What a super crew we had on the American River Parkway yesterday! Nine fine folks came out and removed about 250 lbs. of trash from the UU mile, leaving it in much better condition than we found it. The photo below is missing Nancy Gilbert and Patricia Pratt, who arrived early and had already moved on to other good deeds by the time of our closing celebration. So our crew included Nancy and Patricia, Carl Gardner, Don Thornberry, Larry Shaw, Jeff Voeller, Erik Jensen and Mark Gray and Dave Dawson.

Our mile showed much evidence of work by PG&E and SMUD to clear and compost residue from last summer’s fires, as well as clearance (by a hired crew of sheep and goats) of star thistle and other undesirable vegetation.

It was a beautiful winter morning for a purposeful walk in the park, and fun conversation and refreshment at Panera afterward. Thanks very much to each member of our crew!

(From left) Carl Gardner, Don Thornberry, Larry Shaw, Jeff Voeller, Erik Jensen and Mark Gray. Missing are Nancy Gilbert, Patricia Pratt and (behind the camera) Dave Dawson.

Don Thornberry scoring big-time at the site of an abandoned illegal camp.

Erik Jensen hamming it up over much, but not all, of the results of our work. Other trash was left at collection barrels elsewhere on the trail.

A view from the UU mile across the river toward the Paradise Beach area of River Park.