Project Will Restore Six Acres of Oak Woodland Habitat on Zoo Grounds While Offering Invaluable Environmental Job Experience
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(Credit: 漏 Los Angeles Zoo)
LOS ANGELES, CA 鈥� April 16, 2025 鈥� The Los Angeles Zoo is announcing an important partnership with Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) on a career pathways project that will result in the restoration of six acres of degraded coast live oak woodland located on zoo property. This partnership with OBA, the oldest non-profit in the nation dedicated to outdoor education for underrepresented youth and families, supports the Zoo and City of Los Angeles鈥檚 commitment to the historic 30×30 initiative.
鈥淭his unique partnership exemplifies the Zoo鈥檚 commitment to furthering our mission to save wildlife, create connections to nature, and enrich our communities,鈥� said Jake Owens, PhD, director of conservation, Los Angeles Zoo. 鈥淭he Zoo is proud to serve as a safe, inclusive space by providing practical training opportunities for the communities we serve while working to protect our local environment. Additionally, this project highlights how collective action can drive impactful environmental change and ensure a better future for all.鈥�
The five-year partnership, titled The Los Angeles Zoo Oak Woodland Restoration and Career Pathways Project, directly contributes to 30×30, the global effort to protect 30 percent of our planet鈥檚 land and water by 2030. The project is funded by a grant awarded to OBA by the California Wildlife Conservation Board, an independent Board within the California Department of Fish and Wildlife with authority and funding to carry out an acquisition and development program for wildlife conservation. The six-acre area targeted for restoration is located on Zoo grounds and bordered by approximately 4,000 acres of parkland in Griffith Park. The project site contains a mixture of native plant species, including mature coast live oaks, California black walnut, toyon, elderberry, and state and federally listed endangered Nevin鈥檚 barberry shrubs, but also includes an abundance of non-native invasive plant species.
鈥淥BA is dedicated to providing outdoor education, conservation, and environmental learning expeditions for low-income, urban youth from diverse communities,鈥� said Charles Thomas, executive director, Outward Bound Adventures. 鈥淎s we face the critical challenges of climate change and other threats to our environment, it鈥檚 vital that people of all backgrounds have the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to contribute to meaningful conservation efforts and pursue careers in the environmental field.鈥�
Over the next five years, the Zoo and OBA will recruit and hire field technicians and youth for participation in the OBA workforce to support the restoration program. The project will include a technical study and development of a habitat restoration plan; a plan for invasive plant removal and native plant propagation; the construction and installation of a new native plant nursery; scientific data collection and study plot maintenance; data analysis; monitoring; and a public education component. Key to this project is a workforce integration plan, which supports the learning and reinforcement of career skills needed for the OBA workforce to grow and thrive.
The Zoo and OBA will begin work in the coming weeks. Updates and progress will be posted on the LA Zoo鈥檚 website and social media channels.
About the Los Angeles Zoo
The Los Angeles Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is dedicated to providing exemplary animal care and wellbeing. As a trusted leader in local and global conservation efforts, the Los Angeles Zoo is saving wildlife and connecting Angelenos to the natural world by delivering diverse
learning opportunities and creating unforgettable experiences. The lush 133-acre campus and its passionate and dedicated team welcomes all to be inspired by the Zoo’s vision to create a just and sustainable world where people and wildlife thrive, together. The Zoo is located on Zoo Drive in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Admission is $22 for adults and $17 for children ages 2 to 12. For information, call (323) 644-4200 or visit the L.A. Zoo website at .
About Outward Bound Adventures
Outward Bound Adventures (OBA) is the oldest non-profit in the nation dedicated to outdoor education for underrepresented youth and families. OBA is a pioneer of Transformational Experiential Environmental Education (TEEE). Every OBA course is designed to challenge and empower youth with environmental education that changes their perspective about themselves and their surroundings. OBA focuses on serving the overlooked, low-income, and avoided populations in a wide array of California communities; Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Coachella, and San Bernardino. For more information, call (626) 564-0844 or visit the OBA website at.
CONTACT: Carl Myers/(323) 644-4273
lazoo.press@lacity.org