Stewardship Day at Grove of Old Trees

09/27/2025 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM PT

Description

You're warmly invited to lend a hand at the Grove of Old Trees! This 48-acre redwood grove in west Sonoma County is protected forever. A flourishing habitat that's beneficial for plant, animal, and human communities, your stewardship action is crucial to tending the land for a healthy, thriving Grove.

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.

A Look at What We'll Be Doing:

Hiking up and down moderate slopes
Gathering wood debris and adding woody debris to burn piles
Building burn piles with leftover woody debris
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

What you should bring, if you have it:

Picnic lunch, snacks & water, backpack to hold your gear
Sturdy boots or shoes that can get muddy
Long pants and sleeves
Sunglasses or safety glasses
Bandana for your face/neck
Leather gloves
Brimmed hat and sunscreen

What else do you need to know?

Expect to do a 1.5-mile round trip hike up a somewhat steep but well-graded trail to the project site.
You will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
No potable water available on the property. Make sure to fill up your water bottle ahead of time.
No pets or smoking.

Where to Meet: Meet LandPaths' staff and other volunteers at the parking lot of the Grove of Old Trees (17599 Fitzpatrick Ln, Occidental, CA 95465). Once everyone arrives we will hike to the project site.

Directions: The following directions are to the Grove parking lot. Make your way to the town of Occidental and look for Coleman Valley Road – the main road exiting the West Side of town. Continue along Coleman Valley Road until the road makes a sharp turn to the right. Go straight (do not continue on Coleman Valley Road). You are now on Joy Road. Take Joy Road for approximately ¼ mile where you will turn right on Fitzpatrick Lane. Proceed slowly on this narrow winding lane. Please remember to give right of way to vehicles traveling uphill. Stay on Fitzpatrick Lane approximately 5 minutes; the road banks to the left over a cattle grate, and up a moderately steep hill. The Grove will appear on your right. Follow the paved road along the Grove to the parking area on the right. If you are driving from the local area or know others attending this workday, to your comfort, please consider carpooling to reduce the vehicle impact to Fitzpatrick Lane. Thank You!

If we need to cancel due to weather or other circumstances: You will immediately receive an email if the program gets cancelled. However, if you would like to confirm, check back on this post; it will say "CANCELLED" if the program is called off.

If you have any questions, call the office at 707-544-7284. Please know that the office is only open Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm. All calls or emails sent before or after that time will be responded to on the next business day.

We look forward to seeing you out on the land!