Volunteer Outdoors in Los Gatos at Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve

REGISTER HERE

About this Event

Join Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve, a Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Preserve, to help eradicate invasive plants and to restore habitat! Volunteers should expect to walk through hilly, wooded terrain, to use 10 – 12 pound tools to remove a weedy shrub called French Broom, and to learn about the preserve’s unique wetland ecosystem. This event is rain or shine, unless otherwise notified.

Waivers/Registration: All participants must register & approve the online waiver through this Eventbrite page. Youth under 18 must have their legal guardian approve the waiver on their behalf.

Parking: Take Hwy. 17 to Bear Creek Road, opposite the Lexington Reservoir.

Going south (toward the ocean): go under the overpass, the road curves right onto Bear Creek Road. Turn left at the stop sign.

Going north (toward Los Gatos): take the overpass.

From the stop sign, drive ¼ mile and keep an eye for the Grassroots Ecology sign. The parking lot is on the left. We will be meeting in this part of the preserve which is currently closed to the public. We will walk to the work area from there. The gate to enter this parking location will be opened at 9:00. If arriving early please wait in the main parking lot of the preserve until the gate is opened. There are facilities at the main parking area but none at the actual work site.

Alternate Transportation: The preserve is only accessible by car.

Prepare for Working Outdoors:

• Face mask for COVID-19 safety
• Water bottle filled with water
• Long pants, long sleeves recommended
• Sturdy close-toed shoes that can get dirty
• Hat/sunscreen or rain gear/boots
• Plan for potential exposure to sun, poison oak, ticks
• Prepare for limited to no cell reception, limited bathroom access, and no available drinking water
• We will provide gloves, tools, and light snacks.

Meeting Space: There are no bathrooms or water fountains at the work site but there are facilities in the main parking lot a mile up the road. Please use the bathroom before arriving.

COVID-19 Safety

We feel it is especially important for people to connect with nature during these challenging times, and our staff will carefully adhere to the social distancing and safety protocols we have developed in compliance with public health guidelines. Safety is our number one priority for all of our volunteer programs! View our COVID-19 safety protocols here.

Event Cancellations:

We are committed to the safety of our staff and volunteers. In the event that we must cancel a workday due to extreme weather conditions or poor air quality, a Grassroots Ecology staff person will reach out via email no later than 5:00 PM the day prior to this event.

Grassroots Ecology encourages people from all identities and backgrounds to participate in our programs. Many of our programs are outdoors and involve moving and working in a variety of landscapes. If you have accessibility concerns (i.e., allergies, limited mobility, learning differences), our projects are flexible and we are happy to work with you. Please reach out to the workday facilitator so we can best prepare for your participation.

Accessibility concerns? Questions? Cancellations? Email tyler@grassrootsecology.org