Volunteers needed at Audubon Ballona Wetlands Education Program
[Posted by Chuck Almdale, submitted by Cindy Hardin]
Nature Nexus Institute has taken over the operation of Los Angeles Audubon’s school outreach program of school field trips to the Ballona Wetlands. Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society has helped support this organization for several decades.
Nature Nexus Institute is all about sharing and teaching local school children about the special habitats found right here in Los Angeles. They will be starting their six-week Fall Training on 16 September to get ready for school field trips to the Ballona Wetlands. Their tours take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All you need to be a volunteer is a love of the outdoors and the enthusiasm to work with school age aspiring nature lovers. Please contact Cindy Hardin at chardin@naturenexusinstitute.org or give her a call at 310-745-2118 if you are interested.
The following announcement is from them.
We are looking for Volunteers!
The sun is shining, August is starting to feel like a real August (not Fogust!) and the calls are starting to come in from teachers requesting field trip dates. We are rolling!! In order to prepare, our Fall Training will commence on Tuesday, September 16th. We have also had a change in our speaker schedule. The fabulous Tracy Drake, formerly of the Madrona Marsh and the City of Torrance, will be available to speak to our group. Tracy is one of the best interpreters of Nature that I have ever known, and as she is now in retirement, she has the time to come down and inspire the team. The new schedule is as follows:
Time: 9 am to noon, unless otherwise noted (see below)
Contact: Cindy Hardin, Ph/Text 310-745-2118, <chardin@naturenexusinstitute.org>
September 16th –Introductions and Wetland Ecology with Dr. John Dorsey
September 23rd – Birds and Birding with Ace Birder Walter Lamb
September 30th – Inspiring joy and Interpretation of Nature with Tracy Drake.
October 7th – Indigenous Knowledge and Practices with Matt Teutimez of the Kizh Gabrielino Nation
October 14th – Ecological Restoration and a Hopeful Future with Dr. Margot Griswold
October 21st – Bringing it all Together and Practical Considerations when Conducting School Field Trips
In addition, on our last day of Training, October 21st, we will have the folks from LiveScan on site at Ballona. A recently passed California Assembly Bill now requires that all personnel that work with children go through a process known as LiveScan. This is a background check, and if you have already gone through the process there is no need to do it again. However, if you have not (as some of you did come in mid-year and missed the first round) you will be able to do this on the 21st. The service is provided at no cost to you, and is a relatively quick procedure that will be done at the end of training on that day.
There is also an online training about being a Mandated Reporter, which is also required. NNI Staff Member Emily Cobar will be on site on 21st to assist in implementing LiveScan, and to help set you up for the Mandated Reporter training.
All sessions will go from 9 am to Noon, and take place at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve. The Reserve has no actual address. We use 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey, 90293. This is a Local Market and Deli (it’s actual name!) that is currently being renovated. There is a driveway immediately after the building that opens up into a large parking lot. The gate to the Reserve is located in the northeast corner of the lot. Please feel free to call me at 310-745-2118 if you have any suggestions, ideas, questions, or schools you might have in mind that could participate in one of our fabulous field trips.
Looking forward to working with all of you and the school children of Los Angeles — who are in dire need of some time in Nature!
Thanks,
Cindy
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