Meet us at 9am at the bottom of North Burma Trail at Channel Drive. Look for the white SCTC tool trailer. We will have parking passes for those [...]]]> The next Sonoma County Trails Council trail work day to help repair the trails at Annadel State Park is Saturday, November 19, from 9am to about 1pm.

North Burma Trail Stewardship Day, April 30, 2011

Meet us at 9am at the bottom of North Burma Trail at Channel Drive. Look for the white SCTC tool trailer. We will have parking passes for those that drive and there should be adequate parking in that general area.  Wear boots or sturdy shoes, bring water that you can take with you while working, and gloves.

In order to make sure we have enough tools and snacks please contact us if you plan to attend.

We look forward to seeing you all and having fun taking care of our wonderful park.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Ken Wells, Executive Director
Sonoma County Trails Council

Sunday, October 9 -  SCTC and the Backcountry Horsemen will be packing [...]]]>

Lake Sonoma

Saturday, October 8 - Ryan Grutze is organizing a trail work day on the Rancheria Trail at Lake Sonoma. This is Ryan’s Eagle Scout project, and the Sonoma County Trails Council will be providing tools and other support. For more information contact Ryan Grutze,
ryangrutze(at)gmail.com or 707-433-3218.

Sunday, October 9 -  SCTC and the Backcountry Horsemen will be packing in materials for the Annadel Ridge Trail puncheon
project. Meet at 9am at Richardson Parking lot. RSVP to SCTC if you plan to attend or for more info.

Saturday, October 15 - The SCTC 3rd Saturday trail work day on the Annadel Ridge Trail puncheon project. Meet at 9am at Richardson Parking lot. RSVP to SCTC if you plan to attend or for more info..

Saturday, November 5, is the 4th annual REI – Ridge Trail Service Day. The Trails Council will be working with the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council and REI to build a 36′ puncheon on the Ridge Trail in Annadel to get over a winter mud bog. Lunch and other goodies will be provided. Sign up at through the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council.
Tuesday November 8, 6pm – the SCTC Annual Membership Meeting and Dinner at the Sonoma County Driving and Riding Club on Aston Ave., just inside the south gate at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. Dave Gould, Director of the Parks Alliance, will be the guest speaker. SCTC Members only, you can join at the door. Dinner and beverages provided. Free t-shirt for new members.

We look forward to seeing you and having fun taking care of our wonderful parks.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Related articles

• Seeking Nominations for the Sonoma County Trails Council Board of Directors (sonomatrails.org)
• Announcing the SCTC 2011 Annual Membership Meeting (sonomatrails.org)

The Regional Parks Department is moving to a Sustainability Model of management in which we will be more financially responsible and self-sustaining and more operationally efficient.

As part of this transition, the Department is looking at numerous opportunities to increase revenues to support our Parks. [...]]]> From John Ryan, Volunteer/Intern Coordinator for Sonoma County Regional Parks:

Image via Wikipedia

The Regional Parks Department is moving to a Sustainability Model of management in which we will be more financially responsible and self-sustaining and more operationally efficient.

As part of this transition, the Department is looking at numerous opportunities to increase revenues to support our Parks. We have many wonderful properties where we can offer programs, enhance services, and provide even more memorable experiences for Park users. We want to maintain the beauty of our Parks while also raising revenue that we can use to support them and keep entrance fees low.

The Department is looking for volunteers to help park staff develop and implement plans to generate revenue. There are many possibilities; some examples include:

• Developing and implementing a strategy to increase the use of County Parks for special events.
• Creating a plan for increased concessions at Parks, such as Doran Beach.
• Creating a plan to increase camping facilities at County Parks, as well as cabins and/or yurts.
• Analyzing the relationship between tourism, the economy, and local Parks.
• Creating a business plan for a local Park.

Volunteers could be tremendously helpful in different ways. One option is to provide regular assistance to Parks staff working on these issues – conducting Internet research, contacting other Parks departments, analyzing the market potential for new programs, etc. Another option is to take a lead role on a particular idea, such as one of those noted above.

