Pat Bates
Prior to her current environmental work, Pat Bates earned a PhD in Experimental Psychology/Biology at the University of Arizona, recycled to a 35 year CPA practice as a partner at a local Encino firm, continues forays into the art world, and is happiest working outdoors.The intersection of our fragile urban habitat and fire concerns in our community led her to a long relationship with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, whether helping with an LAFD native pollinator garden to advising on vegetation management to participating in disaster drills and preparation. In 2025 Pat was honored to be selected as the San Fernando Valley Fire Chief of the Year! The relationship established between the LAFD and local environmental stewards is one that will be nurtured and preserved. Pat is on the board of the San Fernando Valley Audubon Society (SFVAS, incorporated as California Audubon Society in 1906) and is currently the chair of the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Areas Steering Committee which is advisory to the City on Sepulveda Basin environmental matters. A major recent SFVAS accomplishment was, with $15,000 of SFVAS funds and with the help of the Los Angeles Mayor's office, Council District 6, the LAFD, Recreation and Parks and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, underwriting a pilot goat grazing project in the Sepulveda Basin, within environmental constraints including protection of birds. It took over 5 years of work for this type of project to be approved. It used 1,000 goats to clear over 39 acres of mostly non-native vegetation which would have been dangerously flammable later in the season. Subsequent work will evaluate the results of the graze, and it has cleared procedural hurdles for approval of this type of project. Infact, 500 of the goats went directly to a site in the west San Fernando Valley to continue their dining experience. Pat will take the reins as president of the SFVAS later this year, and plans to continue the hard work of her predecessors, and to strengthen relationships with the community and allied organizations, including the business community.