California native plants are beginning to bud, leaf, and sprout! As we move into the new year, let's take time to enjoy the changes appearing in our local ecosystems - stunning green leaves emerging from bare branches, carpets of cotyledons, and early blooming flowers here and there. During this walk you will discover the new growth and biodiversity abound at the preserve. You'll also learn about emerging invasive plants that compete for water resources - and what you can do about it!
Attendees should expect to walk 2-3 miles at a slow to moderate pace on gravel and dirt trails, which may be muddy.
Visit Grassroots Ecology’s Pearson-Arastradero Preserve webpage to learn more about the ecosystem and accessibility considerations.
Waivers/Registration: All attendees must be registered individually and have approved the online waiver through this Eventbrite page. Youth under 18 must have their legal guardian approve the waiver on their behalf. Attendees age 12 and under require an accompanying adult.
Parking: 1530 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Please arrive early and carpool if possible. There will be some parking spaces reserved for the event at the back of the lot. There is no street parking available along Arastradero Road or Page Mill Road.
Alternate Transportation: Bike racks are available near the parking lot. The 280/Page Mill Rd Park and Ride lot is a 10-minute walk from the preserve.
Meeting Space: We will meet by the buildings in the Gateway Garden down the path from the parking lot. Water and restrooms will be accessible at the beginning and at the end of the event.
Prepare for Working Outdoors:
Reusable water bottle (filled with water)
Face mask for COVID-safety (optional)
Snacks, if desired
Long pants, long sleeves recommended
Sturdy closed-toed shoes that can get dirty
Hat/sunscreen or rain gear/boots
Epi-Pen or allergy medicine, if applicable
Plan for potential exposure to sun, poison oak, ticks, prickly plants
COVID-19 Safety
We feel it is especially important for people to connect with nature during these challenging times, and our staff will carefully adhere to the social distancing and safety protocols we have developed in compliance with public health guidelines. Safety is our number one priority for all of our programs! View our COVID-19 safety protocols here.
Event Cancellations:
We are committed to the safety of our staff and community. In the event that we must cancel an event due to extreme weather conditions or poor air quality, a Grassroots Ecology staff person will reach out via email no later than 5:00 PM the day prior to this event.
Join Us!
Grassroots Ecology encourages people from all identities and backgrounds to participate in our programs. Many of our programs are outdoors and involve moving and working in a variety of landscapes. If you have accessibility concerns (e.g. allergies, limited mobility, learning differences), our projects are flexible and we are happy to work with you. Please reach out to the event facilitator so we can prepare for your participation.
Accessibility concerns? Questions? Cancellations? Email hannah@grassrootsecology.org