Each year, we are reminded that caring for the land is both a responsibility and a privilege. Across the Palos Verdes Peninsula, we see the results of that shared commitment—hillsides returning to native habitat, wildlife reclaiming restored landscapes, and people of all ages finding connection and inspiration in nature.
As the Peninsula’s leading steward of open space and native habitat, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy works every day to protect and restore these remarkable places. In 2025, that work reflected a powerful year of restoration, resilience, and partnership.
Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, community partners, and supporters, lands once degraded continued their transformation into thriving native ecosystems. Our restoration teams implemented innovative strategies to expand native plant and seed resources while using tools such as strategic grazing to reduce invasive species and strengthen wildfire resilience. These efforts are helping coastal sage scrub habitat flourish once again.
The land itself affirmed this progress. The endangered Palos Verdes blue butterfly once again took flight over restored habitat, and species such as the cactus wren continued to return—encouraging signs that long-term stewardship is restoring ecological balance across the Peninsula.
Equally inspiring was the excitement and passion of our community. Volunteer scouts, families, children, and students contributed over 24,000 hours of service, and thousands of young people participated in hands-on environmental education programs that are nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards.
None of this progress would be possible without you—our supporters, volunteers, partners, and advocates. Your generosity and belief in this work sustain the landscapes that make the Peninsula so special.
Together, we are ensuring these lands remain vibrant and resilient for generations to come.
Dave Pilon
President, Board of Directors
Adrienne Mohan
Executive Director
Hands-on Education Programs Delivered
Participants Joined
Conservancy Activites
Students Attended
Field Trips
Volunteer Hours
Donated
P.V. Blue Butterflies
Observed in the Wild
Cactus Wrens Observed by Citizen Scientists
New Plant Species
Discovered
Acres Restored
in One Year
Acres Grazed
by Goats
Acres Cleared of Invasive Plants
Some Land Conservancy supporters give not only generously, but wholeheartedly.
Becky Cool is one of those extraordinary individuals whose commitment has helped shape our conservation legacy for more than two decades.
Visitors who pause at Cool Overlook in the Forrestal Reserve and take in the sweeping ocean views understand why the Peninsula holds such a special place in the heart of Becky’s late husband, Tays Cool. “Tays loved this town. He absolutely loved it here,” Becky has shared. Honoring his memory in a place he cherished remains deeply meaningful to her.
What began as a tribute has grown into a lasting partnership. As a Restorer of Land level Legacy Circle member and passionate advocate, Becky has supported every major Conservancy effort including our landmark $30 million Go Wild for the Peninsula campaign, which protected 96 acres of critical coastal land and established a vital new wildlife corridor. Most recently, she stepped forward with the leading gift to launch a new Peninsula Naturalist Program, expanding educational opportunities and connecting more people to the land she loves.
Becky is often among the first to purchase tickets to fundraising events for a group of friends, volunteer for committees, and open her home to support our team. Preserving the Peninsula’s natural beauty, she says, is a “forever deal”—one that will benefit generations to come. “That’s such a blessing,” Becky reflects, “to know that this special place will be protected forever… and it benefits so many people beyond us.”
Through her enduring generosity and spirit, Becky Cool reminds us that conservation is not only about protecting land—it is about honoring legacy, building community, and ensuring that the beauty of the Peninsula remains forever.
We are proud to partner with businesses that share our long-term vision for conservation. Room & Board exemplifies how corporate leadership and employee engagement can create lasting environmental impact.
As Mark Mathieu of Room & Board’s Torrance facility shared, one of the most meaningful aspects of this partnership is seeing the direct connection between community investment and visible restoration. Through habitat restoration, native planting, and trail stewardship, associates step outside their daily roles to make tangible improvements on preserved land—while strengthening team connections and reinforcing their commitment to sustainability.
This partnership reflects Room & Board’s core values and belief that businesses have a responsibility to positively impact the communities where they operate. From clearing habitat and transporting acacia for LA Zoo wildlife to helping move and furnish the new Conservation Center, their contributions are both hands-on and meaningful. These efforts align with their mission to minimize environmental impact while giving employees opportunities to serve, connect with nature, and make a visible difference—living the belief that “We Are Better Together.”
A key lesson from this collaboration is the power of sustained commitment. By building a long-term relationship with the Conservancy, Room & Board demonstrates how shared values and ongoing engagement can amplify impact far beyond a single volunteer effort.
We are grateful for their partnership and proud to highlight Room & Board as a model of corporate support—investing not only in preserved land, but in the future health of our entire community.
Corporate Groups
Blue Shield of California
British European Auto
California Native Plant Society-South Coast Chapter
California Water Service
Capital Group
Cox Communications
Credit Karma
Haug 1999 Alaska Trust
Justice Outside
Kroger
Malaga Bank
Moine Bros
National Charity League, Inc., Peninsula Chapter
Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America
Paramount Pictures
Phenomenex
Phillips 66
Raytheon Technologies
Room & Board
Salesforce
Silver Spur Garden Club
Southern California Edison
The Geraghty Group At Morgan Stanley
The San Pedro Garden Club
The Urban Wildlands Group
WRD – Water Replenishment District of Southern California
Foundations
Alice Greene McKinney and E. Kirk McKinney, Jr. Fund
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
H.M. Bitner Charitable Trust
Herman and Margaret H. Gray Family Fund
John A Depizzo Jr Family Foundation
The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation
Madden Family Charitable Fund
McCain Family Foundation
The Negri Foundation
Oarsmen Foundation
The Siegel and Friend Foundation
South Bay Sunrise Rotary Club Foundation
The Waller Family Foundation
White Fish Community Foundation
Zee Foundation
Government
California Coastal Conservancy
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
City of Rolling Hills Estates
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
US Navy Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest
Schools
Chadwick School
Dapplegray Elementary Booster Club
Lunada Bay PTA
Point Fermin Elementary School PTO
Rancho Vista Elementary School PTA
Silver Spur Elementary School PTA
St. Lawrence Martyr School
