By Jennifer Morrissey | Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation

In September, more than 70 volunteers gathered at the Mission Trails Regional Park East Fortuna Staging Area to take part in REI San Diego’s annual National Public Lands Day service event. REI already shows its support for the park through a grant to the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation for materials used for trail maintenance, and REI has, for many years, introduced a great many San Diegans to Mission Trails and its recreational offerings through REI Outdoor Programs.

At the National Public Lands Day event, volunteers removed invasive plants, planted 140 native plants, and spread mulch around the plants and over a large area. They were led by MTRP rangers who instructed the volunteers on how to plant shrubs so that they can grow and thrive. At the end of the event, volunteers received thank-you gifts from REI and enjoyed Viva Pops—popsicles made with organic fruits and herbs from San Diego growers and suppliers at local farmers’ markets. Many thanks to REI, Viva Pops, and the many volunteers who helped to enhance Mission Trails.

There are many ways to volunteer at Mission Trails Regional Park. Be part of a weekend morning work crew, volunteer at the front desk of the MTRP Visitor and Interpretive Center, join the Cell Phone Patrol that monitors the trails, and more! Learn about all of the volunteer opportunities available at mtrp.org/volunteer. To schedule a one-day group volunteer event, please contact David Lee at [email protected].

Monthly work crews

Want to help protect and preserve Mission Trails? Spend a weekend morning on one of our work crews. See below for opportunities and make sure to RSVP with the ranger specified. Please wear long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Bring work gloves (if you have them), sun protection, and a water bottle to refill. Tools, gloves (if needed), snacks, ice water, and Gatorade will be provided. These crews most often meet at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground Day Use Parking Lot; but contact the rangers listed to confirm. The Kumeyaay Lake Campground Day Use Parking Lot address is 2 Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego.

Habitat Restoration Crew: 8 a.m.–noon each second Saturday of the month

Get your exercise and improve the natural habitats in Mission Trails by lending a hand on our monthly Habitat Restoration Crew! The general meeting location is in the Kumeyaay Lake Campground Day Use Parking Lot. For October 2018, RSVP and find out the specific project location by contacting Ranger Julie at 619-668-2744 or jaeilts@mtrp.org. For November and beyond, RSVP and find out the specific meeting location by contacting Ranger Heidi at 619-668-3279 or [email protected].

Trail Improvement Crew: 8 a.m.–noon, Sunday, Oct. 21 and each third Sunday of the month

Help improve MTRP on the Trail Improvement Crew! Meet Ranger Levi in the Kumeyaay Lake Campground Day Use Parking Lot. Questions? Contact Ranger Levi at 619-668-2745 or at [email protected].

Beautification Crew: 8 a.m.–noon, Saturday, Oct. 27 and each fourth Saturday of the month

Join Park Ranger Heidi and help keep MTRP beautiful! Projects include pruning brush, hauling and spreading mulch, litter abatement, riverbed clean-up, and fence repairs. The meeting location is the Kumeyaay Lake Campground Day Use Parking Lot. For October only, RSVP to Ranger Heidi at 619-668-3279 or [email protected]. For November and beyond, RSVP and find out the specific project location by contacting Ranger Julie at 619-668-2744 or [email protected].

FALL EVENTS AT MISSSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK*

Wildlife Tracking Walks: 8:30 a.m., first Saturday each month – Visitor Center

Guided Nature Walks: 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday each week – Visitor Center

Guided Nature Walks Kumeyaay Lake Campground: 8:30 a.m., second and fourth Saturday each month – KLC Campground

West Sycamore Nature Walk: 8 a.m., third Sunday each month – Stonebridge Parkway in Scripps Ranch

Birding Basics Class: 1 p.m., last Saturday each month – Visitor Center

Bird Walks: 8 a.m., third Saturday each month – check website calendar for meeting locations

Family Discovery Walks: 3 p.m., fourth Sunday each month – Visitor Center

Discovery Table Activity: 10 a.m.–1 p.m., second Saturday each month – Visitor Center

Live Hawk Talk Activity: 9 a.m.–noon, first Sunday each month – Visitor Center

Kids Nature Story & Craft with a Ranger: Every third Saturday, ages 5–7 start at 10 a.m.; ages 8–10 start at 11 a.m. – Meet at KLC Campground, Kumeyaay Lake Picnic Structure, RSVP for info: 619-668-3279

West Sycamore Volunteer Crew: 8 a.m., first Sunday each month – check website calendar for meeting locations

Habitat Restoration Volunteer Crew: 8 a.m., second Saturday each month – check website calendar for meeting locations

Trail Improvement Volunteer Crew: 8 a.m., third Sunday each month – check website calendar for meeting locations

Park Beautification Volunteer Crew: 8 a.m., fourth Saturday each month – check website calendar for meeting locations

Native American Flute Circle: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., second Sunday each month – Visitor Center Outdoor Amphitheater

Free Concert: 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7, Fred Benedetti, guitar – Visitor Center Theater

Free Concert: 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 21, N. Scott Robinson, World Music – Visitor Center Theater

Free Concert: 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 4, Quartet Nouveau – Visitor Center Theater

Star Gazer/Telescope Parties: Oct. 13, 6:30 p.m.; Nov. 17, 5 p.m. – meet at KLC Campground Day-Use Parking Lot. Cloudy skies/rain cancels. Check website calendar for meeting locations & updates.

The Wild Read Book Club: Sunday, Oct. 28, 1:30 p.m. – Visitor Center Library, RSVP for info: 619-668-2747

*Partial listing of Monthly Events at Mission Trails Park. Visit mtrp.org for full calendar of free activities, programs, and updates, or call 619-668-3281.

—Jennifer Morrissey is executive director of the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation.