Officials dedicate garden to the late environmental activist and conservationist
Cindy Montañez
Pollinators officially moved into their new home at ‘Cindy’s Garden’ at Hollywood Reservoir with a celebration and indigenous blessing to mark the occasion.
LOS ANGELES (June 4, 2024) – The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), in partnership with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and others, hosted a grand public opening of a new pollinator garden at the Hollywood Reservoir on Saturday, June 1. During the event, the garden was dedicated to the memory of the late Cindy Montañez, beloved environmental activist and conservationist.
“The City of Los Angeles is committed to create habitat for the monarch butterfly and pollinators, and to educate residents about how they can help,” said Nancy Sutley, Deputy Mayor of Energy and Sustainability. “LADWP maintains a great deal of land in Los Angeles. This project at the Hollywood Reservoir is yet another way for us to use these resources to achieve the city’s goals when it comes to sustainability.”
Los Angeles Councilmember Nithya Raman, representing Council District 4, where the Hollywood Reservoir is located, recognized the unique place that the pollinator garden now occupies. “The Hollywood Reservoir is a hugely popular venue for Angelenos as well as visitors from around the world,” she said. “It is symbolic that this new pollinator garden, located in the heart of Los Angeles, be dubbed ‘Cindy’s Garden,’ in dedication to the memory of Cindy Montañez, a true champion of the environment.”
“This educational garden serves as a statement to the public about our commitment to biodiversity, equity and climate resilience,” noted LADWP Commissioner Nurit Katz. “We hope that ‘Cindy’s Garden’ thrives for years to come and inspires our community, carrying forward the seeds of justice and service that Cindy planted in our hearts.”
The pollinator garden is adjacent to the walking path, on the West side of the reservoir, between the North and Weidlake gates.
Pollinators are species of insects, birds and bats that move the pollen produced on a plant to another plant of the same type. The pollen carried by these dedicated workers fertilizes the next flower to produce seeds and fruit. The seeds and fruit produced by the plants are eaten by many other animals as well as humans. Apples, oranges, pears, avocados, chocolate and many other foods we eat rely on pollinators. It is estimated that one of every three bites of food is pollinated by insects, birds or bats.
“Pollinators play a vitally important role in our ecosystem,” said Aram Benyamin, LADWP Chief Operating Officer. “I am pleased to join in the opening of a new and exciting feature of this historic facility that will bring enjoyment and provide an educational benefit to our visitors. And I am delighted to participate in the well-deserved dedication of this space to the incomparable Cindy Montañez.”
Cindy Montañez served Southern California proudly and with distinction as an activist, conservationist, Mayor of San Fernando, member of the San Fernando City Council, Assemblywoman from California’s 39th District, Assistant General Manager of LADWP and the CEO of TreePeople. She passed away on October 21, 2023 at the age of 49 after a long battle with cancer. Members of Cindy’s family were in attendance, including her parents and a brother, as well as numerous friends and colleagues, who spoke passionately about her life and legacy, including Charming Evelyn of the Sierra Club, and Daniel Berger of TreePeople.
While Hollywood Reservoir is known for its long and important role in the city’s Water System, power utilities such as LADWP’s Power System manage extensive amounts of land around power plants, hydrological reservoirs, solar farms, power line rights-of-way, and other natural landscapes. Through thoughtful management of millions of acres, there is potential for power utilities to enhance habitat for pollinators across North America and beyond.
The new pollinator garden at Hollywood Reservoir is the result of years of planning and work involving LADWP’s staff, with significant contributions from EPRI.
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