At-risk young adults from Orange County recently returned to the Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary as part of a unique program that introduces urban young people to nature and teaches them hands-on conservation skills in the process. The recent state budget standoff had temporarily put a stop to the valuable program, but new funding sources have stepped up to put it back in business. The young people are part of the Orange County Conservation Corps, which was established in 1993 as part of an Anti-Gang Taskforce. The Corps educates, trains and employs participants while benefiting the community through conservation-related projects.

“It’s great having them back here,” said Sandy DeSimone, director of research and education at the Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary. “Many of these young people have never experienced nature before and you can see what a joy this is for them.”