For the past 20 years, CSERC’s volunteers have been out in the forest making a hands-on difference for the environment. CSERC partners with the Forest Service and other agencies to coordinate up to 15 volunteer work projects each year. On any given day, our volunteers could be out building fences to protect meadows from cattle, blocking unauthorized off-highway vehicle routes, cleaning up trash in the forest, planting trees, restoring meadows, maintaining trails and much more. We strive to make the greatest difference for our local watersheds by motivating volunteers and connecting them to the areas in greatest need of restoration and protection.
As Forest Service budgets and staff numbers have declined, a large backlog of environmentally beneficial projects has built up. CSERC’s volunteers help move this work forward. Each year, our volunteers contribute over 1,000 volunteer hours to protect our regions natural resources.
There is a real sense of accomplishment to stand back at the end of the day and look at a beautiful meadow fenced to prevent trampling by cattle or to see hundreds of tree seedlings planted in a burned area. But it’s not all about the work; it’s also about spending the day with like-minded people completing a project that is personally rewarding. If you’d like to join us, email Liz Gregg at [email protected] or call 209-586-7440.
The entire reason I am in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Columbia College is because I want to build a career where I can do the kind of things that CSERC does for the environment. For me it is great to get to be around people who are doing exactly what I want to do, and it always amazes me how much work we can get done together in one day.
-Blaine Gordon, Columbia College student
I first heard about CSERC’s work when John came to speak at a Columbia College course I was taking. I knew the volunteer projects were something I’d love. And when I got involved I realized how much all the work we do really matters for the environment. I haven’t met anyone on these field days that I didn’t like.
-Lynn Green, retired
For years as a teacher I told students about bad stuff happening to our planet, but I actually never did anything concrete about the damage. CSERC has offered me the opportunity to actually DO SOMETHING. It’s a real feeling of accomplishment at the end of a CSERC volunteer day to see the good work that was done that day. It’s funny that this work can range from pine seedlings planted to a bullthistle-free meadow to a solid barbed wire exclosure! It also doesn’t hurt that everyone that you work with (staff and volunteers) are fantastic. Good karma buzz all around!
-Kevin Rice, retired UC Davis professor
Volunteering for CSERC has given me the opportunity to spend time with other members of my community who also feel passionately about contributing to the health of our local forests. It allows me to interact with the Sierras in a different way than just recreationally. Volunteering feels like giving back a small token of gratitude in return for the immensely meaningful impact these mountains have played in my life.
-Emily Freya, Columbia College student
The Sierras are my backyard, and it is pretty spectacular to be able to protect the things I care about. For my first project we were teamed up with a California Conservation Corp crew, and it was awesome to see the young people’s enthusiasm for the work. And there is nothing like the feeling of standing back and looking at what we did together at the end of the day.
-Kathy Gregg, retired restaurant owner
I finally volunteered on a CSERC work party to give back to the forest and open space that I love. I had often thought of getting involved with volunteer work, and I am so glad I did. It was full of great work, laughter, sharing and helping. I grinned the whole way home.
-Connie Hubbell, retired floral designer
