FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ryan McCauley
650-772-3644, rmccauley@openspace.org
Every day is Earth Day at Midpen Open Space
Connect with nature and volunteer around Earth Day
Los Altos, CA — This Earth Day, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District invites the community to celebrate by participating in opportunities to connect with nature and volunteer.
Each year, trained volunteer Midpen Docent Naturalists host hundreds of free guided activities for the public throughout Midpen preserves including hiking, mountain biking, exercise and nature study. In addition, nearly 1,000 community volunteers contribute more than 20,000 hours annually through various volunteer programs and projects in the preserves.
"Midpen believes in caring for the land that cares for us and volunteering is a powerful way to make a tangible difference," said Midpen Volunteer Program Manager Jennifer Williams. "This Earth Day, we encourage our community to give back to land. And if you enjoy it, come back and volunteer throughout the year."
Volunteer with Midpen
Volunteer programs at Midpen are designed to accommodate a wide range of interests and availability. From one-time, episodic hands-on stewardship projects, to long-term commitments for those interested in developing a deeper connection to Midpen’s mission of land restoration and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment. Opportunities to get involved now include:
- Participating in a Land Steward Project: Single-day, hands-on, staff-led group projects in Midpen preserves for interested individuals. Learn more and sign up for current projects here.
- Finding a Community Group Steward volunteer project for your social or work group. Fill out an online request form and get your group matched with staff-led volunteer group project opportunities in Midpen preserves. Learn more and make a request here.
Connect with Nature in Midpen Preserves
Midpen’s 25 accessible open space preserves throughout the region are open daily free of charge to the public. Opportunities abound to explore the preserves on your own or in the in company of trained volunteer Docent Naturalists. Opportunities to explore now include:
- Visiting the family-friendly Daniels Nature Center and Alpine Pond in Midpen’s Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve on Saturdays and Sundays 12-5 p.m. Learn more at openspace.org/nature-center.
- Joining a free, Docent Naturalist guided activity. Find dozens of offerings throughout the preserves for many different interests at openspace.org/events.
- Going geocaching to search for more than 300 hidden caches throughout Midpen preserves. Learn more at: openspace.org/geocaching.
- Finding your new favorite trail. Midpen’s new online Trail Explorer tool let’s you plan ahead and identify which of Midpen’s more than 250 miles of trails best fit your needs. Learn more at openspace.org/maps.
“We encourage you to immerse yourself in nature for the many benefits it provides,” said Williams. “Volunteering, visiting the nature center, joining a Docent Naturalist guided activity or simply exploring the preserves on your own is all about cultivating a deeper connection with nature in your public open spaces and understanding the value these lands provide.”
Learn more about Midpen’s community programs at openspace.org.