CURRENT NEWS

February 2004

David Myers and Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich

On February 10, 2004, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors presented David Myers, Executive Director of The Wildlands Conservancy, an Appreciation Scroll in thanks for their work with disadvantaged children and for their donation of a children's camp to Los Angeles County Education Foundation.

Supervisor Antonovich stated, "In 2002, The Wildlands Conservancy, through its funding for children's programs, purchased Grace Valley Ranch for $3.1 million in an effort to increase the numbers of low-income children being provided with free outdoor education, having currently provided free programs for 236,380 kids since 1998.

In 2003, The Wildlands Conservancy generously donated the 183-acre camp with $1.2 million for capital improvements and programs to the los Angeles County Education Foundation to establish Blue Sky Meadow Science Institute.  Terms of this donation included good stewardship of the land and a provision that 25% of the children attend free of cost.

The Blue Sky Meadow Science Institute provides a permanent, year-round home for the Los Angeles County Outdoor Science School.  The Outdoor Science School provides students of Los Angeles County an opportunity to investigate, experiment and experience the wonders of nature."

Monies donated to FUNdKIDS in Los Angeles County is used to pay for disadvantaged children to attend the camp.

December 2003

The Wildlands Conservancy (TWC) has participated by being a major sponsor in a collaborative effort for an earn-a-bike program. TWC provided the cost for 240 bikes, helmets, and locks to be given to disadvantaged children.  Two future programs are being planned with TWC funds.  The Riverside County agencies involved included Regional Park and Open Space District, City of Riverside Park and Recreation Department, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Riverside School District, and Alvord School District.

The children reported to assigned work crews where the clean-up activities included raking leaves, planting Holly Oaks along the Santa Ana River bike trail, and various plantings including flowers throughout Fairmont Park.  TWC provided educational activities for the children during their breaks throughout the program.  Each of the four locations had a water feature (lake, stream, inlet, or outlet).  The activities included tree and flower planting, build a tree game, tree ring studies, and plant uses; a water and lake station so the children could learn about earth as the ultimate filter, water cycle, and local water origins; and a bird station where the children learned about local birds through the use of puppets, bird calls, and bird beak and feet adaptations.

This was a successful program with a large turn-out.  Whether it be receiving a bike or enjoying the shad of a tree or beauty of a flower they helped plant; this program taught the children that a good deed does not go un-rewarded.  We all win when the community works together to help the environment.

November 2003 - Fire Update

The Wildlands Conservancy (TWC) is working with the Outdoor Educa-Tours, Thousand Pines Outdoor School, which has recently been displaced due to the recent California fires.  Thousand Pines, located in Crestline, is a fee-based program, however, TWC, at their Oak Glen facility, is accommodating their afternoon program and offering the loan of equipment and the site at no cost to them.  Because of the quick planning of both program coordinators, several hundred children will be able to have their first outdoor experience in nature for a program that otherwise would have been cancelled.

The fire had a limited effect on the Outdoor Discovery Program located at Oak Glen.  Some schools had to cancel and reschedule for a later date due to closings associated with the fire.  TWC is back on track and ready to complete another year of providing programs at no cost to disadvantaged youth.

Good News - Both TWC's Camp Bluff Lake and Grace Valley Camp (recently given to Los Angeles County Schools) located in the Big Bear area escaped the recent California fires.  We will have a news release on the Grace Valley gift later this year.

September 2003

On Monday, September 22, 2003, Supervisor Michael Antonovich along with Joseph Edmiston of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy dedicated the new 2,000+/- acre Michael D. Antonovich Regional Park in the San Fernando Valley.

June 2003

The Outdoor Discovery Program (ODP) is a full 5-1/2 hour field trip experience so that each child will have a chance to learn, explore and gain a new respect for nature while having fun.  In our inaugural year, we will have serviced over 8,000 students at no cost, with many schools receiving free bus transportation.  The program is open to all third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade classes in Riverside and San Bernardino County schools.

We offer what we refer to as a S.A.F.E. experience.  We stress Safety, Adventure, Fun, and an Educational encounter.  The curriculum for each grade closely aligns to the California Science Content Standards.

