14 Days in 2013

"As a graduate of the class, I would encourage anyone who is interested in the program, or any of the BTN events, to get involved, you'll have fun, learn much about our local plant communities, make new friends, and you'll be making a difference." - Kevin Doherty

Back to Natives Restoration, in a cooperative agreement with the Cleveland National Forest, will provide hands on habitat restoration training over the course of a 7 week training program. Each training session will focus on specific aspects of the restoration process from tool and trail safety training, to native and non native plant identification, proper site entry/exit protocol as well as mechanical/physical abatement techniques to reduce soil disturbance and possible weed seed germination. Graduates of this course are certified to lead groups of volunteers in habitat restoration projects. This is a REAL CLASS. Expect weekly quizzes, homework and a final exam! Graduates are required to complete one year of volunteerism with BTN, a minimum 2 hours each month!

Jan. 17 Orientation
Jan. 19 Field Lab: Site Assessment
Jan. 24 Site Assessment
Jan. 26 USFS Volunteer Training
Jan. 31 Sub-Shrubs
Feb. 2 Field Lab: Sub-Shrubs
Feb. 7 Shrubs & Small trees
Feb. 9 Field Lab: Shrubs & small trees
Feb. 14 Mustards, Chemical/Bio Controls
Feb. 16 Field Lab: Mustards
Feb. 21 Herbaceous Perennials
Feb. 23 Field Lab: Herbaceous Perennials
Feb. 28 Review
Mar. 2 Final Exam

Where: All lectures will be at REI Tustin Thursdays from 6PM-830PM, Field Labs will be in the Cleveland National Forest and other locations TBA within Orange County Saturdays from 9AM-2PM.(be sure to bring a lunch each Saturday!)

Who’s invited: Anyone interested in hiking Orange County trails to identify invasive plants, remove them when possible, and report them when assistance is needed. Staff and Volunteers from all wildland agencies, organizations and non-profits are also welcome to participate, and then share the knowledge and skills gained to restore their own lands. Age requirement: 16 years and older. Individuals younger than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent.

Tuition: $125.00* for volunteers and $350.00 for agency/organization staff (includes a tool sanitization kit and both textbooks: Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands by Bossard, Randall and Hoshovsky and The Botany Coloring Book by Young and Giuffre).Graduates are required to complete one year of volunteerism with BTN, a minimum 2 hours each month!

Why: Ecological restoration is a means of sustaining the diversity of life on Earth and reestablishing healthy ecosystems. This program is for those interested in the restoration and conservation of Orange County wildlands. Successful habitat restoration ensures that native species are protected while non-native species are removed efficiently, and with minimal human impact to the site. This program will acquaint participants with non-chemical, low impact weed removal methods.

Sign-up: Sign-up online (below) or download the registration form HERE.

* fee = $125 plus Graduates are required to complete one year of volunteerism with BTN, a minimum 2 hours each month! .