This is a great example of involving the community, having a chance to participate in improving the environment, learning more about the area, and doing some work in the out of doors.

Volunteers Upper Newport Bay

Today I went for the “2nd Sunday” at the Upper Newport Bay.  This is an estuary area in Southern California.  They are replanting the area with native species that have been taken over by intruders. About 80 volunteers signed in and over 1200 plants were planted this weekend.  You can do the math on the number of person hours that this took – and a whole area is now covered with new plants and tiny flags to mark them.

People of all ages show up – lots of teenagers in groups from schools, some families, and people on their own.  You are provided with a shovel, gloves, and potted plants, and instructions. The park rangers were very friendly and thanking

Instructions on Planting

everyone for their help and giving guidance.  Lots of information available if you ask about the plants and about the area.  This type of volunteer involvement is very suitable for people who can’t make a commitment for regular volunteering and there is no need to sign up in advance. Just show up.  More info at their website.

Planting tools