Earth Day Celebrated at Chatsworth Nature Preserve Open House
After another wet winter, San Fernando Valley residents were ready to celebrate Mother Earth with a day at the Chatsworth Nature Preserve. Over 3,000 visitors to the city’s only nature preserve were excited to see how the abundant rainfall had further beautified the ecology pond and 1,300 acres of protected, pristine land. The special day began with a ceremonial prayer led by Dennis Garcia, Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, Chumash & Tongva elder. Senior Assistant General Manager - Water System Anselmo Collins emceed the program, and Board President Richard Katz and Commissioner Nurit Katz attended the event, representing the Board of Water and Power Commissioners.
Following the opening ceremony, visitors spread out to enjoy Earth Day highlights that included:
- An amphibian station where guests could see live stages of metamorphosis with tadpoles, toads, and tree frogs.
- Birding stations that provided guests a close-up look at fluffy-headed, baby red-tailed hawks peeking out of their nest.
- A reptile den where kids of all ages learned about reptile and amphibian species that live on the Nature Preserve.
- Networking with the Community Resource Fair’s 40 exhibitors.
- Guided nature hikes where attendees soaked in the gorgeous surroundings and learned about the Nature Preserve.
- Native American storytelling, along with native music and songs from North, Central and South America.
- Tours of the new Demonstration Garden, showcasing a variety of California Native plants residents can use in their home gardens.
The Chatsworth Earth Day Open House is an annual spring event hosted by LADWP along with community partners the Herp Connection, Santa Susana Mountain Park Association, and Sky Valley Volunteers.
"This event is an opportunity to honor our commitment, learn from the original caretakers of this land and to give back. The Earth gives us so much and we must take care of these resources. That’s what today is all about; connecting, seeing, and learning about the different species of plant and wildlife."
Nurit Katz, Commissioner, Board of Water and Power Commissioners
Earth Day Celebrations in Owens Valley
LADWP’s dedication to reducing the impact of climate change through environmental responsibility, sustainability and clean energy extends far beyond Earth Day in Los Angeles. During the month of April, LADWP actively participated in community celebrations in the Owens Valley that encouraged a culture of collective responsibility and stewardship to help protect our natural resources.
Employees participated in the City of Bishop’s annual Sierra Celebration on April 20 at Bishop City Park, and LADWP was also invited to two tribal celebrations with the Bishop Paiute Tribe and Lone Pine Shoshone Tribe. LADWP staff were also present at the Owens pupfish ceremony on April 21, where endangered pupfish were released into the newly established Owens Pupfish Refuge within the Tribe’s Conservation Open Space Area. This was a multi-year, collaborative project between LADWP Aqueduct Operations, the Bishop Paiute Tribe, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Following this ceremony, the Bishop Paiute Tribe Spring Market event showcased local artisans and vendors, offering a diverse selection of crafts and foods. LADWP employees also joined the Lone Pine Shoshone Tribe’s 11th Annual Earth Day Event on April 27, inviting community members to commemorate Earth Day through acts of environmental-based volunteer service and fun Earth Day related activities.
At all events, LADWP staff shared important information with the community on water and energy conservation and LADWP in the Eastern Sierra activities, specifically our restoration efforts. This includes growing native plants in LADWP maintained greenhouses for use in revegetation projects to mitigate environmental degradation. Staff also passed out native plant seed bags and plant guides to attendees. Active engagement in these events underscores the Department’s commitment to environmental awareness and sustainability through community participation.
Tap Off Teams Continue Winning Streak at Regional Competition
Following their near domination at the LADWP Tap Off in February, Water Distribution Division’s various Tap Off teams continued their winning performance at the regional competition in Burlingame, California from March 25-27.
In the main event Pipe Tapping competition, the LADWP Tap Kings took first first place. Comprised of Alfredo Sandoval, Christopher Torres, Timothy Gonzales and Joshua Madrid, the Tap Kings advance to the American Water Works Association (AWWA) national competition in Anaheim, California, to be held June 10-13. Although L.A. Tappers also had a strong showing with second place, they were not able to move on to the nationals, as AWWA competition rules don’t allow two teams from the same utility to compete in the same event.
In the Hydrant Hysteria competition, two LADWP teams will advance to nationals. The Hydro Kings, comprised of Alfredo Sandoval, Christopher Torres and Timothy Gonzales, took first place, and the Hydro Maniacs, crewed by Matthew Hogan, Miguel Romo and Edward Astorga, took third. Since the Hydro Kings are returning champions, this allowed the third place team to go on to Nationals. In the Meter Challenge, Sergio Barragan advanced to national with a first place finish. Intake wishes good luck to all the teams and individual competitors at nationals!
Supplier Diversity Fair Honors Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
On May 9, LADWP’s Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) hosted the second Supplier Diversity Fair of the year at the John Ferraro Building (JFB). Coinciding with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the event laid a foundation of connection to increase equity in contracting between small and diverse business attendees, LADWP, other agencies, and prime contractors. Supplier Diversity Fairs have become instrumental tools for networking, building relationships, and knowledge sharing to establish partnerships with small, minority, woman-owned, and other businesses.
May’s event, which was hosted in collaboration with the Asian American Architects & Engineers Association (AAa/e), Asian Business Association, and Pacific Asian Consortium – L.A., featured a presentation by Senior Architect Sammy Wong on two major construction projects: LADWP’s John Ferraro Building Modernization Project and La Kretz Hollywood Customer Service Center Project. Both projects generate important prime contracting and subcontracting opportunities. In addition, a panel discussion sponsored by AAa/e covered progressive design-build, an innovative alternative project delivery method that enhances the opportunity for teamwork and collaboration.
Participants also took part in break-out sessions on LADWP procurement practices and upcoming contracting opportunities. The evening closed with networking that allowed for one-on-one conversations between participants and prime contracting companies.
We’re Here to Help: LADWP Supports Ward Villas Seniors
In a vibrant display of public service and customer care, LADWP recently partnered with Ward Villas Economic Development Corporation to host a pop-up Customer Support event on April 20 at Ward Villas for seniors in South Los Angeles. The event offered on-site, one-on-one consultations with LADWP's Customer Service Representatives (CSR's) for seniors living at the apartment complex, many of whom are on limited and fixed incomes.
During the event, CSR's helped explain the billing process and offered insights into resources to ease financial burdens and ensure continued access to critical water and power services. Residents had the opportunity to enroll in programs such as EZ-SAVE, Lifeline, and Level Pay. Recently appointed Commissioner Wilma J. Pinder also joined the event, underscoring LADWP’s commitment to engaging with and supporting the most vulnerable members of our community.
The Ward Villas outreach event was an extension of LADWP’s ongoing Customer Support Saturday program, during which select Customer Service Centers are open for Saturday hours to assist customers who are unable to visit the centers during normal business hours. That same day, LADWP’s Crenshaw, North Hills, and Watts Customer Service Centers were also open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to assist customers with program enrollment. For more information on upcoming events, visit ladwp.com/events.
"Events like these serve as a testament to the transformative power of community outreach and collaboration. We’re helping our customers, especially our seniors, make better-informed decisions about their water and power use and offering them the tools and resources to alleviate the stress that can come with paying bills."
Wilma J. Pinder, Commissioner, Board of Water and Power Commissioners