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The Trip

We will be working at Point Reyes National Seashore, a national park about 35 miles north of San Francisco. The park has a rugged coastline with blunt headlands, rolling hills, native forests, and freshwater lakes. It is an area of rich biological diversity due to the variety of habitats and its unique geology. Here, we'll find rare animals and plants such as tule elk, endangered snowy plover, and Bishop pine. We’ll likely see many of the nearly 425 bird species found in the region.

The Point Reyes Peninsula sits upon the Pacific Plate, separated from the "mainland" (the North American Plate) by the San Andreas Fault, and has been inching northward over geologic time. It is a place of unique and exceptional beauty on California's coast. The area has changed little since Sir Francis Drake sailed into what is now known as Drake's Bay in the summer of 1579 to make repairs on his ship, the Golden Hind.

The Project

There are many non-native, invasive plants in Point Reyes. Some of these species were planted by the people who lived in the area, primarily on dairy ranches. Some seeds were carried by the wind or birds. Our task will be to remove as many non-native plants as possible. We will choose the plants to pull based on the season, the severity of the problem, and what is blooming. We will probably remove broom, which is a threat to the native plants and therefore to the animals that depend on the native plants for food and cover. In the past, we have pulled broom (French and Scotch), cape ivy, cape weed, fire weed, gopher weed, New Zealand spinach, European beach grass, ice plant, and many kinds of thistle.

Itinerary

We will meet at the boathouse on the afternoon of day one. Participants will be given maps of the exact location off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, which can be reached from Highways 101 or 1, north of San Francisco in Marin County.

We will work four days, and have two days free. The park and nearby areas offer exciting possibilities for our off days. Our activities might include visiting the beaches, hiking the wilderness trails, birdwatching, touring the historic lighthouse, the cheese factory, Pt. Reyes winery, the oyster farm, or the visitor center. Close to the park headquarters in Bear Valley, we might take an easy earthquake walk and see how much the ground shifted in the famous 1906 quake. We might also get a chance to see the regeneration of the forests and plants that have occurred since the Mt. Vision fire of 1995, which only burned out when it reached the ocean.

Getting There

Travel to and from the boathouse is the responsibility of each participant. The nearest airports are in Oakland and San Francisco. If you wish to carpool from the airport, the leader will send you a trip roster, which will allow you to make arrangements with other participants.

Accommodations and Food

We will stay in the park's historic boathouse overlooking Drake's Bay. The boathouse is equipped with modern conveniences and set up with bunk rooms for housing. There are no separate rooms for couples. A short distance away is the historic lighthouse. Built in 1870, the lighthouse has been fully restored and sits on the coast of a rugged headland. It is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Please come with the attitude that food is part of the adventure. We will provide traditional family-style cuisine. Although some of our dishes will be meat-based, we will be able to accommodate vegetarians and provide healthy and nutritious foods. We'll have a group commissary with everyone taking turns in meal preparation. Before applying for the trip, folks with food allergies or strong preferences should contact the cook to see if reasonable accommodations can be made. Our first meal will be dinner on day one and our last meal will be lunch on the final day.

Trip Difficulty

Because this trip does not involve backpacking, it should be considered a moderate trip. Removing invasive weeds and hiking to the worksite requires that you be in good physical condition, but we will all work at our own pace. The weather should be mild, with a chance of fog or rain.

Equipment and Clothing

The national park will provide all tools for our work project, but you will need work gloves, sturdy boots, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. You will also need a day pack to carry your lunch and water bottles, rain gear, sunscreen, etc. We will also provide a first-aid kit for emergencies, but you should bring moleskin, Band-Aids, aspirin, and any medication you personally require. You will need to bring our own bedding and towels for the boathouse. The leader will send a complete list of equipment to registered participants.

References

Maps:

• The Bear Valley Visitors Center at Point Reyes has trail maps, books, and souvenirs.
• Topo maps are also available from Tom Harrison Maps, 2 Falmouth Cove, San Rafael, CA 94901-4465; (800) 265-9090; http://www.tomharrisonmaps.com

Books:

• Bossard, C.C., J. M. Randall, and M. C. Hoshovsky (Eds.), Invasive Plants of California Wildlands.
• Blair, R., and K. Goodwin, Point Reyes Visions.
• Griffin, L.M., Saving the Marin-Sonoma Coast.
• Arnot, P., Point Reyes Secret Places and Magic Moments.

Websites:

• Point Reyes National Seashore: http://www.nps.gov/pore

Conservation

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, and encourages grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward greater understanding, advocacy, and participation in the goals of the Club.

As the title of this trip indicates, this is a conservation trip. The work, information, and talks will all pertain to conserving this area for endangered birds and plants. You will learn about the continuing efforts by the Sierra Club and other groups to relieve some of the damage that non-native species have caused. The Club has worked at Pt. Reyes since 2001, and we will discuss future conservation plans for the area. Mitigating invasive plant and animal species will be a continuing economic problem to work on at the local, state, and national level, and we will contribute to those efforts on this trip.

Trip Price

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Staff

Leader:

Elaine Stebler is from Oklahoma where she enjoys country-living on 80 acres, raising much of her own fruits, vegetables, and free-range chicken eggs. She loves being outdoors and exploring new wild and scenic places. She is looking forward to experiencing this coastal environment while meeting new people ad working to restore this precious habitat. Elaine hopes to share her enthusiasm for the vast diversity of plants and animals that will likely be seen while working in this beautiful national treasure. Elaine has led or cooked on different type service trips since 1993.

E-mail: elaine.stebler@okstate.edu

Assistant Leader:

Harriet Dhanak is a very experienced Sierra Club Service Trip leader and the "founding mother" of this Pt Reyes Trip! She's worked on habitat restoration projects with the Club and other groups for over 15 years. When she is not out pulling weeds, you can find Harriet creating world-class lace.

E-mail: hadhanak@aol.com

Cook:

Lelia Heading has been cooking for Service Trips for sixteen years and always enjoys the opportunity to visit new places, cook for hungry workers, and meet great people who dedicate their vacation to improving our public lands. She is looking forward to visiting the coastal climate of this environmentally significant area.

E-mail: lheading@aol.com

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Carpooling
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback
• Wilderness Manners