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
Species of Concern: Chris DeMarco’s Discussion of the Western Gray Squirrel
At one time, the western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus) ruled the roost, so to speak. That was, until the early part of the 20th century when the eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) was "accidentally" introduced by Civil War veterans housed in Westwood. As...
Species of Concern: Recap of Sarah Wenner’s Talk on Horned Lizards
Blainsville's horned lizard... so unobtrusive on the landscape, it could easily be overlooked, unless one is actively looking. Even then, since these lizard populations have decreased dramatically, it would be difficult to find one in Griffith Park or parts west for...
The Fifth Year Griffith Park Raptor Study Begins to Take Flight
Today, Saturday, Feb. 20 marked the opening of the 2021 Raptor Study with a Zoom training session featuring study coordinators Courtney McCammon and Dr. Dan Cooper, moderated by FoGP president Gerry Hans. The session was well-attended as participants were given...