PAST SPECIAL EVENTS
THE HELLMAN ACQUISITION, Updated August 11
One hundred acres at the Los Cerritos Wetlands have been protected by the acquisition of the former Hellman Ranch property which was completed in December 2010. The Los Cerritos Wetlands Stewardship Program will expand its program to include the Hellman Properties to help fund the management of the properties.
From left to right in the photo, they are: Representative and Agent for Hellman LLC Jerry Tone; State Assemblymember Bonnie Lownenthal; LCWA Chair Gary DeLong; Mayor of Seal Beach Mike Levitt; Coastal Conservancy Executive Officer Sam Schuchat; LCWA Boardmember Patrick O'Donnel; U.S.Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles Region Assitant Chief Daniel Sulzer and State Senator Alan Lowenthal
LOS CERRITOS WETLANDS LAND TRUST, Updated August 11
The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust was awarded a grant of $25,000 from the Community Wetland Restoration Grants Program 2011 to continue to fund the Los Cerritos Wetllands Stewardship Program through 2012. In addition, the funding will expand the community-based restoration efforts at Los Cerritos Wetlands to the newly purchased Hellman Ranch Lowlands, while restoring the plant community in 6 acres of alkali meadow in the Zedler Marsh restoration area. This work will be incorporated into a public program focused on wetlands education, community outreach, stewardship and conservation for the continued and long-term preservation and enhancement of the Los Cerritos Wetlands. The project will install coastal wetlands vegetation, control non-native plant species, remove thousands of pounds of debris, conserve rare plant populations, propagate wetlands plant species, and introduce non-traditional environmental constituents to these urban wetlands.
STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM INTERNS RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR WORK, Updated August 11
At its May 11, 2011 meeting, the Board of the Wetlands Authority presented certificates of appreciation to four Wetlands Stewardship Program Interns in recognition of their work on the Los Cerritos Wetlands: From left to right, they are:
- Lenny Arkinstall Jr.: Mr. Arkinstall has supported the Stewardship Program with leadership for 6 months throughout the critical time allotted by the limited planting season. In addition, he assisted in developing an instructive Cordgrass (Spartina foliosa) planting program at Zedler Marsh to determine best methods of installation within the unique hydrological characteristics of the San Gabriel River watershed.
- Peter Stearns: As one of the two Stewardship Program Naturalists, Mr. Stearns is responsible for many roles in the development of a successful and safe community-based restoration, including: program leadership, environmental education and work site supervision. In particular, he has taken on the responsibility of providing quality nature interpretation for all program participants and has exhibited an incredible ability to connect people with the Los Cerritos Wetlands.
- Courtney McCallum: Ms. McCallum has supported the Stewardship Program with leadership for 6 months throughout the critical time allotted by the limited planting season. In addition, she assisted with educational material development and outreach strategies.
- Whitney Graves: As one of the two Stewardship Program Naturalists, Ms. Graves is responsible for many roles in the development of a successful and safe community-based restoration, including: program leadership, growing space supervision and volunteer coordination. In particular, she has taken on the responsibility of ensuring propagated and young plants succeed in the harsh micro-climate of the habitat until planting.