Cal Lutheran Students Help Remove Invasive Plant From Ventura River Bottom

More than 500 California Lutheran University students are participating in a special volunteer project.

The “You Got Served” project is the school’s largest service-learning project. On Monday the freshmen class and new transfer students partnered with the city of Ventura to clear the Ventura river bottom of Arundo. The invasive plant is a nonnative plant that threatens local flora, shelters illegal activities and is a fire hazard.

Cal Lutheran’s Community Service Center has worked with the city’s Volunteer Ventura! office on the university’s annual “You Got Served” program since 2008.

“The partnership has allowed all the incoming students to work together on a single project that introduces them to Cal Lutheran’s commitment to service and justice and connects them with the local community in a meaningful way. Together, the city and university came up with the environmental clean-up program,” a release from the city of Ventura said.

The city and Ventura Hillside Conservancy work throughout the year to keep the Ventura River Bottom clean, and they are always looking for volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering go to the Ventura Hillside Conservancy website.