Funding from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy will protect the region from future wildfire disasters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, June 15, 2026
CONTACT: Sam Villaneda, Samantha.Villaneda@asm.ca.gov, (760)269-9391
Tom Steel, Tom.Steel@asm.ca.gov, (530) 713-7783
Assemblymember John Harabedian Secures $800,000 for Descanso Gardens Water Resilience Projects
Funding from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy will protect the region from future wildfire disasters
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) announced that the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) has voted to award $800,000 to Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge to support Descanso’s water conservation and fire resilience infrastructure projects. Assemblymember Harabedian championed the funding request with SMMC and worked to facilitate the grant process with Descanso Gardens.
“Descanso Gardens is one of the jewels of not only my district but all of Southern California,” said Assemblymember Harabedian (D-Pasadena). “I was proud to advocate for this grant from the Conservancy and thank the members of the board for voting in favor of funding such critical projects to protect our region from future disasters.”
The projects funded by this grant include a critical water storage and fire suppression system capable of holding up to three million gallons of water accessible to first responders in the event of a wildfire disaster. The entirety of La Cañada Flintridge and many other neighborhoods in the surrounding area are listed as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones by CAL FIRE, making Descanso Gardens a strategically desirable location for regional fire suppression capabilities, especially after last year’s Eaton Fire.
“At a time when our region faces increasing threats from wildfire, drought, and climate change, this investment provides critical resources to help us address challenges that no single organization can tackle alone,” said Juliann Rooke, CEO of Descanso Gardens. “Through stormwater capture, ecological restoration, and emergency water infrastructure, Descanso Gardens can serve as a living demonstration of what is possible when public agencies and community institutions work together. We are honored to partner with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and Assemblymember Harabedian in advancing solutions that strengthen resilience today and for generations to come.”
Assemblymember Harabedian is a Legislative Participant on the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy board, a state agency that works to protect open space and expand public access to natural areas. SMMC’s service area includes the western San Gabriel Valley and encompasses large parts of Assembly District 41.
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Assemblymember John Harabedian represents the 41st District composed of the cities of La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Bradbury, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Oak Hills, Piñon Hills and Phelan.
