AmeriCorps return to Mission Trails

By Jay Wilson

A 10-person AmeriCorps crew worked dilligently on Cowles Mountain and Pyles Peak for the past 10 weeks. Team Gold 6 was the second AmeriCorps crew to have worked at Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP). They are part of the National Civilian Community Corps, which is designed to strengthen communities and develop leaders through direct, team-based national and community service. In partnerships with nonprofts (secular and faith-based), local municipalities, state goverments, federal government, national and state parks, Indian tribes and schools, members complete service projects throughout the region to which they are assigned. AmeriCorps members sign up for 10-month stints and are assigned to a team that works from six to 10 weeks on projects throughout the United States. Team Gold 6 worked under the direction and supervision of Ranger Levi Dean with assistance from all of the MTRP Rangers through March 20.

Team Gold 6 arrived in mid-January and camped out at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground. “They worked on two projects; reclaiming the impacted habitat along the Cowles Mountain Trail and Pyles Peak,” Ranger Dean stated. “Due to the heavy use of the Cowles Mountain Trail, the habitat adjacent to the trail is often heavily impacted.”

Team Gold 6 closed off unauthorized trails, removed invasive plants, replanted native vegetation, added to and replaced peeler log fencing, and performed erosion control measures along the trail. Their other project was on Pyles Peak, where they worked on a complete restoration of the Pyles Peak Trail, which is approximately 1.5 miles long. They also worked with Ranger Heidi Gutknecht to remove invasive plants throughout MTRP. In addition, members of Team Gold 6 worked with Ranger Chris Axtmann and assisted with weekly educational school field trips.

“We really appreciated the work and dedication of all the members of Team Gold 6,” Ranger Dean said.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 16, for our annual Explore Mission Trails Day!

Visitor Center activity

The Visitor Center is undergoing a makeover with an upgrade of its lighting. The goal is to become LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. About a year ago, Del Cerro architect Jeff Katz (president of Jeff Katz Architecture) and Jeff Ferree (vice president of electrical for Ideal Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electrical) joined forces with Tim Locklear (electrical engineer with Elen Consulting Inc.) to donate their time and expertise. Working with city staff, they provided a plan including energy-efficient lighting and fixture recommendations for inside and outside the Visitor Center. Thanks to Councilmember Scott Sherman, the plan was adopted by the City Council and funding was included in the City’s fiscal year 2016 budget. City electricians have already installed new overhead lights in the Visitor Center. The new LED lights use much less electricity and generate a minimal amount of heat compared to the old lighting. When completed, there will be new energy-efficient lighting from inside the Visitor Center to the parking lot.

Our next free concert will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, featuring Adrienne Nims. The MTRP Foundation Concert Series is free to the public and scheduled at 3 p.m. on designated Sundays and several Saturdays. The San Diego Native American Flute Circle continues meeting and performing in the Amphitheater from 1 to 3 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month.

The current art exhibition of “Art in the Park” features 10 award-winning artists, all members of the San Diego Pastel Society. The exhibition will be on display through Friday, March 27. The next art exhibition, “Through Our Eyes,” features Vicky DeLong (ceramic art) and Michelle Gonzalez (acrylic and watercolor paintings). Their exhibition will be on display in the Visitor Center Art Gallery March 28 – April 24. The public is cordially invited to a reception in honor of the artists on Sunday, March 29 from 1 – 4 p.m.

There are only three more topics remaining for Linda Hawley’s “Children’s Nature Adventures!” classes for children 4 and up. April 28 or 29 will be Beautiful Birds, May 6 or 7 will be “Slithering Snakes & Lounging Lizards,” and finally May 26 or 27 will be “Dragonflies & Fluttering Butterflies.” Each class is two hours long and begins at 9:30 p.m. Classes are $10 each for children 4 and up. Parents and siblings 3 and under are free.

Visit our website at mtrp.org for more information on all the programs and events at MTRP.

There is always an adventure waiting for you at MTRP!

—Jay Wilson is executive director of the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation.