Fernandez Ranch
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Project Pictures
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Project FlyerCamp
Driving Directions
Fernandez Ranch - 1081 Christie Road, Martinez, CA 94553
From I-80:
- Head east on Highway 4.
- Take the first exit after the Franklin Canyon Golf Course onto Christie Road.
- Use caution both exiting and, particularly, entering Highway 4. Christie is a rural exit from busy Highway 4.
- Fernandez Ranch is 0.7 miles down Christie Road on your right.
From Martinez:
- Head west on Highway 4.
- Take the Franklin Canyon Exit.
- Turn left under the freeway, then left againto merge onto Highway 4 eastbound.
- Take the first exit after the Franklin Canyon Golf Course onto Christie Road.
- Use caution both exiting and, particularly, entering Highway 4. Christie is a rural exit from busy Highway 4.
- Fernandez Ranch is 0.7 miles down Christie Road on your right.
Carpool/Parking Information
Level of Effort
Project Fact Sheet
Fact SheetProject Schedule
Friday
5:00pm - Registration and camping open. DINNER IS NOT PROVIDED.
Saturday7:30am - Registration, light breakfast, and lunch packing begin at Center Camp.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk.
9:00 am – Project begins.
12:30pm - Break for lunch on trail.
3:30 pm – Stop work and return to camp. Clean and store tools.
4:00 pm – Drinks, appetizers and socializing. Showeres are available.
6:00 pm – Dinner.
Sunday7:30am - Registration and lunch packing begin. Hot breakfast is served.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk.
9:00 am – Project begins.
11:30 am – Break for lunch on trail.
1:30pm - Stop work, clean tools, load tools into boxes and return to camp.
Things to Do Before or After the Project
What to Bring and Wear
- Sturdy shoes or boots with good tread. Ankle support will be important where we are building new trails. Sandals and open-toed shoes will not be permitted
- Water bottles or a water bladder that can hold at least 2 liters of water. (You will not be allowed on the trail without water.)
- Day pack to carry your water and lunch.
- Work gloves. (If you don’t have your own gloves, V-O-Cal will provide them. Please return them at the end of the project.)
- V-O-Cal provides all necessary tools, as well as training on tool use and safety.
- Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.
- Insect repellent and allergy medicine (if you normally need these things when working outdoors).
- Reusable plate/bowl, eating utensils, and mug/cup.
- A change of clothes for each work day and for lounging at camp to minimize the spread of poison oak.
- Please come prepared for a variety of weather conditions (think layers!). Unless there is a serious storm predicted, we will work drizzle or shine.
- A tent (if you have the option to bring a smaller tent, please do!)
- A sleeping bag, sleeping pad and pillow.
- A flashlight or headlamp.
- A camp chair (if you don't want to sit on the ground).
- Other camping gear that makes you comfortable
Meals
- To minimize waste we ask that you bring your own reusable plates, coffee mug, cups and utensils. Hot water and soap are provided.
- A continental breakfast is served Saturday morning.
- Lunch is prepared before hitting the trail. You break for lunch on the trail around 12:30pm.
- Please arrive at camp by 7:40am to register, eat breakfast and prepare your lunch.
- Appetizers and beverages will be available after the work day on Saturday, usually around 4pm. Dinner will follow, usually around 5:30pm.
- Hot breakfast is served Sunday morning.
Hazards
SUN EXPOSURE | HYDRATION | HYPOTHERMIA Some of the work areas are fully shaded. However, please plan forsun protection, including sun hats, sun block and light long sleeveshirts. Please bring water bottles or a water bladder large enoughto hold at least 2 liters of water. Drink plenty of water throughoutthe work day. If you feel tired or weak, let your crew leader know,and take a break.
POISON OAK There is a risk of exposure to poison oak at the work site. Have yourcrew leader point some out to you if you don’t know what it lookslike. Clean with Tecnu (which we provide) after the work day and becautious when handling your dirty clothes.
TICKS | MOSQUITOES Mosquitoes could be active this time of year so bug spray and longsleeved, lightweight shirts are recommended. Ticks are always ahazard; light colored clothing makes them easier to spot when youcheck during and after the project.
SNAKES Snakes are present on the property. Use caution, especially whenpicking items up off the ground or moving rocks.
SHARP TOOLS Please listen to your crew leader’s tool safety talk and observe proper tool use throughout the day.
Volunteer Project Team
- V-O-Cal Executive Director Cathy Moyer
- Project Team 1st Lead Joseph Cavaness
- Project Team 2nd Lead Eliot Hudson
- Technical Advisor Elissa Goldner
- Camp Manager Pete Duringer
- Kitchen Lead Kim Applequist
- Crew Leader Manager Tomomi Yuasa
- Registration Melanie Lee | Augusta Murphy
- Outreach Lily Brady | Melinda Green | Morris Older
- Tool Manager Cavine Johnson (Saturday) | TBD (Sunday)
- Shopping Cathy Moyer | Chris Fishel
- Truck | Warehouse Load Lead Duane Sheets | Curt Hutchins
Agency Partner
John Muir Land Trust
Project Sponsors
Project Sponsor
Special thanks to Bay Area Barns and Trails (BABT) for their generous grants supporting V-O-Cal these past few years. BABT assists landowners and land managers with preservation and maintenance of publicly accessible Bay Area barns, stables, pastures, staging areas, horse camps, and trails.
Additional thanks to our In Kind Sponsors for this Project
Connoisseur Coffee | Tecnu | REI | Sidley Austin | Metro Mobile Communications | Adventure Medical Kits | Clif Bar
