What's Happening at the Rancho? |
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Virtual Holiday VSC Meeting
Saturday, December 19, 9:30 am on Zoom*
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Because we couldn't enjoy an in-person volunteer appreciation event this year, and because we usually enjoy a special holiday VSC meeting, we have scheduled something very special for our
December VSC meeting.
It's one small way we can say thank you.
Please join your volunteer family for a special holiday Zoom meeting, including a customized tour with the Bowers Museum. We will enjoy some quality time at the beginning of the meeting- as always- followed by a virtual tour of
California Legacies.
*Please email Ambyr or use
*RSVP is required to receive the Zoom link.
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Rancho is Temporarily Closed
Beginning Immediately
As you likely heard over the weekend, the City of Long Beach, L.A. County, and the State of California all instituted new guidelines and restrictions for public health. Rancho Los Alamitos will temporarily close to the public beginning immediately and remain closed through Tuesday, January 5, 2021, or until it is safe to reopen. We are complying with the Regional Stay-at-Home order from the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Service, and by doing so, we hope to keep you safe, as well as the larger community. For more information on COVID-19 safety, as well as the Health Department’s current health orders, please see www.longbeach.gov.
The dedication and commitment of the Rancho’s volunteers allowed us to open the site’s gardens and barnyard to visitors over the summer and fall. And we believe our visitors and the Rancho benefitted. Earlier today, both Ranchos were given the option of keeping their outdoor areas open like the City parks. But Rancho Los Alamitos is not a public park. We are a historic site, an educational institution, and as such we will stand with the other Los Angeles County museums and historic sites and will temporarily close in order to protect the public. We want you to know that we prioritize your health and wellbeing, as well as that of our visitors. We will open again and offer our superb services and amenities when it is safe to do so.
We will continue to communicate volunteer updates and provide virtual opportunities for volunteer enrichment in the coming weeks. Be sure to check for Volgistics emails and Meanwhile Back at the Ranch e-news bulletins. You can also check our website for details.
Please keep reading below to learn more about how this closure impacts your volunteering in the coming weeks.
Thank you for your continued support!
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The Rancho's Historical Gardens are nationally acclaimed,
and stay beautiful and healthy all year with the love and care of
RLA Staff and dedicated Volunteers!
Spring Blooms require winter care.
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The Cutting Garden Restoration was recently completed by our Restoration Specialist, David Quinn (above). |
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The newest volunteer group, the Container Plant Caretakers, are keeping up with the watering on Mon, Wed, and Fri from 9-11 am. To learn more or to sign up for a shift email ambyr@rancholosalamitos.org or speak with Garden Volunteer Rep Sue Schweiger or Grounds Manager Karen Thompson.
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In addition to their usual weekly duties, the Tuesday Gardeners have been working with Horticulture staff to propagate and plant vibrant red geraniums to restore the Geranium Walk to its former glory. |
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The Heritage Rose Volunteers and Garden Staff recently began an experiment in the Rose Garden. They are testing out Boxwood Hedge trimming techniques and heights (on a non-historically accurate hedge), which can then be used on the historical plantings. |
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During COVID-19 closures and over the winter holiday break, Garden Volunteers (including Tuesdays and Container Plant Waterers) may continue volunteering under stricter protocols, as they do not interact with the public. As always, we appreciate your
self-care practices and understand if you wish to remain safer at home.
Thanks to our Rancho Garden Volunteers for their time and
dedication to our special outdoor spaces.
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If you visited the Rancho's Barnyard last week, you may have noticed something missing. Brian Locke from Bartlett Tree Experts recently visited the Rancho and completed an inspection of the Rancho's trees. This company has cared for the Rancho's heritage trees, including the Moreton Bay Fig trees, since 1986.
Mr. Locke determined that the cottonwood tree in the barnyard lawn was infested with a variety of round head wood boring beetles and that the tree needed to be removed before the beetles emerged and infested other trees onsite. He was particularly concerned about the California pepper trees. The cottonwood was removed Monday 11/30, and its trunk, limbs, and leaves were immediately removed from the site to eliminate infestation of our other trees.
This cottonwood was not historic, and there are other cottonwoods onsite. (Look near the rabbit hutch and chicken coop.)
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Understanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-
An Ongoing Process
Many of the Rancho's dedicated volunteers attended the Rancho's first Volunteer DEI Workshop on November 14th, and others will have an opportunity to participate in January. We greatly appreciate your time and wisdom, and we believe that volunteer participation and understanding is essential to RLA’s future.
In order to provide future volunteer opportunities, we would appreciate your feedback.
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Please complete this short survey to share your feedback and impressions of the workshop with RLA if you participated on 11/14/20.
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We are also interested in feedback from volunteers who did not attend the workshop. This information will help us plan a second workshop and develop future programming. Click here to take the short survey.
We will take all your input into consideration as we prepare for our work with the Aspire Group and RLA’s DEI committee in the coming months. We look forward to a bright future, created together!
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Pony Walkers!
We have a unique new volunteer opportunity coming up for folks who want to enjoy more time with the ponies! Our Livestock and Education teams are working together to enrich public engagement by taking the ponies on walks around the Rancho.
To make this work, we are seeking Pony Walkers! Each walk requires two volunteers (in addition to the staff horse-handlers) to help make way ahead of the ponies and follow behind.
- Interested volunteers must be calm, quiet, and highly-mobile (able to walk up to 5 miles in a shift on uneven surfaces) and enjoy communicating with guests about safety, traffic control, and curated livestock history.
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Interested volunteers must email ambyr@rancholosalamitos.org or katie@rancholosalamitos.org to learn more about training and requirements.
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HOLIDAY UPDATE!
'Tis the season to be jolly!
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Holiday Open House: postponed until 2021
Saturday, December 12:
Cool Crafts for the Holidays
- This program has been adapted to a drive-thru, contactless, pickup activity.
- Volunteer shifts have been cancelled due to COVID-19.
Saturday, December 19:
Virtual VSC Zoom Meeting
- Join your volunteer family for a special holiday Zoom meeting.*
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Volunteer Shirt Order Update!
Didn't get your Rancho shirt ordered yet?
While an order was placed on 11/30, you can order a shirt from Merinelle at any time
using the order form attached below.
For long or short-sleeved T's ($18) or sweatshirts ($30),
We expect the current shirt order to be ready in the next week or two,
and we'll notify you when your orders come in.
We also have men's and women's polo shirts in stock for $26.
Please email Ambyr with your size preference.
Checks can be made to Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation.
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If you need to cancel your scheduled volunteer shift or have an urgent matter,
please contact the Rancho Office or Duane.
Please reach out to Ambyr or Katie with volunteer scheduling or activities inquiries.
If you have livestock questions or concerns, you may contact
the Ranch Office, Ambyr or Katie, or
Livestock and Grounds Manager, Karen Thompson.
Thank you for being our most valued resource!
RLA Office (Mon-Fri, 9-5): (562) 431-3541
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