What's In An Outing

Important Notes Regarding Our Program - PLEASE READ!

• Don't do this on your own! Plant removal & going off trail require a permit (and only CNPS has one).
• Teens are welcome, but must each be accompanied by one of their own parents; unaccompanied adult students must have proof of age.
• Large groups are welcome, but should call ahead to make special arrangements.
• Volunteers need to have a "Hold Harmless" form on file with the park; new volunteers should fill out a form and give it to the outing leader.
• You can stay up to date on all the latest EWW info by subscribing to our EWW email contact list.

How Outings Work

• Volunteers should plan to meet at the scheduled location/time.
• Typically we depart the meeting point for our worksite around 5-10 minutes after the meeting time.
• Late comers are welcome... just follow along on your own and catch up with us.
• For Wednesday and Saturday outings, a map to the worksite is typically left on the kiosk at the meeting point to help late comers find us.
• For Friday outings the worksite is mailed out to our Friday volunteers list a few days in advance... contact us to join the list or inquire about the worksite for a specific outing.
• A trailside sign is typically displayed along the trail side near our worksite to explain our efforts to park visitors and to help late comers find us.
• For new volunteers, the outing leader will answer any questions and provide any necessary instruction on how to perform our habitat restoration work. No experience is necessary and questions are encouraged!
• Outings typically involve removing non native plants by hand or with tools, bagging removed plant materials, and transporting bagged materials to the nearest park service road for later collection by park staff. Gloves, tools, and bags are provided.
• Outings are typically no more than 3 hours long, though occasionally groups will stay out longer. Those needing to leave early are free to do so on their own.

What To Wear & Bring

• Sturdy gloves - We work on prickly things like thistles, so hand protection is strongly recommended. We have gloves you can borrow, but if you come often you may want to bring your own.
• Sturdy shoes/boots - We walk through thick meadows and brush, and up/down steep slopes, so sturdy footwear is recommended. Seeds from meadow plants often embed themselves in shoes and socks; some wear gaiters or tuck their pant legs in their boots to help avoid this.
• Long pants - Because we work among thistles and brush (inluding poison oak), long pants are recommended for leg protection.
• Long sleeves - Some also like to protect their arms by wearing long sleeves; others like to stay cool by wearing short sleaves.
• Clothing layers - Morning outings can start out cool, and evening outings can finish up that way, so you may want to bring additional layers to remove or put on as necessary.
• Hat - Some wear hats to keep the sun out of their eyes and off their heads.
• Sunscreen - Depending on the time of day, the sun can be intense; wear sunscrean as appropriate for your specific needs.
• Water - Especially good to have on a hot day.
• Tools - We provide tools for volunteers to use, but if you have a favorite tool of your own feel free to bring it along.

What To Watch Out For

• Poison Oak - This plant is widespread at Edgewood, and for many people contact with poison oak can result in an allergic skin reaction. While we generally do not work directly in poison oak, it is quite commonly present nearby and volunteers should keep their eyes open for it in order to avoid it. If you are unfamiliar with poison oak be sure to ask your outing leader to show you how to identify it. And if you are particularly sensitive to poison oak be sure to let your outing leader know so he can help minimize your risk of exposure.
• Ticks - Our outings often involve walking through tall grass or shrubs, and as a result vulunteers occasionally encounter ticks. Fortunately they are both very slow moving and very slow to bite, and are easy to flick off if spotted in a timely fashion. Volunteers should check themselves and/or their friends from time to time just to be safe. Light colored clothing can help make it easier to spot ticks, and long sleeves/pants can reduce the risk of ticks getting under clothing; some also like to wear clothes with tight fitting openings, or to tuck in shirts and pant legs. When getting home after an outing volunteers should check themselves thoroughly to make sure no ticks have hitched a ride home; some also like to leave work clothes outside the living area to avoid bringing ticks inside.
• Rattlesnakes - There are many different snakes found in our area, but the only poisonous one is the rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes in our area tend to be relatively unaggressive and want to avoid you as much as you want to avoid them, however if startled or cornered they can inflict a serious bite. To reduce risk, keep your eyes open for snakes on the ground around and ahead of you while walking or working, and avoid reaching or stepping behind rocks, logs, or other objects when you can't see what's behind or under them. If you do see a rattlesnake back away slowly to a distance of 10 feet or more and let those around you know about the snake... then take a moment to appreciate this fascinating and ecologically important creature from a safe distance.
• Mountain Lions - These animals are highly elusive, and sightings in our area our quite rare. Nonetheless, there have been a number of mountain lion sightings in and around Edgewood in recent years. If you do happen to see one let those around you know immediately, do not run or turn your back, try to look as large as possible (stand up, hold arms up/out, hold jacket or pack up/out), and back away slowly. Mountain lion sightings should always be reported to park staff as soon as possible.
• Insects & Spiders - Edgewood is home to a broad array of insects and spiders, most of which are harmless, as well as important to the ecological health of the park. However we do have some, such as bees, hornets (including ground nesting varieties), ants, and black widow spiders, all of which can be hazardous if startled or injured. Volunteers should be careful to avoid these, and alert others to their presence when spotted.
• Steep or Uneven Terrain - Our off-trail activities sometimes involve walking over steep or uneven terrain. Volunteers should proceed carefully to avoid sprains or other injuries that might result from bad footings or the like.