Grass Blast! 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 Kashia Band of Pomo Indians and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria 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. 

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

Directions to Ocean Song

From the town of Occidental, head west on Coleman Valley Rd for 1.8 Miles. Turn right to remain on Coleman Valley Rd and continue an additional 3.4 miles to the main entrance to the preserve. Once you are out of the trees, pass the pond on the left, and have a view of the ocean,  turn left into the preserve at 19100 Coleman Valley Road. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ADDRESSES ARE NOT IN NUMERICAL ORDER ON COLEMAN VALLEY ROAD. Do not turn left until you see the address 19100 otherwise you will get lost and go down the wrong road.  Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes early as the gate will not be open. 

Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ff6nDDbEN4MvBMM49

• 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 sun screen 
• Hand sanitizer and mask

• 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!

Español

Únase a nosotros y ayude a eliminar las especies invasoras, aprenda sobre la función ecosistémica de los pastizales y cómo identificar partes de un pasto, diferentes especies de pastos y hierbas. Ocean Song-Myers es la reserva protegida de 800 acres en el oeste del condado de Sonoma administrada por LandPaths. La tierra es el territorio ancestral del pueblo Pomo y del pueblo Miwok de la Costa desde tiempos inmemoriales. La tierra es vibrante con pastizales costeros nativos, cañones, estanques y arroyos, bosques mixtos de robles, secuoyas y un jardín de hábitat que beneficia a los polinizadores, las aves y los humanos por igual.

Se estima que solo el 1% de la extensión histórica de los pastizales de California todavía existe hoy en día. Además de ser increíblemente biodiversos, los pastizales son, en promedio, mejores para secuestrar carbono que los bosques, sirven como hábitat para muchos animales e insectos y proporcionan recursos importantes para alimentos, fibras y medicinas que los pueblos indígenas han cultivado durante miles de años. Más allá de eso, ¡las hierbas son fascinantes y hermosas! ¡Y tú puedes ayudar a cuidar su salud!

• Almuerzo, meriendas y una botella de agua llena de agua
• Una mochila para guardar tu equipo
• Botas o zapatos resistentes
• Se recomiendan pantalones largos
• Guantes de trabajo
• Sombrero y protector solar

• ¡No se necesita experiencia! ¡Adaptaremos las tareas de administración a su habilidad!
• Se le pedirá que firme una exención de responsabilidad.
• No se admiten mascotas ni se permite fumar.