LandPaths

Description

Grass Blast at Ocean Song-Myers

Thursday, May 2, 2024

10 am- 2 pm

Event led in English

Every Thursday throughout the month of May, LandPaths is hosting volunteer stewardship days in the serpentine grassland at the Ocean Song/Myers preserve. Join us and help remove invasive species, learn about the ecosystem function of grasslands, and how to identify parts of a grass, different species of grasses and forbs.

It's estimated that only 1% of the historic extent of the grasslands in California still exist today. In addition to being incredibly biodiverse, grasslands on average are better at sequestering carbon than forests, serve as habitat for many animals and insects, and provide important resources for food, fibers, and medicine that Indigenous people have cultivated for thousands of years. Beyond that, grasses are fascinating and beautiful! And you can help tend for their health!

Where: Ocean Song-Myers is the 800-acre protected preserve in west Sonoma County stewarded by LandPaths. The land is the ancestral territory of the Southern Pomo people and the Coast Miwok people since time memorial. The land is vibrant with native coastal grasslands, canyons, ponds and streams, mixed oak woodlands, redwoods, and a habitat garden that benefits pollinators, birds, and humans alike.

Ocean-Song Myers is home to beautiful coastal prairies and serpentine grasslands that include unique and rare species. Unfortunately, they are also home to some invasive species that we hope to eradicate through our Grass Blast held every Thursday in the month of May. By participating in this event, you will not only help our stewardship efforts to protect native plants by elimating invasives, but you'll be able to learn more about the importance of grasslands and even hone your plant I.D. skills.

Tasks for the day include:

Hiking on and off trails.

Hand-pulling invasive species

Where to Meet: We'll meet at 10am at the large, red-roof barn next to the dirt parking lot.

Directions to Ocean Song – From the town of Occidental, head west on Coleman Valley Rd for 1.8 Miles. At the stop sign, turn right to remain on Coleman Valley Rd and continue an additional 3.4 miles to the main entrance to the preserve (19100 Coleman Valley Road), which will be on your left. Look for the LandPaths' sign in the driveway. Staff or volunteers will direct you towards the barn and parking area.

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 cancelled? 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 to Bring With You:

Picnic lunch, snacks & plenty of water, backpack to hold your gear
Sturdy boots or shoes that can get muddy
Long pants recommended
Work gloves
Hat and sunscreen
Optional, but encouraged: species identification books and guides.

What else do you need to know?

You will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
No stewardship or volunteer workday experience is necessary!
There is a restroom on the property.
There is no potable water available on the property.
No pets or smoking.
No overnight camping allowed at the property.

We are excited to team up with you and take care of the land together!