NATURE CORPS RECEIVES "TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA" AWARD
November 2008

SACRAMENTO - When a Sequoia National Park Service refrigerator unit failed causing thousands of seedlings to come out of dormancy, NPS plant ecologist, Athena Demetry knew time was of the essence. The seedlings would not last long unless planted. With thousands of dollars invested in the plants and limited manpower to put them in the ground, Demetry knew she would need outside assistance. That's when Nature Corps Executive Director, Mark Landon's phone rang.

In a limited amount of time, Landon and The Nature Corps were able to mobilize hundreds of volunteers across California to help plant all 13,000 seedlings as well as an additional 7,000 trees around Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

In honor of this achievement and to cap off their 20th anniversary, Nature Corps Executive Director, Mark Landon, met with Senator Dianne Feinstein who bestowed the “Take Pride in America” Award on the agency for the 20,000 trees that their volunteers planted throughout the two Parks.

Joining Mark Landon at the event was Howard Levitt, Chief of Interpretation for Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and Jeff Landon, the Director’s son, who has participated in numerous Nature Corps tree planting events.

The Nature Corps invites you to take part in this growing legacy of conservation. To learn more call them at (805) 434-0299.

2008 VOLUNTEERS LEAVE THEIR LEGACY
November 2008

SEQUOIA - Thanks to our devoted volunteers and sponsors, 2008 was our most productive year to date. This summer alone, employee volunteers from Chevron, PG&E, and Warner Bros contributed several hundred hours of labor to the National Park Service, assisting with critical conservation projects in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Those projects include:

• Restoration/revegetation of Halstead Meadow
• Installation of a split-rail fence around the General Sherman & Congress trails
• Tokopah Falls trail maintenance
• Rehabilitation of the Ash Mountain nursery

“These magnificent sequoia groves draw over 1 million visitors annually from around the globe,” states Tom Warner, Park Forester. “People come to the park to stroll among the giant sequoias in awe of these breathtaking natural wonders. But the rising visitation also leads to increased foot traffic, leaving areas within the grove void of trees and vegetation. That’s why the volunteers’ efforts are so valuable.”

Thank you to all of our volunteers and our three sponsors: Chevron, PG&E, and Warner Bros. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and have played a vital role in the preservation of our National Parks.

>>CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION!