Join us at the Hawthorns Area of Windy Hill Preserve in Portola Valley, a Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Preserve that is not yet open to the public! Help restore wildlife habitat to this essential grassland ecosystem and remove invasive plants! Volunteers should expect to walk over hilly, grassland terrain that has extended sunlight exposure to remove a small but destructive weed species (yellow starthistle) at their smooth base. Volunteers should also expect to learn all about California native plants and the area's unique history and ecosystem.
Visit this page to learn more about the ecosystem and accessibility considerations at the Hawthorns Area.
Waivers/Registration: All participants must register & approve the online waiver through this Eventbrite page. Youth under 18 must have their legal guardian approve the waiver on their behalf.
Parking: Take Hwy. 280 to Alpine Road and go West. Follow Alpine Road for 3 miles and park on the right at Triangle Park.
Alternate Transportation: The preserve is only accessible by car or by bike.
Prepare for Working Outdoors:
Face mask for COVID-19 safety (optional)
Water bottle filled with water
Long pants, long sleeves recommended
Sturdy close-toed shoes that can get dirty
Hat/sunscreen or rain gear/boots
Plan for potential exposure to sun, poison oak, ticks
Prepare for no on-site bathroom access, and no available drinking water
We will provide gloves, tools, and light snacks.
Meeting Space: There are no bathrooms or water fountains at the work site. Please use the bathroom before arriving. We will meet at Triangle Park and walk to the work site. Some areas can be muddy so please wear clothes that can get dirty.
Event Cancellations:
We are committed to the safety of our staff and volunteers. In the event that we must cancel a workday 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 (i.e., allergies, limited mobility, learning differences), our projects are flexible and we are happy to work with you. Please reach out to the workday facilitator so we can best prepare for your participation.
Accessibility concerns? Questions? Cancellations?
Email tyler@grassrootsecology.org