About the FoLAR Habitat Restoration Day/USACE Los Angles Division National Public Lands Day Event

Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) and their partners, the California Native Plant Society and the San Fernando Valley Audubon Society, will be collaborating with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) South Pacific - Los Angeles (SPL) division for a FoLAR Habitat Restoration Day/2024 National Public Lands Day. Volunteers will be participating in four activities throughout the “Together for Tomorrow” event. FoLAR will supply materials for volunteers to create and disperse seed balls in which a local native seed is wrapped in soil taken from the local basin. USACE SPL Park Rangers will lead efforts to remove litter from the area. With the help of the California Native Plant Society, volunteers will remove invasive mustard and learn about its impact on the basin ecosystem and why its removal is vital to restoring California’s native habitat. The San Fernando Valley Audubon Society will lead nature walks around the Wildlife Reserve inside the Sepulveda Dam basin.

Location

Check In/Staging Area: Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve Amphitheater, 6100 Woodley Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 91406

Time

The event begins at 8:00am and is expected to end at 12:00pm.

How to Sign Up

Please sign up for free through FoLAR's website at: https://folar.org/folar-event/habitat-restoration-sept2024/.

Each individual will also be required to complete a federal volunteer service agreement form (which you may download at https://www.gsa.gov/system/files/OF301A-21.pdf and complete #1-19 and #39-40 [Minors under the age of 18 will also need #28-38 completed by a parent/guardian] prior to arriving OR we will have blank copies available at the check in area the morning of the event). Turn these forms in to a USACE Park Ranger at check in.

Parking & Where to Meet

If you use Google Maps, type in Woodley Archery Range for the correct location.

If you use Apple maps, type in Woodley Park Archers for the correct location.

Parking: From I-405, exit at Victory Blvd. and head west on Victory Blvd. Turn left on Woodley Ave. and follow the blue line to enter the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve area. You may park at any of the four spaces circled in green on the map below. NOTE: Please do NOT park along the streets or block any entrances, as you may get a parking citation.

Where to Meet: Event check-in will be at the Amphitheater (marked with an orange star and "CHECK IN" on the map below).

Timing of Event Activities

1. Prior to 8:20am: Arriving volunteers will be directed to park at one of the four designated parking lots and then asked to check in at the staging area located at the Amphitheater. Federal Volunteer Service Agreement form 301a will be completed/signed/handed in to a USACE Park Ranger.
2. 8:20am: After completing event registration, volunteers will remain in the Amphitheater area. The whole group will be welcomed to the “Together for Tomorrow” event and receive PPE issues and safety briefings by Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) and USACE (Corps) staff. 
3. 8:30am: Volunteers will next be welcomed by the Corps SPL Commander and have a group photo taken. 
4. 8:45am-11:45am: Volunteers will be separated into four groups. FoLAR and Corps staff will lead each group to their designated starting areas and provide assistance, training and supervision as each group rotates to different areas for each activity. [NOTE: Assigned Corps and FoLAR staff will operate trucks and gas-powered Gator utility vehicles along the existing recreation trails in the area in order to provide logistical support to the volunteers, which includes delivery of water, first aid and emergency response, pickup and transport of filled trash bags, and removal of large trash items. These vehicles must stay on the existing trail and will not be allowed to drive off-trail except in the case of an emergency.]
5. 11:45am-12:00pm: At the conclusion of the event, volunteers will be redirected back to the staging area located at the Amphitheater for thanks and closing remarks by FoLAR and Corps staff.

What to Bring

*Refillable water bottle and snacks

*Sunscreen and hat

*Sturdy, closed-toe shoes

*Lightweight long pants (recommended)

*Lightweight long-sleeved shirt

*Binoculars (recommended for nature walk)

NOTE: Gloves and weeding tools will be provided. However, feel free to bring your own so that we don't run out!

 Questions

Please reach out to FoLAR by email at contact@folar.org or by phone at (323) 223-0585, or reach out to the USACE SPL Park Ranger by email at ParkRangersLA@usace.army.mil or by phone at (626) 401-4070.