Volunteers needed for Earth Day cleanup event at Recreation Area

(Originally published in the 4/3/16 edition. The print edition noted that Peet's Coffee and Tea would be providing pastries and coffee. It has been corrected to Starbucks.)

   Earth Day is just under three weeks away, but a day to clean up the environment will be taking place even earlier. On Saturday, April 16, California State Parks Foundation will be partnering with Pacific Gas & Electric to bring its 18th Annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup at 27 state parks across California, including the Benicia State Recreation Area where 100 volunteers are needed.

   Since 1998, California State Parks Foundation has been working to beautify state parks and promote their importance with its annual event. Other participating parks within driving distance include Angel Island State Park and Candlestick Point Recreation Area in San Francisco, Mt. Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, the Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen and the Sonoma Coast State Park in Jenner.

   “One of our goals is to do some needed restoration projects that help make up for the shortfall of funding that we’ve been experiencing at the State Park Foundation for the past number of years,” California State Park Foundation media Consultant Christina Mueller said. “The other goal is to build awareness in the greater community about state parks and what state parks can offer to the community.”

   Much of the restoration activity at the Benicia State Recreation Area will take place at the Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanic Garden. Projects will include mulching new plants, removing non-native plants in the garden area and along pathways, repairing the split-rail fence that borders the garden, bringing pulled weeds and tree pruning to 40-cubic yard recycling bins and plating native trees, shrubs and perennials in the coastal sage scrub and chaparral areas. 

   Participants will also not have to worry about doing such labor intensive work on empty stomachs. At the Recreation Area, Starbucks will be providing pastries and coffee for breakfast, and Subway will be providing sandwiches for lunch. Other locations will have lunches provided by Chipotle Mexican Grill and snacks by organic food companies Lundberg Family Farms and Nature’s Path.

   “It’s totally free,” Mueller said. “It’s a thank you for helping the park improve itself.”

   Mueller says the event should be a fun, beneficial experience for all participants.

   “It’s a wonderful way to support your local parks, and it’s a great way to introduce your children to volunteer work,” she said. “The views from Benicia are amazing. I don’t know how many people are familiar with this particular park, and it’s a wonderful way to experience another part of Benicia that they might not have seen before.”

   Check-ins for The Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup at the Recreation Area will begin at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, April 16, with the project taking place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The park is located at 1 State Park Road off Interstate 780 near Rose Drive. To sign up, visit calparks.org/earthday. 

   

Ridge Trail Service Day set Nov. 7

(Originally published in the 10/29/15 edition)

   The Benicia State Parks Association will be partnering with the sporting goods chain Recreational Equipment, Inc to host the annual Ridge Trail Service Day at the Benicia State Recreation Area on Saturday, Nov. 7.

   The Bay Area Ridge Trail is a multi-use trail that connects over 75 parks and open spaces along the San Francisco Bay. So far, over 350 miles have been completed with the plan of having the trail stretch 550 miles.

    However, since the trail spreads across public and private land, there is no single agency responsible for the overall maintenance with much of the work falling to volunteers, according to Bob Berman, the vice president of the Benicia State Parks Association. Since 2008, REI has partnered with the Bay Area Ridge Trail to host a Service Day at sites across the Bay Area, usually the first weekend in November. Volunteers will work to make improvements to the trail

   Berman says there are two projects that will be focused on in Benicia. The first is a split-rail fence adjacent to the Forest Deaner Native Botanic Plant Garden. 

   “The split-rail is in pretty bad shape,” he said. “ State Parks will be bringing over some sections of split-rails and will have to replace those that are in bad shape with new sections.”

   The other major project for the day will be to remove some of the weeds that have taken over the trail.

   “There’s been a lot of infestation of weeds like fennel,” Berman said. “It’s either on the trail or adjacent to the trail. We’re going to go through and try to clean out some of that fennel and remove it so the trail is more open.”

   The work will certainly be tough, but volunteers do not have to worry about going hungry. REI also has partnered with Chipotle Mexican Grill which will be providing a free lunch during the event. 

   “Volunteers get not just the opportunity to help out but also a token of appreciation in the form of a free lunch paid for and supported by Chipotle,” Berman said. 

   Berman says that the event is “truly a public/private partnership.”

   “This is a good example of a lot of different organizations working together to provide improvements for existing open space trails,” he said. 

   Above all, Berman says the event will be a good way for citizens to contribute to something valuable.

   “This is an opportunity for the public to go out and give back to the community and to help maintain an asset that’s being enjoyed by members of the public,” he said. “It’s a good time to get out there with your friends and neighbors and make new friends while doing hard but worthwhile work.”
   The REI Ridge Trail Service Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Benicia State Recreation Area. The event is free and open to the public. To learn more about what participants need to bring, visit RidgeTrail.org or contact Volunteer Manager Emily Bauska. 

   

   

   

Arbor Day event plants trees to help preserve Benicia's natural habitat

(Originally published in the 10/13/15 edition. Valerie Roberts Gray also contributed to this story.)

   Arbor Day is a chance to get your hands in the dirt, commune with nature and help plant trees that can withstand California’s ongoing drought conditions. 

   While traditionally held in April, Benicia’s annual Arbor Day event takes place this Sunday, Oct. 18.Volunteers from throughout the community are invited to join in helping plant native trees at the Benicia State Recreation Area from 9 a.m. to noon.

   The event is typically held in October in Benicia to coincide with the Native Plant Society’s annual sale, according to Tina Marchetti, the executive director of Benicia Tree Foundation.

   So far in 2015, the Benicia Tree Foundation has planted 480 trees. According to Marchetti, the organization plans to plant another 25 trees on Saturday and another 200 by the end of the year, bringing the total number of trees planted to 705.

   The trees will mostly be coast live oaks and California buckeyes, according to Marchetti. This includes over 100 oaks that will be planted at Lake Herman.

   The trees were grown from locally collected seed and will survive on rainwater once the rain season starts.

   Marchetti believes Arbor Day is an important holiday to celebrate because trees are vital to life, especially in Benicia.

   “Trees are critically important to the health and happiness of the citizens of Benicia especially when you consider the refineries and freeways,” she said. “They also create shade, habitat for wildlife and store stormwater, which is critical for a time of drought.”

   Events include communal tree planting, exhibitions, fairs, music performances and open days in garden centers. Arbor Day awards are also presented in communities, schools, and organizations throughout the United States.

   All ages are welcome to attend the event, and according to Marchetti, the tasks aren’t too daunting.

   “We’re planting seedlings, so there’s no heavy lifting involved,” she said.

   Participants should meet at the Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanic Garden parking lot about 1 mile down State Park Road off I-780 at Columbus Parkway. An entrance fee will be waived for volunteers.  No experience is necessary. Gloves are encouraged to be brought.  Tools, instruction and snacks will be provided. 

   For more information, visit BeniciaTrees.org.