Calendar

Sunday, February 5, 2023
Location: Creekside Oaks Parking Lot (1780-1740 Creekside Oaks Dr)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Event Name: Mile Steward River Clean-Up (Steelhead Creek)

Join volunteers from the American River Parkway Foundation for a clean-up along Steelhead Creek near the intersection of Truxel Road and Garden Highway. Volunteers will meet up in the Creekside Oaks parking lot and then walk to Steelhead Creek. The safety briefing and sign-in will take place at 9 a.m. and people will head out by 9:15 a.m. Individuals should wear sturdy shoes, bring their own water and snacks. People are asked to register online by 12 p.m. Friday, February 3 at this website Volunteer Opportunities – American River Parkway Foundation (arpf.org) and to fill, and print, out and bring the volunteer waiver form.

Join us at Camp Pollock on Thursday, February 9, from 6-8pm to learn about vernal pools. Carol Witham will help us to explore the short-lived, weird-looking, fascinating fauna that evolved millions of years ago, and dazzling swaths of tens of thousands of tiny flowers that change from week to week through a two- to- three month “season.” This tour of California vernal pools will answer questions such as “what makes a vernal pool” and “why are they found almost nowhere but California” plus explore vernal pools from throughout the state.

Carol Witham is a self-taught vernal pool ecologist and has been studying that ecosystem for over three decades. She is a private consultant specializing rare plants and animals of vernal pools plus their management. Carol is author of Field Guide to the Vernal Pools of Mather Field, Sacramento County and co-editor of Jepson Prairie Preserve Handbook, 3rd Edition. She is also very active in vernal pool conservation advocacy and education.

Please RSVP by 6pm the evening prior. Space is limited. Parking and admission are free, but donations are encouraged ($5-$20 per person recommended).

Location: Arcade Creek Park at the Omni Drive entrance (5613 Omni Drive)
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Difficulty Level: 2 – 5
Event Name: Friday morning Arcade Creek clean-up

This Friday the meeting place for the bi-weekly Arcade Creek clean-up is the Arcade Creek Park on Omni Drive, because we have been working in this part of the creek lately. We get into Arcade Creek and sometimes haul out heavy items, so bring boots/waders and gloves. There are also areas around the creek that need attention, so if you don’t want to get wet, that’s ok. The difficulty level of this clean up is a 2-5, depending on the terrain people choose to work in.

Location: Park on Camden Lake Way in Elk Grove
Time: 9 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
Difficulty Level: 1 – 3
Event Name: Laguna Creek at Bond and Beyond

This Saturday’s cleanup has something for everyone.
Whether you clean along Bond Road’s flat surfaces, or the sidewalks nearby, or the perimeter of Camden Lake that has a little bit of a bathtub ring of trash, or whether you get into the creek itself to clean up some washed out camp debris, you’ll feel great helping out our community.
We recommend parking along Camden Lake Way, or you can also park in the Savemart parking lot and walk over to our staging area along Camden Lake Way.
New to cleanups? Please arrive early to get signed in and get gear. If you have supplies, please bring your own gloves, buckets, bags, but we have items for you. Buckets, gloves, grabbers, vests, bags.
Please wear appropriate clothing, boots, or closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, hats, and bring your own water.