Volunteers on the “680 trail” to success

By Greg Reza, Marin County parks Volunteer Coordinator

This Saturday, May 19, 2012, Marin County Parks will celebrate the grand opening of the 680 Trail. When completely open, the 680 trail will be a shared-use trail for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use providing a vital link between the Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Divide Open Space preserve and the Loma Alta Open Space Preserve. The 2.9 mile 680 trail, so named for its elevation of 680 feet, lies within a floating trail easement deeded to the County from the San Domenico School in 2004. Visitors to the trail might see Western Blue Birds (who winter in the area), Red Tailed Hawks, bobcats, coyotes and badgers.

Construction on the trail took place between May and October 2011 and was carried out by a combination of Marin County Parks staff, Conservation Corps North Bay (CCNB), private contractors, biological consultants, and nearly 150 volunteers. Work included building bridges, rock walls, switchbacks, resource monitoring and species protection. County Supervisor Steve Kinsey noted that “this magnificent trail will be a lasting celebration of the generosity and cooperation between a broad spectrum of community members and user groups.” Volunteers from groups including the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, Bay Area Ridge Trail, Forest Knolls Freewheelers, Access4Bikes, the equestrian community (including the Marin Horse Council) and the Marin County Parks Trail Maintenance Team (TMT) assisted in both trail work and outreach. A total of 690 hours of volunteer time was donated over the course of 9 work days.

The Marin County Parks Trail Maintenance Team (TMT) Volunteer Program was formed just for volunteers who wanted to work on the 680 trail. There was a lot of enthusiasm around the new trail and people were interested but we weren’t sure they would be willing to become official Parks volunteers, commit to working 6 trail days per year, attend orientation and complete 680 biologist training before volunteering 5 hours on Saturdays during the hottest summer months June through September.  We put the word out and were delighted by the fantastic response from the community.  The Trail Maintenance team was quickly filled with 40 volunteers with a diverse skill-set and range of experience.

We had many challenges but TMT volunteers rose to meet every one of them.  The first challenge was providing volunteers with 680 Biologist training from Contractors at LSA Associates, Inc.  Volunteer Chris Ruedy captured video of the training presentation, edited the information and worked with staff to make it available online for all volunteers.  Volunteers were ready and raring to go but our first workday was canceled because of rain.  Our meeting locations and the work changed constantly depending on what Trail Crew staff and Conservation Corps North Bay completed during the week but it did not deter the volunteers.  They responded on short notice and gave 150 percent.  We averaged 15 volunteers per event and always had a strong team and got the job done right.

Development of the 680 Trail was truly a community effort with each participant contributing according to his or her unique capabilities.  Many TMT members had trail experience from working on bike trails at Tamarancho and some were involved in construction and trail maintenance professionally.  These team members helped lead the work and the rest of the team learned from them.  Six of nine trail days included only TMT members, on community workdays open to all volunteers, TMT members acted as leaders.  Several TMT members are part of Access 4 Bikes and that group paid for lunches for all “680 Trail” volunteer days.   The combination of hard work, good people and good food to create positive results on the trail is something to celebrate.  Each volunteer is part of the story of a trail that will give joy to many.

Naturalist Notes: Rattlesnake Alert!!

Join Marin County Parks Interpretive Naturalist David Herlocker at the Marin Humane Society on Thursday, May 24 to learn more about rattlesnakes.

By David Herlocker, Marin County Parks Naturalist

Of the eleven species of snakes found in Marin County, perhaps none gets as much attention as the rattlesnake. I have been hiking the trails of Marin for many years (looking for snakes with nearly every step) and I can probably still remember every rattlesnake I have seen here. I don’t think I am unique in this regard, nearly everybody can usually tell you when and where they saw their last wild rattlesnake. Part of the explanation may lie in our own evolutionary history: recognizing venomous snakes may be deeply rooted; our reaction to rattlesnakes might be linked to some genetic memory that triggers a special response deep in our psyche, such as: last time I was here I saw a rattlesnake; I should watch where I step! To take this line of reasoning a step further, humans probably evolved in an environment where there were many dangerous snakes, so a general avoidance of snakes led to survival, and this trait was passed along to future generations. So even though a generalized snake aversion seems irrational (particularly in a place where most snakes are harmless) there may be a rational explanation for snake phobia.

