Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area - Notes to the Crew (U.S. National Park Service)

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is a part of our National Park System, just like Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Statue of Liberty. Here, the National Park Service protects natural and cultural resources, and tells the story of the relationship between the Southern California landscape and the American motion picture and television industries. When you work here, you are part of that story, carrying on a tradition that extends back to the days of silent movies.

The Public is Invited:

    * It is also important for you to know that the public is invited to come and watch you work. To the public, you ARE the production industry. How you conduct your business, and how you treat the site, reflect your attitude toward your industry and your profession. Please help us preserve the Santa Monica Mountains not only for future generations of National Park visitors, but for future production as well.
    * This is a family setting, please use appropriate dress, demeanor and language. You are expected to treat residents and neighbors with courtesy and professionalism.

National Park Resources are Protected:

    * Remember that quiet and dark night skies are resources protected in NPS sites. Turn off engines as soon as possible, keep radios and stereo volume down, and avoid directing lights beyond your immediate work area.
    * The speed limit is 15 miles per hour. NO EXCEPTIONS. When driving on dirt roads, or when near pedestrians, reduce your speed to less than 10 miles per hour.
    * You may not cut vegetation, move rocks or other resources, or dig holes without specific approval from the National Park Service.
    * Smoking is prohibited in buildings or confined areas, on boardwalks, or in brush areas. If you must smoke, do so only in designated areas and use the butt can. If there is no butt can near you, DON'T SMOKE.

Keep the Park Clean:

    * You are responsible for the proper disposition of anything you pick up. This includes beverage containers, condiment packets, stirrers, and napkins. It also includes gaffer's tape, safety pins and all other work related items.
    * You are expected to recycle glass aluminum and beverage containers. Your production company must provide you with containers for collecting recyclables. For your health, you should drink water throughout the day. Drink all the water in the water bottle, and put the empty bottle in the designated recycle container.

You are Working in the Home of Plants and Animals:

    * Avoid problems with our native animals. Keep all food covered, and keep the lids on trash cans and recycle containers.
    * Yellowjackets (bees) are attracted to meat, sweets and dairy products. Check food before you put it in your mouth, and dispose of paper plates, bones and soda cans in covered trash cans ONLY. Yellowjackets rarely sting, but they are very pesky.
    * If you are concerned about insects, use a repellant lotion directly on your skin. Sprays are not allowed.

For Additional Information Ask the Ranger