Eaton Canyon Fire Recovery and Resilience Project

The Eaton Fire, the second most destructive wildfire in California’s history, left Eaton Canyon, one of Los Angeles County’s most iconic natural areas and an important ecological resource, severely degraded and at an increased risk for future fires due to ongoing habitat conversion from native shrublands to nonnative vegetation. The fire also increased erosion and sediment transport, altered hydrologic conditions, and degraded riparian and upland habitats that support wildlife, water quality, and watershed function. By removing and controlling fire-promoting nonnative vegetation, restoring native vegetation communities, and fostering community stewardship through outreach, habitat management, and volunteer programs, the proposed work will increase the resilience of Eaton Canyon to future wildfires and enhance safety for visitors and surrounding communities. The proposed work aligns with Los Angeles County’s (County) restoration goals, integrates Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and establishes Eaton Canyon as a model for climate-adaptive ecological restoration in the San Gabriel foothills. Overarching Goal Over a 5-year period, the County and its partners will implement a resilient, climate-adapted post-fire restoration and ecosystem recovery program guided by science-based management, TEK, and community stewardship. The project will focus on restoring the ecological integrity, hydrologic function, cultural significance, and public access of the 190-acre Eaton Canyon Natural Area following the 2025 Eaton Fire. Proposed work focuses on the reduction of sedimentation, improvement of water quality, enhancement of habitat for sensitive species through native plant establishment and nonnative plant control, and long-term resiliency in one of the County’s most visited natural areas, establishing Eaton Canyon as a national model for post-fire climate-adaptive ecological restoration. Primary Goal 1: Restore Native Vegetation and Suppress Invasives Restore native plant communities and habitat quality throughout Eaton Canyon by controlling invasive species and promoting the recovery of native vegetation. This goal will support recovery of sensitive habitats, strengthen wildlife corridors, and increase resilience to future disturbances, including wildfires. Objective 1.1. Restore and enhance up to 66 acres of fire-affected habitat through revegetation of burned hillslopes, alluvial fans, riparian corridors, and upland plant communities using locally adapted, climate-resilient native species. Objective 1.2. Reduce invasive plant cover to less than 15% relative cover across restoration areas within five years through early detection, rapid response, and sustained control and removal of priority invasive species. Objective 1.3. Protect and enhance habitat conditions for sensitive plant and wildlife species by conserving existing populations, improving ecological connectivity, and strengthening wildlife corridors. Objective 1.4. Develop long-term native plant and seed resources through expansion of onsite seed banking and nursery capacity to support continued restoration and climate resilience. Primary Goal 2. Reduce Sediment Mobilization, Stabilize Trails, and Provide Public Access Reduce erosion and sediment mobilization from trails, roads, and disturbed hillslopes while providing safe and sustainable public access throughout Eaton Canyon through trail stabilization, revegetation, and runoff management. Objective 2.1. Reduce erosion and sediment transport from trails, roads, and disturbed hillslopes through installation of trail stabilization and runoff-management features. Objective 2.2. Stabilize up to 16 acres of burned habitat through revegetation with climate-resilient native vegetation to reduce soil loss and improve watershed function. Objective 2.3. Improve understanding of post-fire geomorphic processes through long-term monitoring of channel cross-sections and sediment transport dynamics in Eaton Wash and its tributaries. Objective 2.4. Enhance native vegetation recruitment and long-term slope stability through integrated invasive species management and restoration treatments. Primary Goal 3. Restore Hydrology and Riparian Habitat Restore hydrologic and riparian functions within Eaton Wash and its tributaries by supporting natural channel processes and recovery of native riparian vegetation. Objective 3.1. Restore natural hydrologic processes by reducing runoff velocity, increasing sediment retention, and improving infiltration within tributary channels and alluvial fan systems. Objective 3.2. Enhance seasonal water availability and floodplain connectivity in the mainstem channel through implementation and maintenance of low-tech process-based restoration features. Objective 3.3. Reestablish native riparian vegetation communities to improve channel stability, water quality, habitat complexity, and ecosystem resilience. Objective 3.4. Increase watershed resilience by restoring riparian ecosystem functions that support biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and long-term post-fire recovery. Primary Goal 4. Monitoring, Maintenance, Adaptive Management, and Tribal Science Ensure the long-term success and sustainability of restoration activities through the development and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring, maintenance, and adaptive management framework that incorporates Western Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (Tribal Science). Objective 4.1. Implement a science-based monitoring program to evaluate ecological recovery, vegetation establishment, wetland condition, invasive species dynamics, and geomorphic change throughout the project. Objective 4.2. Maintain restoration investments through routine site inspections, invasive species control, replacement plantings, and repair of restoration infrastructure. Objective 4.3. Apply adaptive management principles by using monitoring results to refine restoration strategies, improve effectiveness, and respond to changing environmental conditions. Objective 4.4. Integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge into restoration planning, implementation, monitoring, and stewardship through meaningful and sustained partnerships with Tribal communities. Primary Goal 5. Public Access, Trails, Interpretive Signage, and Community Engagement Enhance public access and community engagement through improvements of existing trails, development of ADA-accessible public access opportunities on the Plateau, installation of interpretive signage, and community engagement programs that foster education, stewardship, and connection to Eaton Canyon. Objective 5.1. Improve safe and inclusive public access to Eaton Canyon through restoration of trail infrastructure and expansion of ADA-accessible recreation opportunities where feasible. Objective 5.2. Increase public understanding of wildfire recovery, watershed processes, native ecosystems, and Indigenous stewardship through interpretive signage and educational programming. Objective 5.3. Engage community members, schools, and local organizations in hands-on restoration activities, including seed collection, planting, and stewardship events. Objective 5.4. Build long-term community stewardship capacity by supporting local native plant propagation and volunteer-based restoration programs that contribute directly to ecosystem recovery. Following the fire, this refuge for biodiversity and valuable resource for surrounding communities faces destabilized soils, invasive species proliferation, impaired hydrology, and a loss of riparian and upland habitat. Without immediate intervention, post-fire erosion and colonization by invasive plants will cause long-term ecological decline, threaten downstream water quality, compromise habitat for special-status species, and increase fire risk.