To get to the point, the city is asking us to remove our beloved Bamboo Forest, and we have our reasons for wanting to save it. If you agree, please sign the petition. If you would like more details, please read below: 

For decades the Bamboo Forest, also known as the Arundo Forest, has provided children a magical experience of imaginative play in the beautiful mountains of Topanga, California. The Bamboo Forest is a child's fantasy world come to life with numerous tunnels, forts and caves all created by the Arundo plant. Arundo looks a lot like Bamboo, hence the nickname, the Bamboo Forest. So what's the problem? Technically, Arundo is an invasive plant species that is not native to the Topanga area. In an attempt to obtain permits for further projects on the Cali Camp and Manzanita property, the city has ordered us to remove the Bamboo Forest, to eradicate it from the property due to its invasive properties.

Manzanita School is an environmental based private school, whose curriculum is founded on the core belief that humans benefit from a true connection with nature. Much of the purpose of this nature connection education is meant to instill a sense of activism in our students, inspiring them to respect, care for and protect the environment in which they live. Although the Arundo is an invasive species, it is our belief that generations of children have felt an intense connection to nature due to their experience with the Bamboo Forest. We truly believe the deep love for this natural place that children (and adults) have experienced does a greater justice to the environment than eradicating it would. By continuing education about the natural world through places like the Bamboo Forest, we are inspiring children to have a greater sense of connection to the natural world, inspiring them to want to continue to care for the environment as a whole. 

Cali Camp was founded in 1955, with generations of families having sent their children to this magical place. When parents and grandparents return to Cali Camp with their own children, the Bamboo Forest is the most asked about location. Parents are eager to know if the same magical place that they loved as a child is still around for their children to fall in love with too. This is a further testament to the lasting impression that the Bamboo Forest has had on generations of families. 

Currently, Arundo can be found all throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and Topanga Canyon. Removing the Bamboo Forest from just our property will do little to stop the further spread of this invasive plant. Even so, Cali Camp and Manzanita are dedicated to maintaining the plant to a small area of our property, therefore stopping any further spread due to our patch of Arundo. This is done by killing and removing any Arundo plants that may sprout on the property outside the boundary of the Bamboo Forest.  

Please join us in signing this petition to help us Save the Bamboo Forest! If you have any further questions, comments or would like to submit a personal statement on behalf of the Bamboo Forest, please contact Kassandra Wilsey, Cali Camp Director at Kassandra@CaliCamp.com.