Volunteers will receive support from the Department, but should work well independently. Strong analytic and writing skills are necessary. The ideal candidate should be able to commit 5  to 10 hours a week for the duration of the project. If you can volunteer please contact John Ryan or if you have a particular revenue generating idea send it to him in an e-mail:

John Ryan
Volunteer/Intern Coordinator
Sonoma County Regional Parks
707-565-3356
www.sonomacountyparks.org

For additional information, contact:

Don Schwartz
Business Development Manager
Sonoma County Regional Parks
707-565-3777
Don.Schwartz@Sonoma-county.org

This is a great opportunity to help your Sonoma County Regional Park during these tough budgetary times. Even if you are not available you might know someone, a student, retiree, etc. who could really help us out.

You can register at  LandPaths, REI and the Sonoma County Trails Council will work together on a new trail at Willow Creek Park (part of the Sonoma Coast State Park) on Saturday, September 24, 8:30am – 3pm, to celebrate National Public Lands Day: People Power at Willow Creek!

You can register at REI  or LandPaths

As always, remember to wear boots or sturdy shoes, bring gloves, a hat, sunscreen, and water.

We look forward to seeing you and having fun taking care of our wonderful parks.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Ken Wells, Executive Director,  Sonoma County Trails Council.

With the help of dozens of volunteers over the last 6 months, an eroding and messy mud patch has been eliminated as a part of your trail experience on Annadel’s North Burma Trail. At a spot about a thousand feet [...]]]> A big THANK YOU to Sonoma County trail volunteers!
The 2011 North Burma project is done.

With the help of dozens of volunteers over the last 6 months, an eroding and messy mud patch has been eliminated as a part of your trail experience on Annadel’s North Burma Trail. At a spot about a thousand feet up the trail from Channel Drive, just before crossing a tributary to Santa Rosa Creek, the Sonoma County Trails Council worked with volunteers on eight dates and installed 150 feet of raised rock path, called a causeway. The project used 15 cubic yards of gravel and 560 hours of volunteer time.

Special thanks to these other local supporters; REI sponsored a work day and provided lunch for workers, as did CamelBak and Saris. We also want to acknowledge Clif products and Lagunitas which provided refreshing nourishment.

N. Burma Trail puddle, before SCTC repairs

N. Burma Trail, same location after SCTC repairs

SCTC will continue to lead monthly 3rd Saturday work parties to tackle other projects in Annadel.

Contact SCTC Executive Director Ken Wells for details.

In an effort to take direct action to address the significant financial challenges facing Annadel State Park, Fleet Feet Sports Santa [...]]]>

Image via Wikipedia

Sonoma County Trails Council receives $10k from the Annadel Half Marathon! Many thanks to the race organizers and participants for supporting Annadel State Park and the Trails Council.

In an effort to take direct action to address the significant financial challenges facing Annadel State Park, Fleet Feet Sports Santa Rosa and Empire Runners held the 2nd annual Annadel Half Marathon on April 17, 2011. The Annadel Half Marathon was a fund-raiser inspired by the need to do something for the park loved by hikers, runners, mountain bikers and equestrians. The need is even more critical with the recent announcement that Annadel is on the list of 70 state parks scheduled to be closed. The Annadel Half organizers selected the Sonoma County Trails Council to receive a portion of the funds from this event to maintain the trails in Annadel. The $10,000 grant means that the Trails Council can organize and lead regular trail work days at Annadel, with a trail work event every third Saturday, starting with completion of our current project on North Burma Trail and continuing in the fall with improvements on Ridge Trail.

Keep an eye out and join us for monthly work days in the park! If you want to volunteer or get on the e-list for announcements for trail work events, contact Ken Wells, SCTC Executive Director.

Related articles

• Trail Stewardship at Annadel with SCTC and CamelBak – Friday, Aug. 12 (sonomatrails.org)
• Annadel Half Marathon (sonomatrails.org)