Event dates and details may change. Be sure to check the SPIU! Facebook page prior to proceeding to an event.
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Location: South of Mather Field Lake Regional Park
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Difficulty Level: 1 - 2
Join SPIU at the Mather Vernal Pools to clean up trash and create County 311 reports for any illegally dumped piles we find! Vernal pools are especially interesting and important. Around the Sacramento area, they are now mostly found in the outskirts of the urban areas. They are largely transient, only filling with water during the winter season. Over the past couple of years these pools have largely remained empty due to the dry winters. The past couple of weeks they have bloomed with life.
Vernal pools are important for amphibian and other aquatic species, along with the birds as well, and face many threats from illegal dumping. One area SPIU is seeking volunteers to help clean is an active illegal dumping spot. Sacramento Splash, (sacsplash.org), is starting their seasonal tours during this wet phase of the fragile vernal pool ecosystem with trash in and near the pools.
Sacramento Picks It Up aims to help clean, protect and preserve these fragile pools.
The school kids on Sac Splash’s tours deserve to experience a trash-free environment while learning about this natural area! Because the vernal pools are located in a less developed area in Rancho Cordova, Zinfandel Drive and the dirt road where we will meet for the clean up is ripe for illegal dumping as well as wind blown trash and litter from partiers.
Bring: gloves and grabbers and buckets if you have them. All bags are provided by Sacramento County Regional Parks, as well as the pick up of our piles!
Directions and parking:
The vernal pools are at the end of Zinfandel arrive off of HWY 50 where Zinfandel turns into a dirt/gravel road!
You can enter Mather Field Lake Regional Park into your GPS, however this is NOT the location of the cleanup. KEEP DRIVING down Zinfadel Drive until it turns into a dirt road. This is where to park. There will be a pre-cleanup chat and then everyone will disperse to pick up trash! There is plenty of parking, and there is no fee.
This is a level 1-2 cleanup, and some areas may be muddy. Rubber boots may help, only in certain areas.
Waivers are required unless already on file with SPIU. SPIU will have them available!
A free SPIU bumper sticker will be handed out to anyone who attends for your car or trash bucket.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Participation in any of these events is at your own risk. If you participate in any group events promoted by Sacramento Picks It Up!, you agree to hold harmless any organizer, person, and/or organization involved.
SAFETY FIRST! We always recommend good quality gloves and use of a trash picker, plus sturdy shoes. Terrain may be uneven, wet or muddy. Long-sleeves, long pants and a sun-protective hat are also advised, as well as making sure you are updated on your tetanus shot. If you are on Facebook, you can also check out the GUIDES tab for various helpful tips on gear, safety protocols and 311 requests etc.
Events hosted by Sacramento Picks It Up! have a Difficulty Level assigned to them so you can choose the type of event that is best for your physical abilities and interest level. Difficulty levels are Level 1 (easy, flat terrain); Level 2 (mostly easy terrain); Level 3 (moderate terrain, “off-road” natural areas, some heavy items); Level 4 (difficult terrain, heavy items); Level 5 (very difficult terrain, mostly heavy items).
All events are BYOB (buckets) & G (gloves and grabbers)! Please also bring your own water and snacks. Please, no dogs. Most event hosts have extra supplies to loan out if anyone needs anything. Prior to participating in any event, we encourage you to stretch, hydrate, apply sunscreen, and make sure you are properly fueled.
… and thank you for volunteering to clean up our city and its waterways.
If you know of others who would like to be put on the SPIU! email list or have any questions, please send an email to sacramentopicksitup@gmail.com
More information about Sacramento Picks It Up! Events can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/163602908932101/events