LandPaths and Sonoma Land Trust have teamed up to create a new 554-acre nature preserve on the Bohemia Ranch located between Occidental and Monte Rio near Camp Meeker.  The forested land contains a waterfall, camping potential and fields of rare [...]]]> The word has already gone out from Landpaths and the Press Democrat, but bears repeating.

Hikers on Bohemia's old ranch roads

LandPaths and Sonoma Land Trust have teamed up to create a new 554-acre nature preserve on the Bohemia Ranch located between Occidental and Monte Rio near Camp Meeker.  The forested land contains a waterfall, camping potential and fields of rare plants.

The new preserve, named the Bohemia Ecological Preserve, was created through the purchase of a conservation easement by Sonoma Land Trust and a donation of the restricted land by Ted and Phyllis Swindells to LandPaths, which will manage the property for resource protection and public use.

Beginning this month, LandPaths will provide you with an opportunity to (re)discover Bohemia via guided hikes and volunteer stewardship projects.

This is great news — hopes for a park or preserve on this land were dashed several times for LandPaths, Sonoma Land Trust and others were finally able to put together this deal. Congratulations to everyone who made it happen! Check out the full story at the Landpaths site and sign up for an upcoming hike on the preserve.

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.

Winter Stewardship at Willow Creek

Heavy rain (and/or snow) may affect our plans.  Call 707.524.9318 after 7:30am to check.  If no special message, we are a go!

Lend your “People Power” [...]]]> From LandPaths:

Winter Stewardship at Willow Creek

People Power in Action!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Heavy rain (and/or snow) may affect our plans.  Call 707.524.9318 after 7:30am to check.  If no special message, we are a go!

Lend your “People Power” to help improve trail connections and steward the natural resources at the beautiful Willow Creek addition to Sonoma Coast State Park near Duncans Mills.  As part of an ongoing stewardship effort, LandPaths will hold workdays at least monthly through early summer.

Other dates include:

1. Tues March 8
2. Wed. March 23
3. Friday, April 1
4. Sat April 23 (Earth Day)
5. Sun May 8
6. Wed May 25
7. Sat June 4 (National Trails Day with REI)

Tasks for the day include trail clearing and brushing (some downed trees), installing & maintaining trail signage, and other maintenance tasks as needed.  No experience necessary, but do see list of suggested tools below (if you have them).

If ground conditions allow, we will drive tools in.  Otherwise, we will depend on hiking and/or horses to pack in equipment (up to 2 miles each way). We’ll break for lunch and then continue work until about 2-3pm.  Read on for more details – and thanks for your help taking care of this ‘people powered park’!

When & Where:

We will meet at 10am on Saturday, Feb. 26^th at the “Freezeout Flat” Park entrance off Freezeout Road, just outside and southeast of the town of Duncan’s Mills off Moscow Road.  Take 116 west to Duncans Mills, turn LEFT on Moscow Rd go through town and across the bridge, immediately as you exit the bridge look for Freezeout road on your Right hand side.  Turn RIGHT (south) on Freezeout Road (immediately after the bridge) and look for the 2^nd gate on your left; proceed through gate to parking.

We should be finished by about 2-3pm.

Carpooling Encouraged:

Carpool will leave Santa Rosa at 9am (Mall parking near corner of A and 6^th Streets) and then pass by Mirabel Rd park and ride at 9:15.  Please carpool if at all possible!

What to bring:

• 4×4 truck if you have one.
• Water and lunch,
• Work gloves, eye/ear protection and sturdy shoes/boots.
• We will provide some of our tools, but if you have any of the following, please bring them along (chainsaw, shovel, post hole digger, digging bar, battery operated screw driver, McLeod, Pulaski, shovel, hand saw, loppers, etc.).

Details, Details:

• You will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
• No restroom or water at property.

Thanks for your help!  We look forward to seeing you on Saturday.

Contact Jonathan Glass to sign up or for more info: willowcreek@landpaths.org

Jonathan Glass

Willow Creek Project Manager

LandPaths

480-5774 cell if needed

www.landpaths.org

willowcreek@landpaths.org

LandPaths programs at Willow Creek People Powered Park are made possible with support from the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District, and generous donors like you.  They are offered in partnership with California State Parks.  Through this partnership, Willow Creek is owned by State Parks with access and stewardship provided by LandPaths and volunteers like you.

Difficulty: Moderate
Themes: Volunteer / Stewardship

OUTING OPEN
This outing requires registration. Click here to request space.

Explore property: Willow Creek Addition to [...]]]> A trail work opportunity with Landpaths:

Willow Creek Addition to Sonoma Coast State Park, West Sonoma County

Difficulty: Moderate
Themes: Volunteer / Stewardship

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

OUTING OPEN
This outing requires registration. Click here to request space.

Outing Information

Explore property: Willow Creek Addition to Sonoma Coast State Park

People Power in Action! Help improve trail connectivity at the beautiful Willow Creek State Park addition near Duncans Mills. Landpaths volunteers will team up with Gianni Cycling Club to continue trail work, creating new trail connections.

LandPaths has worked with Gianni and MRC to identify needed loop connections and will hold monthly workdays through early summer. Tasks for the day include trail clearing and brushing, installing & maintaining trail signage, and other maintenance tasks as needed. No experience necessary.

After a morning of hard work – which includes up to a 3 mile hike and 1000 foot elevation gain- volunteers will lunch on Islands in the Sky Ridge and take in spectacular views of Red Hill and the Willow Creek Watershed!

Some tools and snacks provided; BYO lunch and additional tools if you have them; only heavy rain cancels; Please RSVP so we can plan our work

LandPaths programs at Willow Creek have been made possible with support from the California Coastal Conservancy, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District, and generous donors like you. They are offered in partnership with California State Parks. Through this unique partnership, Willow Creek is owned by State Parks with access and stewardship provided by LandPaths and volunteers like you.