Drizzly El Nino Requires Volunteers to Save Big Sur Conservation Efforts

MONTEREY, Calif. - May 11, 2016 - PRLog -- As El Nino disappoints conservationists with a drizzly spring, thousands of seedlings planted in Big Sur State Park are in jeopardy of not surviving the upcoming summer season. The seedlings were planted as part of a major conservation effort in the park's campground. Now, with El Nino fading, it is critical that the seedlings are watered if they are to survive the dry summer season. To save the seedlings, Nature Corps volunteers will gather at Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground on Saturday, May 21 at 9am to water 16 species of native trees, shrubs, and flowering plants.

"We are looking forward to having many volunteers show up for the event", said Mark Landon, Nature Corps Executive Director. The park has spent a significant amount of labor and resources to plant approximately 9,500 seedlings as part of a major habitat restoration effort, primarily within the park campground. The seedlings were planted to mitigate a large project that was completed in the park about 3 -4 years ago, in which trees and habitat were removed in order to reconfigure roads, entrance stations, improve traffic flow, add permanent bridges across the Big Sur River, and add a wheelchair accessible trail.

The park service is hopeful that, with volunteers watering the seedlings, many more plants will mature to restore Big Sur's world renowned habitats. If you would like to volunteer for either the day or take part in the Nature Corps weekend voluntour, please email them at info@thenaturecorps.org .

Nature Corps is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit volunteer conservation organization established in 1987. It has received a number of national and state awards for its conservation efforts, including a Congressional "Take Pride" award for planting 20,000 trees throughout Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

The organization offers a variety of youth programs and voluntours in Yosemite, Sequoia, Hawaii, and Morro Bay State Park. Nature Corps also provides companies with all-inclusive employee volunteer and teambuilding outings. Proceeds from company sponsorships and the voluntours are used to support low-income youth that wish to volunteer in the parks. All contributions a tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

To learn more about Nature Corps visit them at www.thenaturecorps.org or call 1.800.774-PARK.