Mission Trails: Still Awesome

I know you were worried that somehow, Mission Trails would become less awesome. I know that I personally worry about things becoming less awesome and have to go out to check them out. Fortunately I'm here to tell you it's fine. I volunteered today with two Meetup groups planting natives at Mission Trails. Turnout was great, I think close to 30 people. (Want to volunteer? Go here.)

After this, I went for an awesome run from the visitors center then up and over Mount Fortuna, including a little side trip to go up the climbers trail. The dopamine was flowing quite freely, I think because I got up and did something useful and met some cool people - I have to do this more. Plus now I know which plants are lemonberry. Picture below is from tripadvisor.com; it really should be greener than this right now considering it's February.

Del Mar Mesa Trail Work: Saturday 25 January 2014

This is being run by Friends of Del Mar Mesa - if you're interested and want to contact them, check them out on Facebook.


Where: Park & meet on Aquitaine Court off DMM Road (see map on next page)

When: Saturday, January 25th, 8:00 – 11:00am

What you'll be doing: Trail clearing/restoration (east & west ends of "Angel" trail) & trail sign installation

What to bring: Tools (e.g., shovels, rakes, McLeods, loppers, etc.)

What they'll bring for you: Gas hedge trimmer, trail signs on posts (2), post-hole digger

What to wear: Work clothes, boots, gloves, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses

Canyon Cleanup Day 2013

(Cross posted to my blog the Lucky Atheist.)

I'd been meaning to post the pictures from the Canyon Cleanup back in April. A few of us came out from SDNA (thanks everyone!) and joined some other teams of people - if I remember, Qualcomm was well-represented - but the coolest thing was that Dorothy and Sara got to take a kayak out to get the trash along the water to complete the cleanup on the other side. This is Penasquitos Creek, which a bit further downstream opens up into the marsh at Torrey Pines State Beach. Fun day! Next one is 21 September 2013.

Severe greenery was in evidence
but the cleaner-uppers were not dissuaded.

Intrepid cleaner-uppers scour the other side of the river.

San Diego Tri-Canyons: Shout Out to Veteran Volunteers John and Matt

Yesterday morning I was fortunate enough to get out in Marian Bear and Rose Canyon and walk the trails with veteran volunteer John, who's been keeping our canyons in excellent shape for years. By happenstance, we also happened to run into Matt the bridge-maker. We picked up a little trash and trimmed back some brush; that fallen tree in west Marian Bear is now off the trail. If you use these canyons, you benefit from the efforts of both these guys, and I'm glad to meet them and to help out!

Sponsor a Student in Guatemala to Conserve Natural Resources

Want to help save the rainforest AND educate kids?

The Peten is the northeastern part of Guatemala, a mostly-flat rainforest that contains many of the famous ancient Mayan city-states, and an amazing amount of biodiversity.

The Volunteer Peten School of Natural Resources desperately needs your help to sponsor students. Volunteer Peten is a growing NGO that is making an obvious, undeniable difference, by giving kids a shot at a real education, improving the economy, and preserving the natural environment of the country. I've seen what they've done and they were even nice enough to let me teach these kids some chemistry, even if it was only 10 minutes-worth. AND sponsoring a student is only $350. Isn't that like a weekend trip in California? A couple days at Disneyland? If you're up for it, instead of donating you can even volunteer yourself! (You can talk to previous volunteers by email too.)

Meet the kids here.

Interested in Tutoring? Young Athletes Need You!

Any Body Can Youth Foundation takes at-risk kids from south San Diego and teaches them confidence and discipline through boxing. Recognize the name Archie Moore, the legendary boxer? He started this organization and his son is continuing it. They need tutors! They also need donations. If you can help with your time or dollars (no matter how modest) you would make a big difference.



Here's their website. Find on Facebook here.

National Public Lands Day - 25 September

Have you found a place to volunteer yet? Have a park or forest you like and want to help keep it in good shape for the community and the next generation? Sign up at the National Public Lands Day website. I haven't decided yet where I'm volunteering, but there are 12 within 100 miles of San Diego.

Patronize Businesses That Give Back to the Outdoors

Eagle Creek, Ocean Minded and STM Bags volunteered for trail maintenance work at Elfin Forest. Thanks guys! I'll be sure to shop there!

Berks County Needs More Trail Volunteers

Berks County, PA needs folks to help by being on trail 3 hours a week and helping or answering questions from other trail users. More info here. This is a great way to help Berks County's ever-improving trail system.