Help Mother Nature

Commune with the earth and the parks, even if your back won't permit you to do the heavy lifting.

With the great diversity in our Parks comes rich, fertile soil, which nurtures the bounty of native plants, shrubs, and trees. However, these conditions also make wonderful conditions for non-native plant life (invasive species). As the non-natives grow and flourish in this abundant environment native plants wither and die, causing the foods for native insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals to disappear. For this reason the Friends work with the Rangers to remove and control the spread of non-native vegetation.

Over the past several years the Friends and other non-profit groups have planted native species throughout the Parks. This planting has helped deter establishment of non-native species, reduce erosion issues, and created cooler community picnic areas. Since many of these plants and trees need nurturing until they are well established, the Friends coordinates native species restoration and watering activities throughout the summer and early fall.

• Water Babies: Groups of young children and their parents meet for one and one half hours on Saturday mornings to water young trees in the Sequoia Area.
• Group Watering Days: Work, School, Church, or Scout groups meet for two to three hours to water a designated area.
• Individuals: Individuals may volunteer for one to three hours and water trees and plants in various areas.