Nature Center Associates

Newsletter of the Whittier Narrows Nature Center Associates April 2011

This month at the natural area . . . 4/2 - Bird walk, 9 a.m. Led by docent-naturalist Ed Barajas. 4/9 - Bird walk, 9 a.m. Led by docent-naturalist Ray Jillson. 4/16 - Bird walk, 9 a.m. Led by docent-naturalist Ed Barajas. 4/23 - Bird walk, 9 a.m. Led by docent-naturalist Ray Jillson. Photo by Jim Odling Traditional plant uses highlighted 4/23 - Cleanup, 9 a.m. Biologist and Gabrieleno Indian Matt Teutimez (above) deliv- Sponsored by WNNCA ered an engaging and informative presentation on traditional 4/30 - Annual volunteer Native American uses of local plants in the nature center library recognition brunch Feb. 26. Matt’s energetic style wowed the standing-room-only hosted by Nature Center crowd. It was a “smashing day” and an “excellent presentation,” Associates at Eaton said Nature Center Associates member Michael Barba. Canyon Nature Center, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Eagle projects spruce up natural 4/30 - Cleanup. Call for details. Led by Dept. of area for visitors, wild inhabitants Parks and Recreation. Two area Eagle Scout can- the nature center on March 19. didates recently demonstrated The original kiosk had been Save the date: that the spirit of service is alive knocked over in heavy winds 5/14 - Potluck picnic at and well in our youth, using March of last year. natural area. Hosted by their Eagle projects to improve Chen said the project, WNNCA. the Natural Area both for hu- which he began planning in man visitors and for an avian April 2010, involved a number All events are free and resident. of elements, including meeting open to the public, unless Life Scout Kent Chen, of with county staff, creating otherwise noted. Please Cerritos’ Troop 693, led a team scale models of the finished ki- contact the nature center of scouts, friends and family in osk, learning roofing and other to confirm schedule: (626) replacing the information kiosk skills from a local contractor, 575-5523. between the parking lot and See EAGLE PROJECT, page 2 Army Corps of Engineers looking at safety; scientists study super-storm scenario News reports in January dam,” wrote the newspaper’s Storm is essentially two his- revealed that the Santa Fe Ben Baeder. toric storms (January 1969 Dam, on the San Gabriel River The dams protect hundreds and February 1986) put back in Irwindale, received the U.S. of thousands of people in to back in a scientifically plau- Army Corps of Engineers’ sec- southeast Los Angeles County. sible way.” ond-worst safety rating in Also in January, scientists Jones noted that the largest 2009, the same rating that the working with the U.S. Geologi- damages would come from Whittier Narrows Dam received cal Survey’s Multi-Hazards flooding — the models estimate in 2006. Demonstration Project unveiled that almost one-fourth of the Both dams have the corps’ a hypothetical California sce- houses in California would ex- Dam Safety Action Class II rat- nario — called ARkStorm — perience some flood damage ing, meaning that “the combi- that describes a storm that from this storm. nation of life or economic con- could produce up to 10 feet of “The time to begin taking sequences with probability of rain, cause extensive flooding action is now, before a devas- failure is very high,” according and result in more than $300 tating natural hazard event oc- to corps guidelines. billion in damage. curs,” said USGS Director The Whittier Daily News re- The ARkStorm storm is pat- Marcia McNutt. ported on Jan. 24 that engi- terned after the 1861 – 62 his- “This scenario demonstrates neers “said they found no ma- torical events but uses modern firsthand how science can be jor flaws in the Santa Fe Dam, modeling methods and data the foundation to help build but a major earthquake or from large storms in 1969 and safer communities,” she said. massive flood could damage” 1986. “The ARkStorm scenario is Santa Fe Dam. But the Whit- “We think this event hap- a scientifically vetted tool that tier Narrows Dam “had verified pens once every 100 or 200 emergency responders, elected issues with seepage and with years or so, which puts it in officials and the general public piping, a process where water the same category as our big can use to plan for a major tunnels under or through a San Andreas earthquakes,” catastrophic event to help pre- said Lucy Jones, chief scientist vent a hazard from becoming a of the USGS MHDP. “The ARk- disaster.” Whittier Narrows Nature Center EAGLE PROJECT, from page 1 and family in building a “bird Associates and fundraising. weathering enclosure,” essen- The Eagle project, said tially a really large birdcage Grace Allen Chen, is “an opportunity to built around 12-foot poles with President give back to my community.” a perch over a gravel floor. The Socorro Barajas Chen, a high school junior enclosure is mandated by state Vice-president who also bikes along the San and federal regulation, Leblanc Mireya Parravicini Gabriel River, said he appreci- said, and when complete will Recording Secretary ates the opportunities at the allow the hawk more time out- side. Jessica Nava Natural Area to be near nature. Treasurer “I enjoy being here.” The project moved quickly A few feet away from where from initial discussions with Eileen O’Hern Chen was leading his team in county staff in February to Docent Chairperson helping to improve the visitor construction in March, said Julio J. Bermejo experience, Life Scout Chris Leblanc, a high school sopho- Editor Leblanc and his team were more. Janice Coleman working to improve the experi- “It’ll improve the quality of Mailing ence for the nature center’s life for the hawk,” Leblanc said, resident Red-tailed hawk. and it could enhance the edu- Colleen MacKay Regional Superintendent Leblanc, of Whittier’s Troop cational opportunities at the 546, was leading fellow scouts nature center. April 2011 Newsletter of the Whittier Narrows Nature Center Associates Interim natural areas boss has Parks and Rec in the blood The recent retirement of re- overall it’s the same type of cities. At the county, she said, spected and long-serving natu- work. a highlight has been restora- ral areas administrator Mickey Bosell said she has been tion work at Friendship Park, Long left some big shoes to fill, with the county Department of helping to bring back coastal with the county launching its Parks and Recreation for 13 sage scrub habitat and the en- search for his permanent re- years. She has also worked at dangered Palos Verdes blue placement earlier this year. But Arcadia’s Wilderness Park and butterfly. in the meantime, that role has Monrovia Canyon Park. Bosell, who hails from Indi- been filled by a veteran park The highlights of her career, ana and whose grandfather superintendent who, you could she said, include working with was a park superintendent, say, has Parks and Recreation the California Department of said the county natural areas in the blood. Fish and Game on a bear re- system is “a huge asset be- Since December of last year, search project for three years cause so many people don’t get Kim Bosell, superintendent of while employed in the foothill out and make that connection Deane Dana Friendship Com- to nature anymore.” munity Regional Park, has Whittier Narrows Natural Habitat restoration, endan- been the county’s acting natu- Area and Nature Center gered wildlife, outdoor recrea- ral areas administrator, provid- tion in urban areas, and a fam- ing supervision for 12 wildlife 1000 N. Durfee Ave. ily tradition of park manage- sanctuaries and seven nature South El Monte 91733 ment — Bosell clearly brings centers stretching from San Phone: (626) 575-5523 an important perspective and a Pedro to the Antelope Valley. Natural area open seven wealth of experience to her re- It’s a lot more territory to days a week. (Nature cen- sponsibilities helping to lead cover, Bosell said, but while ter closed on Mondays.) an agency that serves a com- each park and nature center Admission is free. munity of so many people in so has its own special attributes, many important ways.

