• What we'll do
This Labor Day weekend AWF will again be returning to one of our favorite project sites. Limestone Canyon is located in the San Mateo Mountains, southwest of Magdalena near the Very Large Array.
THE PROJECT: Over a decade ago, we began working in Limestone Canyon using Bill Zeedyk's induced meandering techniques (building one-rock dams, Zuni bowls, baffles, etc.) in the ephemeral stream in the bottom of the canyon. An ancient grove of narrowleaf cottonwoods spoke to a time when the canyon bottom was more of a wet meadow. Our efforts to slow the water and allow it to spread across the valley bottom has dramatically changed the canyon. One result that speaks to the power of our efforts is these cottonwoods are sending up new shoots. This year, we will continue to construct rock restoration structures and build on our work from past years.
SCHEDULE: Friday, August 29 – Sunday, August 31
We will meet at the campsite on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, AWF will provide coffee, breakfast burritos, and an orientation. We will work Saturday from about 8:30-4:00, and then enjoy dinner (AWF provides bison or veggie burgers). On Sunday, we will do a few more hours of work, and people can leave whenever they would like. Since it is the long Labor Day weekend, some organizers of the project will continue camping in the area until Monday, and volunteers are welcome to camp the extra night with us.
Please note that volunteers do not need to be present for the entire weekend to participate. You are welcome to join us just for the work day Saturday, or camp for just one of the two (or three!) nights.
• What to bring
GEAR: Bring everything you need for a weekend of camping. For the work, don’t forget work gloves, hat, long sleeves, long pants, sturdy boots, and sunscreen. We recommend bringing a change of shoes, and waterproof boots or boots you don’t mind getting wet. Rain gear, warm clothes for the evenings and plenty of water are essential.
FOOD: AWF will provide breakfast burritos on Saturday morning and bison or veggie burgers on Saturday evening as part of a potluck dinner. Please bring a dish to share for the Saturday potluck dinner, along with your own lunches, Friday dinner, Sunday breakfast, and lots of water!
• Important to know
To RSVP, please email rioscial@gmail.com, and please include a phone number or email contact information so we can update you if anything changes (e.g., weather cancellation).
When you RSVP, we will send you directions to the campsite and more information about the project.
