Climate change is intensifying the occurrence of unprecedented heat waves and fires faster than predicted by historical trends, while storms are rapidly increasing in size and strength. Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) communities are at heightened risk.  Without drastic climate action, adapting to these impacts in the future will become more and more challenging and costly. The communities of the Santa Monica Mountains region are still in the difficult process of recovering from the 2018 Woolsey Fire -- the largest, hottest and fastest moving fire in LA County history. Seniors on fixed incomes and the less affluent have been the hardest hit. 

Launched in January 2021, The Resilient Santa Monica Mountains (SMM) Project seeks to:

  • Raise awareness about the climate crisis and measures to reduce carbon emissions 

  • Build lasting community-based collaborations and strategic partnerships 

  • Promote diverse stakeholder engagement, community connectivity, inclusivity and equity, health and wellbeing

  • Propose feasible measures and policy recommendations to increase the community’s resilience to extreme heat and fires, and capacity to mitigate and adapt to the shocks and stressors of climate change


This community-based project focuses on the WUI communities of Agoura, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu (City and unincorporated LA County), Westlake Village, as well as Topanga and the Pacific Palisades. The project coalition is spearheaded by the Malibu Foundation and includes the Resource Conservation District, Climate Resolve, The LA Emergency Preparedness Foundation, LA County Office of Sustainability, UCLA’s Sustainability Grand Challenge and support from UCLA and USC graduate students. 

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Community Stakeholder input is vital to the success of this project!

Please take our Video Survey to answer two open questions:

Question 1:  What does climate resilience mean to you?  
Question 2:  What are ways you would like to see the Santa Monica Mountains region be more resilient and sustainable?

How to Record Your Answers:  When you're ready to answer, press the record button to respond to film yourself. After you answer the first question, the second question will automatically load. You'll be able to review your answer before you send it, as well as re-record your answers as needed. You can also use the notes feature so you can gather your thoughts and have them displayed on the screen to help inform your answers. 

Thank you so much for your precious time and valuable input!


If you have any questions please contact Shea@TheMalibuFoundation.org