Earth Systems Science, Inc.

Workday for Wildlife: Celebrating the Expo Greenway

Nov 28, 2004

Thanks to the persistence of Stephanie Stowell and Nicole Fernandes (National Wildlife Federation), funds were secured through a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to hold an event called ?“Workday for Wildlife?” to celebrate the Expo Greenway.

The Expo Greenway was a local neighborhood project to convert a junk-infested abandoned rail line into an urban green space. The project focused on planting 2500 trees along the abandoned line from Exposition Blvd in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles from Crenshaw Blvd to La Brea Ave. Nearly seven years later, some of the trees are 40 feet high.

But the aspirations of some of the neighbors went even higher. Patrick McCullough, one of the spark plugs for the Greenway project got trained as an Urban Forester by TreePeople. He and a neighbor, Flo Williams, recently got certified as a National Wildlife Federation Habitat Stewards. Supported by other CEENC (Community Environmental Education Networking Cooperative) members (Earth Systems Science, Inc.; Los Angeles Conservation Corps-EcoAcademy and Clean and Green Teams; and Sports Spectacular Inc.) and the National Wildlife Federation, a plan was set in motion to expand the effect of the Greenway into residential backyards.

Workday for Wildlife consisted of exhibits on environmental themes, workshops to introduce backyard habitats, local birds, insects and butterflies, children?’s activities (making bird houses, bird feeders, etc.) and planting two demonstration gardens using native plants to attract local birds and butterflies.

The Workday for Wildlife culminated with the presentation of a National Wildlife Federation Certificate of Exceptional Merit presented to the Exposition Neighbors Community Habitat. The certificate recognizes the efforts of the Exposition Neighbors in establishing the demonstration community gardens in an ongoing effort to educate communities on environmental issues and sustainable practices. This is certificate is one of a limited number issued by the NWF.

This community event was a demonstration of synergy (where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts). At ESSI, we have always maintained that Networking is much better than not working. This event was several months in the making. ESSI strives to serve Youth, the Environment, and Sustainability (Y.E.S.). This event could not have taken place nor could it have been successful without many helping hands and hearts. Among those who said ?“Y.E.S.?” in helping us make Workday for Wildlife a success are:

Clarice and David Albert: They ?“donated?” pine cones from their yard to ESSI to be ?“re-used?” as seed bird feeders (which can be recycled as mulch). (Note: Clarice was a volunteer on the first Thailand project in 1999 that led to the current ESSI Thailand project for summer 2005.)

The Baldwin Hills Conservancy: Wendy Talaro hosted the second NWF Habitat Steward Training class in Los Angeles that produced a second group of Habitat Steward Volunteers to participate in the Workday for Wildlife. BHC also loaned us 6 tripod easels for the event.

C & S Nursery: Santiago Rosales has continuously supported the Expo Neighbors community efforts---from the original Expo Greenway project to hosting a Habitat Steward training workshop, and for this event, providing generous donations of plants, mulch, and other materials.

City of Los Angeles/Bureau of Sanitation: Thanks for providing the recycling bins for the event, and for sharing your information with the Expo Neighborhood.

County of Los Angeles/Smart Gardening: Thanks for providing the Sustainable practices workshop and Smart Gardening iformation.

The DJs: Doug Sugimoto helped in the area of the sound equipment and facilitating the audio portion of the program by generously donating time and energy to our event. We also thank Stephany Payne for providing MC services above and beyond her event duty assignments.

Ecostation: A gracious salute to the EcoStation team for providing the third critical habitat element---shelter. Thanks for the generous use of all the tents, tables, and chairs (especially the large White Tent for the children?’s activities).

Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 for their generous financial support through a grant for Workday for Wildlife

ESSI Volunteers: Earth Systems Science Inc has the great fortune to have dedicated and hardworking volunteers putting in many long hours of work. Hats off to Erika Rodriguez & Alex Arboleda and their son Andrew facilitated the Children?’s Tent activities and to Tatsunori Ikeda for helping with photography. Cynthia Guthrie for her help with the native plants for the demonstration garden. Their service to ESSI and the community cannot be measured in dollars but is valuable beyond measure. Special thanks to Saifon Lee for her tireless efforts in providing logistic support, planning the demonstration gardens and coordinating the plant selections and purchases.

The Expo Neighborhood: Thanks to all who attended and gave us an opportunity to empower you to make your neighborhood a sustainable habitat.

Habitat Steward Volunteers: Expo-ESSI facilitated 2 Habitat Steward Volunteer training classes in Los Angeles in 2004. Volunteers from both classes turned out to support this event. Other volunteers gave generously of their time to help set up tents, tables, chairs, staff booths, help with registration, children?’s activities, install the demonstration gardens. Special mentions goes to: Garry George for volunteering to do presentations in workshops and at this event. Clifford & Gracie Neuman for helping out overall and especially in the Children?’s Tent. John Lee and Stratton Braun---who put in two very long days of hard work setting up and clearing up for the event.
Los Angeles City Councilman Martin Ludlow ?– for his office?’s support of this event and contribution of the podium/audio system, portable toilets, and recycling bins---enabling us to demonstrate sustainable practices in the habitat event.

