Baldwin Hills Conservancy Joins with National Wildlife Federation
for Habitat Steward Training Workshops

On behalf of the Baldwin Hills Conservancy, you are cordially invited to participate in a Habitat Steward™ Volunteer Training Workshop. The Conservancy will be hosting the second Los Angeles area National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward™ Volunteer Training workshop series. Earth Systems Science, Inc. will be leading the trainings. Trained Habitat Stewards™ help people in their community create and restore wildlife habitat in backyards, schoolyards and other private and public spaces.   
 

Habitat Stewards receive:

• A comprehensive, practical training manual including regional resources

• Advice and practical training from local conservation professionals

•  Information about water conservation and drought tolerant landscaping with CA native plants and coastal sage scrub, the plant community that once covered most of the Los Angeles basin (only 5-10% of coastal sage scrub remains relatively undisturbed)

•  Field trips and hands-on educational sessions with other community members
  After a year of service, you will receive recognition from the National Wildlife Federation including a free subscription to one of NWF’s magazines and other exciting gifts

No previous experience is necessary to participate in the workshop series. The workshops will be provided in a bilingual format (English and Spanish). Anyone interested in helping wildlife and his or her community is welcome to join, as well as anyone who has an interest in drought tolerant landscaping or creating a native butterfly and/or bird garden. The training series will be held at the Los Angeles Conservation Corps Eco Academy, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Kenneth Hahn State Recreational Area and Jim Gilliam Recreation Center.

The time commitment for the training is a total of 24 hours over a course of four consecutive Saturdays, October 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2004. We ask that Stewards make a commitment to attend all four sessions and to provide 50 hours of service to NWF within a year of completing their training, which is inclusive of a 25 hour commitment to habitat restoration, interpretation or similar projects centered in and around the Baldwin Hills. A small sampling of the projects NWF Stewards have accomplished includes:

• Consulting with neighbor about filling habitat needs in their backyard

• Speaking at civic association meetings about the importance of wildlife habitat

• Writing articles for local newspapers

• Distributing habitat information at a local festival

The cost for the workshop series is $35.00, payable to Earth Systems Science, Inc. and the deadline to register is Thursday, September 30. The maximum enrollment allowed is 30 persons on a first-come, first-served basis. >> Click here to download the Habitat Steward application in PDF format. >>  Please call Wendy Talaro and give your name, address, phone number(s) so that a spot will be reserved for you. Bring your completed application and check in person to the October 2^nd meeting of the Habitat Steward training at the Eco Academy. Please remember to arrive 15-30 minutes early to allow for registration.

Please indicate if you anticipate working with minors in any future volunteer work as a Habitat Steward.

Earth Systems Science, Inc. (ESSI) to Assist BHC Staff. Earth Systems Science Inc. (ESSI) staff volunteers will be assisting Baldwin Hills Conservancy staff in conducting the workshop series.

Training will focus on the Baldwin Hills / Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area. ESSI and BHC staff will be adapting workshop lessons to the local site. Each workshop will consist of a morning "classroom" session and an afternoon outdoor practicum for "hands-on" training.

Make check out to "Earth Systems Science, Inc." and complete the registration form (e.g. NWF Habitat Steward Volunteer Application form
 

Who: Anyone interested in volunteering to help wildlife and their community, in addition to learning to landscape with native plants

When: October 2, 9, 16, 23 (must attend all four days)

Where: October 2^th Los Angeles Conservation Corp Eco Academy Clean and Green Central Office:    Directions to 1403 S Union Ave Los Angeles, CA 90015-3205

Where: October 9^th Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Directions to 6301 Hetzler Rd Culver City, CA 90232

Where: October 16^th Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area Directions to 4100 S La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90056-1100

Where: October 23^th Jim Gilliam Recreational Center Directions to 4000 S La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90008-2072

Training fee: $35

Bring: Brown bag lunch, shoes/clothes for outdoor activities

Additonal Information
NWF Habitat Steward Volunteer Application Form
NWF Volunteer Acknowledgement Form
NWF Habitat Steward Intro
Get Prepared for the Workshop
NWF Volunteer Handbook
Urban Wildlife Habitat Programs
Training Questions: Post it in the Discussion Area
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Baldwin Hills Conservancy
Habitat Steward Key Contacts & Workshop Locations Flier

Questions, phone registration and last-minute concerns? Please call me at (310) 558-5594 or
e-mail at wendy.talaro@bhc.ca.gov

See you there!

Best Regards,

Wendy Talaro
Interpreter/Naturalist
Baldwin Hills Conservancy
3578-C Eastham Drive
Culver City, CA 90232
310.558.5594 office
310.558.5598 fax
www.bhc.ca.gov