Marsha McLean, Community Activist, Promotes Rim of the Valley Elsmere Acquisition

She spent ten years of hard work as President the of Canyons Preservation Committee saying "No!" to a dump in Elsmere Canyon. Marsha McLean was now very pleased this Spring to help promote the idea of its acquisition as a part of the Rim of the Valley Trail System

When completed, this trail and adjacent buffer lands under the auspices of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, will form a ring around the San Fernando Valley and join at the Santa Monicas to create a wildlife corridor that goes all the way to the ocean. This trail is the 25 year vision of Marge Feinberg who initiated the idea in her Masters thesis.

How did Marsha McLean get started as a community activist? She and her husband have lived in Santa Clarita and owned a small business in this community for the past 24 years. She heard about the landfill proposal while volunteering for the Boys and Girls Club Auction. After taking a tour of the Canyon, she thought the loss of this beautiful natural should not be allowed. With all the vigor of a true entrepreneur, she formed her own organization to successfully challenge this plan.

Marsha McLean’s activism has lead to other roles in the community. Because of her knowledge of solid waste management, Supervisor Mike Antonovich has appointed her as an alternate member to the Los Angeles County Solid Waste Task Force. She is also a member of the UCLA Countywide Solid Waste Resource Policy Committee.

Ms. McLean is concerned about the environment. She is also a business owner. Because of these two interests, she is now chairing the SCV Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee. One of here many goals in the Chamber is to try to find ways that businesses and environmentalists can work together to create a strong and environmentally friendly economy.

Ms. McLean’s other activities include volunteering as an earthquake preparedness trainer. She is also a member of the Sheriff’s advisory committee.

What would Marsha McLean ultimately like to see for Elsmere Canyon? "No less than public acquisition for the front portion of the Canyon!", says McLean. To this end, she has formed the "Elsmere Canyon Acquisition Fund" to begin raising money for this worth cause.