We members of the Claremont Wildlands Conservancy have three goals: to preserve open space in Claremont's hillsides for future generations, to ensure access to it and to help create a continuous wilderness corridor along the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

The role of the outdoors in enhancing the lives of America's youth is increasingly well known. Numerous studies point to the benefits for health and academic focus; an entire movement of educators and social scientists is dedicated to reversing the "nature deficit" disorder. As a father and a former San Fernando mayor and City Council member, I know the success of these endeavors is dependent in part on the ability of our young people to hop on a bike or board a bus and get somewhere green.