Diamond Bar Scouts Visit Landfill and Lend a Hand to Bird in Need of Conservation

This past Saturday, Cub Scout Pack 788, Den 7 of Diamond Bar participated in a conservation event that aimed to increase the Western burrowing owl population in the Waste Management El Sobrante Wildlife Preserve. In collaboration with Waste Management staff, the scouts established an underground den that will serve as a nesting area for the rare owl.

The El Sobrante Wildlife Preserve, located adjacent to the landfill, comprises more than 650 acres that is preserved for 31 protected plant and animal species. The El Sobrante Landfill is located in unincorporated Riverside County and serves more than one million Inland Empire residents as well as Waste Management customers in Diamond Bar.

Since 2000, the Waste Management El Sobrante Landfill and Wildlife Preserve has been providing learning opportunities that engage students and scouts in environmental protection and resource conservation. The project on Saturday not only served as a hands-on learning experience for the youths but also enhanced the likelihood of more Western burrowing owl hatchlings in the Lake Mathews region.

For several years, the burrowing owl has been experiencing population decline due to threats such as habitat loss and habitat degradation. The owl’s habitat is open grassland, and it nests in underground burrows dug out by other animals such as ground squirrels. Burrowing owls are often seen standing erect on fence posts or near the entrance to one of their burrows. The owl is diurnal and its large yellow eyes, rounded head, long legs and dull brown and white spotted feathers are distinctive among other North American owls.

With the assistance of the El Sobrante Landfill biologist, Cub Scout Pack 788, Den 7 installed one artificial nesting burrow over the weekend. To establish the den, the scouts attached a 6-foot plumbing tube to a 12 by 20-inch box and buried both the box and tube. They left the end portion of the tube above ground so the owls can enter the burrow to lay eggs.

“This conservation project was a unique opportunity for the scouts to create positive environmental change through volunteerism and collaborative action,” said Miriam Cardenas, Waste Management community relations representative. “Plus, we are thrilled to offer this educational activity to children from Diamond Bar, a city where Waste Management does business.”

Additionally, the Cub Scouts toured the El Sobrante Landfill to learn about what happens to Diamond Bar’s municipal solid waste after it leaves curbside and the importance of recycling often and recycling right. 

—Waste Management