The following five organizations created the Safe Trails Coalition to find a balance between recreational needs and resource protection.
Audubon California‘s
works to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.
Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks
aims “to promote, protect, and enhance the harbors, beaches, parks, trails, open spaces, natural preserves, and historic sites in Orange County.” In addition, FHBP’s supporters and board consists of many park advocates that enjoy the many recreational opportunities afforded by the land and water. Through the Safe Trails Coalition, FHBP is able to support its mission and provide positive outdoors experiences for residents and visitors alike.
Laguna Canyon Foundation is dedicated to preserving, protecting, enhancing and promoting the South Coast Wilderness – a network of open space that includes Laguna Coast Wilderness Park & Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. We are part of the Safe Trails Coalition because we seek to inspire environmental stewardship by supporting the balance between responsible recreation and habitat preservation.
Sea & Sage Audubon Society is an Orange County chapter of National Audubon Society with 3,500 local members dedicated to the protection and appreciation of birds and their habitats through education, conservation, scientific research, and volunteer opportunities. Sea & Sage Audubon Society, as both a user group and wildlife conservation organization, is very supportive of Orange County’s parks and open space reserves. Through the Safe Trails Coalition we strive to protect critically important and rare wildlife habitats within these open spaces and promote the safe use of their vast trail systems.
Sierra Club
‘s mission is to: explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of our natural and human environment; and use all lawful means to carry out these objectives. John Muir had the following to say about hiking: “I don’t like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains – not hike!” Saunter is a beautiful word. Back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, “A la sainte terre,” meaning “To the Holy Land.” And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now our parks, natural lands and open spaces are our Holy Land, and Sierra Club feels we ought to saunter through them reverently, not “hike” through them. This approach applies to all forms of recreation within our parks, natural lands and open spaces. Sierra Club is proud to be associated with the Safe Trails Coalition.