Work party planned in Usal Forest

A work party to remove invasive plants is planned in Usal Redwood Forest Saturday, the Redwood Forest Foundation reported.

According to a press release, the foundation is hosting “a volunteer event to remove invasive French Broom at the Usal Redwood Forest” this Saturday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The foundation describes the Usal Redwood Forest as a 50,000acre forest which it owns and manages “for the benefit of the local ecology and people,” and that the volunteer work day “is an opportunity to invite community members to spend time on the land, to get to know the place and help take care of it by removing an invasive plant without the use of herbicides.”

The forest is “located east of the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park and accessed by the WRP Road at Mile Marker 100.2 on Highway 1 approximately 5 miles west of Leggett,” and there are two carpools planned Saturday, May 20: One on the coast “will meet at 8:45 am at the foundation’s Office at 90 W. Redwood Avenue in Fort Bragg,” while inland residents plan to “gather at the Leggett Fire Department at 67001 CA-271 at 9:30 am.” Also, participants can also meet directly at the WRP Road gate at 10 am.”

Along with removing existing French Broom this weekend, participants “will also visit a previous removal site along Usal Creek to see how a treated area looks after one year.” Those planning to attend are asked to “bring a sack lunch and their favorite gloves and tools,” but that “gloves, equipment, water and snacks will be provided. No previous experience is required.”

Last month, the foundation reported that Alicia Bales, most recently on staff at Kzyx&z/mendocino County Public Broadcasting, was hired as its new Program Director to “spearhead (its) efforts to facilitate meaningful community involvement in the future of our region’s forests.”

The foundation described Bales as “a well-known voice in Mendocino County, with decades of

history as a community radio journalist and local community organizer,” and noted that “her background fits exceptionally well with RFFI’S mission to acquire, restore and manage depleted forest landscapes through inclusive community engagement to benefit the environment and the well-being of the community.”

To register for the event, email RFFI Program Director Alicia Bales at alicia@ rffi.org or call 707-813-1704.