Over 100 volunteers and Trail Crew Leaders arrived at Big Leaf Park prior to 9am ready to work. It was our second Backyard Collective of the 2013 season and the spirit of cooperation extended to the weather. Clear blue skies and a shining sun greeted our guests from Mountain Hardwear, CamelBak, Marmot, Clif Bar, The North Face, The Forest Group, REI and Deckers.
Our partners at East Bay Regional Parks worked together with the Volunteers for Outdoor California to provide our volunteers with tools, training and information to share about the day’s work plan.
There were trails to build, invasive species to be removed and general improvements needed to preserve this gem so beloved by Bay Area residents. After a morning welcome with remarks by The Conservation Alliance Board Outgoing President and CamelBak CEO Sally McCoy, volunteers separated into eight work groups to work cross-organizationally throughout the Tilden area.
With smiles, enthusiasm, ample Clif Bars and full water bottles, our volunteers took to the trails with tools of the trade setting off to make improvements.
In our morning work session, Backyard Collective Volunteers accomplished the following:
- Improved 1 mile of trail through berm removal/repair and cleared corridors
- Constructed 6 check dams
- Installed 7 steps
- Built or improved 14 drain dips
- Removed 2500 square feet of broom
- Removed 1000 square feet of euphorbia
Everyone returned to Big Leaf to find Ebbetts Good To Go Food Cart ready to serve lunch and representatives from American River Conservancy, Bay Area Open Space Council, Bay Area Ridge Trail and Volunteers for Outdoor California representing at tables.
We closed the day with a raffle that included donated items from many of the businesses represented. The generous spirit of our attendees was on display from the day’s beginning until its finish during the raffle as winners paid their gifts forward.
It is a wonderful privilege to collaborate with our member companies, grantees and other non-profit partners in planning these events. The Bay Area Backyard Collective will remain a fond memory due to the kindness and consideration demonstrated by every one of our participants and partners.
For additional images, please visit our Facebook album. *Special thanks to Ryan Mayo for all of his help with event documentation.