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Environmental Forum of Marin 2012 Seminar Series begins Jan. 28
8th Annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, May 6
MMWD Volunteer Opportunities
Marin County Parks Department Volunteer Opportunities
City of San Rafael Service Days

Environmental Forum of Marin 2012 Seminar Series

Changes, Challenges and Choices
Saturdays through May 5
9am – 1pm
Hospice by the Bay

What's really happening to the environment? How can you adapt?

The  EFM 2012 Seminar Series presents eleven classes about the changing environmental landscape, from sea level rise to the need for renewable energy, and the challenges those changes pose for all of us. The series is comprised of four program modules. Each module consists of two or three seminars which delve into specific topics of concern, including:

A Wake Up Call, a substantive overview of the major human-caused conditions giving rise to climate instability (3 seminars on Jan. 28, Feb. 4, Feb. 11)

Nature's Capital: Ecosystem Services, exploring Nature's life-supporting services on which humans, wildlife, and plants depend (3 seminars on Feb. 25, Mar. 3 and Mar. 10)

Trashing the Planet, an examination of how human consumption patterns are undermining our ability to survive on the planet (2 seminars on Mar. 24 and Mar. 31), and;

It's Up to Us!, providing guidance on how Marin residents can make changes in their lives to help sustain our world for generations to come (3 seminars on Apr. 21, Apr. 28 and May 5).

Students can attend the individual seminar, the module, or the entire series. Visit EFM's website for more details and to register.

8th Annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties
Sunday, May 6
10am – 5pm

Registration for the Eighth Annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour is now open.  This free, award-winning tour features 45 Alameda and Contra Costa county gardens that are pesticide-free, conserve water, provide habitat for wildlife, and contain 60% or more native plants.

This self-drive tour showcases a variety of gardens, from large parcels in the hills to small lots in the flats.  Native plant sales and talks are offered at select gardens. Space is limited and registration is required. This tour will fill; register early to ensure a place. Volunteers are needed.  Please register or volunteer at http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net.

A companion event, the Native Plant Sale Extravaganza, will take place throughout the weekend of April 30 and May 1.

Volunteer Opportunities in the MMWD Watershed

Trail Crew
Deer Park--Yolanda-Six Points Trails
Saturday, February 4
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Help improve tread and drainage plus trim vegetation along 5 miles of trail. Please meet at Deer Park, which is at the end of Porteous Avenue in Fairfax.

Driving directions to Deer Park: From downtown Fairfax, turn onto Bolinas Rd. Go ½ mile and turn left onto Porteous, following it all the way to the end into the Deer Park parking lot.

Habitat Restoration
Bald Hill Broom Bust
Saturday, February 11
9 a.m. to Noon

Volunteers will focus on containing the spread of French and Scotch broom monocultures and eradicate pioneer patches. Removing broom gives native plants and trees a better opportunity to thrive, improves habitat for animals, reduces the fire fuel load and improves views. Ranger chili will be served at noon!

Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the intersection of Yolanda Trail and Worn Springs Fire Road.
There are several moderately strenuous hikes or rides one could take to the site. A bike group will leave San Anselmo Coffee Roasters at 8:00 a.m. A guided hiking group will leave Deer Park at 8:30 a.m.

Driving directions to Deer Park: From downtown Fairfax, turn onto Bolinas Rd. Go ½ mile and turn left onto Porteous, following it all the way to the end into the Deer Park parking lot.

Habitat Restoration
Moore Trail
Saturday, February 18
9 a.m. to Noon

French broom removal along the Moore Trail. Meeting location is Marin Stables at the end of Wood Lane in Fairfax. The stables will be serving chili for the day's volunteers at noon.

MMWD Centennial Naturalist Hike
Leap Day Amphibian Hike
Wednesday, February 29
10 AM to 2 PM

Learn to identify local amphibians on Leap Day! Join MMWD for one or both guided hikes. The first hike is 2 miles round trip on fairly level ground. Leave at 10 a.m. from the dirt parking lot just past the Sky Oaks parking kiosk. Mosey through Sky Oaks Meadow to the aptly named Bullfrog Creek. Look and listen along the way for bullfrogs and Pacific chorus frogs. Hikers will stop at the back end of Alpine Lake, at basking spots for western pond turtles, and return by the same route. (Parking pass required).

Those wishing to go on the afternoon hike to see foothill yellow-legged frogs (for the MMWD frog trifecta) can hike briskly back to Sky Oaks to depart for Little Carson Falls at noon; others may set a more leisurely pace. The hike to the falls is 3 miles round trip and is strenuous.

For MMWD volunteer programs, please wear close-toed shoes and long pants, dress for variable weather and bring a reusable water bottle. We will provide breakfast snacks, water, tools, parking passes and inspiration! Trail events are generally suitable for ages 13 and up, and habitat restoration events for ages 8 and up. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and all volunteers under age 18 must bring a permission form signed by a parent or guardian. To pre-register for any 2011 MMWD activities or for more information, call 415-945-1128 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Marin County Parks Department Volunteer Opportunities

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San Rafael Volunteer Days

For more information, visit the San Rafael Volunteer Program website or call 415-485-3407.