We were thrilled to welcome the students of Rosemead High School’s Ecology Club, in collaboration with Amigos de los Rios, for a hands-on day of service at the Mount Baldy Visitor Center! The students spent their day with us conducting restoration work by taking out the invasive Tree of Heaven and planting Canyon Live Oak saplings along the San Antonio corridor.
We kicked things off with introductions and a conversation about the importance of public lands and protecting our forest. Each of us plays a role in protecting the health and future of our forests and our local ecology.
Then it was time to get to work.
Armed with shovels, loppers, and gloves, students began removing the Tree of Heaven, an invasive tree that crowds out native plants.
Here you can see the students digging holes to plant the Canyon Live Oak saplings. These trees will take about 15-20 years to have a significant canopy.
We are incredibly grateful to the Ecology Club and Amigos de los Rios for dedicating their time and energy to protecting our forest.