Seeds of Change: Empowering At-Risk Youth in Restoring Wildlife Habitat

Green Space, Park Access, and Trees

Applying a proven model or solution to a new issue or sector (e.g., using a job recruiting software or strategy to match clients to supportive housing sites, applying demonstrated strategies from advocating for college affordability to advocating for housing affordability and homelessness, etc.)

This program addresses multiple challenges faced by at-risk youth and the environment. It tackles the lack of opportunities for these youth by providing them with paid work opportunities, fostering personal development, and skill-building. Additionally, it aims to bridge the gap between youth and nature, promoting a stronger connection and understanding of the environment. By focusing on native plant cultivation and habitat restoration at the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, the program addresses the problems of habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss in the Santa Monica Mountains. It empowers youth to contribute to creating a habitat corridor and enhancing ecosystem health. Moreover, the program promotes community engagement, allowing at-risk youth to actively participate in environmental stewardship and contribute positively to their communities.

The SAMO Fund would coordinate with LAUSD educators to recruit students (15+) and recent graduates (within the last 5 years), primarily from Title 1 and underserved areas, to sign up for paid, mentored shifts at the Liberty Canyon Crossing Plant Nursery to grow and propagate the native plants needed to protect wildlife as it crosses the 101 on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing upon completion. Transportation would be arranged from various LAUSD locations to the nursery. This ongoing program provides work shifts for up to 24 youths every Saturday, potentially up to 288 youths in total, providing participants with hands-on training in plant propagation, cultivation techniques, invasive plant removal, and soil preparation. Practical tasks, including seed collection, processing, and plant care, engage participants in real-world experiences. Skill development is emphasized and experienced leaders and nursery staff serve as mentors, guiding participants and fostering leadership skills and growth.

The successful implementation of the program would lead to changes in LA County. Wildlife habitats would flourish as the program finalizes the habitat corridor over the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, supporting diverse species and enhancing biodiversity. Environmental awareness would increase as participants gain a deeper understanding of conservation, leading to a more environmentally conscious community. The program equips at-risk youth with valuable skills and opens doors to job opportunities in the agricultural, nursery, or conservation industries, contributing to their personal growth and economic prospects. The program also fosters community engagement, bringing together stakeholders to work collaboratively towards environmental goals. Finally, it promotes sustainable landscaping practices, inspiring the adoption of eco-friendly approaches throughout the county. Overall, these outcomes would create a more vibrant, environmentally aware, and sustainable LA County.

This program is built on the success of our existing Oxnard Youth Ecologists (OYE) program that serves Latinx high school students from LA and Ventura, providing them with habitat restoration job skills through the Monarch and Milkweed Native Plant Nursery program. By offering opportunities for underserved youth to gain experience in conservation and public land management, OYE addresses the need for diverse educational and employment opportunities in these areas. This program would also address this need, focusing on plants and their effects on native wildlife populations. Its impact would be measured through key indicators, including youth participation, skill development in plant identification and propagation, restoration site maintenance, invasive plant control, and native planting. Ecological impact and participant feedback are collected to evaluate the program's effectiveness in addressing the identified problems and empowering underserved youth in environmental conservation.

The SAMO Fund provides administration, fundraising support, and grant management for programming. SAMO staff help to recruit and train program participants and coordinate transportation. The National Park Service provides educational and staff leadership to manage the team and the program on the ground. Nursery staff will manage/support the participants and teach them skill development tasks. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is currently under construction over the 101. They have contracted with Living Habitats LLC to design the crossing and the plantings necessary to connect an integral wildlife corridor. When complete, it will be the largest in the world, the first of its kind in CA, and will serve as a global model for urban wildlife conservation.