Conservation Groups Los Angeles

Community Habitat Restoration event at Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

Join us for a habitat restoration event! It’s a great opportunity to learn about native plants and local wildlife, all while spending some time outdoors in beautiful Baldwin Hills Parklands. This event is in partnership with California State Parks Foundation. Spaces are limited, so if you are interested in participating, **please RSVP to the coordinator at least 24hours in advance of the event: amendiaperez@naturenexusinstitute.org** Important things to know about this event: * Volunteers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Habitat restoration tasks are best suited for people who are 12 years of age or older. * Please wear long pants and covered shoes. * Please bring plenty of drinking water for yourself as well as ample sun protection. * Work sites are frequently off trail and may be on uneven terrain. * We typically meet up at the top parking lot adjacent to the visitor center to start the event, but we work in several sites throughout the park. If you arrive late you may have trouble finding us. Please be sure to RSVP via the email above so we know to expect you!

Pasadena jazz concert

Free Pasadena jazz concert at 7:00 pm; We will meet early to get something to drink or eat then get some seats as a group;

LUNCHTIME PLANT WALKABOUT

Thursday, Noon, September 17 To attend and for exact location, Register [HERE](https://www.schoolofself-reliance.com/event/lunchtime-candle-making-workshop/) Come take a walk in the canyon, learning about the bounty of nature’s flora. We will see natives and non-natives and explore this unique part of the Arroyo Seco south of the bridge. We’ll see wild herbs, native plants, and more. A short walk, getting out in nature, and connecting with the skills of our ancestors. We will see many of our native plants, and also many of the introduced non-natives. PAY FOR ONE, BRING A FRIEND! Please register to attend and for location. Hahamonga Watershed County Park is our field office, the class may be in a different location.

Smerconish Mingle Meetup

If you feel politically stuck in the middle between clowns to the left and jokers to the right, you’ve found the perfect Meetup group to join! Inspired by Michael Smerconish’s The Mingle Project, we meet to discuss hot topics and news events and welcome people with different points of view. If you’re an independent thinker and want to join a conversation with people of diverse views, then you’ve found the right place.

FIBRE-CRAFT 101

To attend and for exact location, register [HERE](https://www.schoolofself-reliance.com/event/lunchtime-fibre-craft/) Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. FIBRE-CRAFT 101: The Art of Turning Plant Fibres into Bags, Baskets, Nets, String, Sandals. We’ve had some requests for a BASKETRY Workshop. This class will include Basketry basics, though this class will not be only basketry. The art of working fibre is nearly a lost art. You’ll learn to recognize some of the common plants which yield a useful fibre, and learn how to work them into strings, and baskets, and nets, and sandals, and more. In the old days of the Southwest, the lives of the people were literally tied together with fibre: for shelter, for clothing (hats, belts, shoes), fishing nets, bags, weaponry, fire-making, brushes, looms for fabric. In the past, most people had a more intimate connection to plant fibres. There are so many practical applications, though today someone makes everything we use. So it’s become a lost art. You will learn how to process a few plant fibres and how to make them into a usable product! We will do a short walk (if time) and learn about some of the plants that are useful for weaving, and making cordage. You will then learn by making some of the useful products. Along the way, you’ll also see many of the other useful and edible plants of the area. NOTE: PLEASE RSVP SINCE WE NEED TO PLAN TO BRING SUFFICIENT SUPPLIES! $65 (Seniors and students $45)

