Volunteer Work Day in Sipsey Wilderness, July 18

 

You are invited to join Wild South staff and volunteers for a work day in the Sipsey Wilderness (Alabama)!

Saturday, July 18

8:00 a.m. at the Wild South office in Wren, Alabama

Sign up or ask questions at janice@wildsouth.org

Step-building on Sipsey Wilderness Trail #209 at the Borden Creek crossing

Distance:  1 mile roundtrip

Ages 12 and over

After meeting at the Wild South office in Wren, we will carpool to the Sipsey Recreation Area parking lot and hike in on Trail 200 to the junction with Trail 209, where we will cross Borden Creek and begin our project of building cedar steps into the creek bank.  This heavily used portion of the trail is steep, badly eroded and in need of some steps.

All hand tools and building supplies will be carried in.  The project will require cutting into the bank, gathering and setting large stones and hewing cedar logs.  Something for everyone!

We will be working in and near water (Sipsey Fork and Borden Creek).

All tools and hardhats will be provided, but all are welcome to bring your own hardhat and any hand tools that would be appropriate for the job.  For tick protection, we recommend permethrin products such as Sawyers or Permanone. These require 4-hour advance treatment of clothing.  It’s the only thing we’ve found that works to keep ticks off.  And it doesn’t have that horrible overpowering stink that blows our sense of smell for all the good forest air for the rest of the day!

Bring a backpack with:

• LOTS OF DRINKING WATER!
• lunch
• snacks
• work gloves
• Epi-Pen if severe allergic reaction to insect stings is an issue

Wear protective clothing that is comfortable for hiking and working with tools.  Sun protection may be needed (sunblock, hat).

Dogs are not allowed on work projects.

The map that will get you to the Wild South office at 11312 Alabama Highway 33, Moulton, Alabama, is in the link above. If you prefer to meet the group at Sipesy Rec Area, please let us know when you sign up.

We are grateful to these funders who make Wild South’s Helping Hands Volunteer Program possible:

Individual donors

A grant from The National Forest Foundation

A grant from the Community Fund of the Walker Area Community Foundation