SANTA MONICA—The he Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area will not be monitoring or updating their social media pages as a result of the federal government shutdown. Some National Park Service areas will be still accessible, but access is subject to change without notice. No National Park Services are currently being provided.

The National Park Service (NPS) released an alert stating that while some NPS trails and parks are open during the shutdown, others will remain closed. Paramount Ranch, Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa, Cheesboro/Palo Comado Canyons are the only NPS sites that will remain open. The Santa Monica Mountains Visitor Center is closed in the wake of the government shutdown. All other Santa Monica Mountains sites are still closed due to fire damage from the Woolsey wildfire.

The partial government shutdown occurred on Saturday, December 22, as a result of funding expiring for about a fourth of the federal government. It is unknown when the shutdown will end, and there is the potential for the shutdown to continue into the New Year. Agencies that are impacted in the partial government shutdown include National Parks, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), State Department Services, and Environmental and food inspections.

The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area encompasses Malibu beaches, hiking trails, and a number of Native American cultural sites. According to the National Park Foundation, the region is one of the largest protected areas of Mediterranean-type ecosystem with over 1,000 plant species and 500 mammal, bird, reptile, and amphibian species.