About this Event
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. Visit Grassroots Ecology's Midpen Preserves page to learn more about the ecosystem and accessibility considerations at Sierra Azul.
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.
Parking/Meeting Space:
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 follow the location linked here for accurate directions to our meeting point.
From Hwy 17 - Take the Saratoga - Los Gatos Road exit towards Los Gatos Blvd. Take a left onto Los Gatos Blvd and follow it for 1/2 mile. Take a right turn onto Shannon Rd, 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: Take the Camden Ave exit. From either direction, use the left lane(s) to turn left onto Camden Ave. Follow Camden 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.
There are no facilities on site, so we highly suggest all volunteers use the restroom and refill water prior to arriving. Please note that the gate to the private road entering the presreve will be opened 10 minutes before the start time of the event. If you arrive early, please safely wait outside the gate.
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 no cell reception, limited bathroom access, and no available drinking water
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]
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Cherry Springs Pond, 18199 Pheasant Road, Los Gatos, United States
