OC Parks and Orange County Probation Habitat Improvement Program

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

The OC Parks and Orange County Probation Habitat Improvement Program brings youths from a nearby detention center to help recovery efforts at a wilderness park badly damaged by wildfire. The OC Parks and Orange County Probation Department are working together to provide educational opportunities for the participants while removing invasive species and improving habitat at Limestone Canyon and Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. The program has proven to be a positive experience for those involved, staff and youths alike. Many participants have expressed that although the work has been the most difficult labor they have done in their lives, they still enjoyed their experience. Through their hard work, the participants learn valuable lessons about nature, stewardship and good work ethic. This program fosters stewardship to youths who might not otherwise be exposed to the natural resources found in the county’s wilderness areas while providing them opportunities to preserve and appreciate these resources. From May 2008 to June 2009, this initiative provided more than 1,100 hours of labor free of charge to OC Parks. The program improved more than eight miles of trail and adjacent habitat. Additionally, OC Parks and the Probation Department received very positive public feedback and media attention.