s abundance.

The lands of the Inner Greenbelt complement the already preserved Greenbelt area and could be added to the permanent preserve.

The benefits of healthy habitat are beyond calculation. The plants provide fresh air and carbon sequestration. Undisturbed land absorbs rainwater and filters the water traveling to the sea, making for a healthier ocean. The hills provide enjoyment for recreation and beauty. Historically, plants and animals supplied food, clothing, shelter and medicine for human populations and may once again do so. Biodiversity is a treasure-chest developed over time. Ecosystems have intrinsic value for resident animals, plants and organisms. The citizens will always need to be vigilant to protect their natural resources. Negative impacts occur through development, fuel modification, invasive plants, erosive storm and landscape runoff, light and noise pollution, air pollution, disturbances to the soil, and fire. There are opportunities for involvement.

What you can do

Assist the City in planning and overseeing removal of invasive plants. Remove invasive plants on your own property and volunteer to remove them on public properties as part of organized work days.

Become familiar with development proposals and environmental impacts. The two most significant development proposals currently under review are the County and Army Corps’ SUPER Project and the Aliso Creek hotel and condominiums which has been combined with the proposed subdivision in the Hobo-Aliso neighborhood.