New trees, new bridge appear on Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Good things happen when everyone works together. Cooperation is key! These are phrases we have all heard our entire lives, but they are not so easy to put into practice. It is truly wonderful to see cooperation in action. The Fiscalini Ranch Preserve is a fine place to show off how well collaboration works, and here are some recent examples of cooperative projects I’d like to share with you …
After taking a couple of years off to re-evaluate the needs of our forest, Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve decided to bring back our annual Thanksgiving weekend tree planting event. As easy as it sounds to go out and plant a bunch of trees. CCSD staff and FFRP staff worked together to acquire the proper trees (FFRP) and care for them (CCSD) until it came time to plant them.
The planting area was designated by Dirk Walters (Cal Poly geologist) and agreed upon by FFRP and CCSD. CCSD provided the nonpotable water and woodchips from chipping on the Ranch done by the California Conservation Corps. FFRP provided the publicity, the snacks, the planting lesson and 36 volunteers.
Two-hundred trees were planted, mulched and watered in less than two hours, with everyone having a great time. Carlos Mendoza and Alberto Novas from CCSD facilities not only delivered water and wood chips, they also helped plant and supervise. Members of the Cambria Forest Committee came out to help. One family was there to plant trees in honor of their mother/grandmother. Three generations of the Snow family — Curt, Paul and Trevor — also joined in celebrating the spirit of Thanksgiving and cooperation!
What great things to pass on to our children.
New bridge
If you walk in the forest and cross the bridge near Trenton, you know how dangerous that bridge had become. The bridge, built by volunteer “RanchHands” about 15 years ago, had been repaired many times until it just needed to be replaced.
A small group of FFRP volunteers approached Mendoza offering their help to make the bridge safe for the public. CCSD provided materials, Mendoza and Novas designed and cut the wood for the bridge, and a new group of “RanchHands” provided the labor and helped with the fine-tuning.
With everyone working together, it only took two days to replace the bridge and make the Forest Loop Trail safe for walkers once again. We hope you like it! Please keep in mind that it was designed for pedestrians only.
Jo Ellen Butler is executive director of Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Ranch Update appears quarterly in The Cambrian.
FFRP calendar
Songs for the Season, 2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Fog’s End Barn, 2735 Main St. in Cambria.
Celebrate the holidays and support the Ranch at an afternoon of seasonal music, champagne and wine bar, savories, desserts and raffle prizes. Ron Perry and Mary Schwalbe will provide musical favorites and some sing-along carols for your enjoyment.
FFRP annual meeting, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 16, Santa Rosa Parish Hall, 1174 Main St. in Cambria.
The FFRP Board of Directors will hold its annual meeting as required by our bylaws to amend our bylaws, set goals and hold elections. The public is welcome to attend.
This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 9:18 AM with the headline "New trees, new bridge appear on Fiscalini Ranch Preserve."