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It's wildfire fuels reduction time on the preserve! Now that we've pulled tons of French Broom and lopped Douglas Firs, it's time to minimize the woody debris while it's okay to do burn piles. The more people we have, the more we can do! 

• Hiking up and down moderate slopes 
• Lighting burn piles 
• Gathering wood debris and adding woody debris to burn piles 
• Adjusting pile shape with hand-tools 
• Putting out burn pile with water and hand-tools.  
• Assessing fire heat.  
• Removing French broom and other fuels using hand tools  

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.    

About Riddell: 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!

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 and fully non-synthetic clothing
• Your own work gloves  
• Hat and sunscreen 
• Hand sanitizer

What else do you need to know? 

• 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 on site
• No potable water available on the property. Make sure to fill up your water bottle ahead of time. 
• No pets or smoking.