Bamberger Ranch Preserve – Advance Preparation and Trail Orientation

The 2024 Family Day and Spring Saunter at the Bamberger Ranch Preserve is scheduled for Sunday May 5^th from 8:45 am – 5 pm.  The ranch is open to the public only twice a year and Family Day is the largest of these events.  They are expecting 200 visitors (not counting children under 12) for Family Day.  Activities will include trailer tours of the ranch, guided trail hikes, bird of prey demonstrations, visits to the Margaret Bamberger Research & Education Center (MBREC) where various collections will be on display, a painting demonstration, creative projects for kids, and an opportunity to chat with J. David Bamberger at Hes’ Country Store.  There are about 70 time slots to fill so there is no shortage of volunteer opportunities.  Volunteers are encouraged to stay for as long as they wish and join in on all the fun.

Volunteer Opportunities – May 2^nd – Advance Preparations – Trails & Orientation

In preparation for this annual event, volunteers will be needed for the following.

·       Trails – Volunteers are needed to groom the trails.  Rocks and branches need to be moved away from the main path, holes need to be filled with adjacent dirt and leaves, and low-hanging limbs need to be pruned.  Recommended tools include gloves, rakes, and loppers.  Interested volunteers should plan to arrive at the MBREC parking lot by 8:30 am and work until no later than 10 am.

·       Orientation – To further prepare for the main event, there will be a volunteer orientation from 10 – 11 am.  Ranch staff will provide a brief overview of the ranch, review the logistics of Family Day, and discuss frequently asked questions.  Volunteer t-shirts will be provided to the extent sizes are available.  Any suggestions regarding the upcoming event will be greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities on May 2^nd, please let me know so I can inform the ranch staff who to expect that day.

Volunteer Opportunities – May 5^th – Family Day & Spring Saunter

Below is a list of volunteer opportunities from which you can choose.  If you have any questions, please let me know as soon as possible.  We want to provide answers in advance so we can all be as prepared as possible for the big day.

·       Greeters – Two volunteers per shift are needed at the front gate to welcome visitors to the ranch and provide some basic information such as: 1) the parking lot is 2.9 miles from the front gate to the MBREC and volunteers are on hand to direct parking; 2) the sign-up (if not preregistered) and meeting location for the trailer tours is in front of the MBREC; and 3) the sign-up and meeting location for guided trail hikes is at the Center.  Greeters will be provided with a list of visitors.  Volunteers will work in shifts with the 1^st shift from 8:45 – 11 am and the 2^nd shift from 11 am – 1 pm.  Please bring a chair for your use under a shaded tent at the front gate.

·       Parking Assistants – Four volunteers per shift are needed to help ensure visitors park as efficiently as possible in the parking lot across from the MBREC.  Early arrivals should park on the far side of the gravel parking lot until that row is full.  A second row of cars will park closer to the road until full.  The overflow lot is a mowed grass area just a little farther up the road and will be used as necessary.  In addition, Parking Assistants will help visitors get their bearings so they can make the most of their day.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 8:45 – 11 am; the 2^nd shift is from 11 am – 1 pm; and the 3^rd shift is from 1 – 3 pm.

·       Ranch Docents – Four volunteers per shift are needed to: 1) help anyone who looks lost or in need of assistance; 2) answer questions; and 3) help visitors find meeting locations for trailer tours and guided trail hikes.  A list of frequently asked questions will be provided in advance.  Volunteers will work in shifts with the 1^st shift from 8:45 – 11 am and the 2^nd shift from 11 am – 1 pm.

·       MBREC Docents – One volunteer per shift is needed to answer questions about the facility as well as keep an eye on the building and its contents.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 10 am – noon; the 2^nd shift is from noon – 2 pm; and the 3^rd shift is from 2 – 3 pm.

·       Trailer Tour Docents – Two volunteers in the morning shifts and one volunteer in the afternoon shift are needed to help ensure visitors are taking the trailer tours during their registered time slot and signing up visitors who did not pre-register.  Trail Tour Docents will be stationed on the MBREC porch and a list of pre-registered visitors will be provided.  There will be two trailers departing for 1.5 hour tours at 9 am, 11 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 8:45 – 11 am; the 2^nd shift is from 11 am – 1 pm; and the 3^rd shift is from 1 – 3:30 pm.

·       Guided Trail Hike Registrars – One volunteer per shift is needed to register visitors for guided trail hikes.  Registrars will be stationed on the Center porch.  Guided trail hikes will: 1) be about 1 hour in length; 2) depart from the Center; and 3) be limited to 20 visitors per guided hike.  Descriptions of the trails and start times will be provided in advance.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 8:45 – 11 am; the 2^nd shift is from 11 am – 1 pm; and the 3^rd shift is from 1 – 3 pm.

·       Trail Hike Guides – At least four volunteers are needed to lead one trail hike.  Guides will point out interesting features, plants, animals, and/or photo opportunities.  Guided hike trails will include: Rachel Carson Trail; Vision Trail; Spring Site Trail; and Nature Trail at Arboretum.  Descriptions of the trails will be provided.  If children are on your hike, you may want to use the scavenger hunt list that we use for 3^rd graders and copies of this list will be provided.  Hikes will be limited to about one hour in duration dependent upon the heat and 20 visitors per hike.  Start times are to be determined based upon the number of volunteers available.

·       Kid’s Activities Guides – Three to four volunteers per shift are needed to assist kids and parents with a variety of activities under a shaded tent near the Center.  Activity instructions will be provided in advance.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 8:45 – 11 am; the 2^nd shift is from 11 am – 1 pm; the 3^rd shift is from 1 – 3 pm; and the 4^th shift is from 3 – 5 pm.

·       Trash Spotters – Three volunteers per shift are needed to make sure the trash cans do not overflow.  Full trash bags will be stored behind the Center and transported to a dumpster at the end of the day.  Latex gloves will be provided upon request.   Since water stations will be located near trash can locations, please work with Water Monitors should you notice the water supply needs to be replenished.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 11 am – 1 pm; the 2^nd shift is from 1 – 3 pm; and the 3^rd shift is from 3 – 5 pm.

·       Water Monitors – Two volunteers per shift are needed to monitor the water levels at the water refill stations.  In some locations, hoses can be used to refill the 5-gallon water coolers.  However, a personal vehicle may be necessary to transport water to locations such as the Madrone Lake Patio.  Since trash cans will be provided near water stations, please work with Trash Spotters should you notice a trash can is near overflowing.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 11 am – 1 pm; the 2^nd shift is from 1 – 3 pm; and the 3^rd shift is from 3 – 5 pm.

Morning volunteers are encouraged to arrive by no later than 8:15 am so that any last-minute details can be addressed before visitors arrive at 8:45 am.  Volunteer parking will be on the left-hand side in the mowed lot just beyond the visitor parking across from the MBREC.  Please wear your Bamberger volunteer t-shirt if you have one.  A limited number of volunteer t-shirts may be available on the day of the event.

If you are interested in volunteering for one or more of the above items on May 5th, please let me know as soon as reasonably possible.  The number of volunteer opportunities is many and varied so there is something for everyone.  While you can sign up for as many of these tasks as you prefer, please do not feel obligated to do everything.  The length of time you spend working at this event is strictly up to you and all efforts are greatly appreciated.