So, what should we do when we do see a rattler?

Most of the time, we can just walk around the snake. The snake is happy to continue whatever it is doing, and we can pass without even eliciting a reaction. The most likely reaction on the part of the snake is to simply sit and let you pass, the next most likely reaction is that the snake will slowly retreat to a safer hiding place. But these reactions are not particularly memorable, so the stories that form our impression of these serpents usually involve rattling, striking, and perhaps a daring dispatch of the deadly creature by some brave person. In fact, it is often the attempt to kill (or chase off) the snake that puts people at risk; the animal is cornered and then approached – what a good formula for getting bitten!

What we must remember when we consider our relationship to these snakes is that the bite that we fear is really a last resort for the snake – the snake only bites if it feels threatened, and in most cases, rattlesnakes will signal a warning before striking (the most notable exception to this is the snake that gets stepped on and bites reflexively, so remember, watch your step when you are in prime rattlesnake habitat). Another important thing to remember is that the venomous bite is not primarily a defensive trait, but a means of securing food. Unless you are the size of a typical rodent, the snake has no real interest in biting you, and will only do so if it finds itself in a life threatening situation.

Those of us that spend our time outdoors with our favorite dogs must consider the following: while dogs also seem to have an innate caution about snakes, our typical domestic pet is also capable of ignoring these primal warnings. Some dogs just can’t avoid moving in for a good sniff of the novel new treat; this sometimes means a bite to the muzzle. If this happens, you should make an effort to get the dog to the nearest Veterinarian’s office immediately. If you regularly walk a dog in rattlesnake country, you should know in advance if the nearest Vet has the right serum on hand.

Of course, there are many more fascinating things about rattlesnakes that don’t involve the prospect of getting bitten: how did the elaborate venom delivery system evolve, and why? Why does this one group of snakes have a rattle? What is the natural history of a typical Marin rattlesnake? What are modern biologists learning about rattlesnakes that not only refutes the mythology surrounding these snakes, but also challenges some of the “scientific facts” that have been repeated for decades? If you want to learn much more about rattlesnakes, please join us on Thursday, May 24 at the Marin Humane Society. Interpretive Naturalist David Herlocker will give a presentation all about rattlesnakes. Time: 7:30 to 9 pm. Directions: from Hwy 101 take the Ignacio exit, go east on Bel Marin Keys. Turn left (into the Humane Society driveway) at the first light (171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd). Questions: Contact David Herlocker at (415) 893-9508 or dherlocker@marincounty.org.

 

 

The Grassland Restoration Project at Ring Mountain Needs Your Help

 

Marin County Parks offers Drop-in Volunteer Program at Ring Mountain on the last Saturday of each month

By Sam Abercrombie,  Ring Mountain Stewardship Coordinator

Even among all of the natural beauty and special places Marin County has to offer, Ring Mountain still stands out as one of the premiere nature preserves in the area. Boasting sweeping views of the bay and stunning wildflower displays, Ring Mountain is a preserve that can be enjoyed equally by the casual hiker and dedicated naturalist alike.

As part of the continuing interest and effort to preserve and protect this prized preserve, Marin County Parks is initiating a new Grassland Restoration Project, where we will be inviting the community to come out and be a part of the preserve’s restoration.

On Ring Mountain the grasslands are the star of the show. Our native bunch grasses grow in diverse matrices that support a variety of native plants, wildflowers, insects, and birds. It is in these grasslands that some of the rarest plants on earth thrive, including the Tiburon mariposa lily. Unfortunately, the invasion of non-native species continues to threaten these ecosystems, and their presence presents an ongoing risk to this already imperiled ecosystem.

