More than 500,000 Los Angeles residents are nestled along a 17-mile hidden gem known as the Emerald Necklace, a natural infrastructure network of green spaces, schools, parks, trails and watersheds throughout the LA Basin.

Amigos de los Rios brings the power of the forest into urban areas by creating high-quality designs for nature-based outdoor spaces at underserved K-12 schools.

A network of green, sustainable spaces allows disadvantaged communities an opportunity to connect with nature while creating outdoor classrooms and living laboratories for young students to learn and explore. The efforts provide more equity and access for Latino families who live along the Los Angeles, Rio Hondo and San Gabriel rivers.

“We have been supported by Edison International from day one for the vision, community engagement and the opportunity to connect with peers in the environmental sector,” said Claire Robinson, managing director of the nonprofit. “This partnership is the longest-standing relationship of all the groups we work with."

A recent $50,000 grant from Edison International supported Amigos de los Rios’ goals of planting 175 trees and 2,000 shrubs, installation of green infrastructure retrofits and outdoor classroom spaces across eight public school campuses in Altadena, El Monte, La Puente and Pico Rivera.

Amigos de los Rios was honored with the community partnership award at Southern California Edison’s 13th annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. The event highlights Hispanic and Latino communities and business partners with the theme “¡Orgullo! (Pride!): Recognizing those who Empower Our Community.” SCE recognizes nonprofits that provide notable, long-standing, innovative and crucial services to the Hispanic and Latino community.

Although Amigos de los Rios predominantly partners with competitive state and county grants, Edison International has been one of its few corporate contributors since 2005, providing over $750,000. The nonprofit was co-founded by a former SCE employee who worked at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

The nonprofit’s vision of creating a sustainable environment in the face of climate change matched the company’s mission of reducing air pollution and climate risks. Edison International’s recent analysis, "Countdown to 2045: Realizing California’s Pathway to Net Zero", focuses on the race to meet the state’s net-zero greenhouse gas emission goals by 2045 and calls for policy changes and technology developments.

“It is important that the clean energy transition remains equitable and affordable for all customers. That’s why Edison International has partnered with local nonprofits to support our customers and communities for more than 135 years,” said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International. “It isn’t just monetary donations but volunteer hours, as well. More than 80% of our philanthropic giving is allocated to underserved and under-resourced communities.”

Designated Exceptional Services for Independence was honored with a Community Partnership award as well. Also recognized: California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce with the Gwen Moore Diversity award and the city of Downey with the Clean Energy Champion award.

View the recorded event at on.sce.com/hhm.

For more information about SCE’s clean energy activities, visit edison.com/cleanenergy