Angelenos must stop trashing majestic San Gabriel Mountains

To the editor: It’s great that President Biden expanded two protected areas in California, including the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

My question is, will the people of Los Angeles, with increased access as well as the institutions charged with protecting it, actually respect what they’ve been given?

I’ve spent lots of time working with volunteer organizations to pick up trash and break down swimming dams along rivers. We have begged the U.S. Forest Service to deal with graffiti. Nothing seems to work.

Respect for nature begins at home, and that respect is sorely lacking for our newly expanded treasure.

Jim Burns, San Gabriel