In order to reclaim native habitat, we will be removing invasive species, and reclaiming native habitat by installing native plants.

Drop-in volunteer days will be held on the last Saturday of every month, and over the course of a year, volunteers will be able to experience the full cycle of the restoration process. We will begin by clearing areas of invasive species, and will end by installing native plants grown from seed. In between we will tarp, mulch, collect and scatter seeds, learn about native and non-native plants, and take wildflower walks to learn about the preserve.

The work will be mildly strenuous, but very rewarding. We’ll mix in some lessons in environmental education such as geology, botany, and ecology, in the hopes of spreading our enthusiasm and inspiring the younger generation.  So ask your friends, family, and loved ones to join us in the opportunity to give back to the environment, and contribute to the preservation of this Marin County icon.

The next workday will be on Saturday, May 26^th, from 10am-1pm.  We will be pulling tocalote in the project footprint. No RSVP required. For more information, check our events page at www.marincountyparks.org, or contact Sam Abercrombie at 415-473-2128 or sabercrombie@marincounty.org.

We hope to see you on Ring Mountain soon!

Volunteer Spotlight: Adam Friendman

By Park Ranger Kirk Schroeder

Adam Friendman first began volunteering for Marin County Parks three years ago at the age of nine. His first project was working to pick up litter in sensitive wildlife habitat and pull invasive non-native Russian Thistle plants.  A great photo was taken of him that day- a stuffed trash bag strewn over each of his shoulders, he was completely focused at the time, walking carefully on the narrow wetland trail, though rushing to avoid setting the bags down to rest along the way.

Today, Adam continues to volunteer regularly for Marin County Parks.  At 12 years old, his resume is already years ahead of him. Adam is blessed with a remarkable capacity to give his time and energy in support of his passions.  While his career as a parks volunteer began at 9, Adam actually began volunteering at the age of 4, washing hubcaps at car washes because he was just the right height to reach them. The car washes were the first of many Mitzvah Day service projects organized by his synagogue, Congregation Rodef Sholom, that he would participate in.  Adam’s love for animals later led him to volunteer at Wildcare in San Rafael, where he at one point donated a whole year’s savings to their efforts.

This spring Adam decided to continue volunteering to feed the homeless and visit the elderly in nursing homes, while also increasing his efforts with Marin County Parks.  He has committed to working every Friday after school for Marin County Parks.  He works at McInnis Park in San Rafael or Paradise Beach Park depending on the needs of our parks.  Recently, on a warm spring evening at Paradise Park, on the type of night where, between the blue water and rolling hills, there is no better place on earth, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of distractedness in Adam’s mulch spreading approach.  He takes on every task with a bounce in his step, and manages to stay on task despite the most glorious natural distractions, though surely he feels them too.

Adam attends attends Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Rafael, and lives in Mill Valley with his family.

 

Roy’s, So Much More Than Redwoods

An Open Space Odyssey Continues

By Michael Landram, Marin County Parks Volunteer

Earlier this month, I led a hike in Roy’s Redwoods Open Space Preserve for John Kelly’s “Greenboots” conservation awareness organization (http://www.greenbootmedia.com/).  The redwoods live up to their reputation and the loop trail provides a wonderful overview of the diversity within this preserve made famous by its inclusion as a filming location for Star Wars  films.  But for me, the highlight of the day was the sweeping views to be had off the Dixon Fire Road.  You can almost see west to the ocean and you can see the San Francisco Bay to the east!  The view of the Preserve below set the redwoods in a proper landscape context, blended into a pastoral green landscape on a fine spring day.

To learn more about Roy’s Redwoods and other Marin County parks and preserves, visit www.marincountyparks.org.

Join me on my odyssey on the trails of Marin County’s open space preserves! Contact me at michael.landram@yahoo.com if you’d like to come along. All hikes are on weekdays.