| | Published May 11th, 2011
| Volunteers Wanted for Trail Construction
| | By Cathy Tyson |  | | Trailwork Image coutesy of Muir Heritage Land Trust
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Acalanes Ridge Open Space needs your help. After coming to life via a unique collaboration of the Muir Heritage Land Trust (MHLT), the cities of Lafayette and Walnut Creek, and the East Bay Regional Park District, now MHLT and Volunteers for Outdoor California are hosting a trail building weekend. From Friday, May 20 through Sunday, May 22, volunteers are welcome to come for a day or spend the weekend providing the man and woman power to construct an environmentally friendly trail with amazing views on Lamorinda's newest gem. Tools, supervision, and gourmet meals provided, bring your own tent and sleeping bag, no experience necessary.
"It's an opportunity to gain a sense of accomplishment and a chance to give back to the community in a real concrete way," said Linus Eukel, Executive Director of MHLT. "We want to cultivate an inspirational experience of the property." He adds that this will be the one and only opportunity to camp at Acalanes Ridge - ever.
MHLT is extremely sensitive to the environment when designing trails, focusing on preserving habitat. In order to make a new trail usable for a wide range of abilities - they are creating a path with a 10% grade that gradually curls around the ridge. Some existing paths at the site are not the best - used perhaps by hikers taking a straight shot to the summit, those will also be addressed by volunteers.
"There will be something for everyone," said Cathy Moyer, Executive Director of Volunteers for Outdoor California. Because of the sharp tools - "everyone" does not include children under fourteen. She described a broad range of tasks from heavy duty to light - for example, moving earth, raking, thistle removal, help in the kitchen, and helping to register volunteers.
Moyer has two key phrases for volunteers: "Being tired is better than bored - there won't be any standing around - we use your time well," and, "Our volunteers never look at a trail the same way again." Helpers will learn about outslope, hydrologic invisibility, pulaskis and more.
"We take the logistical load off a land manager's plate," said Moyer. Volunteers for Outdoor California is responsible for all the food and hands-on leadership to safely manage the project. Armed with a portable commercial kitchen to provide meals and snacks for everyone and a menu that can accommodate a variety of food issues, no one should go hungry.
Registration with Volunteers for Outdoor California is required, go to www.v-o-cal.org or call (650) 298-9774. Website has complete information on what to bring, what to wear and options for volunteer shifts.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA