Help us prepare the land for spring rains and learn about forest ecology along the way. Work on the land will focus on laying sticks and downed logs on-contour on a hillside to catch and slow surface-water runoff and leaf litter tumbling downslope. After just one season these mulch pockets can help stabilize soil temperature in the hot summer, reduce loss of groundwater in droughts, provide habitat for salamanders and other creatures of the duff, and reduce the threat of severe forest fire. The time to do all of this stick moving is in the winter, while delicate spring ephemerals are still sleeping in their roots belowground. While we're in the woods we may do some other tending tasks such as light vine thinning.

All volunteers welcome/no experience necessary. Please RSVP in advance if you can.

Work party goes 11am-4pm. We will provide hot tea and a basic soup for lunch around 1 pm - please feel free to bring additional snacks.

Bring:

• Sturdy gloves and working clothes/footwear suitable for the weather

• Hand saws, hand pruners, and chainsaws welcome, but not necessary

• Water, snacks

We'll have hot tea, soup, and water available to refill your drinking vessels.