The Conservancy's strategic objectives continue to be guided by the goal of an interlinking network of parks, trails, and open space for public use and wildlife habitat, ensuring future open space and recreational lands in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The goals and objectives were initially set in the Santa Monica Mountains Comprehensive Plan and the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor Master Plan. They have been updated through a strategic planning process which included substantial public input. Updated work programs, developed with many public hearings throughout the region, provide additional guidance for implementation.

Implement the Santa Monica Mountains Comprehensive Plan

• Complete fee and less than fee acquisition program
• Cooperate with National Park Service (NPS) and State Parks in implementing the Joint Efficiencies MOU
• Cooperate with NPS management plan for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) and Santa Monica Mountains Zones
• Continue to maximize acquisition dollars by leveraging funds where appropriate

Implement the Rim of the Valley Trails Corridor Master Plan

• Complete land acquisition recommendations of the Plan
• Complete trails and trail amenities recommended by the Plan
• Cooperate with private sector in providing recreational opportunities
• Continue to maximize acquisition dollars by leveraging funds where appropriate

Implement the Los Angeles County River Master Plan

• Create fifty-one miles of continuous river parkway and greenbelt
• Develop recreation, park, trail and habitat restoration opportunities
• Increase community involvement
• Cooperate with local government and nonprofit partners and maximize acquisition dollars by leveraging funds where appropriate

Implement the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers Watershed and Open Space Plan

• Restore balance between natural and human systems in the watersheds
• Land: Create, expand, and improve public open space and recreation for all communities, connect open space with a network of trails
• Water: Maintain and improve flood protection, establish riverfront greenways to cleanse water, improve quality of surface water and ground water
• Planning: Coordinate watershed planning across jurisdictions and boundaries, encourage multi-objective planning and projects, use science as a basis for planning

Further Cooperation with Local Governments in the Region to Secure Open Space and Parkland

• Strengthen partnership agreements with local governments and establish new joint powers entities throughout the region where appropriate
• Ensure that Conservancy land acquisition expertise is made available where needed
• Reduce state work load by utilizing local agency agreements and state and local partnerships wherever possible
• Develop comprehensive plan for areas not covered by initial Conservancy Comprehensive Plan and incorporate and link those areas to protect species and ecosystems

Expand Efforts to Integrate Nature into the Urban Environment

• Acquire or create parkland in urban areas that lack open space or natural parks
• Link and integrate new natural parks into existing park system—literally via transportation and physical linkages, thematically via programs and events
• Develop joint powers authorities with local government entities and urban interests
• Maximize funding opportunities through partnerships

Expand Education, Public Access, and Resource Stewardship Components in a Manner That Best Serves the Public, Protects Habitat, and Provides Recreational Opportunities

• Expand local government, school district, and nonprofit ventures to provide increased educational and access opportunities
• Link key habitat areas strategically to protect species and ecosystems through acquisition and cooperation with other resource management agencies
• Increase resource stewardship and educational/interpretative capabilities within the Zone
• Create comprehensive, regional, and integrated trails plan
• Develop long term capital improvement and maintenance plans