Earth Day 2020 looked a little different this year, with many parks having to close to the public or limiting visitors – but that did not stop us from celebrating Earth Day and supporting our parks during a time when there has been significant impact on revue sources for our green sanctuaries.

While our original Earth Day celebration at Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook was cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis, we were still able to provide Los Angeles Audubon Society with grant funding to improve parklands at this beautiful Southern California park.

Under normal circumstances 100+ volunteers would have come together to help remove weeds, and plant native plants at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook State Park in celebration of Earth Day. However, due to park closures from COVID-19 LAAS staff maintained plants in the greenhouse until they were able to work under safe distancing conditions, and plant them over the course of the spring/summer.

Volunteers coming together to plant and weed were not the only thing missing from Earth Day this year. Los Angeles Audubon Society was scheduled to host multiple nature walks to explore the wildlife of Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. We were thrilled to have Los Angeles Audubon Society, who work to promote the enjoyment and protection of birds and other wildlife in the Los Angeles area through outdoor education programs, bird friendly activities, and hands-on conservation initiatives, join us for Earth Day for another year.

However, all was not lost. Thanks to our Earth Day sponsors, we were able to provide Los Angeles Audubon Society with grant funding to move their Restoration Leadership/Environmental Youth Program held at Baldwin Hills online. This incredible program offers Zoom activities that continue to engage youth in conservation studies and nature-based projects, despite the physical restraints of COVID-19. Students were able to join the online activities and complete the programs virtually. Los Angeles Audubon Society did not stop there, a new virtual curriculum is expected to roll out for fall classes online.

“The continued support from California State Parks Foundation helps Los Angeles Audubon Society implement our innovative education programs in the Baldwin Hills, from elementary schools through community college that serves the urban community in one of the most park-poor urban center in the USA. Thank you from all the students and all the plants and wildlife!” Margot Griswold, Los Angeles Audubon Society, Board Member, Past President, and Education Committee Chair

We are thrilled to be able to partner with such an incredible program and look forward to continuing to partner with them to connect people with nature in the Los Angeles Area. You can learn more about Los Angeles Audubon Society on their website at laaudubon.org.