Rain, Sunshine, and a Bird' s Nest

One of the many discoveries on
our Tuesday workday.  If you know
the name of the bird that inhabits
this nest please contact
garberparkstewards@gmail.com.

 Much to my surprise, our Tuesday Workday was on - the rain stopped and three Stewards came to help with our first Spring Invasive Weed Pull.  Unfortunately, it was too wet, soggy, and muddy to be tromping on the hillsides.  What to do?

With the sun peeking through, the bright green of the ferns and newly leafed out Buckeyes and Maples beckoned us to take a slow walk along the trails with an eye to planning future activities and projects.  Along the lower loop trail we discovered false solomons seal, cow parsnip, and giant vetch just coming into bloom as well as a superbly constructed bird's nest anchored high in the tree.  In Horse Tail Meadow, on the Upper Loop Trail, the Equisitum (horse tails) is dominating the meadow, and on Sylvan Trail it was most satisfying to see the abundance of ferns, false solomons seal, and trilliums in Garber's newest restoration site at Fern Glen thriving.

Unfortunately, our break from restoration work was short lived. Along Sylvan Trail at Sylvan bridge, the water was pouring down the creek, creating waterfalls and overflowing the trail.  A storm drain was plugged near Evergreen Lane, sending a cascade of water down the creek threatening to erode the trail and the creek banks.  I called Public Works while Ricardo and Bob set to work shoring up the trail.  Several hours later, their work complete, the rain began once again.   Many, many thanks to you both!

Horsetail Meadow

Our next volunteer workday is Saturday, April 19.  We will meet at 10AM at the Evergreen Lane Entrance.  

SAVE THE DATE:  Saturday, April 26.  TAKE ACTION and join The Garber Park Stewards and Claremont Canyon Conservancy in cleaning and beautifying Claremont Avenue. 
We hope you can join us.