Calling all seniors 65 years and older! Join Grassroots Ecology at McClellan Ranch Preserve in Cupertino to help restore wildlife habitat to this essential creekside meadow ecosystem!
Volunteers will weed invasive mustard and water young shrubs if the ground is dry. We will be kneeling on foam pads, digging with small hand tools, and carrying buckets of water over short distances. Volunteers will be in an area with no significant tree cover, but we will take shade breaks as needed. You can expect mostly level ground, with the exception of some gopher holes that we will point out. We will spend our time together mostly stationary – standing and kneeling – while learning about local conservation efforts and California ecology.
This space will be held for older adults to work with plants and enjoy the outdoors. Volunteers are not required to stay for the entire duration of the event.
Visit Grassroots Ecology’s McClellan Ranch Preserve page to learn more about the ecosystem and accessibility considerations.
Waivers/Registration: All volunteers attending the workday must be registered individually and have approved the online waiver through this Eventbrite page.
Parking: 22221 McClellan Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014, park in the main parking lot in front of the meadow. Additional parking can be found in the overflow lot (located to the left of the main entrance).
Alternate Transportation: The closest bus stop (via VTA route 51) is approximately 1 mile away from the preserve. (Note: this route may not run on the weekend). The surrounding neighborhood is bike-friendly and there are plenty of safe places to lock bikes.
Check out Silicon Valley Hopper for local ride-share.
Meeting Space: We will meet at the picnic tables at the front of the meadow.
Prepare for Working Outdoors:
Face mask for COVID-19 safety (optional)
Reusable water bottle (filled with water)
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
We will provide gloves, tools, and ponchos (if necessary).
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 (e.g. 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 prepare for your participation.
Accessibility concerns? Questions? Cancellations?Email stephanie@grassrootsecology.org