Backbone Trail Nears Fund-Raising Goal

A group raising funds for the completion of the 70-mile Backbone Trail has nearly reached an important milestone: 34 of 38 trail markers have been sold to individuals or corporations.

The Mountains Conservancy Foundation has been working on the Backbone project since the trail’s birth more than 20 years ago.

In the fall, it initiated the marker program as part of a five-pronged fund-raising plan, said Executive Director Ruth Taylor Kilday. The five parts are trustee donations, grants, individual donations, existing-member donations and landowner tax-deductible donations.

As of last week, Kilday said, the 34 markers--costing $400 apiece--had been sold to organizations and individuals, including actor Ed Begley Jr., who bought the marker for singer Don Henley’s child.

The money will go toward acquiring land for the final six miles of the trail, which runs from Pacific Palisades to Point Mugu.

Since the 1960s, Kilday said, the government has spent $270 million acquiring parkland for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Those funds have now been used up. The foundation recently got a boost from the passage of Proposition A, which matches privately raised funds with public money.

In addition to markers, people can purchase “feet” and “yards” along the six uncompleted miles.

For more information, call the foundation at (310) 589-2400.