Griffith Park Natural History Survey
Welcome to the Griffith Park Natural History Survey (GPNHS)
Before GPNHS was founded in early 2007, scientific data referencing wildlife and flora of Griffith Park was nearly non-existent. GPNHS and the Friends of Griffith Park website were established to help remedy this situation. In 2007, under the supervision of GPNHS’ scientific advisor Daniel C. Cooper, Ph.D., of Cooper Ecological Monitoring, Inc., a series of surveys were initiated to study bird, herptile and mammal populations in the Park. Reports published from these early projects, and many more which followed, can be viewed and downloaded from our FoGP Studies and Surveys page.
Friends of Griffith Park continues to carry out flora and fauna work in the Park, with the current list ever-expanding [pdf].
Shortly after the surveys began, Griffith Park was engulfed by the devastating May 2007 fire that burned over 800 acres, causing the closure of large areas throughout the Park. Subsequently, GPNHS was encouraged by RAP to continue our surveys, and Dan Cooper was invited to join the Fire Recovery Task Force. Dan was given the task of assessing the damage to wildlife, and developing a comprehensive Griffith Park Wildlife Management Plan.
RAP made a wise decision to develop such a program, which represents the first ever wildlife plan for the Department. See the Griffith Park Wildlife Management Plan [pdf]. The Plan is now being updated and expanded, based upon what has been learned over the last decade.
The launch of GPHNS is a great example of a grassroots effort, best captured in this newsletter story printed on GPNHS’s Fifth Anniversary. Credit goes to the inaugural funders of GPNHS, in particular: Franklin Hills Residents Association, Los Feliz Improvement Association, The Oaks Homeowners Association, and Hollywood United Neighborhood Council.
Your support of GPNHS can be shown through donations and your membership.
Send an e-mail with any comments or questions.
Read more from our News Blog
Toyon Through the Seasons
Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) is a very important plant for the overall healthy habitat of Griffith Park. The plant is commonly seen growing wild throughout the Santa Monica Mountains range — and it's found throughout Griffith Park. Many people know the plant...
LA Zoo Expansion — FoGP’s Next Steps
In 1896 Colonel Griffith J. Griffith donated land that became Griffith Park in order to provide a respite from the pressures of urban life for all people of Los Angeles. Unfortunately – over the years – much has been done to turn this gift into a cash cow. The most...
The Ups and Downs of Griffith Park’s Merry-Go-Round
The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round has been a part of Angelenos' lives for 88 years. Children have gravitated toward the happy, upbeat music from its Stinson Military Band Organ with smiles and laughter. Some horses date back to 1895. The carved and painted...