Earth Systems Science, Inc.

Education Happenings: First Habitat Stewards Trained in L.A.

Jul 01, 2004

The first-ever group of Habitat Stewards volunteers was trained this past spring in Los Angeles. A variety of youth and adult volunteers representing various environmental and community organizations--including the Los Angeles Conservation Corps -- EcoAcademy (LACC), Baldwin Hills Conservancy, Esperanza Community Housing Corporation (ECHC), the Expo Neighbors Environmental Group, and Earth Systems Science, Inc. (ESSI)--took part in the event.

Participants learned about essential gardening for wildlife concepts, including how to attract birds, insects, and other animals to gardens; how to create water sources; basic soil testing, conserving water conservation, and other sustainable landscaping practices. They also learned about site surveying, preparation, and planting as well as NWF resources, including the online field guide, eNature.com. Nicole Fernandes, NWF's assistant coordinator for regional education, presented on the Backyard Wildlife Habitat program, while Stephanie Stowell, senior manager for regional education, presented on the Schoolyard Habitats program.

Participants put their newly acquired skills into practice at ECHC's Mercado La Paloma site, where they conducted a site inventory, assessing existing vegetation and other features. ECHC's wildlife garden is currently being established with the help of the surrounding community. New volunteers also conducted a Schoolyard Habitats inventory at LACC's EcoAcademy, an innovative high school for young people who have not found success in the traditional educational system. The academy teaches environmental stewardship through work-study projects and a unique five-part curriculum. Students plan on creating a butterfly Schoolyard Habitats garden in front of their school as part of a school-wide project.

All of the skills learned in the workshop will be used by the Habitat Stewards when they assist their fellow community members in establishing or restoring wildlife habitats in homes, businesses, places of worship, schools and other community places. Since Los Angeles has the least amount of green and open space of any metropolitan area in the country, they should provide a much needed service in their respective communities.
Another Habitat Stewards training is being planned for Los Angeles this fall. If you are interested in participating in this training or obtaining assistance from a Habitat Steward in creating your wildlife habitat, please contact Greg Lee at geog30@juno.com.

(c) 2004 National Wildlife Federation. All rights reserved. Reprinted from the current issue of the Western Sage Newsletter in whole with permission of the National Wildlife Federation Western Natural Resource Center.

Photo (c) 2004, ESSI. All rights reserved. Photo by Saifon Lee.

[ESSI Editorial Note: Readers familiar with the National Parks Conservation Association (NOCA) and its affiliate The Los Angeles Community Partners (LACP) may recognize member groups in this training activity (in alpha order): Earth Systems Science, Inc., Esperanza Community Housing Corp., Expo Neighbors Environmental Group, Los Angeles Conservation Corps (Pico-Union EcoAcademy), and Sports Spectacular USA. As Habitat Stewards, these organizations constitute the informal Community Environmental Education Networking Cooperative (abbreviated CEENC and pronounced "scenic". Their website is www.neighborhoodlink.com/org/ceenc. Watch for future LA area collaborations among these folks!]