Earth Day and California Trail Days April 19, 2008

Volunteers are needed to help East Bay Regional Park District celebrate Earth Day and California Trail Days at Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch. As participants of the Ivan Dickson Volunteer Trail Maintenance Program, up to 100 volunteers will help perform "trio maintenance" of trails, which refers to a three-step process (slough, berm, and brush) to restore trails and will assist with wildlife habitat improvement projects.

The Ivan Dickson Program was started in 1996 to honor the request and bequest of Mr. Ivan Dickson, to "take good care of the trails". Mr. Dickson was a life long member of the Berkeley Hiking Club and hiking was his passion. He hiked until well into his 80's, averaging 10-20 miles a day. He lived frugally, didn't own a car, TV, or own a refrigerator. He didn't want to spend money on the trimmings of the modern age, and hiked in wing-tip shoes until they fell apart. Everyone, including his friends, were surprised that he had set aside an inheritance from his father, which he bestowed to the Park District upon his death at the age of 95.

His bequest was set aside in a special endowment fund (which the District hopes to build to $1.0 million dollars) to support the trail maintenance program. Only interest generated from the fund is used to support the program's costs which include tools, materials, safety gear, supplies, lunch items, and acknowledgements. By leveraging these funds for long-term growth, and by involving the public in a partnership dedicated to the preservation of trail resources through volunteer efforts, a perpetual trail maintenance program has been established to ensure that future generations of trail users will be able to "take good care of the trails."

Crew leadership, tools and lunch will be provided. Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes, long pants, long sleeved shirt, bring hat, gloves, and water. Ages 10 and up. Please call (510) 544-2631 to register.

Free, participants must pre-register.

Official Website: http://www.ebparks.org/getinvolved/volunteer/trail