Description
The Grove of Old Trees
Annual Workday & Potluck
Saturday, November 3rd 2018
8:45am Stewardship
1:00pm Potluck
with Guest Speaker, wildlife ecologist Meghan Walla-Murphy
giving a presentation on "Living in the Redwoods, Past and Present," followed by discussion.
*Pre-registration is required for this event.
Please join us for our Annual Grove Workday and Potluck at LandPaths’ cherished Grove of the Old Trees Preserve on Fitzpatrick Lane! Friends of the Grove (FOG) & LandPaths welcome you to attend the work and/or food/social portions of the day. During our potluck lunch, guest speaker, wildlife ecologist Meghan Walla-Murphy, will give a presentation titled "Living in the Redwoods, Past and Present", followed by group discussion. Whether you come in the morning or join us in the afternoon, this event is always a great opportunity to meet neighbors and community members who love the Grove and are dedicated to caring for this special place.
Not only is the Grove the first property stewarded and owned by LandPaths – it’s one of the only privately-owned wildland preserve in Sonoma County that is publicly accessible and free to all. Your “adoption” of the Grove helps us in both protecting the biotic integrity of this special place while allowing the public to enjoy it! If you’re interested in getting involved on a more regular basis following the workday, we encourage you to join the Friends of the Grove (FOG) and help steward the Grove throughout the year.
Some potential stewardship tasks for November 3rd include fuel and vegetation reduction projects, fern transplanting, maintenance of the trail system, and spreading of woodchips on pathways.
Following our morning of work in the Grove, we will gather for a festive potluck lunch. During our potluck lunch, writer, tracker, and natural historian Meghan Walla-Murphy will give a talk titled "Living in the Redwoods, Past and Present"
Please bring a dish – side or main, salad or dessert to share at the potluck. Also, don’t forget to pack your own plate/bowl/mug and utensils! Grove neighbors Meredith Fondahl & David Wickline have generously offered their residence across from the preserve for our afternoon potluck gathering. LandPaths will provide some healthy snacks in the late morning to keep you running until we break for lunch around 1:00pm
RSVP: Please RSVP for the stewardship project, the potluck, or both.
What to Bring for the workday:
Sturdy boots, work gloves, water and re-fillable water bottle, weather appropriate clothing in layers, ear and eye protection (if you have it), hand tools from home:
TOOLS – LandPaths will provide some tools but bring along the following if you have them: Wheelbarrows, rakes, square or spade shovels, pole-saws, McLeods, large loppers, hedge trimmers, and bow and hand saws. If you have more than one, and don’t mind sharing for the day, please bring along an extra. We’ll have sharpie pens on hand to mark your tool if you haven’t already done so. If you don’t have any of the tools mentioned above, LandPaths will have a extra for you to use during the workday.
What to bring for the potluck/social:
A potluck dish to share (soups, main dish, salads, dessert, etc.), travel mug, plate/bowl and utensils. A change of dry clothes and socks/shoes so that you can comfortably enjoy the afternoon gathering.
Where & When:
Please arrive by 8:45am to ensure a start time of 9am. DROP TOOLS AT THE MAIN PARKING AREA, AND THEN VOLUNTEERS WILL DIRECT YOU TO OFF-SITE PARKING. Arrive by 1pm for potluck and guest talk.
Carpooling:
If you are driving from the local area or know others attending this workday, please consider carpooling to reduce the vehicle impact to Fitzpatrick Lane. Thank You!
Directions to the Grove:
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.
Details, Details:
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You will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
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Please leave your pets at home.
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There are no restrooms available in the Grove. Please plan accordingly. Restrooms are available at our afternoon potluck lunch venue.
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Did you remember your plate, mug and utensils??
Thanks for your support! We look forward to seeing you on November 3rd!
Your Friends at LandPaths & Friends of the Grove (FOG)
