Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

From Ashes came Life
On April 2008, the Environmental club of Los Angeles School of Global Studies went to a freshly scorched area at Zuma Canyon near Malibu, California. After the terrible fire that brought destruction of animal and plant life at Zuma Canyon, the LASGS environmental club responded with immediate concern of bringing life back in the devastated area. Most of the club members volunteer to help in the effort of replanting trees with the feeling of serenity, knowing that such gesture would help heal the devastated canyon. It was our calling, responsibility, and our priority to lend aid by replanting plants in Zuma Canyon, a small step in fulfilling the job in saving our planet.
As we stepped out of the school bus that brought us in the area, we couldnâ€™t help but feel the mixed feeling of excitement and sympathy for the devastated canyon. But first we had to learn about the wildlife of Zuma Canyon. We were taught about the various animal and plant life that were present in the Canyon. After this, we did a tour on the different walk paths in the canyon to visualize the area ourselves. By learning the environment first hand, gave us the opportunity to know the effects of Global Warming, the devastation of the Malibu fire, and various effects to the ecosystem in which we reside.
In addition to the short educational tour came the most important task of the trip, we had to pick our tree and area in which to replant our chosen tree. A thirty minute planting can result to a lifetime effect in the ecosystem of the canyon. By achieving our goal, we helped provide a new cure to the ailing Zuma Canyon. It wasnâ€™t just about planting trees, but also the joy of saving the environment with the people who share the same concern for our planet.
Our action at Zuma Canyon is just the first step in saving our planet. It is an imperative task despite its smallness due to its long term effect on the future of the canyonâ€™s ecosystem. Itâ€™s important because by being involved, it opened our eyes to the wonders of nature and provided us with the insight how fragile our ecosystem is. We recognize the need for unity in the community in voicing out the necessity in acting now for time is running out. We need to save our planet and our actions at Zuma Canyon were the first step in achieving it.
From the ashes of the aftermath of the fire at Zuma Canyon came a new life. As our environmental club planted trees, we have brought a new home for bugs and other wildlife in the canyon. It only took a shovel, baby plant, and the united actions of the community to save the planet. By doing things together and focusing our efforts as one, we can achieve the biggest problem in the world, saving our environment, our planet, and our only home.