Description
Stewarding Forests through a Fire Ecology Lens: A Hands-On Workshop at the Grove of Old Trees
Saturday, October 5th; 10am-2pm
Leaders: Erin Mulligan and Nicolas Whittaker
In the event of heavy rain or wind please call LandPaths’ event line at 707-544-7284 then press 1 after 7am on the morning of the workshop.
If plans for the workday have been changed, we’ll leave a special outgoing message. Otherwise, the workshop will proceed as planned.
Join LandPaths for a day of learning and hands-on experience. In this free, half-day workshop you will learn about the various ways LandPaths manages its forests at the Grove of Old Trees for biodiversity while minimizing fire risk and creating resilient forests.
The day will begin with a presentation on LandPaths’ multiple approaches to forest management at the Grove of Old Trees, including forest thinning, selective pruning, and chip spreading. After the presentation, we'll roll up our sleeves and get some practice in these techniques.
This workshop is designed for anyone interested in how LandPaths manages its forests and local approaches to wildfire fuel reduction, and may be of particular use to owners of forested lands.
During the day, we will be walking and working on uneven terrain. Participants should be in moderate physical shape.
Time, Location & Directions:
We will meet at 10:00 am at the preserve parking lot at 17400 Fitzpatrick Lane, Occidental. To limit the number of cars in the small parking lot, we will set up a carpool from downtown Occidental. Details will be sent out before the workshop.
Directions:
Make your way to the town of Occidental and look for Coleman Valley Road – the main road exiting the west side of town. Take Coleman Valley road up the hill; Continue past Willow Creek Road (on the right) and veer left at the bottom of the hill where Coleman Valley turns right. 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 for one mile; the road banks to the left over a cattle grate, and up a moderately steep hill. Follow the paved road along the Grove to the gravel parking area on your right.
What to Bring:
Picnic lunch, snacks, water bottle, backpack
Sturdy boots or shoes and layers of clothes that can get muddy. Rain gear if it is wet.
Work gloves, hand saws, and loppers if you have them. We have extras.
Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
Details:
You will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
There is No restroom on the preserve, but plenty of trees :)
There is no potable water available on the property.
No pets or smoking are permitted.