Friday, October 13, 2023
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Sunday, October 15, 2023

Pescadero - Memorial County 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

Join us for a weekend of camping and trailwork in the beautiful redwoods of San Mateo County. We will be establishing a 1/2 mile of social trail into an official trail, making a loop that connects with Wurr Flat Group Campground. This includes widening to a 48" tread in some places, redefining and/or creating drain dips, and lots of French Broom removal. If time we will also improve the already established and mapped Wurr Trail.
After trailwork, relax by the creek, see the largest tree, take a 20 minute drive to the beach and tidepools, or visit the Pescadero Marsh to see migrating birds and an incredibly biodiverse ecosystem. You won't want to miss it! A full list of suggested activities in the area (including an Apple Fest on Sunday) are below.
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

Camping will be at Wurr Flat Group Campground 1 & 2. Parking is available at the campground. Arrive by 9pm at the latest. Be respectful of other campers and keep voices down and flashlights low if you arrive after 7pm. See the attached map.

Driving Directions

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

(tentative 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

Food/Drink

Beaches/Marsh

  • Pescadero Marsh - Rich in biodiversity, the Pescadero Marsh is at least 6 ecosystems in one. In the fall, tons of migrating birds can be seen soaring across the sky.
  • Bean Hollow State Beach - Hike along the bluffs, visit Pebble Beach, tidepool, and/or spend time on the south beach. It’s the only beach that allows dogs.  
  • Año Nuevo State Park - You may be able to catch some juvenile elephant seals getting some beach time as a part of their early development. Ano Nuevo has a rich geological history and biodiversity.
  • Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Hostel - 115ft tall, the Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a landmark on the central coast. Just north of the lighthouse off of Pigeon Point Road, there are some great tidepooling spots. Great place to watch for migrating humpback whales. It’s also a hostel.

Tidepooling (At Bean Hollow or Pigeon Point)

  • Friday: Low Tide 0.82 ft at 4:27pm
  • Saturday: Low Tide 0.46 at 4:59pm
  • Sunday: Low Tide 0.16 at 5:33pm

Redwood Parks

Apple Fest

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

SUN EXPOSURE | HYDRATION | HYPOTHERMIA 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 are limited areas of poison oak. Have your crew leader point some out to you if you don’t know what it looks like. “Bunny suits” will be provided for those who need extra protection. Clean with Tecnu (which V-O-Cal provides) after the work day, and be cautious when handling your dirty clothes. Always wear gloves when handling tools.

TICKS Ticks are always a hazard so it is important to check during and after the project.

SNAKES Rattlesnakes can be present but likely will be scared away by the large number of volunteers. If you see one, tell your crew leader, and wait until it leaves the area before proceeding.

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 Kayla Marie Figard
  • Technical Lead Francesca Verdier
  • Camp Operations Kim Applequist
  • Kitchen Lead Xavier Andrade
  • Crew Leader Manager Lauren Blanchard
  • Registration Augusta Murphy
  • Outreach Kayla Marie Figard | Lily Brady | Melinda Greene
  • Tools Cavine Johnson | Anka Karewicz
  • Food Shopping & Prep Cathy Moyer | Chris Fishel
  • Warehouse Load | Truck Driver Duane Sheets
  • Stretching Darren Heiber (Saturday) | Duane Sheets (Sunday)

Agency Partner

San Mateo County

Project 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.

In-Kind Project Sponsors

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

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