Written by Haley Sutton, Land Stewardship Associate and Kendra Smith, Education and Outreach Coordinator
Summertime Stewardship
Volunteers watering and mulching at Save Mount Diablo’s Marsh Creek 7 property. Photo by Haley Sutton
Our team conducts weekly trail inspections at Curry Canyon Ranch to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all trail users when they are out and about.
During this time of year, it’s common for trees to drop limbs from a variety of environmental factors.
A large coast live oak tree along the wooded area of Knobcone Point Road was a victim of this fate, and the top-heavy branch that split off the tree one day settled where it was hanging over the trail.
Our team went out to cut out the part of the branch that was creating a safety hazard.
Stewardship staff also spent significant time finishing up additional fire abatement work at our Lot 25 property, including brushing and chipping tree branches that were growing very close to the ground, and pulled Arundo donax from the creek banks at Big Bend.
Watering Crew
Volunteers watering at Irish Canyon. Photo by Haley Sutton
At Irish Canyon, our crew of four waters the 76 blue and valley oaks that climb up the hillside.
With each visit so far this summer, we’ve discovered that more trees have started to sprout inside the tubing. Once we observe the little seedlings, the outer tree cage is marked with pink flagging tape.
At Marsh Creek 7, where we have more than 700 plants to water, our larger 10-person crew has a different kind of challenge.
Volunteers split up to water the different pollinator garden sections and are chipping away at adding another layer of sheet mulch (burlap layer followed by a thick mulch layer) to protect the garden.
We are so grateful to everyone who has helped keep the plants watered and happy!
Farewell to Our Summer Intern
Photo by Roxana Lucero
The past few months, our stewardship and education team was joined by a summer intern through a Mount Diablo Unified School District/Diablo Valley College internship program that places students with organizations throughout our area.
Jason Thai, who just graduated from Mount Diablo High School, joined our team to help us accomplish the whole gamut of summer projects from pulling and mowing weeds and checking trails, to joining community tabling and outdoor education events.
Our summer intern, Jason, dressed as a redwood tree. Photo by Sean Burke
Thank you, Jason, for all your hard work, and we wish you the best of luck in your future adventures!
Discover Diablo
Discover Diablo: Beat the Heat. Photo by Carolyn Balling
Mary Bowerman Fire Interpretive Trail Hike, July 11th.
Although a hazy summer morning obstructed some of Mount Diablo’s vistas, a lovely hike was still had along the trail named for Save Mount Diablo’s founder, Mary Bowerman.
Participants learned about how nature has created and altered this peak, such as with the wildfire history of the mountain.
Beat the Heat and Hike the Suburban Interface in Walnut Creek Open Space, July 12th.
Participants were lucky to have a milder summer day to enjoy a pleasant hike right in our backyard.
From a narrow green corridor in the suburbs to the expanses of the Mount Diablo foothills, everyone enjoyed the scenic views and summer wildlife.
Redwood Fun
Collected items on scavenger hunt sheet. Photo by Haley Sutton
This summer, Save Mount Diablo had the opportunity to collaborate with the East Bay Regional Park District and Save the Redwoods League for three special CARES field trips.
Over 160 kids from four YMCA summer camps joined our team at Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park for a day of exploration and nature connection.
Campers went on a nature walk, worked in teams to “create a habitat” with forest materials, did a scavenger hunt, learned about the parts of a redwood tree and got to know their own redwood tree, and nature journaled.
It was inspiring to see the next generation engage in nature play and experience awe at the wonders found in a redwood forest.
