A five-year partnership between the L.A. Zoo and Outward Bound Adventures is aimed at restoring coast live oak woodland Thursday on 6 acres of zoo property.
Zoo officials will work with OBA, one of the oldest non-profits in the nation dedicated to outdoor education for underrepresented youth and families, on a career pathways project. Over the next five years, the two entities will recruit and hire field technicians to carry out the restoration program.
The Los Angeles Zoo Oak Woodland Restoration and Career Pathways Project will have a technical study for participants, which will involve habitat restoration, removal of invasive plants, native plant propagation, creating a native plant nursery, collecting data and studying soil maintenance, among other responsibilities.
“This unique partnership exemplifies the zoo’s commitment to furthering our mission to save wildlife, create connections to nature, and enrich our communities,” Jake Owens, the zoo’s director of conservation, said Wednesday. “The zoo is proud to serve as a safe, inclusive space by providing practical training opportunities for the communities we serve while working to protect our local environment.”
OBA will also offer opportunities for L.A.’s youth to volunteer and get involved.
“OBA is dedicated to providing outdoor education, conservation, and environmental learning expeditions for low-income, urban youth from diverse communities,” Charles Thomas, executive director for OBA, said in a statement. “As we face the critical challenges of climate change and other threats to our environment, it’s vital that people of all backgrounds have the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to contribute to meaningful conservation efforts and pursue careers in the environmental field.”
Officials say the project directly supports the 30×30 initiative, a global effort to protect 30% of the planet’s land and water by 2030.
OBA received a grant for the project from the California Wildlife Conservation Board, an independent board within the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, dedicated to wildlife conservation.
The 6-acre area the project will focus on is located on zoo grounds, bordered by approximately 4,000 acres of parkland in Griffith Park. The site contains a mixture of native plant species such as coast live oaks, California black walnut, toyon, elderberry and several invasive plants.
The project will get underway in the coming weeks, with updates provided on the zoo’s website and social media channels.