News.bytes Extra, issue 402

Barstow Field Office marks National Public Lands Day with restoration and cleanup

Nearly 70 people showed up for the National Public Lands Day volunteer event held by BLM-California's Barstow Field Office.  With their efforts, the Poste Homestead Improvement Project was highly successful. Registration began at 7:00 a.m. in 29 Palms, with participants ready to roll up their sleeves and lend a hand on public lands.  Volunteers were shuttled to the site where they worked on the massive cleanup and restoration of the homestead. (text continues below)

They erected an information kiosk with a map of the route network in this limited use area...

...restored two illegal routes using the “vertical mulching” technique...

...signed over 10 miles of open routes surrounding the homestead site...

...and  cleaned up nearly 40-yards of trash and debris surrounding the site.

After the work ended, the volunteers collected their NPLD T-shirts and were treated to a fantastic barbecued chicken lunch prepared by the Palms Restaurant.  The volunteers were delightfully entertained by a talented local “all women” band during lunch.  Volunteers enjoyed the wildlife display from Dr. Mike Glassey, a medical entomologist who works with the Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division at Ft. Irwin.  His display includes birds, insects, tortoises, spiders, small mammals, and a lot of great information on desert wildlife.  Other displays were set up by Park Ranger Dora McKeever from the Mojave Preserve, Alex Misiura from the Integrated Training Area Management at Ft. Irwin NTC, and Pat Flanagan from the Mojave Desert Land Trust.  Guest speakers for the event were BLM Resource Branch Chief, Mickey Quillman, and Phil Klasky from Community ORV Watch. All expressed their gratitude to the volunteers for their participation in the day’s activities.

- Rose Beardshear, BLM-California Barstow Field Office, 9/28/09

BLM-California News.bytes, issue 402