Volunteer Outdoors in Los Gatos at Cherry Springs Pond

Join us at the Cherry Springs Pond Area of Sierra Azul, a Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Preserve, to help eradicate invasive plants and to restore habitat! Participants can expect to walk through an exposed and hilly terrain for up to 1 mile with handheld tools and leather gloves to remove a spiny invasive plant known as Italian thistle. Volunteers can also expect a guided walk around a spectacular part of the preserve that is not open to the public.

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.

Meeting Space: There are no facilities, bathrooms, or running water on site. Volunteers must bring a full water bottle and use the restroom prior to arriving. Please note that the gate to the private road entering the preserve will be opened 10 minutes before the start time of the event. If you arrive early, please safely wait outside the gate. The gate to the preserve will be closed at 9:20, so please arrive on time.

Directions and Parking: We will be meeting at Cherry Springs Pond at the end of Pheasant Road in Los Gatos. The preserve entry requires driving on a private road into the preserve. Please note while the road is paved, there are some sections with potholes. Vehicles may get dirty and/or dusty. Please navigate to 18199 Pheasant Rd or 37.20222, -121.9078 for accurate directions to our meeting point. Follow Grassroots Ecology signs for where to meet and park.

From Hwy 17 Exits: Navigate towards Shannon Rd. Once you are on Shannon Rd, go east and follow it for just over 3 miles. Take another right turn onto Hicks Road, and another onto Pheasant Road. Continue up Pheasant Road through the gate, and follow Grassroots Ecology signs for where to meet and park.

From Hwy 85 Exits: Navigate to Camden Ave towards Hicks Road. From Camden, drive for just under 2 miles, and take a right onto Hicks Road. Follow Hicks Road for 1.5 miles and take another right turn onto Pheasant Road. Continue up Pheasant Road through the gate, and follow Grassroots Ecology signs for where to meet and park.

Alternate Transportation: The preserve is only accessible by car.

Prepare for Working Outdoors:

• Long sleeves and long pants are strongly encouraged for this event. This area is shaded and additional layers are recommended.
• Water bottle filled with water
• 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 limited to limited cell reception, no bathroom access, and no water fountains.

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 [email protected]

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