The Trails Of The Peninsula
On this Earth Day, Random Lengths News looks at the nature and open spaces of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and its walking trails which are there for the wildlife and for the public to enjoy.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy or Conservancy, has a mission to “preserve land and restore habitat for the education and enjoyment of all.”
The PVPLC preserves and manages undeveloped land as open space for historical, educational, ecological, recreational and scenic purposes. Since its founding in 1988, the Conservancy has preserved 1,600 acres of open space on the Peninsula. It works to restore native coastal sage scrub, grassland, cactus scrub and riparian habitat to return damaged lands to a healthier condition. Its vision is to create and manage large blocks of natural open space. In these spaces, visitors can enjoy solitude, children and adults can learn about the natural environment and native plants and animals can thrive.
The Conservancy works with four cities in which the preserved lands are located: Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates and City of LA in San Pedro. On its restored or preserved lands, the peninsula is home to 15 familiar trails which include: White Point Nature Preserve, Ocean Trails, San Ramon, Forrestal, Portuguese Bend, Abalone Cove, Filorum, Three Sisters, Alta Vicente, Vicente Bluffs, Agua Amarga, Vista del Norte, Malaga, Chandler Preserve and George F. Canyon Preserve. The Navy Defense Fuel Supply Point on North Gaffey St. in San Pedro is also on restored land.
Zoe Allen is the program manager for the education department of the Conservancy.
“Protecting these natural habitats is important not only to the plants and animals that rely on it for survival, but it’s also important in making sure the public continues to have access to these natural spaces and that students can continue to learn about them,” Allen said.
The Conservancy has invested in restoration efforts around the walking trails that include locations like Alta Vicente (near RPV city hall) and Abalone Cove. Conservation director at the Conservancy, Cris Sarabia said the Alta Vicente restoration implementation was completed a couple years ago and is now in “maintenance mode.”
“You can expect to see a mix of native wildflowers, coastal sage scrub, cactus scrub and all of the little critters that depend on them,” said Sarabia via email. “Abalone Cove is being worked on and people can sign up to volunteer at this location with (its) stunning views, plenty of parking and trails throughout.”
Same as with other sites, Sarabia noted the Conservancy planted many different species of native plants that attract a variety of fauna. Interpretive signage surrounds the sites and visitors can see the different stages of restoration that are being worked on. Recently the Conservancy had an Americorp team helping with the restoration project. Americorp service program engages Americans in intensive service to meet community needs — in the Conservancy’s case, environmental needs.
Hikers on a nature walk at Three Sisters Reserve
The Conservancy works within certain timelines for restoration. It restores at least five acres a year and all projects are in different stages from planning and implementation to maintenance.
Goals of Restoration
True to its mission to preserve land and restore habitat for the education and enjoyment of all, the Conservancy’s restoration work emphasizes the recovery of degraded ecosystems through planting and seeding, to re-establish or enhance biological functions and services on the peninsula. Habitat restoration provides increased nesting, cover and foraging opportunities for wildlife. And in particular, restoration efforts have assisted in the recovery of four at-risk species, coastal California gnatcatcher, cactus wren, El Segundo blue butterfly and Palos Verdes blue butterfly.
Earth Day Celebration Events
Film
Saging The World Premiere
The California Native Plant Society will screen Saging The World, a 30-minute film about indigenous people and their use of white sage. “Saging ” has become a common occurrence seen in media and in cleansing rituals — burning sage bundles in the hope of purifying space and clearing bad energy. Instead of healing, the appropriate use of saging in popular culture is having a harmful effect.
Indigenous communities have tended a relationship with white sage — which only occurs in southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico — for thousands of generations. Today, poachers are stealing metric tons of this plant from the wild to supply international demand. Saging the World spotlights the ecological and cultural issues intertwined with white sage, centering the voices of Native advocates.
The screening will include a panel discussion with Native advocates from the film, as well as a white sage plant giveaway.
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.. April 22
Cost: $10 to $15
Details: www.saging-the-world-premier
Venue: Warner Grand Theater, 478 W 6th St., San Pedro
My Garden of A Thousand Bees
The Warner Grand Theatre will present the Wild and Scenic Film Festival’s Best of Fest highlighting, My Garden of A Thousand Bees by cinematographer Martin Dohrn (who worked on some of David Attenborough’s films). Dohrn was in lockdown for COVID-19 and stuck at home outside of London. He couldn’t go anywhere but he had his camera gear. Deciding to improvise, he filmed all the bees in his tiny urban garden. Dohrn was shocked to discover more than 60 species of bees and the many personalities that exist in this insect family.
Time: 4 p.m., April 24
Cost: $15 to $20
Details: 310-541-7613; www.pvplc.org
Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St. San Pedro
Educational and Volunteer Activities
- Celebrate Earth Day at the Conservancy’s annual outdoor volunteer day at White Point Nature Preserve. Volunteers will restore the plants at White Point Nature Preserve. Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner Diane Middleton will kick off the event with introductory remarks. This is a great opportunity to try out the free nature backpacks on your walk. They are loaded with information, field guides, fun activities and equipment to help visitors, pre-k through adults, enjoy understanding nature through experiential activities.
Volunteer and explore the preserve trails.
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 pm. April 23
Details: www.pvplc.org/public-activities/ and www.pvplc.org/event/earth-day-celebration-apr23/
- In addition to Discovery Trail around Terranea and Vicente Bluffs Reserve, Alta Vicente trails are favored by the City of RPV as less crowded than the popular Portuguese Bend and Abalone Cove Reserves.
- People can join a free guided nature walk second Saturdays throughout year: https://pvplc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Nature-Walk-Flyer-2022.pdf
- Visit the Trails & Hiking webpage https://pvplc.org/trails-hiking/ and a page with free trail maps: https://pvplc.org/restoration-resource-documents/. You can find a great hiking guide with a listing of the best hikes to see wildflowers, sunset, go on family hikes and others with varying degrees of difficulty.
All of the preserve trails on the entire peninsula, from Palos Verdes to San Pedro including Terranea and the golf course are open from sunrise to sundown. They are always closed for two days following rain. Find maps on all the trails at www.pvplc.org