Our Mission
To create an “Emerald Necklace” natural infrastructure network of green spaces (parks and trails) in underserved areas throughout the Los Angeles Basin, connecting the Mountains to the Sea and protecting urban communities from the threats of climate change.
Our mission is inspired by the 1929 Olmstead Bartholomew plan for an expansive greenway for Los Angeles, but sadly, due to changing government priorities during the 1930’s the plan was never realized.
In 2003, in collaboration with community leadership we started creating parks and trails and a vision for a greener Los Angeles!
Please consider making a donation today, it helps fund the volunteer events we host each week to keep our community green. Thank you!
Volunteer Events
To all our amazing Emerald Necklace Volunteers,
In the spirit of solidarity, as advised by the CDC – we are suspending our Emerald Necklace Volunteer Stewardship Events until April 15th.
We will keep you up to date as we all move together through this crisis.
As we all do our best to slow the spread of COVID-19 and practice social distancing, we hope that you are continuing to get some exercise and enjoy the life giving gifts of nature all around us.
We look forward to seeing all of you in April, please check back for an updated schedule.

Natural Infrastructure Projects
Amigos De Los Rios – Emerald Necklace Group is a 501(c)(3) we have been creating natural infrastructure in Los Angeles since 2003. We have outlined an Emerald Necklace Vision Plan and completed 35 urban forestry and nature park projects, and we are particularly concerned with greening schools to make sure that students’ mental health, physical health and academic performance are protected and optimized. Our Urban Greening and advocacy work is in direct response to climate change.
For 15 years we have been focused on connecting urban residents in our most under-served areas to nature.
Below are a sample of our greening projects currently underway.

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST SIGNAGE PROJECT
Working to develop interpretive signage for the Angeles National Forest (ANF), the signage we create provides important information to forest visitors.
WHITTIER NARROWS TREE RESTORATION PROJECT
Working to improve the urban forestry canopy at various locations along the Emerald Necklace Parks and greenways.
LAC USC KECK
WELLNESS CENTER
The Wellness Center will include fitness trails, jogging paths, exercise courts and age appropriate play equipment for visitors and staff to utilize.
PECK ROAD (WATER CONSERVATION) PARK
The 5-acre county facility is located within a redeveloped gravel quarry that opens onto 210 acres of recreation & habitat areas.
Amigos De Los Rios
designs and builds the
Emerald Necklace park and greenway restoration projects with the following principles:
Respect for Cultural Diversity and Environment
Protection and Enhancement of Habitat
Community Based Design
Civic Culture – Beauty, Safety and Meaning of Public Spaces
Climate Change Response – Resilient Communities
Community Education
PARK PROJECTSEmerald Necklace TREE PLANTING
and watershed restoration events improve
the ENVIRONMENT and our COMMUNITIES.
Our Emerald Necklace Parks Stewardship events provide learning and service opportunities for students to earn community service hours, and community members, families, and youth groups to spend time together working toward a common goal of improving their community and overall environment!
You can make a difference! JOIN US!
- Peck Road Park Emerald Necklace Park marker stone
- Happy Emerald Necklace Stewardship event volunteers
- Volunteer team work
- AMIGOS Volunteers in Circle Park
- Covering grafitti
- AMIGOS Volunteers at Alfred Madrid Middle School Exercise Trail and Park
- Weeding
- PAVA Volunteers at Peck Road Water Conservation Park
- Volunteers weeding at Circle Park