Brian Lee
10th Grade/ West Ranch High School
The Wildland Weed Warriors is a group of individuals who work for the good of California’s natural environment. Four days a month, they host operations in locations such as Golden Valley, Elsmere Canyon Open Space, and Taylor Trailhead, which are dedicated to nourishing Santa Clarita’s plant ecosystem. Mary Herr, a retired English teacher, co-founded Wildland Weed Warriors alongside her husband, Omar Peifa, in November 2021. Herr has been an active community member of the community, volunteering with the California Invasive Plant Council and setting aside time to pick out invasive plants. While removing these prickly plants under the blazing California sun, she realized she needed help. Hence, so she came into contact with an Open Space administrator who helped her set up her program. Through this program, she hopes to “both improve important habitats and raise awareness among residents of the beautiful and diverse natural environments Santa Clarita is privileged to be part of.”
Since November 2021, the program has made massive strides with more than 90 native plants now thriving in all three locations. Herr’s efforts have not gone unnoticed and had received a donation of $4,545 from the city to fund tools and plants as well as becoming a speaker at the San Gabriel Mountains chapter of California Native Plant Society, or CNPS, to spread awareness about invasive plants. “I am grateful for the amazing opportunities that were given to me and I greatly appreciate all the volunteers who participated and helped boost the success of this program,.” Mary Herr proclaimed.
Among the numerous volunteers, West Ranch students have also participated in this program. “I wanted to participate in Wildland Weed Warriors because I realized I could get my service hours while supporting my community which I believe is a win-win,” West Ranch sophomore Pranav Talasila said. Service hours are a big motivator for teenagers to participate in volunteering events; however, there could be a deeper, more personal reason. “I participated in Wildland Weed Warriors because they help nurture hiking trails that are part of my childhood. I remember I went to Taylor Trailhead with my father when I was younger and I want that place to still be beautiful for future generations,” West Ranch sophomore Nishcal Raghavendra commented. High School students weren’t the only volunteers, but adults as well who decided to spend their day off helping the community.
Annie Kim, a mother of one, shares her story about getting involved with Wildland Weed Warriors: “After I sent my son to school I usually have a lot of free time on my hands. I wanted to do something more productive with that time so I just looked up some volunteering events and I found out about Wildland Weed Warriors. I loved the unique purpose of the event and once I participated in it I felt much more prideful that I was helping out the community but also I got a good workout from it! ” From humble beginnings to now, Wildland Weed Warriors has reshaped Santa Clarita into a more natural and fascinating landscape filled with beautiful native plants and promoting a healthier bio-ecosystem. This could not have been possible without the determination of co-founders Mary Herr and Omar Peifa, but also the volunteers who make the backbone of this program.
