Join us on a walk to see spring things at Byrne Preserve! We will take a hike through the grassland and woodland, stopping often to check out the birds and blooming native wildflowers. Feel free to bring a pair of binoculars or a hand lens to observe these spring things from far away and up close. We will have a limited number of binoculars and hand lenses available for borrowing. During this walk we will likely see California native wildflowers like buttercups, checker lilies, globe lilies, golden currant, mules ears, fiddleneck, and poppies. We will be on the look out for birds such as the western bluebird, violet green swallow, acorn woodpecker, and red-tailed hawk.
Attendees should expect to walk 1.5-2 miles at a slow to moderate pace on gravel and dirt trails, which may be muddy. About 50ft elevation gain, most of the path is flat or downhill, but we will hike up one set of wood/dirt stairs.
Visit Grassroots Ecology's Byrne Preserve page 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: 27210 Altamont Rd, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 at the Westwind Community Barn dirt parking lot. Please park on the side of the parking lot closest to Byrne Preserve. There are horses onsite; please drive slowly and quietly as you enter and leave the parking lot. There is overflow parking along Altamont Road. The road up to the site is steep and curvy. Download driving instructions ahead of time, as there is little to no cell reception for some service carriers at Byrne Preserve.
Alternate Transportation: The closest bus stop is at Foothill College, a 45-minute walk from Byrne Preserve. Strong bikers can lock their bikes to a rack on-site.
Meeting Space: Enter the preserve through the green gate adjacent to the driveway. We will meet by the brown tool shed at the top of the hill. There are horses onsite. Byrne Preserve has no available drinking water. Volunteers will have access to a toilet at the beginning and end of the event, located in Westwind Community Barn.
Prepare for Walking Outdoors:
Reusable water bottle (filled with water)
Face mask for COVID-safety (optional)
Snacks, if desired
Long pants, long sleeves, long socks 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
Prepare for limited to no cell reception, 5+ minute walk to the barn bathroom, and no available drinking water
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 siena@grassrootsecology.org