AUBERRY, Calif. — A Saturday outdoors can also be a day of hands-on public service. The Bureau of Land Management is inviting volunteers to help repair a creek bed and nearby trail at San Joaquin River Gorge for National Public Lands Day.
The workday runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, September 26, at the San Joaquin River Gorge Visitors Center, 40060 Smalley Road in Auberry, according to BLM’s September 14 announcement.
The work: a creek bed and the Discovery Trail
Volunteers will help restore the Discovery Trail’s Fountain Creek bed by removing weeds, trimming vegetation, moving rocks, clearing debris and putting down a new liner. The agency also plans brushing, weeding and repairs along the Discovery Trail area.
The day includes an atlatl demonstration and an opportunity to throw at targets. BLM describes the atlatl as a prehistoric hunting device used before the bow and arrow.
What to pack and how to register
BLM asks participants to bring drinking water, snacks, a hat, sunscreen, gloves and sturdy work boots. Organizers will also provide water and Gatorade.
For registration and event information, contact Nathan Bingham, BLM’s Bakersfield outdoor recreation planner, at (559) 855-3492. The Bakersfield Field Office can also be reached at (661) 391-6000.
A planning note for Bakersfield and Kern County readers
The Bakersfield dateline on the release identifies the announcing office; the volunteer event itself is in Auberry. The San Joaquin River Gorge recreation area spans Fresno and Madera counties, upstream of Millerton Lake, so Kern County residents should plan for travel outside the county.
Use the visitor center’s street address when planning your route and allow for the 8 a.m. start. Before arranging a group trip, call the event contact to register and discuss the planned work. If you are bringing children or need an accessible assignment, ask about participation requirements and suitable tasks; the announcement does not specify age limits or accommodations.
Sources and further reading
Bureau of Land Management: September 14 announcement and event registration details ↗
BLM photograph: San Joaquin River Gorge, January 2021 — image and reuse record ↗