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OC Register May 31, 2007

Publication:Orange County Register; Aliso Viejo News; Date:May 31, 2007; Section:News; Page Number:2
PROFILE
Sowing seeds of service
Robert Lawson received White House recognition for his work with Laguna Canyon Foundation.
By CHRISTA WOODALL CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Robert Lawson makes his green thumb count. Lawson has dedicated more than 4,000 hours – or two years – to volunteer service for the Laguna Canyon Foundation, Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. With his wife, Nanci, Lawson established a nursery in Willow Canyon to grow native seedlings for planting in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. He was recognized for his service with the President’s Volunteer Service Award in a surprise ceremony March 28.

Q: What was it like to receive the Volunteer Service Award?

A: I was flattered that Ranger Barbara (Norton) submitted my name. Barbara, and the whole park staff, have been supportive and fun to work with. Laguna Greenbelt has also been a key supporter and allowed the nursery to be an integral part of its volunteer program.

Q: How do you balance volunteering with career and family?

A: The family side is easier as my wife, Nanci, is the first nursery volunteer and still volunteers. I work at Soka University, and we have had biology and ecology classes come work and learn at the nursery.

Q: How did you start the nursery at Willow Canyon?

A: I had mentioned the idea of a nursery with Ranger Barbara and she said, “You should start a nursery here.” I had met various Laguna Greenbelt members, notably Mary Fegrus and Elizabeth Brown, through volunteer work with The Nature Conservancy, and knew Laguna Greenbelt was an effective and friendly group to work with. Mary introduced me to Scott Thomas from Laguna Greenbelt, and we worked with the Rangers for a viable location and plan. This all took about a year, back in 2002. The following year, Laguna Greenbelt accepted the nursery as part of its volunteer program.

Q: What sparked your lifelong love of plants?

A: I’ve enjoyed hiking all of my life, and that exposes you to the environment, especially plants.

Q: What is your favorite flower or plant?

A: Of my many favorites, I certainly enjoy Monkey Flower and Datura.

Robert Lawson Age: 54 Reside: Aliso Viejo Family: Wife, Nanci, and four adult children Education: Bachelors in business, Cal State Fullerton Profession: Database administrator for Soka University

CONTACT THE WRITER: cwoodall@ocregister.com or 949-454-739 1

Original article @: Click Here.

Rattlesnake relocation

Juvenile rattlesnake under Ranger trailer stairs relocated to a safer location. 7' long pvc pipe with jute twine snake snare (click pic to enlarge).

About Volunteering

Hello Prospective Volunteer,
Thank you for your interest in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Nursery. We provide seeds and plants for restoration projects within the park. We have a core volunteer group, yet we are continually looking for more volunteers. Come join us on one of our work days to discover how enjoyable it is to volunteer in the Nursery.
Nursery activities include seed collection, nursery management, plant propagation and restoration planting. If you have no experience, we're more than willing to work with you, if you can volunteer regularly. Nursery work days almost always include working with people who have years of helpful experience. You should be in reasonably good health, as much of the work is physical.
You should consider a commitment of at least 1 Nursery work day per month during the plant year: Oct-Feb. Some volunteers prefer to focus on one Nursery activity, like seed collecting- hiking with a bag; others do all of them. As you contribute to restoring the parks habitat, you’ll learn more about California native plants.
We are a Laguna Canyon Foundation sponsored project. Laguna Canyon Foundation is the primary volunteer organization at LCWP that coordinates and promotes the Nursery, Restoration work, Docent hikes and Wilderness Access Volunteers greeters. See their website at http://www.lagunacanyon.org/. Volunteers are encouraged to support Laguna Canyon Foundation through membership. As an active Nursery volunteer you receive a park t-shirt, plant guide, Franko map, parking pass and access to park when closed to public, when approved.
I look forward to seeing you at the Nursery. You become an active member after coming to more than 3 work days, completing the LCF orientation and getting the County required ID.
Sincerely, Robert

Robert Lawson
Volunteer Nursery Manager
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Nursery view/map +33°34'46.18", -117°45'47.70"
Since 2003, a Laguna Canyon Foundation project
Nursery Link: http://hijoley.blogspot.com e: NurseryAtWillow@gmail.com
Nursery Calendar

Nursery Schedule 2006, July-Aug

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Nursery Schedule 2006*
*All dates are tentative unless people sign up 2 full day's in advance. You are welcome to just "drop in", but the collection may be cancelled without notice due to no volunteers.
July 2006
- 28 Friday 4-6/7pm Seed collection
- 14 Friday 4-6/7pm Seed collection

June 2006
- 30 Friday 4-6/7pm Seed collection
- 16 Friday 4-6/7pm Seed collection
- 02 Friday 4-6/7pm Seed collection

May 2006
- 19 Friday 4-6/7pm Seed collection
- 04 Thursday Restoration site survey

April 2006
- 27 Thursday Nix grass planting
- 22 Saturday Nix grass planting

* Planting for 2006 will begin after 1st rains or October 1st, whichever comes first.