In 2017, the Conservancy oversaw the completion of fifteen Boy Scout Eagle Awards and Girl Scout Gold Award projects. These projects significantly contributed to the Conservancy’s nursery infrastructure, trail repair and habitat restoration while earning dedicated young people community service merit recognition. Eagle Scout Blake Carpenter from Troop 191 built a permanent wood structure to provide sun and rain shelter at the Native Plant Nursery. Blake completed the construction portion of his project in just two days and received support from Home Depot in San Pedro. In other projects, scouts Everett Emerson, Cullen Barber, Zach Bayne and Justin An built a total of 30 tables, which allowed nursery plants to be raised off the ground, preventing the spread of pathogens and improving compliance with nursery best-management practices.
Brandon Duarte and Chris Haluza both finished trail erosion repair projects with leadership and assistance from the Volunteer Trail Crew. Brandon’s project repaired a large gully on lower Barkentine Trail in Three Sisters Preserve by installing a 24-foot retaining wall, compacting soil and creating grade dips that capture and redirect water off the trail. Chris retreaded and installed grade dips to help repair Ford Trail in Filiorum Reserve.
Sarah Reeves and Erik Lilligren each completed outstanding habitat restoration projects. Sarah devoted almost a year to restoring habitat for the California gnatcatchers at Lunada Canyon by removing invasive weeds and installing and donating over 60 coastal sage scrub and creekside plants. Sarah continues to care for the plants weekly. Erik Lilligren, from Troop 849, planted an astounding 750 coastal sage scrub plants as part of the Conservancy’s restoration site efforts at Alta Vicente.
We appreciate all of the scouts’ support in helping realize our mission to preserve land and restore habitat for the education and enjoyment of all. If you are interested in completing a scout project with the Conservancy, applications are available at pvplc.org, and select “Volunteer” or contact Megan Roy at mroy@pvplc.org.