Forest Stewardship - Riddell Preserve

Register Here

Where: With its magnificent native grasslands, pure madrone stands, redwood fairy rings, and perennial springs, Riddell Preserve is a 400-acre wonderland above Dry Creek Valley in Healdsburg. LandPaths has stewarded the land since 2007 when it was donated by Kay and Bob Riddell. Riddell Preserve is located on the original homeland of the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians. LandPaths' stewardship staff and volunteers began work on a trail system in 2016. An access road was rebuilt in 2017. We continue to expand the trail system every year thanks to the help of dedicated volunteers like you!

It's wildfire fuels reduction time on the preserve! You will help keep our forests healthy and resilient in the chance that a wildfire comes through our preserve.

• Hiking up and down moderate slopes 
• Trimming small branches off Douglas Fir, California Bay, and Oak trees with hand saws, pole saws, or loppers 
• Felling small Douglas Fir trees with small hand-saws and loppers 
• Removing old-growth French broom shrubs with a saw or weed wrench. 
• Moving woody material to the trail 

Where to Meet: Meet LandPaths' staff and other volunteers in the parking lot of the Healdsburg Corporation Yard at 550 Westside Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448. Once everyone arrives we will caravan to the preserve. Please arrive on time. 

Directions: From Highway 101 North, take the Central Healdsburg Exit. and make a slight left on Healdsburg Avenue.  Turn left onto Mill Street.  Continue under the highway overpass as Mill Street turns into Westside Road. The Corporation Yard parking lot will be on the left immediately before the bridge crossing at the intersection of Westside Rd and Lucius Way. There is a "Corporation Yard" sign at the entrance to the parking lot.           
   
From Highway 101 South, take the Westside Exit and turn right on Westside Rd.  The Corporation Yard parking lot will be on the left immediately before the bridge crossing at the intersection of Westside Rd and Lucius Way.    

What is LandPaths' Covid-19 volunteer workday policy? Please read the most recent version of LandPaths' Covid-19 policy before attending the workday. 

Does rain mean the workday is canceled? The stewardship workday will move forward if there is a light drizzle, but a torrential rainstorm will cancel.  Please call 707-544-7284 (then press 1) after 7am the morning of the stewardship day if the weather feels questionable. If you don't hear a notice of cancellation on the outgoing voice message, the stewardship day is moving forward.  

What should you bring? 

• Picnic lunch, snacks & plenty of water, backpack to hold your gear
• Sturdy boots or shoes that can get muddy
• Long pants recommended 
• Your own work gloves  
• Hat and sunscreen 
• Hand sanitizer

What else do you need to know? 

• We will provide tools, extra water, and snacks. 
• Expect to do a 1.5-mile round-trip hike up a steep but well-graded trail to the project site. 
• You will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
• Restroom onsite
• No potable water is available on the property. Make sure to fill up your water bottle ahead of time. 
• No pets or smoking. 

Register here