Runners for Public Lands volunteer extraordinaire Leigh Scarber, ultrarunnerMike Scarber, and their son Kai participate in the group nature hike while ultrarunners Alex and Amy Carrion look for pine nuts in the background. Photo by Bryant Baker
Each year we celebrate National Public Lands Day at the end of September. Normally we organize a volunteer project, but this year we teamed up with our friends at Runners for Public Lands for a weekend of celebration, learning, and appreciation among the trees of Pine Mountain in the Los Padres National Forest.
For many of the 50 attendees, it was their first time on Pine Mountain or even in the Los Padres National Forest.
The weekend started out with a night of camping on Friday. As a group we held our first of two “fireside conservation chats,” where people shared what they do on public lands, why they’re interested in conservation issues, and which plants animals they loved the most. On Saturday, much of the group joined in a morning trail run along Reyes Peak Trail, enjoying the scenery of the Sespe Wilderness. Others took a leisurely hike to learn more about some of the unique aspects of Pine Mountain’s mixed-conifer forests.
Following a group lunch on Saturday, everyone gathered in the woods to learn from local geologist, Tim Garvey, about how and why the mountains in our region formed. ForestWatch’s conservation director, Bryant Baker, then led the group on a walk through the forest to learn about the various species of conifers, pine nuts, canyon oaks, gall wasps, and many other elements of the unique ecosystem found in the area.
Trail runners begin their exciting descent down Boulder Canyon Trail. Photo by Bryant Baker
Saturday ended with an adventurous trail run down Boulder Canyon Trail and a nighttime chat around the fire about the various things people learned during the day and why our local landscapes are important and unique.
The group was also treated to a night of stargazing and planet hunting with UCSB astrophysicist, Jamie Burke. Everyone was able to look through a professional telescope and see Jupiter as well as four of its 79 moons!
Astrophysicist Jamie Burke (decked out in a constellation bandanna!) and geologist Tim Garvey enjoy some morning campfire time. Photo by Bryant Baker
Sunday ended with another morning trail run and time spent eating with new friends around the fire after a cold night.
We are so thankful to have been able to help organize this amazing event. It wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication from Runners for Public Lands volunteers Leigh Scarber and Michelle Libman as well as Board Member Liz Thasiah and Executive Director Vic Thasiah. A special thanks also goes to Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co, who donated several cases of beer for the event which were enjoyed around the fire after a long run.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with Runners for Public Lands and hosting more community trips to the forest.
See below for more photos from the event:
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About Bryant Baker
Bryant is the Director of Conservation & Research for Los Padres ForestWatch, where he manages scientific, technical, and volunteer projects. He is also a naturalist and photographer, spending most of his free time hiking the rugged public lands of the Central Coast region with his dog.
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