‘Rewarding work, noticeable results’
The Times-Standard
After establishing very successful programs supporting the Hammond Trail, the trails at the Friends of the Dunes Nature Center in Manila and trails in the Arcata Community Forest, the Volunteer Trail Steward program will be expanding to include the new Hikshari’ Trail in Eureka.
The Hikshari’ Trail, officially christened in February 2013, is a scenic 1.5mile, multi-use trail located along the Elk River. Hikshari’ is the Wiyot place name for the coastal area west of Broadway where the Elk River flows out into Humboldt Bay.
There are four parking lots and trailheads to access the trail, including one at the foot of Truesdale Avenue on the north end and one off Herrick and 101 on the south end.
There will be an orientation and initial organizing meeting for all interested volunteers on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Wharfinger Building, 1 Marina Way.
Volunteer Trail Stewards, a grassroots program of the Humboldt Trails Council, serve as community eyes and ears whenever they are out walking, running or riding the trails. Calling in safety hazards, reporting camping or inappropriate use, and picking up litter are among the ongoing responsibilities when out on the trails. Volunteers are not police, however.
In addition, the stewards will be hosting Saturday morning work sessions on the second Saturday of each month in which volunteers will work to remove invasive plants and do some improvement projects. No prior experience or tools are required, and the only qualification is a willingness to participate. Hammond Trail Steward Kevin Wright said that he has found it to “be rewarding work that yields noticeable results.”
The Volunteer Trail Stewards program is important for several reasons. First, city and county government budgets in Humboldt County are stretched to the breaking point. The expense of maintaining trails is one of the most cited reasons for resistance to building additional trails. It costs the county as much as $60,000 annually to maintain the Hammond Trail.
The program demonstrates that citizen support and involvement can lower the cost of trail maintenance.
Second, community presence out on the trails helps minimize vandalism and maximize safety. This happens when the community is involved and asserts its ownership of and responsibility for common space.
“It has been amazing just how much of a difference our mere presence makes — each time we’re out on the trail, we receive many ‘thank you’s’ by users,” said steward Stacy Becker.
For more information, call Jane Stock at 444-2357 or email
