A "Magnificent Seven" Volunteers showed up for the September Work Day and completed preparations for the Newhall Trail Project: Resurfacing the trail from the parking lot to the Beanie Newhall Monument to improve accessibility. No more blue painted roots! With grants from the local and district Rotary and the Nature Conservancy, Mike Jukofsky and MAJ Enterprises will "grind" down 6 to 8 inches of roots and soil, place a layer of fabric, lay three inches of coarse white stone and then a few more inches of finer material, which will then be "rolled" to leave a more trafficable surface for wheelchairs, strollers and "stumblers" like me . . . We won't miss those darn roots! Remember: the Preserve will be closed from Thursday 21st through Saturday the 23d for the project.
Our work on Saturday the 16th was to cull vegetation on both sides of the Newhall trail to facilitate the project. We also hauled a truckload of limbs from the pond to the collection area near the parking lot for removal by Sea Pines CSA. (Thanks to September Trail Monitor John Grobe, who had collected the limbs for removal.)
Our next proposed project will be a new four panel "Welcome Kiosk" with three bulletin Boards and an enlarged Trail Map. Mike Kizis and Sal Gioia used their drafting and "CAD" skills to prepare plans for Sarah Gustafson to submit for an ATAX grant. In the near term, Rosemary Staples and Julia Buzzard are employing their artistic skills to redesign the materials to be posted on our bulletin boards. (Julia was an elementary schoolteacher, so bulletin boards are in her wheelhouse!)
Sharing the credit, Co-Chairs Bob Clemens and Jack Coleman truly appreciate the contributions of Newhall Vice-Chairs Rita Kernan, Tom Hennessey, Matt Mattoon, and newer Committee Members David and Julia Buzzard, Carrie Jones, and Steve Fishman. Any member of the Newhall Committee will be happy to entertain your questions, suggestions, and (gentle) criticisms. We continue to operate under the theory that "If you're not improving, you're stagnating!" In that same vein, we recently updated our Newhall Committee Task Lists pursuant to the Audubon and Newhall Strategic Plan.
Volunteers are always welcome! We need monthly trail monitors, pollinator gardeners, irrigators, and work day muscle for "sweat equity." Contact Bob Clemens or Jack Colemen to step up!
Our next work day will be Saturday, October 14th from 8:30 until just short of exhaustion (typically to 9:30 or 10). Bug spray, water and donuts provided. RSVPs are helpful, but not necessary to Bob at RClemens318@gmail.com. May the Forest Be With You!