Community Action Day at San Benito County Historical Park

A group of people working together in a garden or farm, digging and planting, with trees and a fence in the background.
San Benito Community Action Day volunteers planting a 200 ft pollinator hedgerow along the southern boundary of the San Benito County Historical Park. Photo by Celina Stotler.

Thank you to the more than 50 volunteers who spent the morning removing invasive Hemlock, planting a 200-foot hedgerow with native plants, spreading mulch, and re planting native plants from a previous community planting day. These actions not only beautify the Historic Park but also enhance habitat for bees, butterflies, songbirds, and other wildlife. 

This community event was hosted by a team that includes Keep California Beautiful, Keep America Beautiful®, San Benito County, San Benito Resource Conservation District, Point Blue Conservation Science, San Benito County Historical Society, REACH San Benito Parks Foundation, and Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, in partnership with California Climate Action Corps, a program of California Volunteers, Office of the Governor.

Among the volunteers were a number of families and students from Hollister High School and Gavilan College. “I was really impressed by how well organized the event was! Such a fun morning.  It was so encouraging to meet other like-minded volunteers! ”, said volunteer Joan C.

Anita Kane, Director of the Historical Village, is excited to have the additional plantings to add to the Park’s natural history educational component. “Natural history plays a big role in the visitors' experience at the Historical Park.  It’s a unique place for the public to learn about the native plants, wildlife, geology, and water systems that historically have shaped our county. We absolutely love seeing the young people get involved!”

Community members are encouraged to contact Anita at info@sbchistoricalsociety.org to learn how they can help care for this space and the greater park, ensuring both remain healthy and beautiful for years to come.

See event pictures below!

A group of people gathered outdoors on a farm or rural area, some wearing yellow vests, with hills and a barn in the background.
Volunteers and event organizers gather for an opening circle.
A group of people outdoors, some watching while others work with shovels and tools near a field.
Point Blue STRAW staff lead a demonstration planting for the volunteers.
A person is planting a tree sapling outdoors, kneeling next to a hole with tools and materials around.
SBRCD Staff, Alex Ramos, putting a protective gopher basket around the roots of a Sticky Monkey Flower.
Three people gardening, one digging, near a wooden fence in a leafy area.
Students from Hollister High School (left to right) Gerardo Salinas, Sebastian Ruiz, and Oian Traveria, planting native plants around the Historical Park’s schoolhouse building.
A group of people is engaged in gardening activities, working with wire mesh and planting in an outdoor setting.
Fadzayi Mashiri (left) and Amelia Ryan (right) pose with a newly planted Currant.
People in vests and gloves shovel mulch into buckets outdoors, with machinery and a red barn in the background.
Volunteers from Food Not Bombs fill up buckets of mulch for the hedgerow planting.
A group of people gathered outdoors on a farm or rural area, some wearing yellow vests, with hills and a barn in the background.
A group of people outdoors, some watching while others work with shovels and tools near a field.
A person is planting a tree sapling outdoors, kneeling next to a hole with tools and materials around.
Three people gardening, one digging, near a wooden fence in a leafy area.
A group of people is engaged in gardening activities, working with wire mesh and planting in an outdoor setting.
People in vests and gloves shovel mulch into buckets outdoors, with machinery and a red barn in the background.

 

 Original Post:

A group of people posing outdoors under a tree, with a barn in the background.
Group photo from the May 3rd Community Action Day.

Join us for a Community Action Day in San Benito County!

When: Saturday October 25th, from 9:00am-1:00pm (Lunch provided at 12pm)

Where: San Benito County Historical Park, 8300 Airline Hwy, Tres Pinos, CA

RSVP Required: Register Here or scan the QR code on the event flyer below. For additional information contact cameron@rcdsanbenito.org

San Benito Community Action Day poster for habitat restoration on October 25, 9 AM - 1 PM. Volunteers welcome. QR code included.
San Benito Community Action Day flyer for habitat restoration on October 25, 9AM-1PM. Volunteers welcome, free lunch included.

This Community Action Day is an opportunity for community volunteers to beautify San Benito County Historical Park by planting a native plant pollinator hedgerow and removing non-native invasive plant species. These native plants will provide habitat for bees, butterflies, songbirds, and other wildlife. Additionally, by removing annual  non-native plant species, we will help make the park more resilient to wildfire by preventing the buildup of dry fuels. Click here to check out the recap of the last Community Action Day this past May.

Three people are working outdoors on a project, using wire mesh tools, with a rural landscape in the background.

This opportunity is made possible through partnerships at the state and local level, including: Point Blue Conservation Science, San Benito Resource Conservation District, San Benito County Resource Management Agency, San Benito County Historical Society, San Benito REACH Parks Foundation, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Keep California Beautiful, Keep America Beautiful, and California Climate Action Corps: a program of California Volunteers-Office of the Governor. 

 

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