Heal the Bay: For sharing their environmental message with the Expo Neighbors residents.

The Los Angeles Conservation Corps: To Bruce Saito, Laura Grenholm (Pico/Union EcoAcademy), Irene Lopez, Tanya, Victor, Filipe (Clean & Green Leaders) and all the Clean & Green and the EcoAcademy students (and the many other LA Conservation Corps members) who played a part in preparing and cleaning up for the event---a grateful salute and congratulations on a job very well done. Some of them wore the NWF Ranger Rick character costume during the event. My college students didn?’t know what to make of the ?“wee green folk?” that appeared out of the two Clean & Green vans on Friday to help with the set up. The discipline and hard work by that ?“green whirlwind?” totally amazed the college students. ?“I totally underestimated them,?” commented one of the college students. ?“They worked harder and faster than we did!?” said another. Other LACC folks moved a huge inventory of tools on site for the effort. EcoAcademy students made posters for the demo garden area explaining the habitat elements?—food, water, shelter/places for young. EcoAcademy students also participated in the first two Habitat Steward Volunteer training classes in Los Angeles. (Note: The LACC was involved in the original Expo Greenway project.)

Los Angeles Police Department: To Stephany Payne, hats off and sincere thanks for the connects with the LAPD. Many of the officers attending were performing well beyond the call of duty. Some were volunteering on their day off. Others stayed far longer than the perfunctory duty assignment. We appreciate your interest and support to the community as a whole and the Expo Neighborhood event in particular.

Mel?’s Fish Market: Georgette Powell, a neighbor, friend, and ESSI Board member, who, like her father before her, believes in the Expo Neighborhood, heart and soul. She helped provide the two most vital habitat elements?—food and water. After the event, she generously provided food for the clean up work crew---and she is ready to help us to do MORE!

The National Wildlife Federation: Nicole and Stephanie, identified the Environmental Protection Agency grant and introduced the Workday for Wildlife project to the Expo Neighbors and ESSI. They wrote the grant and pursued it through various revisions with the EPA. They also brought in NWF resources to further the cause.

Orchard Supply Hardware, which donated a $200 gift certificate to purchase garden related materials and other goods.

Orcon/Organic Control: Paula White for donating ladybird beetles and a kid?’s activity. The children are our future---and a critical link in a sustainable neighborhood.

Pasadena City College Geography students: It is amazing what happens when the spark of community service takes hold. Yes, the initial interest may have been created by ?“extra credit?” incentives in class. But the overall heart revealed in their efforts is undeniable. Many came to the Expo Neighborhood for the first time---some lived in LA all their lives but never ventured to this part of the city. Others reconnected with their past by returning to the area of their childhood memories. Thanks for making the effort and for giving me the chance to present opportunities for you to learn more about the world both outside and inside of your hearts and minds. I hope that the tuition you pay in time and effort will yield untold and immeasurable benefit in your lives.

San Diego NWF Hosts/Stewards: To Connie Beck and Davi Huffman (and husband/assistant Mark) who made the long drive up from San Diego to join and assist us with workshop presentations and staffing the NWF booth---many thanks for the chance to network with you. John Hogan made the contact with Tree of Life Nursery and transported the purchased plants to the Expo Neighborhoods. With the NWF office closure, Patrick and I feel the need to network is greater, and the synergy to be gained is greater than any of us can imagine. Thanks to Nicole and Stephanie for facilitating all of us coming together.

Sport Spectacular Inc.: To Jim Hawkins, Sport Spectacular Inc, founder and driving force---and a dear friend and ever faithful supporter of Expo Neighbors and ESSI Board member, words can not describe the many actions you have taken to guide and nurture us along. You are THE pillar of the community. Often quite, silent, and behind the scenes, you?’ve always been there for us.

Theodore Payne Nurseries: Thanks for having their annual native plant sale and providing a discount for purchasing the native plants for the demonstration gardens. Special thanks to Cynthia Guthrie for her many volunteer hours sharing native plant information and helping with the demonstration gardens.

Tree of Life Nursery: For allowing us to purchase native plants at wholesale prices for the demonstration gardens.

TreePeople: Anyd Lipkis has been a long standing source of inspiration to Patrick?—who got trained as an Urban Forester through TreePeople. Steve Hofvendahl coordinated the TreePeople plant donations and loan of tools for the day?’s effort. (Note: TreePeople was also involved in the original Expo Greenway project and was a prime mover in the founding of the LACC.)

Wildlife Care of Ventura County: Thanks for bringing some ?“wildlife?” to the neighborhood. Alan Pollack, who coordinated the booth, was trained by Expo-ESSI in the first Habitat Steward Volunteer workshop in Los Angeles. He is now very active in helping others to garden for Wildlife and seems to have found a new calling in life.