For Immediate Use                                                                                                       Contact: Sean Rowe, (321) 863-5709
January 6, 2012                                                                                                                                   srowe@audubon.org

Volunteers sought to help on Audubon Kern River Preserve

Weldon, CA – Join staff and volunteers on Saturday, January 21 from 8 a.m. to noon for a weekend work party. Last year's storm cut a new river channel and before it dries up we plan to use nature to help rebuild a forest. We will be planting cottonwoods & willows and understory vegetation in deposited sediments along the newly created river channel. This will help to jump-start the natural tree recruitment and provide future habitat for rare birds and other riparian wildlife.

In December 2010, a major flood occurred in central California filling many Sierra Nevada waterways from bank to bank. This included the South Fork of the Kern River which breeched the existing river channel and cut a new channel right through formerly dry pastures on the Kern River Preserve. Now if there weren't a county road involved the river could stay right where it is, but alas, this channel needs to be closed by the county and the river will be forced back into its old channel, so that the existing roadway can be maintained. But, we plan on using the opportunity to let nature help water a new section of restored forest.

After the work is done, enjoy a no-host picnic at the preserve headquarters. There are multiple trails around the preserve that are easy hikes. The weather is predicted to be glorious. The birds will be singing and if your group is quiet you might see one of our many deer resting in the woods.

Once a month from Fall through Spring, volunteers from around the community gather to help on a project at the Audubon Kern River Preserve.

Bring gloves, wear long sleeves and pants, boots to get wet, and safety glasses if you have them. The preserve will supply the tools. Meet at 7:55 a.m. at the headquarters of the Kern River Preserve: 18747 Highway 178, Weldon, CA. Contact the Kern River Preserve land steward, Sean Rowe email: srowe@audubon.org or call 760-378-2531 to RSVP.

The next scheduled volunteer project will be another fun outdoor event - February 18, 2012.