LandPaths

Description

Be a Trail Builder at Rancho Mark West

Saturday, April 6, 2024

10 am to 2 pm

Event will be led in English.

(volunteers may leave earlier, but must arrive on time)

Trails are crucial to safe access to nature, for both land and people. They also help reduce erosion and overuse of sensitive ecosystems. At LandPaths, our trails are people-powered, and you can come on out and help us maintain them on these monthly stewardship days, while enjoying a morning out at one of the most beautiful open spaces in Sonoma County! Plus, trails improve access for our environmental education programs, nature camps for Sonoma County youth, and adults that are participating in outings on the land.

The more people that come out for this trail stewardship day, the more we can get done. Plus, tending the land with like-minded people is a guaranteed mood-booster!

Here’s a sampling of possible tasks that you will do to care for the land:

Hiking moderate slopes
Carrying tools to the trail site. Tools range in weight, from light to heavier
Removing vegetation with rakes and loppers
Reshaping edge of trail with shovels, mcleods, and pickaxes
(We provide the tools!)
Smoothening trail with shovels and rakes

Directions: Address will be provided upon registration

About Rancho Mark West: With accessible pathways and proximity to Santa Rosa, Rancho Mark West is a place of refuge in the Mayacamas Mountains, 20 minutes east of Santa Rosa. LandPaths. With generous assistance from the California Coastal Conservancy, LandPaths purchased Rancho Mark West in 2011. Under the purchase terms, Jim and Betty Doerkson, have a reserved life estate on the property. LandPaths and the Doerksens participate in this land ownership partnership as a way to love the land and engage the public forever, especially local children, through outings and outdoor education. Rancho Mark West is located on the ancestral home of the Southern Pomo people and the Wappo people, past, present, and future. We recognize them as the first people and the first stewards of this land. We are on occupied territory and acknowledge the ongoing devastation of colonization.

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

Will weather conditions affect the day? The stewardship workday will move forward if there is a light rain, but if there is a fire, dangerous smoke, strong winds or very high heat, we 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?

Lunch, snacks, and a water bottle filled with water
A backpack to hold your gear
Sturdy boots or shoes that can get muddy
Long pants are recommended
Work gloves
Hat and sunscreen

What else do you need to know?

No experience necessary! We'll match stewardship tasks to your ability!
You will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
No pets or smoking.

Thank you!