The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy has exciting events for the community during the month of August. Besides the Nature Walks and Restoration Activities, Storytime Tails 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 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
Guided Nature Walk at Vicente Bluffs Reserve will take place on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. You will discover the bluff top from Point Vicente to Oceanfront Estates on this walk. The El Segundo blue butterfly habitat is also in this area which features beautifully restored coastal sage scrub. This is considered an easy walk. Sign up at pvplc.org/calendar.
Docent Orientation – Virtual – will take place on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Help share your love of nature to educate students and the public. No experience is required, and must be 18 + years of age.Sign up at pvplc.volunteerhub.com
Trail Crew Intro Training will take place on Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Hesse Park, in Rancho Palos Verdes. Learn about trail building and maintenance from a nationally recognized trail expert covering various techniques for erosion repair, building rock walls, proper pruning and more. No experience is required, but must be age 18 + over. Sign up at pvplc.volunteerhub.com
Nature Club for Kids will take place on Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the White Point Nature Education Center. This will be a Bird Themed Nature Club where you will observe birds in their natural habitat and do bird crafts. This event is free and suitable for ages 5 to 10.
Native Plant Sale will take place on Saturday, August 10, 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, August 24, 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.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Storytime Tails will take place on Sunday, August 11, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Join the group at the White Point Nature Center for fun stories about the cool critters that live in the nature preserve. Storytime includes crafts and hands-on activities. Recommended for ages 3-6 and their caregivers.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Team Leader Training will take place on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at White Point Nature Preserve. Become a Team Leader for Outdoor Volunteer Days. Team Leaders provide support and oversight during the events. If you love restoring habitat and working with others, this program is for you. This training will be delivered in an outdoor space. Please come prepared by wearing closed-toe shoes and bringing sun protections. All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age and register in advance to participate. Sign up at pvplc.volunteerhub.com
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Education Classroom Training: Part 1 – Tuesday, August 20, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Part 2 – Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This is a two part training where you will learn how to be a classroom docent for the 3rd grade Student Naturalist Program. No prior experience is necessary. Advance registration is required. Sign up at pvplc.volunteerhub.com
Guided Monthly Walks
Family Nature Walk will take place at George F Canyon Nature Preserve on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. At the preserve, naturalists will guide you along a trail 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. Sign up at pvplc.org/calendar.
Guided Family Nature Walk will take place at White Point Nature Preserve on Saturday, August 17, 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.
Outdoor Restoration Activities
Outdoor Volunteer Day at Alta Vicente Reserve will take place on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Help restore habitat (with beautiful views of Catalina Island) on the 22 acre restoration site to create a home for rare cactus wrens and ghatcatchers . Sign up at pvplc.volunteerhub.com
Outdoor Volunteer Day at Abalone Cove Reserve will take place on Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 9:15 a.m. to noon. Join the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy to volunteer on a breathtaking coastal reserve and help 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, August 11, 2024, and Saturday, August 17, 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 Agua Amarga Reserve will take place on Saturday, August 31, 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 in August 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 15 and up. Sign up at www.pvplc.volunteerhub.com.
Community Outreach 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.
Palos Verdes Environmental Restoration Team Leaders
The PVPLC 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, please contact Susan Miles at smiles@pvplc.org to learn more. Program is open to ages 16+. Training provided.
To read my prior article on Palos Verdes Hikes and Trails click here,
Photo of local cactus wren in their restored habitat courtesy of PVPLC
