Friday, September 15, 2023
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Sunday, September 17, 2023

Tilden Regional Park

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Note that children 14 and over are welcome on V-O-Cal projects. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Project Background and Description

We are building a new trail segment in the Botanic Garden that will provide new planting opportunities. This trail is in a steep section of the garden and we will build a stone retaining wall to anchor the trail. In addition, we will work on tread, drainage and brush clearing on the nearby Wildcat Gorge Trail.
          
More info about:
Tilden Regional Park
More about what it is like to volunteer on a project:
Volunteer

Project Pictures

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

Camp

Our Camp will be located at the ES Anderson Equestrian Camp in Tilden Regional Park. Camping is optional and is available Friday night through Sunday early afternoon. The campsite is located on Wildcat Canyon Rd, just after and opposite the trailhead for Mineral Springs Trail. There is a gated entrance - someone will be at the gate to open it for you (or it will be open). Please arrive by 9:00pm if you are going to camp on Friday night. Go up the driveway and park. Follow the driving directions below to Wildcat Canyon Rd. Continue on Wildcat Canyon Rd. to the campsite.

Driving Directions

All volunteers will meet at ES Anderson Equestrian Camp in the morning to make their lunch, and attend the morning orientation meeting. It is about a 20 minutes walk to the work site at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden.

ES Anderson Equestrian Camp is on Wildcat Canyon Road about 1/2 mile from Regional Parks Botanic Garden.

Regional Parks Botanic Garden is at 1550 Wildcat Canyon Road, Berkeley, CA 94708

Note that Wildcat Canyon Road is currently closed from Camino Pablo to Inspiration Point, so you'll have to approach the park via Grizzly Peak Rd.

From points South:

  1. Take Ca-24 to get to Fish Ranch Rd.
  2. Turn right onto Grizzly Peak Blvd.
  3. Turn Right onto Golf Course Dr.
  4. Turn right onto Shasta Rd., then follow the directions below for From Shasta Rd.

From points North:

  1. Take I-580 to the Buchanan St. exit (exit 13).
  2. Turn left onto Buchanan St. Continue onto Marin Ave.
  3. Turn right onto Grizzly Peak Blvd.
  4. Turn left onto Shasta Rd.
  5. Go through the intersection with Golf Course Rd., staying on Shasta Rd then follow the directions below for From Shasta Rd.

From Shasta Rd.:

  1. At the "T" at the end of Shasta Rd, turn right onto Wildcat Canyon Rd.
  2. At the next intersection keep left to stay on Wildcat Canyon Rd.
  3. Continue to the ES Anderson Equestrian Camp, on the right and opposite the Mineral Springs trailhead.
  4. There will be VoCal signs there.
Map Link

Carpool/Parking Information

Level of Effort

Project Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
If a parking pass is required at the project site, it will be included with the fact sheet.

Project Schedule

Friday
5:00pm - Registration and camping open. Dinner is not provided.

Saturday
7:30am - 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 – Snacks, cold drinks and beer.
6:00 pm – Dinner. 

Sunday
7:30am - Registration and lunch packing begin. Hot breakfast is served.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk.
9:00 am – Project begins.
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

For your safety and protection from hazards, please be prepared with the following items:
  • 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.
If you are camping, you will also need the following items: 
  • 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

V-O-Cal provides all meals for volunteers from breakfast Saturday through lunch Sunday. Vegetarian options are available for all meals. (Please note that dinner is not provided on Friday.)
  • 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

HYDRATION | SUN EXPOSURE | HYPOTHERMIA Most of the work areas are fully shaded.  However, please plan for sun protection, including sun hats, sun block and light long sleeve shirts. Please bring water bottles or a water bladder large enough to hold at least 2 liters of water. Drink plenty of water throughout the 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 your crew leader point some out to you if you don’t know what it looks like. Clean with Tecnu (which we provide) after the work day and be cautious when handling your dirty clothes.

MOSQUITOES | TICKS Mosquitoes could be active this time of year so bug spray and long-sleeved, lightweight shirts are recommended. Ticks are always a hazard; light colored clothing makes them easier to spot when you check during and after the project.

SNAKES Snakes might be present on the property. Use caution, especially when picking 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 Lead Francesca Verdier
  • Technical Advisor Kayla Marie Figard
  • Camp Operations Pete Duringer
  • Kitchen Joe Cavaness
  • Crew Leader Manager Tomomi Yuasa
  • Registration Augusta Murphy
  • Outreach Lily Brady | Francesca Verdier | Melinda Green
  • Tool Manager Jared Roger
  • Food Shopping & Prep Cathy Moyer | Chris Fishel
  • Warehouse Load | Truck Driver Duane Sheets

Agency Partners

East Bay Regional Parks District

Project Sponsors

Season Sponsor

Special Thanks to Bay Area Barns and Trails for their generous grant supporting the 2023 V-O-Cal Project Season. 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

Fieldwork Brewing Company | Trader Joe’s-Berkeley | Connoisseur Coffee | Tecnu | REI | Sidley Austin | Metro Mobile Communications | Adventure Medical Kits | Clif Bar | SnapTech IT

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

Other Upcoming Projects

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