Several of STV’s Los Angeles team volunteered with Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) and the California Native Plant Society to restore California’s native habitat along the Los Angeles River.

FoLAR is a local organization that advocates for nature, biodiversity and equity along the LA River, providing education programs, community events and volunteer engagements. FoLAR hosts monthly habitat restoration events as well as the annual Great LA River Cleanup, the largest urban river cleanup in the United States.

Alongside volunteers from across Los Angeles, the STV team removed invasive mustard species throughout the Sepulveda Basin Nature Preserve. The invasive mustard plant, known as black mustard, originated in Europe and prevents native plants from growing, while also posing a fire risk. Volunteers and members of the California Native Plant Society filled 75 bags with the invasive plant and helped protect saltmarsh caterpillars that have recently returned to the wildlife preserve. Thanks to FoLAR’s and the California Native Plant Society’s efforts over the past few years, trees, bushes and flowers that are native to the San Fernando Valley are now thriving.

“Many people, both LA natives and visitors, are surprised to learn that the Los Angeles River exists,” said Henry Vo, STV’s senior talent acquisition partner based in Los Angeles. “This habitat restoration is a great opportunity to connect with nature here in our backyard while helping to support our environment and communities that live along the river.”

After the cleanup, the San Fernando Valley Audubon Society guided volunteers on a nature walk through the preserve, where the STV team spotted blue herons, swallows and even an osprey.

In addition to Vo, STV’s volunteers included: Evelyn Garcia, Camila Ryder, Tyler Bonstead, Joshua Morales and children of STV employees.