Saving Altadena: How One Sawmill Turned Burned Trees Into Recovery

The initiative is the subject of the inaugural episode of Nature, Incorporated, an audio documentary series from EagleVision Entertainment Corporation. Perry’s work serves as a blueprint for disaster response, shifting the focus from waste disposal to community reconstruction. By integrating his sawmill operations into the federal emergency framework, his team funneled timber that would have otherwise been relegated to mulch piles back into the hands of residents for flooring and structural use.

Perry, a Boston native who moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Hollywood, pivoted to arboriculture after discovering a fallen tree during a hike with his son. His mission now challenges the region’s heavy reliance on imported lumber, advocating instead for a deeper connection to local urban forests. Through the non-profit Angel City Reciprocity Project, the initiative continues to support those affected by the Eaton Fire. EagleVision’s new series aims to highlight similar unsung conservation efforts, inviting the public to share stories of grassroots environmental stewardship.