They are already talking about next year.  Overall, the 2007 NPLD for the Carrizo Plain National Monument was a great success, but the volunteers and staff want to make it even better. 

Approximately 30 people accomplished a tremendous amount of work during the September 29 event.  They started gathering at the Goodwin Education Center for registration and a safety debriefing, then continued up to the historic El Saucito Ranch House, where they got right to work.

One group cleared downed trees and brush, filling a 40-yard dumpster with green waste and piled up another 50 yards or so to be haul away at a later date. 

A second group set about to continue the interpretive trail. They dug out the trail, hauled-in base material, leveled, and compacted it.  By the end of the day they had extedned the trail an additional 200 feet. 

Another group did general maintenance on the ranch house and cleaned-up the yard.

After the work was done, the volunteers gathered for lunch, provided by the Friends of the Carrizo, and a wonderful presentation by Bill Garcia, whose family owned the Saucito Ranch at the turn of the century.  Bill shared stories and pictures of his family at the ranch.  The group also received a T-shirt and a goody bag stuffed with great items.