Calabasas residents and conservation enthusiasts will gather at King Gillette Ranch on Wednesday, Dec. 2, for the public ribbon‑cutting ceremony of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing. The bridge, which spans the 101 Freeway, provides a safe passage for mountain lions, deer and other wildlife traveling across the Santa Monica Mountains.
Event details and ticket information
Tickets are now on sale through the event website. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Attendees will be able to walk the ranch grounds, view displays about the crossing’s design, and watch a short video tribute to the late philanthropist Wallis Annenberg, whose vision helped fund the project.
Why the crossing matters
“What a momentous time for all of us who have watched the crossing go from an impossible dream to an actual structure rising over the freeway that will ensure the future of mountain lions and all wildlife in the Santa Monica Mountains,” said Beth Pratt, President and CEO of the Wildlife Crossing Fund. The over‑highway bridge is expected to reduce wildlife‑vehicle collisions and restore natural migration routes that have been fragmented by the freeway for decades.
Pratt added that the ribbon‑cutting marks the beginning of ongoing stewardship. “Our efforts for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing don’t end after construction is complete — continuing the landmark research and ongoing habitat restoration is key.” She noted that the crossing will serve as a model for similar connectivity projects worldwide.
Family‑friendly activities
In addition to the ceremony, families can enjoy a virtual ribbon‑cutting station where participants can cut a digital ribbon on tablets set up around the ranch. A tribute to P‑22, the famed mountain lion whose presence helped raise awareness for urban wildlife, will be displayed, offering a personal connection for local wildlife fans.
For those unable to travel, the event will be streamed live on the Wildlife Crossing Fund’s website in the weeks leading up to Dec. 2. Viewers can also donate online to support ongoing research, habitat restoration and future wildlife‑friendly infrastructure projects.
How to get involved
Tickets can be purchased at www.wildlifecrossing.org/ribboncutting. Parking is limited, so early arrival is recommended. The ranch is located off Mulholland Highway, a short drive from the crossing itself.
Community members are encouraged to spread the word, bring families, and celebrate a project that reflects both environmental stewardship and local pride.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
