News

Maybe you didn't get your fill of trash at this past Saturday's coastal cleanup. Or maybe you missed out — sad!

Never despair, because here is yet another opportunity to be part of the September Good Crew: Volunteer to help clean up Horse Mountain Botanical Area on the Six Rivers National Forest. It's for National Public Lands Day, and the Forest, the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center and the North Coast Chapter of the California Native Plant are putting it on.

Here are the details, from the SRNF news release:

When: Saturday, September 27.

What: Picking up debris and litter left from prolific target-shooting activity in the area.

Why: "The Horse Mountain Botanical Area serves as a stronghold for numerous endemic and rare plant species," says the news release. "Its serpentine habitats are characterized by sculpted old-growth Jeffrey pine, rock outcrops and streamsides supporting Port-orford cedar and western azalea."

Meeting Times & Places:

• To carpool, meet at 9 AM in Arcata at the Valley West Shopping Center by the coffee kiosk, or

• Meet at 10 AM at the Horse Mt. Botanical Area on Titlow Hill Road (County Route 1). From the junction of Titlow Hill Rd/Hwy 299, drive approximately 41⁄2 miles to a large gravel parking area. The road is narrow and windy. Drive slowly, stay to the right side of the road at all times, and use pullouts.

Details to know:

• Volunteers should bring drinking water, work gloves, wear close-toed shoes, and dress for mountain weather at about 4,500 feet. Clean up may involve walking on uneven ground, bending and lifting. Tools will be provided, and gloves as necessary. Those under 18 will need the signature of parent or guardian on the volunteer form.

• Lunch and snacks will be provided.

• After the cleanup effort, volunteers are invited to join an interpretive walk led by Six Rivers National Forest and California Native Plant Society botanists focusing on the distinctive plant communities in the area.

MORE INFO: contact Lynn Wright, Six Rivers National Forest, 707.441.3562 or [email protected], or Chris Hammond, California Native Plant Society, 707.773.1909 or [email protected].