California is experiencing a record drought and homeowners are feeling the pinch. We’re all restricted to watering only two days per week – but with native plants, the correct irrigation, and healthy soil your yard can be more beautiful than ever!

California is experiencing a record drought and homeowners are feeling the pinch. We’re all restricted to watering only two days per week – but with native plants, the correct irrigation, and healthy soil your yard can be more beautiful than ever!

California is experiencing a record drought and homeowners are feeling the pinch. We’re all restricted to watering only two days per week – but with native plants, the correct irrigation, and healthy soil your yard can be more beautiful than ever!

The United States Forest Service & Back to Natives Restoration Training Program-Refresher for GreenShirts
January 27, 2018, from 8AM-4PM
Back to Natives Restoration, in a cooperative agreement with the Cleveland National Forest, provides hands on refresher class and Exam for the  Restoration Training Program. This one day refresher class will focus on specific key 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, so annual Continuing Education Units(CEUs) and a refresher course is required every two years to maintain certification recognition. This is a REAL CLASS to RENEW YOU CERTIFICATION. Expect a final exam!
When: Saturday January 27th 8AM-4PM
Where:
Field Lab will be in the Santiago Nature Reserve in Santa Ana and possibly the Cleveland National Forest. from 8AM until 11AM (please arrive by 730AM to be sure class starts on time!)
Class Review and Recertification Exam will be at downtown Anaheim Community Center, from 12Noon to 4PM. Please be prepared to take notes and the EXAM! We recommend a sack lunch so you can head directly to the classroom!

The United States Forest Service & Back to Natives Restoration Training Program
January 19, 2017 – March 4, 2017

Back to Natives Restoration, in a cooperative agreement with the Cleveland National Forest, provides hands on habitat restoration training over the course of a 7 week training program. Each training session focused 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!

When: Thursdays 6 – 9PM & Saturdays 8AM-2PM

Students gathered for a safety meeting before beginning hands-on training in the USFS BTN Restoration Training class.Jan. 19 Orientation
Jan. 21 Field Lab: Site Assessment
Jan. 26 Site Assessment
Jan. 28 USFS Volunteer Training
Feb. 2 Supervising Volunteers/Herbaceous Perennials
Feb. 4 Field Lab: Supervising Volunteers/ Perennials
Feb. 9 Shrubs & Small trees
Feb. 11 Field Lab: Shrubs & small trees
Feb. 16 Mustards, Chemical/Bio Controls
Feb. 18 Field Lab: Mustards
Feb. 23 Sub-Shrubs
Feb. 25 Field Lab: Sub-Shrubs
Mar. 2 Final Exam – written
Mar. 4 Final Exam – practical

restoration trainingWhere: Field Labs will be in the Cleveland National Forest and other locations TBA within Orange County.

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.

Cost (incl. tool sanitization kit and textbook: Invasive Plants of California’s Wildlands by Bossard, Randall & Hoshovsky):

Volunteers: $150.00 & two hours of time spent volunteering with Back to Natives monthly for a year after graduation. Certification received AFTER volunteer hours are completed.
Agency/organization staff: $300.00. Certification received IMMEDIATELY upon graduation.

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.

Registration: Coming soon!