National Wildlife Federation/ San Diego County

Southern California is a ''hot'' spot

Jul 26, 2006

by Melinda Hughes, Manager, Volunteer Programs, National Wildlife Federation, Reston, Virginia

Melinda?’s visit established an important link of professional management interaction, awareness and personal goodwill. If you met her, you can?’t help but know she is solidly on your team!....Danial Flower (Managing Editor)

Southern California is a ?“hot?” spot_ at least as far as the NWF Habitat Stewards program. Recently, I had the pleasure of venturing to Southern California to catch-up with the San Diego County and Los Angeles NWF Habitat volunteers. Between the two locations, there are easily over 100 habitat volunteers outreaching to the public about the importance of native plants to wildlife.
There are so many projects happening around the region, a person could easily spend a month or two visiting them all. Unfortunately, I had only week. In writing this, I hope to share some of my experiences, and if you are ever fortunate enough to venture there, be sure to say ?“hello?” to the stellar NWF volunteers. Their enthusiasm is contagious.
We?’ll start in the Los Angeles area:
The second day I was in Southern California, I traveled a few hours north to Los Angeles. Habitat Steward Allan Pollack and his wife hosted lunch for me and Habitat Steward Hosts Greg Lee and Erika Rodriguez. We spend the afternoon talking about new things at NWF and brainstorming about what we could accomplish in Los Angeles, including how we could outreach to the Hispanic population. There is so much potential for outreach there.
We also talked about Thailand, where Host Greg Lee travels often to educational outreach and to empower rural families and rural communities to become sustainable and opens the door for future generations?’ children. Greg is planning a volunteer trip for winter 2007.
Thank you to Alan and wife, and Greg and Erika for taking the time to meet with me.
On to San Diego County where I spent most of the week:
San Diego County Habitat Stewards Garden Tour: The first day I was there I met up with the Habitat Stewards for their first ever garden tour. We ventured to quite a few homes with magnificent gardens with native plants abounding throughout. Several of the Steward?’s residences were featured along the tour including gardens of Hester Gillespie, George Yackey, Denise McKay, Connie Beck, Leta Benders, and Cissy Walters.
Encinitas Day: Tuesday, I spent the day with Davi Huffman, Habitat Steward Host and Community Wildlife Team Leader. Davi is Spearheading the monumental task of certifying Encinitas as a NWF Community Wildlife Habitat. We ventured all around Encinitas to several places including San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy and Quail Botanical Gardens.
Alpine Days: I got to spend quite a few of my days in Alpine, California, which is the first ever community to be certified a NWF Community Wildlife Habitat. The week I was there just happened to be during their 9th Annual Sage and Songbirds Festival. Among the events was a garden tour of six phenomenal gardens. My last day in Southern California, I spent the afternoon with the San Diego Habitat Stewards manning their booth at the Alpine Festival.

from Volunteer Spirit,July/August 2006, Volume 14, Issue 4
National Wildlife Federation Volunteer Newsletter