San Gabriel Mountains Forever Leadership Academy

San Gabriel Mountains Forever is a partnership of local business owners, residents, faith and community leaders, recreation groups, health and social service organizations, and conservation groups who have come together to protect wilderness and wild and scenic rivers in the San Gabriel Mountains.

The vision of San Gabriel Mountains Forever is protection and enhancement of our mountains, rivers and parks with access for all.

Our vision will be accomplished by:

1) preserving, improving and adding public lands, parks and recreation facilities

2) improving equitable access through transit-to-trails services, and the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and signs

3) promoting healthy outdoor recreation

4) empowering every community – including those historically marginalized – to care for the San Gabriel Mountains and rivers.

The spectacular San Gabriel Mountains are the iconic landmark of the Angeles National Forest. It is Southern California's most accessible and popular "backyard" for millions who visit its clear and cold rivers, and its tranquil and panoramic vistas. The Angeles National Forest is also an irreplaceable natural resource that gives Los Angeles County more than 70% of its open space and provides our region with drinking water and clean air.

The San Gabriel Mountains Forever Leadership Academy is the formal education component of SGMF. The Leadership Academy is a six-month volunteer training program that gathers every two weeks for three hours classes and covers community organizing, engaging elected officials, and releated skills to grassroots civic engagement campaigns.

Leadership Academy participants are eligble for financial aid, a stipend, and a mini-grant worth $1,000 to organize a community project.