Development Protests to Accompany Earth Day

Environmentalists will march to endangered sites throughout the Valley on Saturday in recognition of Earth Day.

The nonprofit environmental agency Earth Water Air Los Angeles will hold a rally at 9 a.m. at El Escorpion Park, Vanowen Street at Sunset Ridge Court, to protest the proposed development of Ahmanson Ranch.

Developers want to build more than 3,000 homes, two golf courses, a hotel and businesses on the last 5,400 acres of oak woodland in the Valley.

But environmentalists say the area’s ecosystem would be destroyed, along with sacred Native American archeological sites.

The event will include a Native American dance, the release of 40 doves and various speakers talking about the importance of open space.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., participants will walk to the Pierce College Farm in Woodland Hills, followed by a parade of musicians and giant puppets. From 1 to 3 p.m., a rally will be held to protest a proposed 18-hole golf course on the farmland.

The farm, a 240-acre agricultural laboratory for the college, is an important habitat for migrating birds, said Elizabeth Johnson, a spokeswoman for the environmental agency.

From 3 to 6 p.m., the group will take to the road again and walk to Balboa Park in Encino, where participants can take a guided tour. For more information, call (310) 457-0300.