The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy has exciting options for the community this month of May. Many of the preserves and the Nature Centers are open, but it would be a good idea to check the website to make sure your hiking path has not been damaged by the recent rains or land movement. Also in order to keep all these areas open, they need volunteers to help restore and maintain the beauty of Palos Verdes. Today in the Volunteer Activities you can find additional opportunities to help our reserves.
Special Events
Nature & Me Storytime at George F Canyon Nature Center will take place on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Join the Palos Verdes Library District for stories, songs, and rhymes at George F Canyon Nature Center located at 27305 Palos Verdes Dr E, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274. This event is recommended for ages 2-5. No reservations required.
Nature Club for Kids will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the White Point Nature Education Center. This will be a rock and fossil themed Nature Club where you can learn about being a geologist and paleontologist while doing fun activities and crafts. This event is free and suitable for ages 5-10.
Guided Monthly Walks
Family Nature Walk will take place at George F Canyon Nature Preserve on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. At the preserve, naturalists will guide you along a trail through the preserve to discover a unique variety of wildlife in their canyon habitat (with amazing views of the LA Basin). Meet on the back patio of the Nature Center and come inside to explore after the hike. Park in the Preserve lot located at 27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills Estates. If raining, the event will be cancelled. Sign up at pvplc.org/calendar.
Guided Nature Walk at Linden H. Chandler will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Get ready to experience this 28-acre nature preserve with blooming native plants. This restored habitat is home to the endangered Palos Verdes blue butterfly. This is considered a moderate walk. Sign up at: pvplc.org/calendar
Guided Family Nature Walk will take place at White Point Nature Preserve on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Naturalists will guide you along a trail (with amazing views across to the ocean) to discover a unique variety of wildlife in their coastal sage scrub habitat. Meet in front of the Nature Center and come inside to explore after the hike. Preserve parking available at the end of the street in a gravel lot at 1600 West Paseo del Mar, San Pedro. Sign up at pvplc.org/calendar.
Native Plant Sale will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at George F Canyon from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Create your own butterfly garden with a beautiful native plant from the Palos Verdes Peninsula. A native plant expert will give you a professional tips on creating a garden way station which will become a home for local species. George F Canyon is located at 27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills Estates. White Point Nature Education Center will also be having their Native Plant Sale on Saturday, May 25, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to noon for another opportunity to get native plants. White Point Nature Education Center is located at 1600 Paseo del Mar, San Pedro.
Volunteer Activities
Outdoor Volunteer Day at Alta Vicente Reserve will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 9:00 to noon. You can help restore habitat on the 22 acre restoration site to create a home for rare cactus wrens and gnatcatchers while enjoying beautiful views of Catalina Island. Sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com.
Outdoor Volunteer Day at Agua Amarga Reserve will take place on Saturday, May 11 & Sunday, May 25, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Help remove invasive weeds and care for a community restoration site to benefit wildlife. Sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com.
Special Mother’s Day Outdoor Volunteer Day will take place on Sunday, May 12, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Join volunteers at White Point Nature Preserve for a special Mother’s Day event. Not only will they be cleaning seeds, planting native plant species and/or removing invasive non-native plants to restore and improve critical habitat for wildlife, but also will beautify outdoor natural space for the community. Additionally, they will have a fun, family friendly craft/activity to celebrate moms and mom-like figures in our lives. Sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com.
Outdoor Volunteer Day at Abalone Cove Reserve will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Join the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy to volunteer on a breathtaking coastal reserve helping restore wildlife habitat. Students can receive community service hours. Sign up at pvplc.volunteerhub.com
Outdoor Volunteer Day at White Point Nature Preserve will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Join volunteers at White Point Nature Preserve as they work to maintain the preserve’s restoration area of native plant species to improve critical habitat for wildlife at the preserve, and beautify outdoor natural space for the community. Sign up at pvplc.volunteerhub.com
Support Community Outreach
Help to support the Conservancy by providing leadership and oversight during Outdoor Volunteer Days, If you love restoring habitat and working with others, this program is for you. This is for ages 16+ and you must be available to volunteer on Saturday and/or Sunday mornings. Contact Susannah Miles at smiles@pvplc.org if interested.
Become a Nature Education Docent
If you are interested in sharing your love of nature on the Peninsula with students and nature center visitors, contact Holly Gray for more information at hgray@pvplc.org.
Volunteer with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Rapid Response Team on Fridays & Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Work alongside the field staff to help protect important wildlife habit. Help with trail maintenance, fence building, installing signage and more. Students can receive community service hours. No experience is needed. Must be 16 and up. Sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com.
To read my prior article on Palos Verdes Hikes and Trails, click here.
Photo of Mother’s Day at White Point Nature Preserve
