Please join us on September 21st at the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve for a workshop based on the California Coastal Commission’s how-to manual, Digging In: A Guide to Community-Based Habitat Restoration.

This workshop will focus on the value of leading volunteers in ecological restoration projects.  In particular, we will discuss ecological restoration methods (including some restoration theory as context) and how to sucessfully manage volunteers in the field during an event.  The workshop will present information that can be used at restoration events throughout the year in addition to specific items related to the upcoming National Public Lands Day on September 24th.  Attendants receive a free copy of Digging In.

Registration begins at 8:30am.  The morning component will include presentations on ecological restoration theory and methods and volunteer management.  In the afternoon, field demonstrations will occur - please come prepared with field clothing.  Detailed agenda to follow registration.   

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Community-based habitat restoration is a relatively new and growing field that gives concerned citizens the opportunity to get their hands dirty while helping to improve our environment’s future.  Based on our experience at Upper Newport Bay, Digging In describes how to develop community-based coastal restoration projects with the help of government agencies, non-profit groups, community stakeholders, and most importantly, volunteers.  The guide walks you through each step of a volunteer restoration project – from getting permission, to collecting seeds, to alerting the media about the restoration event you have designed. 

Digging In is a delightful, clearly written and resrouce-rich read.  It is an invaluable tool for ecological restorationists working in any habitat.  I liked it so much I used it as an online text in my restoration ecology class at University of California, Irvine. 

--exceprt from book review by Dr. Peter Bowler, UC Irvine, in Ecological Restoration