JOIN US TO CELEBRATE THE RIDGE TRAIL!
More people than ever have been enjoying the Ridge Trail recently, so the trails could use a little extra love. Local parks and land managers are working hard to care for our trails, but extra help is always welcome – that’s where you come in. Join our Ridge Trail Month celebrations to care for your favorite trail!
WHAT IS RIDGE TRAIL MONTH?
Each year, the Ridge Trail works with our partners to host one day of trail projects all around the Bay Area. It’s a great opportunity for volunteers to get outside and care for their favorite trails. This year, we’re hosting a COVID-safe version of the event by holding smaller volunteer days throughout the month of November, and providing a “DIY” trail project option.
Reminder!
Participating in Ridge Trail Month counts as an adventure for the Ridge Trail Challenge! To learn more, visit ridgetrail.org/challenge
DIY TRAIL CARE PROJECT
If you want to celebrate Ridge Trail Month solo or within your social bubble, you can do a DIY Ridge Trail project. There are many fun, safe, and easy ways to care for your favorite Ridge Trail – find tips and a supply checklist below.
How To Host Your Own Ridge Trail Cleanup:
- Pick a Trail: First decide which Ridge Trail section to clean up – maybe a trail near your home or a part of the Ridge Trail you’ve been planning to visit!
- Leave No Trace: Make a plan to properly dispose of trash and recycling you pick up. Park and land managers may not be regularly collecting trash and recycling, so you may need to dispose of it elsewhere.
- Gather your supplies: See the checklist below for a list of supplies to make your trail clean-up safe and easy. Comfortable shoes and healthy snacks go a long way in keeping energized and happy while you’re out on the trail!
- Call your crew: If you have friends or family within your COVID social bubble, get them involved! Otherwise, a solo trail clean-up can be a safe and enjoyable way to care for your favorite trail.
- Keep It Safe: During your clean-up, be safe and follow all trail rules and etiquette. Wear gloves, a mask, and stay at least 6 feet away from other trail users.
- Take a Pic: Show us your before and after! Record your trail cleanup project to share on social media. @bayarearidgetrail on Instagram and @ridgetrail on Facebook and Twitter.
Supply Checklist:
- Face mask
- Nitrile or work gloves
- Trash bags
- Trash grabber (claw)
- Long sleeved shirt and pants
- Comfortable/sturdy shoes
- Sunscreen and hat
- Plenty of water and snacks
- Hand sanitizer
- First Aid Kit
- Container for sharp objects (glass jar or similar)
IN PERSON VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
During November we will be holding a limited number of in-person trail care projects with our partners around the Bay Area. Spaces for each project are very limited so that we can keep our volunteers safe and healthy. See the project descriptions below and register for a project using the form below that.
General COVID 19 Guidelines: Each project is following COVID 19 guidelines for their respective counties and organizations. Maintaining physical distancing of 6 feet apart and masks are required for all projects. Volunteers should bring their own masks and must have one on in order to participate. Additional procedures will be discussed on site. Each project has a much smaller, and stricter capacity than years past. Please do not attend an event if you are not registered or have symptoms such as a cough or fever.
Note: Projects are subject to rescheduling or cancellation due to air quality, wildfire, or other circumstances that would make an in-person volunteer event unsafe or otherwise impossible to host. Event organizers will reach out to registered volunteers should a project need to be rescheduled or cancelled. Additional projects may also be added later, so make sure you are following us on social media and are signed up for our e-newsletter to stay in the loop!
Napa – Skyline Wilderness Park
Saturday, November 7, 9:00AM – 12:30PM
Team up with Skyline Wilderness Park Association for a day of trail maintenance along the Ridge Trail in this popular park. Masks and gloves are required, please bring your own. Ages 12 and up are welcome to participate. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a registered parent or guardian. Meeting and parking location sent with registration confirmation.
San Jose – Alum Rock Park
Saturday, November 7, 9:00AM – 12:30PM
Help City of San Jose improve the Bay Area Ridge Trail within Alum Rock Park. Masks and gloves are required, please bring your own. Ages 14 and older are welcome to participate. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a registered parent or guardian. Meeting and parking location sent with registration confirmation.
American Canyon – Newell Open Space
Saturday, November 7, 10:00AM – 1:00PM
Help City of American Canyon build rolling dip features on the Valley trail at Newell Open Space. Masks and gloves are required, please bring your own. Registration must be done through American Canyon’s volunteer website, which you can find here.
Solano – Lynch Canyon Open Space
Saturday, November 14, 9:15AM – 12:30PM
Team up with the Solano Land Trust as we install water control features on the Ken Poerner Trail. Note, the Ken Poerner Trail is not technically on the RT, but it does connect to the RT on both ends to create a nice RT loop in Lynch Canyon. Ages 14 and older are welcome to participate. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a registered parent or guardian. Meeting and parking location sent with registration confirmation.
Petaluma – Helen Putnam Regional Park
Saturday, November 14, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
Join Sonoma County Regional Parks to prepare the park trails for the winter months. Tools, gloves, water and snacks provided. All volunteers must wear masks. The project has been tailored to allow for social distancing. Learn more and register for this project here.
San Francisco – Mt. Sutro Open Space
Saturday, November 21, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Join Sutro Stewards in celebration of Ridge Trail Month! We will plant native plants on the Clarendon Trail. Masks and gloves are required, please bring your own. Ages 7 and older are welcome to participate. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a registered parent or guardian. Meeting and parking location sent with registration confirmation.
REGISTRATION
Please register for the American Canyon and Petaluma projects at their respective websites. All other volunteer spaces have been filled. You can put yourself on the waitlist by filling out this form. If someone decides to cancel their registration for a project, we will contact you.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support of our Ridge Trail Month Volunteer and DIY Trail Care Projects. Shout out to REI as the lead sponsor, and a big thanks to Whole Foods for providing wholesome lunches for our trail volunteers!
