In response to the destruction caused by the January 2025 wildfires, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) has launched the RESTORE Program (Recovery and Emergency Support for Trails, Open Space, and Recreation), a $4.25 million initiative aimed at restoring public parks, trails, and open spaces in the county’s most heavily impacted areas.
$4.25 Million in Recovery Funding for Damaged Public Spaces
The RESTORE Program offers non-competitive grants to cities, agencies, and nonprofit landowners to support the recovery of vital community infrastructure. Funds will go toward repairing trails, replanting trees, restoring parkland, and implementing wildfire resilience measures. The program also includes support for technical assistance and planning, helping local entities qualify for future Measure A grants.
RESTORE Focuses on Healing and Community Rebuilding
“The January wildfires were devastating. Our communities lost homes, businesses, places of worship, schools—and alongside those, we lost parks, trees, trails, and cherished open spaces,” said Norma E. García-González, Director of the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation and Director of RPOSD. “RESTORE is about helping to rebuild these vital public spaces as the broader recovery of homes and communities moves forward. Parks and trails are part of the healing process—and they must be part of the community’s recovery.”
Priority Areas and Community Partnerships
Funds will be directed to jurisdictions with the most damage, including the City and County of Los Angeles, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, and the Cities of Malibu, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre. A separate category of funding supports nonprofit landowners and partnerships with certified Conservation Corps.
“In the Fifth District, the damage from the January wildfires wasn’t just environmental—it was deeply personal,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “RESTORE grants are a powerful step toward renewal. I welcome these timely investments that will help our communities and nonprofit partners pivot from crisis response to long-term recovery.”
Strengthening Resilience and Access to Nature
Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath added, “With this new funding, we’re doing more than rebuilding—we’re revitalizing ecosystems, renewing access to nature, and reinforcing our resilience against future wildfires. We’re deeply thankful for the nonprofit partners stepping up to restore the Santa Monica Mountains and other areas impacted by the Palisades Fire.”
Simplified Access and Grant Distribution
Designed to be responsive and easy to navigate, the RESTORE Program funding will be distributed across three tracks:
- $3 million in direct allocations to eligible jurisdictions based on wildfire impact
- $1 million in partnership allocations for jurisdictions collaborating with nonprofit or conservation groups
- $250,000 for nonprofit landowners maintaining publicly accessible open spaces
For more information, visit the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District website.
