Column: This Altadena cemetery is also a ‘sanctuary’ for the living

On a chilly morning in January, Lauren Hamlett, our director of Wildlife Education and Services, greeted fellow nature enthusiasts at Mountain View Cemetery & Mortuary in Altadena. The sun was just coming up as the group headed out to look for signs of wildlife.

Over the next hour and a half, Lauren led a slow-paced walk through the cemetery. The group looped through the grounds, listening and watching for movement.

She helped the participants identify urban wildlife, pointing out birds...