The time change is a reminder that even small shifts in our routine can make us more aware of how we spend our days and what we value most. 

While we may enjoy that extra hour, the tradeoff is shorter days and earlier sunsets. For many, it can be harder to find time for the things that help us recharge, like being outdoors. Even a few minutes outside each day can improve focus, mood, and overall well-being. Access to natural spaces close to home becomes even more important when the days feel shorter and busier. 

Interestingly, while our schedules change with the clock, nature's doesn’t. Pets still expect breakfast at the same “old” time, and wildlife continues to follow the rhythms of sunlight, not our calendars. Birds still begin their dawn songs at first light, and nocturnal animals emerge when darkness falls, unaffected by our alarms or reminders. These natural patterns are a quiet reminder of how closely our own lives are tied to the environment and its cycles. 

Through the RMC's work to protect open spaces, restore rivers and wildlife habitat, and expand local trails, we’re helping make sure that nature is always within reach - for a walk at lunch, a family outing on the weekend, or a quick moment to reset after a long day. These everyday opportunities to connect with the outdoors are what keep us grounded, healthy, and thankful. 

This November, we encourage you to use that extra hour, or any hour, to step outside. Visit a local park, take a walk along the river, or simply pause to notice the world around you. Small moments in nature can make a big difference, and they’re made possible by your continued support and engagement. 

This year, and every year at the RMC, we’re grateful. We’re grateful to our partners, community members, and everyone who helps us protect and connect people to the lands and waters that sustain us. Thank you for being part of our shared mission. 

See you on the trails, 

Mark 

Last month, the RMC team attended the LA County Park Annual Funding Summit. The annual Summit is an opportunity for grantees to connect directly with funders. This year’s summit was hosted by the Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD), California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), State Parks, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC), San Gabriel & Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC), Baldwin Hills & Urban Watersheds Conservancy, and the Wildlife Conservation Board. 

During the event, RMC Budgets and Administration Officer, Salian Garcia, presented the RMC’s Consolidated Grant Proposal process. In 2023, the RMC streamlined its grant application process to make it easier for potential grantees to apply for funds and to align proposals with multiple state priorities at once.  

By simplifying the application process, the RMC aims to help local partners spend less time on paperwork and more time on projects that restore habitat, expand trails, and create access to open space. To learn more about current funding opportunities and application guidelines, visit rmc.ca.gov/grants. 

On October 13th, the City of South Gate celebrated the grand re-opening of Circle Park. Circle Park, located at 10129 Garfield Ave, South Gate, CA 90280, closed for renovations in September 2024. In July 2022, the RMC awarded $2 million to the City of South Gate to develop Circle Park, a 4.5-acre park in the Hollydale District of South Gate. The event was well-attended by RMC Board Chair, Ali Saleh, Executive Officer, Mark Stanley, Conservancy Project Development Analyst, Arturo Gonzalez, and members of the community.  

RMC funded project elements include water capture elements, educational signage, and habitat restoration. Other renovation elements included lighting, a newly paved parking lot, picnic tables, a playground, and shade structures.  

We’re excited to welcome Lisa Nguyen, our newest Associate Governmental Program Analyst! 

Lisa joins the RMC team with over four years of municipal government experience in procurement, contract management, budgeting, and public outreach. Most recently, she served with the City of Garden Grove’s Public Works Department, Water Services Division, where she managed purchase orders and contracts, coordinated rebate and conservation programs, and developed multilingual outreach materials in Vietnamese, Spanish, and Korean to support water conservation, drought awareness, and recycling initiatives. 

One of Lisa’s proudest accomplishments was helping secure $266,000 in COVID-19 relief funding through the CARES Act for unpaid water bill assistance. She is passionate about programs that protect natural resources and strengthen community resilience. 

Lisa shares, “Some of my most cherished memories are tied to being outdoors — feeling the stillness of a quiet trail, hearing the rush of a river, and seeing how nature can bring people closer. Joining the RMC means I get to help protect these experiences, not just for today, but for generations to come. It’s a privilege to be part of a team dedicated to preserving the places that make life richer.” 

Welcome to the team, Lisa! 

Two years ago, we shared the story of the WCA’s Headquarters, El Encanto’s, fascinating past and the long-standing rumors that its original owners, Henrietta and Miller Newman, might still linger here in spirit. Since then, whispers of late-night footsteps, flickering lights, and the distinct aroma of fresh corn fritters have continued among staff. This year, we decided to take a closer look. 

Last month, a small but brave team of RMC employees stayed after hours to conduct what can only be described as a thorough and highly scientific investigation. Armed with flashlights, questionable ghost-hunting apps, and Halloween candy, the group set out to document any unusual activity.

Almost immediately, things began to happen. The conference room lights flickered during a Teams meeting, the copy machine began printing on its own, and someone swore they heard faint footsteps in the hallway, though it may have just been the air conditioner. 

Then came the most compelling evidence yet: a mysterious figure captured wandering the halls late in the evening. The figure appeared to be tall, round-headed, and, by all accounts, otherworldly. While skeptics insist it was simply our Executive Officer in an inflatable alien costume from the staff's Halloween party earlier that day, others remain unconvinced.