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A Gathering is a planning meeting where members of the community can learn more about upcoming community-based restoration projects, receive volunteer leadership training/opportunities and contribute to the planning process. 
They are an important part of any WildPlaces effort. Community Gatherings always involve good food and good community. Weeks of publicity and networking ensure a successful turn out. Community Gatherings include an oral presentation from the stakeholders, a visual presentation depicting previous WildPlaces projects and target areas, refreshments and music. Often, those attending our community Gatherings are like-minded and enjoy their time together. Allowing time at the beginning and end of Gatherings for community members to come together socially encouraging teamwork and unity; two principles that contribute to successful and enjoyable habitat restoration projects.
Los Angeles Community Gathering inspires volunteerism and action in an environment of good food and good friends.
Photo:DM McMillan
We emerge from Gatherings with pages of contacts. Some contacts are interested in volunteering on event days, others wish to take more of a leadership role in organizing and administering the events. A select few contacts will have the capacity to recruit a large number of volunteers. We have worked with church groups, Native American organizations, Scout troops, high schools and various clubs. In the weeks between the Gatherings and the event we spend time recruiting volunteers via phone and e-mail and organizing the procurement of necessary resources.
