Join the stewardship work days with CalTrout! Volunteer with us and become a steward of the Lhiwetgut site along the Baduwa’t. We believe that a healthy landscape is one that people are tending – and these actions create a healthy community.

Get to know this site and get to work! Explore the site with CalTrout's team and discover what we can all do to help shape a thriving ecological system. Dress to get dirty - long pants, long sleeves, boots and gloves. Some tools will be provided - feel free to bring your own as well.

Event Dates (9 am – 12 pm)

• June 22nd
• July 6th
• July 20th
• August 3rd

Meeting Location: At the intersection of School Road & Ocean Drive in McKinleyville, CA (Google Maps link)

Each day will have a different shared learning experience. Help us spread the word, and encourage others to join our stewardship days initiative to tend to and care for the Baduwa’t site!

Volunteer Event #1 & 2 In The Books!

The first Baduwa’t stewardship day was a success! The focus for this session was on invasive species removal, targeting Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), and wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum). The day kicked off with a brief guided tour of the interpretive signs, led by CalTrout Project Manager, Mary Burke who provided a general project overview.

All volunteers and CalTrout employees took the time to introduce and familiarize themselves with the site and one another, in effort to build a stronger sense of belonging and community. Together, they identified local plants, and introduced user-friendly plant identification apps for folks to try in their everyday lives. At the end of the event, they reflected on the impact of the event and their most enjoyable moments. One volunteer was particularly thrilled to have cleared space for a native Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana) patch to thrive. She plans to return regularly to tend the area around the patch. Collectively, people left feeling inspired and optimistic about future community initiatives similar to this one.

The second event included local botanist, John Bair, who joined us for an interpretive walk. He guided us through the fascinating world of native vs. non-native grass morphology and identification, explored the site's existing plant community, and discussed its potential as a thriving coastal prairie.  Volunteers engaged in enriching discussions about local ecology. Thanks to everyone who participated and contributed to preserving this special place!

For more information: email Ashley Shannon ashannon @ caltrout.org

Learn more about CalTrout’s recently completed restoration project at Baduwa’t here or watch the video below!