The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy has exciting options for the community during the month of June. Besides the Nature Walks and Restoration Activities, the Full Moon Walk and Nature Club for Kids is back. 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, volunteers are needed 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 Club for Kids will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the George F Canyon Nature Center. This will be a butterfly themed Nature Club where you can learn about the butterflies that live on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, do fun crafts, and go on a butterfly hike through the canyon. This event is free and suitable for ages 5 to 10.
Full Moon Walk will take place at George F Canyon Nature Preserve on Friday, June 21, 2024, starting at 8:30 p.m. You will join a naturalist guided hike on a moonlit trail to see nature’s nocturnal sights. This is for ages 8+ and is $12/person. Advance reservations are required. Space fill up quickly so don’t wait to sign up at pvplc.org/calendar.
Guided Monthly Walks
Family Nature Walk will take place at George F Canyon Nature Preserve on Saturday, June 1, 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 Forrestal Reserve will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. You will appreciate some of the best wildflower viewing and dramatic geological formations on the cliffs of this former basalt quarry. See the faults, folds and igneous intrusions visible in the sedimentary bedding. This is considered a moderate to strenuous walk. Sign up at: pvplc.org/calendar
Guided Family Nature Walk will take place at White Point Nature Preserve on Saturday, June 15, 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, June 8, 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, June 22, 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.
Outdoor Restoration Activities
Outdoor Volunteer Day at Alta Vicente Reserve will take place on Saturday’s June 1 & June 22, 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 White Point Nature Preserve will take place on Sunday’s June 2 & June 30, 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
Outdoor Volunteer Day at Abalone Cove Reserve will take place on Saturday, June 8, & Sunday, June 9, 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 Agua Amarga Reserve will take place on Saturday’s June 15 & June 29, 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.
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.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Conservancy is looking for volunteers who enjoy sharing their love of nature and the Peninsula, at community events held around the South Bay. Join the Community Outreach volunteer team to help engage our local community at events and greet participants at the free monthly guided nature walks. No experience is needed and a flexible schedule is available. For more information, contact Lynn Rotunno, at lrotunno@pvplc.org. This is open to ages 18+.
Become a Nature Education Docent
If you are interested in sharing your love of nature on the Peninsula with students either in the classroom or on field trips, or greeting visitors at one of two nature centers the Conservancy manages, perhaps you would like to become a volunteer education docent. For more information contact Holly Gray at hgray@pvplc.org. This great opportunity is open to ages 18+ and all training and materials provided.
Environmental Restoration Team Leader
The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy provides a leadership development opportunity to learn to lead small teams at Outdoor Volunteer Days. If you are interested in restoring wildlife habitat and like working with others, contact Susan Miles at smiles@pvplc.org to learn more. This is open to ages 16+.
To read my prior article on Palos Verdes Hikes and Trails, click here.
Photo of Great Valley Gumweed (which is available for purchase at the Native Plant Sale) courtesy of Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
