Ellen Stern Harris --
A Beverly Hills Citizen 
Who Has Made a Difference! 

The following interview is reprinted from the Spring 2002 issue of "Symbiosis, the quarterly newsletter of the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority.

By MRCA Docent Joann Leonard 

MRCA Editor’s note: About a month ago, I was in my office with the William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom (WODOC) docent Joann Leonard discussing that it has come to my attention that many people in the field of environmental education think first of famous men when they think of the movers and shakers, the naturalists and interpreters (with the exception of two women - Rachel Carson and Jane Goodall).

That conversation inspired us to bring to everyone’s attention (especially young women, who may be making career choices for their future) the incredible women who are making a difference in the environmental field. This is the first in a series of interviews we will publish on women who are helping to make positive change for the environment.

Ellen Stern Harris is a good citizen. A third generation resident of Beverly Hills, her long list of accomplishments include co-authoring Proposition 20, serving on the LA Regional Water Quality Board, cleaning u[ the Santa Monica Bay, being on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and chairing the horticulture committee of the City of Beverly Hills Recreation and Parks Commission. And among many other accomplishments and awards, she was named the LA Times Woman of the Year.

Following is an interview with her by Joann Leonard.

Joann Leonard: How did you come to your involvement in politics and the environment?

Ellen Stern Harris: Decades ago the palm trees along my street were not being trimmed. So I asked the City official in charge to please trim them. Month after month, he put me off with excuses. Finally I offered to get all of my neighbors to sign a petition and bring it before the City Council. The next day the tree trimming began. It was a valuable lesson in political strategy and perseverance.

JL: Was there any specific event or person who has served as an inspiration?

ESH: My father was an outdoorsman who adored California's Sierras and its coast. This resulted in my lifelong love of nature. As a sculptor and painter, I soon came to realize I'd rather try to help save our environment than paint it.

JL: How is it you became so involved with water issues?

ESH: In 1966 I attended Governor Pat Brown’s conference on California’s Natural Beauty. I came away with a determination to help save the Santa Monica Mountains. There was little hope that some of that money from a recently passed bond issue could be designated for the Santa Monica Mountains. At that time the focus in Sacramento was on saving the redwoods. Legislators considered the Santa Monica Mountains unworthy of protection. 

Nevertheless, as an advocate for Friends of the Santa Monica Mountains, I went to Sacramento and became their lobbyist. I told whoever I could that the Santa Monica Mountains are the essential lungs of our area. Ultimately, the allocation for the Santa Monica Mountains was set at $8.5 million. Not long after that I got a call from an official I'd met in Sacramento who asked if I'd like to be on the Water Quality Control Board. I said that sounded great, but I didn't know anything about water quality. "Don't worry, you'll catch on quickly," he told me. Later I was told by some that I'd caught on too quickly. 

Serving on that board that gave me the idea to try to save the coast. The passage of Prop. 20, the Coastal Act, was the result.

JL: How do you counter the inevitable disillusionments, particularly those than come after a sustained effort? How hard is it to be patient enough to see change brought about slowly?

ESH: No matter what, when you care deeply about an issue, you just keep on keeping on. When the question arises, 'Why am I putting up with this?' you try one way and if that doesn't work, try another and then another. But never, never give up when you're convinced your mission really matters. Those who oppose you are often very well funded and they depend upon your giving up -- they depend on outlasting you.

JL: Of which achievements are you most proud?

ESH: Co-authoring Prop 20, serving as Vice Chair of the California Coastal Commission for its first four years, cleaning up the Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors, helping to get funding for the Santa Monica Mountains and co-founding the Council for Planning and Conservation.

JL: What is your vision for tackling environmental issues in an urban setting?

ESH: Organize and strategize well and implement your strategies. Keep the media informed.

JL: Who do you think you "work for"?

ESH: Posterity. It helps to have a long range view. 

JL: What are some of your secrets for being effective in your career?

ESH: Being concise, articulate and able to research well. Good writing skills are very important and a manifestation of clear thinking. Also, clearly presenting views in public and appearing professional on camera

JL: Some popular authors have posed that there are specific attributes of successful people. If you have such a list, what traits would you hold to be most important?

ESH: I believe perseverance and tenacity are key. If you're thwarted on one direction, find another. Get to know your opponents - you can learn more from them than you can from your allies.

JL: Any future plans?

ESH: In a way, I've come full circle. My involvement started with palm trees on my street not being trimmed. Now it's the dilemma of what to do about the dying Canary Island palms. It's happening not only here in California where this is our signature tree--it's a world-wide problem. The suspected culprit is a variety of the fusarium fungus that has suddenly turned virulent and is spreading. 

My favorite immediate solution is to create an Urban Street Tree Trust Fund to assure perpetual maintenance and needed replacements. 

In addition I'm to working toward the full restoration of all 22 blocks of Beverly Gardens Park along Santa Monica Boulevard and Wilshire.

JL: What do you want people to know about Beverly Hills?

ESH: The issues that I've found central to maintaining the urban environment of Beverly Hills are those most likely effecting many other communities. Check out my website at www.beverlyhillscitizen.org. I welcome reader comments!