Join the fun! Join the Whittier Narrows Nature Center Associates! Membership includes our monthly newsletter and a 10-percent discount in our gift shop The Whittier Narrows Nature Center Membership application form Associates is a volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit or- Name ______ganization actively looking for new members. WNNCA is a chapter of the Nature Center Street ______Associates, a nonprofit support organization City/State/Zip ______of the natural area park system of Los Angeles County. Phone ______We were founded to help enrich educa- E-mail ______tional and scientific knowledge in the commu- nity. Our primary mission is to help foster an Annual membership levels (circle one) appreciation of the natural world in children $30 - Individual $15 - Senior (over 62) and adults and to help preserve the Whittier $45 - Family $15 - Student Narrows Natural Area and the county’s other $75 - Friend Associate natural areas for future generations. $100 - Patron Associate Our activities include leading school group $250 - Supporting Associate tours, answering visitors’ questions, arranging $1,000 - Golden Oak Associate and leading classes, planting and maintaining plants around the nature center, helping in Send with check, payable to WNNCA, to: the nature center museum and in the gift WNNCA shop, performing light office work and an- 1000 N. Durfee Ave. swering phones, and much more! South El Monte, CA 91733

Newsletter of the Whittier Narrows Nature Center Associates Page 3 Inside this issue . . . - Traditional plant uses high- lighted (photo) - Eagle projects spruce up natural area for visitors, wild inhabitants - Army Corps of Engineers looking at Santa Fe Dam safety; scientists study Calif. super-storm scenario - Interim natural areas boss has Parks and Rec in the blood - April events calendar

Photo by Terry Young Dr. Jack Bath discusses 19th-century irrigation works in the natural area following his presentation on area history in the nature center library Jan. 8.

The Whittier Narrows Natural Area and Nature Center are located within the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County in the Supervisorial District of Gloria Molina. The natural area and nature center are operated by the County of Los Angeles, Department of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Whittier Narrows Nature Center Associates.

Whittier Narrows Nature Center Associates 1000 N. Durfee Ave. South El Monte, CA 91733 Phone (626) 575-5523 • Fax (626) 443-5359