After a first visit at the Oak Glen Preserve, many children expressed their experience:  "You made me open my eyes." "I learned a lot." "Now I know what lichen is and I can point it out on trees when I see it." "The trails were so nice that I wish I could walk the trail every day." "I might go again on a weekend because my mom, dad, and brother want to see what I saw yesterday." "Thank you for the trip, I want to go again."

Many teachers wrote thank you letters and had this to say: "Your program was very well organized." "The activities themselves were both entertaining and educational; they go well with our state standards, too!" "My class had a wonderful time and learned so much." "I am already looking forward to taking my next class."

June 2003

Wind Wolves Preserve Outdoor Education Program Update

It was a great school year!  During the 2002-2003 school season, Wind Wolves Preserve provided outdoor education fieldtrips and overnight camp programs for 14,682 students from 94 schools  Of these students, 7,745 were from low-income schools and received essential transportation subsidies that allowed them to experience a day or more of fun at Wind Wolves.  These subsidies also made it possible for us to provide tents, stoves, lanterns and bottled water for visiting disadvantaged students.

Wind Wolves continues to provide weekend programs to youth groups such as Girl and Boy Scouts of America, YMCA  and municipal Parks and Recreation.  This summer Wind Wolves will be hosting programs for Kern County Mental Health students (three days a week for 10 weeks), Kern County summer school classes, YMCA and Cal State Bakersfield's NOVA students from Japan.

Here is what students and teachers have to say about Wind Wolves Preserve's Outdoor Education Programs:

"I enjoyed the Wind Wolf Preserve.  I cam on the bus thinking it would be an average trip.  I got off the bus and smelled the spring air.  Birds chirping told me this was a good place." - Riley, Gorman School Student

"You did well guiding us through the trails, but what I like the best was climbing the hill and the view.  The things were pretty, especially the river where we did the project.  Thank you again for all you did." - Jose, Rio Bravo - Greeley School Student

"Thank you for teaching us about the water cycle.  It was cool when the lizard was doing push-ups and when the frog was making noise.  I even want to thank you for teaching us all those hard words." - Fabiola Benitez, Fremont Elementary School Student

"Thank you for all the fun.  Thank you for showing me the instruments that the Indians made, and for letting us eat wild cherries and smash acorn, and showing us the boats." - Eliseo Morales, Amy Siebert Elementary School Student

"The hands-on activities leave life long impressions and memories for the children and adults.  The over-night stay gives our students an experience they may never have had, but hopefully will be motivated to do again." - Mrs. Barbara Miller, McKinley Elementary School Teacher

"This was my first time experiencing this program and it was excellent!  My students were active participants in all the activities.  They've been telling me all day this is the best field trip they have ever been on!" - Richard James, Tamarack Elementary School Teacher

"The programs were informative and fun - a very good combination for the children and great for the teachers and adults.  We enjoyed our time and the facilities were perfect.  Thank you for your time and how you shared your love for the world around us." - Denise Schnuter, Girl Scout Troop Leader #321

"Our students had a great time.  It was their favorite fieldtrip!  They learn and remember so much more when it is hands-on, like your program, compared to reading about it.  Thank you for all of your hard work." - Mrs. Margie Giltner, Independence Elementary School Teacher

April 5, 2003

On April 5th, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and his family toured our Wind Wolves facility, adjacent to Tejon Ranch, in Kern County.  The weather was relatively warm and provided a nice day for the tour.  The thousands of acres of meadows were green and covered with wild flowers, while the higher elevations were still covered with snow.  The family also spotted a herd of deer during their tour.

Click on images below for a larger view of Antonovich tour photos.

Spring Wild Flowers	Park Ranger	Deer in Meadow	Antonovich Family with Education Director, Sherryl Clendenen

October 31, 2002

David Myers of The Wildlands Conservancy, Tim Gallagher, Director of Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation, and Bill Korek, Los Angeles County Park Commissioner, met at Castaic Lake to investigate opening a section of land located on the lake for a camp for disadvantaged children. The area has been closed off to the public for approximately 20 years due to a soil stability issue related to the road into the site.

The site fronts the lake with a beach area that is excellent for swimming, fishing and boating. Plans are to determine how much it will cost to update the sewer and water facilities, which have not been used since installation and to update the site for a children's tent camp.

A budget will be prepared and sources of funding sought along with a possible corporate or private sponsor.

Click on images below for a larger view of Castaic photos.

Dave Myers & Tim Gallagher