Two Ways to Help Bidwell Park on Make a Difference Day, October 25, 2003

Help Us Remove Invasive Plants!

Volunteers will be removing Bladder senna seedpods and plants in the Cedar Grove area of Lower Bidwell Park. This Mediterranean shrub is spreading throughout Lower Park, crowding out plant species that are more desirable for our local wildlife. If you or your children want a less-strenuous activity, you can pick pods from the plants to reduce the number of new plants in future years. If you're looking for a more challenging project, you can use the Park Department's new Weed Wrenches to pull out the shrubs.

Participants who plan to pull shrubs are asked to wear sturdy shoes and long pants to protect themselves from poison oak patches, which are scattered in the area. Pod removal work can be done from the edge of the road and trails. Gloves, tools and water will be provided.

Volunteers should meet in the Cedar Grove parking lot (off East 8th Street) between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. The work will be completed by noon.

For more information, contact Park Volunteer Coordinator Steve Hogue 895-4758.

To learn about the Friends of Bidwell Park's weekly invasive weed removal project, call Susan Mason at 892-xxxx or email info@friendsofbidwellpark.org.

Help Us Plant Willows and Grasses!

Volunteers will help restore a creek bank by Sycamore Field in Lower Bidwell Park. Streaminders has finished the heavy equipment work and sent about 70 tons of asphalt and concrete for recycling, created a new floodplain, and placed 3 logs.

You can help plant thousands of willow cuttings and grass plugs in a Biotechnical bank reinforcement configuration. It's fun and you'll also learn a lot about restoration.

We'll be planting on Saturday morning October 25 (and on Nov 8th too) If possible, call Roger Cole of Streaminders at 895-0866 to confirm, or just show up!

For more information, contact Park Volunteer Coordinator Steve Hogue 895-4758.