Yucca RopeLocal neighbors and Altadena hikers noticed big improvements over the summer at our Rubio and Millard Canyon nature preserves thanks to AFC’s collaboration with Outward Bound Adventures (“OBA”) and the City of Pasadena.

The City of Pasadena’s “Rose Program” paid for 5 young people, ages 14 to 18, to restore habitat on AFC properties during July & August.  OBA provided a supervisor through their “Careers in Conservation” program.  Tim Martinez, AFC’s new Program Administrator, taught them proper habitat restoration methods and oversaw their progress.

OBA’s innovative Careers in Conservation program gives local youth the chance to learn skills and gain experience for “green” jobs in conservation, and then arranges both temporary and permanent job opportunities. The City of Pasadena’s “Rose Program” provides Pasadena youth with enriching and constructive summer work experiences through placement in the public and private sectors.

Rachel Nannini of OBA led the crew of five young people who gained an excellent working knowledge of native and invasive plants, local history, ethnobotany, ecology, and a number of other useful skills and experiences while AFC’s Rubio & Millard Canyons got a summer facelift!

As part of daily service activities, overseen by Tim, the crew cleared a considerable stretch of trail in Rubio Canyon of plants that don’t belong, like invasive grasses and mustard, and planted a native garden. They also watered recently planted native trees in our Millard and Rubio Canyon nature preserves.

We are thrilled with the results of this collaborative effort and excited for upcoming visits by new groups of young people interested in careers in conservation. We like helping train the next generation of environmental stewards!