2025 IMPACT REPORT
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Laguna Canyon Foundation is dedicated to the conservation and ongoing protection of the South Coast Wilderness. We envision a thriving coastal ecosystem that serves as a source of inspiration, connection, and refuge for all.
As I reflect back on my first year as Executive Director, it has been a privilege to work with so many dedicated people supporting this organizationa community working together to protect and conserve our coastal wildlands, fostering biodiversity, and ensuring healthy access to nature.
For more than 35 years, Laguna Canyon Foundation has worked to keep the South Coast Wilderness resilient, vibrant, and wild for generations to come. We look forward to carrying this mission forward, working tirelessly to restore every acre of wildland habitat and inspiring our community to continue nurturing and protecting this extraordinary landscape.
Scott Thomas Executive Director
A Message from our Executive Director
Laguna Canyon Foundation
From Growth to Effectiveness
Taken together, the shifts between 2024 and 2025 reflect an organization evolving from growth in scale toward growth in effectiveness. LCF focused on:
• Deeper educational impact rather than simply more programs
• Long-term trail resilience over short-term repairs
• Restoration completion and accountability
• Building a skilled, committed volunteer community
These strategic choices position Laguna Canyon Foundation to meet increasing environmental pressures and community demand while remaining grounded in our mission to preserve, protect, and promote the South Coast Wilderness for generations to come.
CONSERVATION
Conservation efforts in 2025 were driven by measurable outcomes and increased collaboration and community engagement. Laguna Canyon Foundation engaged in direct conservation of over 400 acres, including environmentally sensitive fuel modification, habitat restoration, and targeted invasive control.
Habitat restoration included 44 pounds of native seed across 3.5+ acres, with additional seeding completed at partner sites. We conducted 194 Nesting Bird Surveys and found 86 active nests, showing a dramatic increase in habitat value within our projects.
400+ acres of native habitat cared for
76 acres fully restored and signed off by state and federal wildlife agencies
86 active nests
BEFORE - 2020
Project site adjacent to Aliso Creek in 2020, dominated by non-native, invasive weeds providing minimal habitat for wildlife.
Aliso Creek Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
Project: One of the four projects LCF is working on along Aliso Creek in Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Major funding provided by Wildlife Conservation Board.
AFTER - 2025
Same site in 2025 after project completion, dominated by native shrubs that support diverse wildlife species.
Trail work expanded in both scale and effectiveness. In 2025, Laguna Canyon Foundation improved 16.5 miles of trail, an increase of 4.3 miles compared to the previous year, and worked across 23 different trails. Volunteer trail participation rose substantially, with 150+ new volunteers, 11 more volunteer trail days, and increased total volunteer trail hours. Three rock-armoured drains were also installed on Old Emerald Trail.
This year, we focused on durable, preventative solutions—including drainage improvements, rock armoring, and erosion control—that reduce long-term maintenance needs and better protect adjacent habitat.
16+ total miles of trail maintained
10,000 trail volunteer hours since program inception
150+ new trail program volunteers
EDUCATION
In 2025, Laguna Canyon Foundation significantly increased education and outreach efforts. The number of field trips grew by 33% compared to last year, allowing us to serve 3,129 students, including expanded partnerships with six Title I schools. These gains reflect both rising demand for place-based environmental education and Laguna Canyon Foundation’s capacity to respond with high-quality, accessible programming in the South Coast Wilderness.
3,100+ students reached
69 field trips
118 classes
The best part of the field trip was watching students learn in a real world outdoor environment. - 5th grade teacher
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS PARTNERSHIPS HIGHLIGHTS
LAND TO SEA
Laguna Canyon Foundation kicked off the first exploration hike of Land to Sea, a multi-day school program led by Crystal Cove Conservancy in partnership with Laguna Canyon Foundation and Laguna Ocean Foundation. Students began their journey in the canyon and will continue to explore the coast, tide pools, and the open ocean—discovering how Southern California’s ecosystems are interconnected.
LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Laguna Canyon Foundation is working closely with LBUSD staff to identify opportunities for collaboration at all school sites.
• Participated in the FLOW (Fire, Land, Ocean, Water), Rethinking Waste event.
