Get to Know Program Launched on Public Lands Day With LA and San Diego Events

Photograph of man in Forest Service uniform surrounded by a group of young people in blue t-shirts.

Forest Service Chief gives a "thumbs-up" along with several young volunteers from Los Angeles, during the Get to Know Program launch on National Public Lands, September 26, 2009.

Photograph of a woman standing near a table with 3 kids mixing paint of various colors in plastic cups containing paint brushes.

Representative from the Wyland Foundation shows youth drawing techniques.

Two signature events in Los Angeles and San Diego celebrated National Public Lands Day and launched the Get to Know program. On September 26, students from the LA area had the opportunity to visit the LA Zoo where they received fun and engaging instructions, materials and information on their wild neighbors in California from Zoo staff members. Smokey Bear, Woodsy Owl and Ranger Rick were on hand to greet them. Special guests included the Chief of the Forest Service, Tom Tidwell, Deputy Regional Forester, Jim Peña, Get to Know Program Director Mary Krupa Clark, LA Councilman Tom LaBonge and representatives from Southern California Edison and the Toyota Foundation.

In the afternoon, approximately 150 volunteers and many of the dignitaries traveled to Big Tunjunga Canyon on the Angeles National Forest near the site of the Station Fire where the volunteers cleaned trash, rehabilitated trails, recreation sites and riparian areas while learning about natural resource and fire management as they took a tour of the recently burned area and learned about recovery efforts. The event was sponsored by the Forest Service and the National Environmental Education Foundation.

San Diego Event

On September 28, a Public Lands Day and Get to Know launch was held at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Renowned artist Robert Wyland was on hand to spend time with local students as they worked on Get to Know contest entries. He taught them various techniques for drawing wildlife and other subjects. He also delivered the keynote speech on the importance of getting to know neighbors of other species, and how art plays a crucial role in this learning process. Children’s author Cynthia Jenson-Elliott assisted students with the writing group entry.

Forest Service Deputy Chief Joel Holtrop spoke about this historic bi-national (Get to Know originated in Canada) partnership and the Forest Service’s aim to provide new environmental learning opportunities for California youth through the Get to Know contest. A representative for Governor Schwarzenegger in Southern California spoke about the Governor’s endorsement of the Get to Know program and the importance of youth connecting with nature. Mary Krupa Clark, G2K Director provided more information on the G2K program and explained why the program is essential for California. She also talked about the new commemorative print from world renowned artist Robert Bateman, which he designed specifically for the California launch of the program.