In recognition of global Earth Day, on Saturday April 26, over 200 members, friends, and family of the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation pitched in to help the Niguel Botanical Preserve in clearing paths, installing signs, planting new plants, building fences, and mulching plant areas.
Chris and daughter Lucy Packer of Laguna Beach share father-daughter time
Gretchen Malcom, Recreation Supervisor – “This is a very neat event with the community, to be able to clean this 18 acre preserve. This is a place where families can hike together and learn about plants and how to take care of them, including which plants are drought resistant and much more. They can then take what they’ve learned and apply it in their own homes and find out what works for them. I’ve been here at the Botanical Preserve for 14 years and this is the biggest turn out we’ve had yet.”
Both organizations are recognizing global Earth Week in their effort to take care of the important local environment, and develop a peaceful, open space dedicated to the community to educate, protect, and preserve the local native plants originally associated with the area.
LDS Church’s “Helping Hands” global annual day of service dates back to 1989
Marisa Rojas, City of Laguna Niguel – “This event is a great way to learn about the garden and the native plants. I believe that this Preserve is a hidden gem in Laguna Niguel and with this event more people can enjoy this beautiful garden. This is my first time helping to run this event and it has been a great experience.”
“This event represented the largest single day turnout by any local organization to assist with the garden”, according to Monty McDivitt, President of the Botanical Preserve Board. Each year the Preserve improves or restores a number of specific areas contained in the 18 acre site, which is adjacent to the Laguna Niguel YMCA and Crown Valley Community Park.
Camille McKeon is “glove-ready” for dirt work
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteer under the banner of “Helping Hands”, a program directed by to provide community service and disaster relief to those in need. The program began in 1998, and is organized in every corner of the globe. Hundreds of thousands of members and friends of the Church participate.
“We were grateful for the opportunity to join with the Niguel Botanical Preserve and other members of our community to help preserve the wonderful area in which we live” said President Robert Davis, Laguna Niguel Stake President.
Kerry and Carter Van Der Linde of Marina Hills pause for a short work break
Importantly for the Preserve this year was the planting of recently acquired rare native plants from Catalina Island that can be grown and re-introduced to the Island if needed after fire or other loss of habitat.
Adi Minor takes a quick break under a tree in the Niguel Botanical garden
The Preserve encourages local groups or individuals to help similarly when possible. “There are two large service projects every year, usually in the Spring and Fall, to follow planting season” said Diana Schlesinger, Treasurer of the Preserve Board. Information about current, ongoing, and upcoming service projects can be found at either www.niguelbotanicalpreserve.org, or via the City of Laguna Niguel website at www.cityoflagunaniguel.org.
EVENT QUOTES
Kristin Savoy, City of Laguna Niguel – “This event is very beneficial and it is a great opportunity to volunteer to help up keep the Preserve. It is so great to see everyone come and work together to care for this garden.”
Trevor Kist, City of Laguna Niguel – “This is my first year working this event. I believe that it is good to help our city and help beautify this garden. It allows and helps bring people together for a great cause.”
Lauren Mouacdie, City of Laguna Niguel – “I’ve worked at this event for 2 years now and this year there are more than twice the amount of people who have volunteered. I am super grateful for the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who have volunteered to make our preserve even better.”
Kameryn Burch, age 7, – “I like spreading the mulch, it’s fun. I’m going to come back next year.”
Ellie Dowling, age 12, – “This is a great activity to take care of the community and keep it clean. I love picking up branches.”
Elder Debrine – “This is a nice change to get some exercise and be out in nature. I had fun.”
Paige Burch – “I loved working with my daughter in nature and getting our hands and clothes dirty. This is a great way to teach my 7 year old daughter about something in the community.”
Stapley family – “What a beautiful place to spend a Saturday. Great experience for me and my kids. It was an opportunity to learn about some of the plants that grow in the area.”
Bishop Troy Simmons – “I love seeing all the kids out here.”
Steven Alsen – “Great community effort.”
Henry Abad – “I wish I could get my kids to work like this at home.”
ABOUT THE LAGUNA NIGUEL STAKE
A local unit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, membership consists of residents of local cities of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, and Laguna Beach. Membership of the Stake is roughly 5,000 local residents, and local leaders are lay clergy (unpaid). Currently the stake is comprised of seven “wards” that organize membership roughly similar to city boundaries. Church programs include programs for youth, service, leadership, community, and emergency preparedness. Also open to the community is a full functioning Family History Center, with trained specialist representatives to help any community member research and compile their genealogy and family history.
ABOUT NIGUEL BOTANICAL PRESERVE
Started in 1981 as a community vegetable garden, the Preserve represents the vision of local leaders who dreamed of the horticultural education and enjoyment of future generations. The primary goal of the Preserve is to display garden-worthy plants appropriate to the Southern California region, collected from areas of the world with similar Mediterranean climates, as well as demonstrate the appropriate use of drought-tolerant plants, introduce unusual plant species to the public, and provide a park-like setting for the use and enjoyment of the community.
The ongoing development and operation of the gardens is completely volunteer-based, organized as the “Friends of the Preserve” working in tandem with the City of Laguna Niguel.
Write-Up and Photos courtesy Marcella Deter