Greater Pasadena - Connect and Take Action

Beyond the Footprint: A Clearer Map for Climate Advocacy

Luma Link: [Beyond the Footprint: A Clearer Map for Climate Advocacy · Luma](https://luma.com/vw9dajw9) **What if one of the most impactful things you could do for the climate wasn't buying an EV or tracking your carbon footprint, but showing up to a public meeting?** ​Many of the decisions that shape our climate future, how we manage water, build housing, expand transit, invest in clean energy, and prepare for climate resilience, are made at the local level. Yet for many people, that process feels invisible, confusing, or out of reach. ​Join **Pasadena Climate Commons** for an engaging panel discussion exploring how everyday residents can meaningfully participate in local climate decision-making. ​Together with community organizers, public agency leaders, and elected representatives, we'll pull back the curtain on how local decisions are made, what effective civic engagement actually looks like, and where individuals can make the greatest impact with just a few hours of their time. ​Whether you work in climate, passionate about sustainability, or simply want to contribute to your community, this conversation will help you move beyond awareness and toward meaningful action. ​We'll explore: * ​How local climate decisions are made and who helps shape them * ​Why civic engagement often has greater impact than individual lifestyle changes alone * ​How to participate effectively in public meetings, comment periods, and local initiatives * ​Real stories of community advocacy leading to tangible climate outcomes * ​Practical ways to get involved in Pasadena and Los Angeles County without burning out ​By the end of the evening, you'll leave with a clearer understanding of where to show up, how to make your voice count, and concrete next steps for becoming part of your community's climate future. ​Whether you're new to climate advocacy or already working in the field, this event is designed to help you turn your motivation into meaningful local action. ## ​**Featured Speakers** ​**Sandy Krasner** recently retired from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he worked on missions from Mercury to Saturn. He is the Group Leader for the Pasadena–Foothills chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL) and serves on the lobbying team for Climate Future California, a spin-off from CCL. Sandy is also a member of the Pasadena 100% Coalition working toward carbon-free electricity in Pasadena and is helping survivors of the Eaton Fire rebuild with all-electric homes. ​**Cynthia Cannady** is the **Co-Chair of Pasadena 100**, a coalition of organizations and community members working to transition Pasadena to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030. She is also the founder of IPSEVA and a former Director of the Intellectual Property and New Technologies Division at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), with previous leadership roles at Apple. She brings decades of experience turning innovative ideas into real-world impact through policy, technology, and collaboration. ​**More speakers will be announced soon**, bringing perspectives from local government, public agencies, and community organizations. ​Come connect with fellow community members, learn from local leaders, and discover how showing up can make a real difference.

LUNCHTIME FORAGING WALK – Learn Plant ID, Learn edible plants–

To attend and for exact location, Register HERE September 24 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm $30.00 – $45.00 Thursday, September 24, Noon, LUNCHTIME PLANT ID WALK Ever wondered what sort of useful plants grow right in the city, including medicinal plants? We’ll explore a unique one-acre wildlife sanctuary in the Highland Park area where we will see native plants, cultivated plants and many of the plants so typical of the urban areas. You will be able to collect samples. There is also a greenhouse on -site where you can purchase potted plants to take home to your garden. We will learn about the food uses, medicines, fibres, and more. Our discussion will revolve around ethical foraging, and you will be able to collect greens to take home, and cuttings in some cases. There is also a nursery on the site where you can purchase various potted plants to take home. We’ll also make a simple salad so you can taste some of the in-season foods! An excellent opportunity to see and taste some of the plants that everyone living in this area will encounter most of the time. We will also review the Botanical Families that are entirely safe. A good time to review. Bring a bowl! A great survival skills for the ages. Bring a bowl, and water. Be sure to RSVP. Please register to attend and for location. Hahamonga Watershed County Park is our field office, the class may be in a different location.

Animal Victory Meetup - Abolish Fur

​Do you love animals? Join local activists for the **Animal Victory Meetup**, a weekly space in Los Angeles to connect, organize, and take action. ​Together with activists from local and international advocacy groups, we’ll build community, share skills, and strategize on campaigns. Each meetup is followed by a high-impact action! ​This meetup is open to anyone interested in helping animals, regardless of experience level or diet. Whether you’re brand new to activism or deeply involved already, you belong here. ​Snacks will be provided, and additional plant-based treats are welcome! Optional to bring: plant-based snacks to share, megaphones/noise-makers, hearing protection, reusable water bottle

FREE: The Grammy Museum . . . for Smithsonian Day. (other museums too!!!!)