• Led hikes for high school yoga classes.
• Worked with El Morro’s after-school program’s Eco Challenge II/Native Propagation Class.
Laguna Canyon Foundation is working to deepen LBUSD students’ connection to place and promote physical, mental, and environmental wellness by providing opportunities to learn about local geology, native plants, and wildlife.
Total volunteer hours increased to 11,165 hours in 2025, supported by the training of 62 new long-term volunteers, up from 46 in 2024. This growing base of committed volunteers strengthens continuity, skill level, and stewardship across all program areas.
11,100+ volunteer hours
6% increase in volunteer hours
3,400+ community event participants
I really liked extracting the seeds from the plants and getting to learn about the value of our work.
- Land tending event volunteer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LAGUNA CANYON FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers:
Michelle Kremer, President
Scott Ferguson, Vice-President
Mark Draper, Treasurer
Adele Heuer, Secretary
At-Large Members:
Mike Austin
Bob Burnham
Adriana Estrada
Ken Frank
Barbara MacGillivray
Barbara Norton
Partner Representatives:
Merrill Anderson (Village Laguna)
Hallie Jones (City of Laguna Beach)
Ann Larson (Laguna Greenbelt, Inc)
Pam Passow/Ev Mena (OC Parks)
Carey Strombotne (Laguna Canyon Conservancy)
Dan Bower, Field Educator
Yen Chang, Field Educator
Dulce Cortez, Restoration Project Manager
Craig Dicht, Trails Project Manager
Cody Fees, Field Educator
Sara Gottschalk, Operations Manager
Erika Herrera, Field Coordinator
Theresa Karasek, Senior Director of Finance
Alan Kaufmann, Senior Director of Conservation
Cade Klem, Field Specialist
Isaac Law, Conservation Specialist
Larry LeFranc, Field Educator
Tom Minh Van, Conservation Technician
Nicholas Miron, Trails Coordinator
Kelli Mulligan, Development & Educational Specialist
Ryan Neace, Conservation Project Manager
Joanne Nolin, Field Educator
Marjorie Rhodes, Restoration Project Manager
Joyce Silva, Education Coordinator
Grant Sles, Field Educator
Jaime Spataro, Director of Development & Communications
Christie Sweeney, Senior Director of Outreach & Education
Scott Thomas, Executive Director
Emma van der Veen, Volunteer Coordinator
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
California Department of Fish & Wildlife
California State Parks
California Invasive Plant Council
California Native Plant Society: Orange County Chapter
California Coastal Commission
California Coastal Conservancy
CANDO - Canyon Alliance of Neighborhoods Defense Organization
City of Aliso Viejo
City of Laguna Beach
City of Laguna Woods
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
Crystal Cove Conservancy
Earthroots Field School
Irvine Ranch Conservancy
Laguna Canyon Conservancy
Laguna Greenbelt, Inc.
Laguna Ocean Foundation
Natural Communities Coalition
The Nature Conservancy
OC Coastkeeper
OC Parks
Orange County Conservation Corps
Orange County Transportation Authority
United States Fish & Wildlife Service
Village Laguna
MAJOR DONORS IN 2025
Laguna Canyon Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to all of our supporters and donors throughout our history. Your generosity has made our work possible.
We also wish to extend special recognition to our major donors in 2025 that have given over $10,000.
Al & Jane Nahmad Family Foundation
Anonymous
City of Laguna Beach Community Assistance Grant
Cultural Vision 30 Year Endowment Fund
Draper Family
Drew Forbes Memorial Trust
Hexberg Family Foundation
MacGillivray Family Foundation
Massen Greene Foundation
McBeth Foundation
Nature Reserve of Orange County
Offield Family Foundation
O.L. Halsell Foundation
Pacific Life Foundation
Charles and Ann Quilter
REI Cooperative Action Fund
Rivian Foundation
Diane Shammas
Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project (Community Wetland Restoration Grant Program)
Walker Family Trust
Henry W. & Ellen R. Warne Family Endowment Fund
WCM Investment Management in honor of Troy Sugg
Wildlife Conservation Board
