Many thanks to the volunteer who helped with our initial cleanup at Putah Creek on January 10th. In all, we had 80 people that volunteered from 13 different fly clubs, with work completed on all Putah Creek access points (Access Areas 1 through 5 and Upper Areas P1 & P2). The results were very evident, and access was greatly improved thanks to the efforts of all of the volunteers.
We are looking for volunteers for the Putah Creek follow up Cleanup scheduled for June 13th that will cover key access points and include garbage clean up as well as other restoration work to be done. The plan calls for current “existing trails” to be opened to the width of roughly 4 to 6 feet. Riparian areas marked with signs (and with irrigation lines) are to be left alone as these support local plants (including milkweed) that sustain endangered monarch butterfly populations.
Volunteers need to bring necessary equipment & tools including gloves, weed whackers, large clippers, hedge trimmers, etc. with clarification that power tools are either electric (need spare batteries) or gas (with gas filling only in the parking lot areas). No chainsaws are to be brought to the event by volunteers due to liability issues.
All volunteers need to sign the “hold harmless” liability form for insurance purposes prior to beginning work for the event on January 10th.
People that have pickup trucks that can assist in trash removal to debris bins in Winters after the cleanup are asked to bring them. If you are a member of a fly-fishing club, it would be good to set up car-pools to save gas and due to limited parking at the various access points on Putah Creek.
The plan is to meet at Steady Eddy’s Coffee House located at 5 E Main St Suite A in Winters at 7:30 AM on June 13th where people/groups will be assigned to one of the team leaders (selected by John Feaster) and head to their designated access point. Work should commence about 8 AM and finish by noon.
We will plan to meet back in Winters where lunch will be served to all the volunteers at Preserve Restaurant located at 200 Railroad Avenue in Winters (starting at about 12:30 PM) – Note that lunch is free (volunteers only need to pay for their favorite beverages and are welcome to leave a gratuity).
Please be aware that cell phone service is very limited on Putah Creek at the access points, and it is important to meet at Steady Eddy’s Coffee Shop in Winters as noted above.
If you have any questions regarding the Putah Creek Clean Up on January 10th, please contact Ron Beltramo by e-mail at rjbeltramo@aol.com.
To volunteer, please go to the NCCFFI website www.nccffi.org and sign up.
We appreciate your help…looking forward to a great day together on June 13th at Putah Creek!