Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site’s gardens and grounds include plants from the 1840s, 1880s and 1930s, as well as recently planted California natives that surround the new visitor center. Share the history and beauty of this historic landscape with visitors as a Garden Docent (tour guide) at Rancho Los Cerritos! Training for garden docents begins Friday, March 14, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and continues for five weeks; there is no charge. For more information or to register for this very special volunteer opportunity, please call (562) 570-1755.
Becoming a garden docent is a perfect opportunity for nature lovers who want to share their joy of plants! The serene 4.7 acres of landscaped grounds include trees from the mid-19th century, historic roses, exotic vegetation, an herb garden, an adobe horno, an old water tower, and a magnificent Moreton Bay Fig that dominates the main garden. Newer installations include the arroyo and garden along the western perimeter of the property, planted with California natives. Learn about the early development of the gardens, their renovation in the 1930s by landscape architect Ralph Cornell, and the newest restoration work as you explore hundreds of varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers in docent training.
During training volunteers will have the opportunity to work closely with the Rancho’s horticulturist as she takes them on an enlightening, educational experience through the grounds. They will also learn to enhance their public speaking abilities and practice interpretation techniques to liven up tours. Upon completion of the course, garden docents will be equipped with sufficient knowledge to give informative and engaging tours to the public.
Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site is located at 4600 Virginia Road in Long Beach. Built in 1844, the adobe home and grounds of Rancho Los Cerritos echo with the rich history of Spanish, Mexican, and American California and with the families who helped transform Southern California from its ranching beginnings to the modern, urban society it is today. The two-story Monterey-style adobe is primarily furnished to reflect occupants and lifestyles from the 1860s-1880s. The site, a National, State and Long Beach Historic Landmark, also includes historic gardens and a research library and archives. The Rancho is operated by the Rancho Los Cerritos Foundation in public-private partnership with the City of Long Beach. For more information please call (562) 570-1755, or visit the website at www.rancholoscerritos.org and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.con/rancholosc.
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