Museum Free Day from the Smithsonian is a nationwide thing. [Smithsonian Day](https://nationaltoday.com/smithsonian-day/) is always September 17th Here is the expected full list: * Japanese American National Museum * The Grammy Museum * LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes * California African American Museum * Autry Museum of the American West * The Wende Museum * USC Pacific Asia Museum * Descanso Gardens * The International Printing Museum in Carson * Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach * Los Angeles Maritime Museum * Point Fermin Lighthouse Historic Site and Museum * Photo: @sfwineblog * Latino Art Museum in Pomona * Heritage Museum of Orange County * Dr. Willella Howe Waffle House and Medical Museum in Santa Ana * The Santa Ana Fire Museum * Yanks Air Museum in Chino * Laguna Art Museum * Fillmore Historical Museum Some of these museums are normally free. And others may be closer to you. BUT . . . for the moment . . . the plan is The Grammy Museum. . . FOR FREE!!!! On Wed the 17th. What a win. To attend this event #1 **RSVP on this event with the red RSVP button** *AND THEN* #2 **[Fill out the event form](https://forms.gle/FW4aozDwU1ngkqVu6)**[ https://forms.gle/FW4aozDwU1ngkqVu6](https://forms.gle/FW4aozDwU1ngkqVu6) This way you get the reminder as they update the new list with the 2026 info (spoiler alert: ***if you do not fill out the form you will not get accurate or updated event info)(Meetup messages is not reliable or efficient at getting out info. Too many have notifications turned off)*** **Got questions?** **[Click Here](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881)**[ to send a Direct Message to Marc (screen name Oddie)](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881) (be sure to mention the what event you are talking about) NOTICE: For our events we do not discriminate by Age, Gender, Gender Preference, Ethnicity, National Origin, Race, Color, Religion, or even Belly Button Lint. **[CLICK HERE](https://www.meetup.com/ccccc-c/join)**[ To see all our other events and join in on them.](https://www.meetup.com/ccccc-c/join) Art makes for great social fun. Over the course of the year we a bunch of arty events. If you have any suggestions or if you wish to post an event the group or lead an event: **[Click Here](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881)**[ to send a Direct Message to Marc (screen name Oddie)](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881)

Ballona Wetlands - family-friendly walk

Los Angeles Audubon Society hosts the *Open Wetlands* event at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve with the collaboration of NNI staff. Binoculars are available to borrow! Volunteers guide visitors in viewing aquatic invertebrates through microscopes, learning about the unique ecosystems found at Ballona, and viewing birds through powerful spotting scopes along Ballona Creek. Enter through the gate in the northeast corner of the parking lot behind the 300 block of Culver Blvd in Playa del Rey (zip code 90293). This block is near the intersection of Culver Blvd and Vista del Mar. No baby strollers, please. Pets are not allowed on the reserve. Need more information? Contact ecobar@naturenexusinstitute.org

Wild Food and Useful Plants by the Season

**Saturday, September 19, 10 a.m. WILD FOOD AND USEFUL PLANTS BY THE SEASON** To attend and for exact location, register [HERE](https://www.schoolofself-reliance.com/event/autumn-foraging-wild-food-and-useful-plants-by-the-season/) This series of workshops, one per season, will show you nature through the seasons, from a forager’s perspective. The essence of this class is to develop seasonal knowledge and observational skills: How to look, where to look, what to look for. Plus, we will also focus on responsible and sustainable gathering methods, including collection of seeds and cuttings so you can grow plants in your own backyard. You’ll learn how to identify and collect foods, medicines, soaps, fire-materials, and other useful parts of plants. You’ll learn to think like foragers of the past, who had to have an intimate knowledge of the seasons, and foresight for the future. (For example, sometimes you do NO foraging in an area if the plant or seed is not abundant.) Join us each quarter for an insightful walk into a wild area, with a focus on interpreting what’s available that season. Each session will include demonstrations, hands-on practice, and sampling of the seasonal foods. Each session includes a list of what is normally available in that season. AUTUMN In early autumn, it is usually dry, and plants are in a dormant phase. It’s typically hot, and dry. Streams will be dry, or running low. You’ll only find the hardiest of plants for eating, such as mustards. There still might be some manzanitas left to collect, and the acorns will just be starting to mature and to fall. Though it’s still early for toyon berries, you’ll be able to observe what sort of crop will be coming. You’ll be able to take note of what to look for in the next few months. You never know what to expect, but you might find some greens as well, usually the hardiest greens, and the late-blooming greens. This is a good way to look at the environment at a lean time, with an eye to the future. We’ll also share a few bushcrafting skills. Location: San Gabriel Mountains. Meeting location to be sent upon registration. Class fee:$65. (student/senior $45) [www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com](http://www.schoolofself-reliance.com/)