Fall / Winter 2011-12

15 years of H.O.M.E. Stewardship!

by Neera Paine

We especially feel grateful to the dedicated H.O.M.E. (Honor Our Mountain Environment Stewardship Project) volunteers who go up on Mount Shasta throughout the summer and into the fall, and lend their caring hands in keeping things clean at Bunny Flat, Everett Vista, and Red Fir Flat. Myr Skipper, Omanasa Star, and Jerry Sullivan have been serving in this way for many years, and Pete Marquis joined the team this past season.

The 2012 Challenge...

Worldwide many regard 2012 as ominous since it represents the end of the Mayan Calendar. People are getting ready to gather at sacred places around the globe, and one of them is Mount Shasta, especially Panther Meadows. If the Harmonic Convergence of 1987, considered to be a prelude to 2012, is an indicator, we may expect the influx of many thousands of people from around the world.

To meet this challenge to the Mountain's delicate ecosystems, the Ecology Center's H.O.M.E. project will focus this year on a program to train a corps of Meadow Monitors who will be needed to protect Panther Meadows and other important areas on the Mountain. We'll do this through H.O.M.E.'s ongoing partnership with the Forest Service. The Meadow Monitors will guide, educate and otherwise shepherd visitors in the ways of respect for the Mountain. We do not know how many people will come, but it's clear we need to be prepared.
We invite members of the community who would like to spend time on the Mountain, have great communication skills (possibly multi-lingual), and are willing to participate in training sessions this coming spring, to contact us. News bulletins will be released on our website and in local paper.

Trail work

Pete Marquis, Stephane and Neil Posson joined some of the people mentioned above in trail work along the Bunny Flat to Horse Camp route. The meadows along the trails were abundant with wildflowers. It was a special gift to experience different moods of the Mountain and work alongside the foresters.

Annual panther meadows community planting day

Over 30 volunteers participated in this 14th annual event, which took place on September 25. It was a balmy flawless day of blue skies and golden autumn meadow colors. Besides planting, mulching and gathering seed together along the banks of Panther Creek and restoring decommissioned trails, we were treated to the mysterious sight of white spider webs that were migrating among the trees and across the expanses.

Forest service greenhouse.

Thirty-nine volunteers helped this year, with tasks including starting seedlings, transplanting, and maintaining the beautiful Interpretive Garden on the Forest Service grounds. Fieldwork involved gathering seeds and restorative planting.

Panther and south gate meadows

This project involves special care for Panther Meadows, which is the most heavily used area throughout the summer and fall months. More about this project can be found on the next page.

Forest service cooperation

It was a special treat to share our start-of-the-season potluck with several people from the Mount Shasta Ranger District, including new recreation officer Kai Allen, and Panther Meadows resident naturalist Johnny Dame, and climbing ranger Eric White, who regaled us with fascinating stories about our Mountain environment. We also want to thank botanists Twyla Miller, heritage resources manager Julie Cassidy, and everone we interface with at the Forest Service.

Much was accomplished by the Ecology Center in 2010, with the consistent support of our first-class corps of volunteers. The anonymous quote, “Volunteers are love in motion,” expresses the beautiful spirit with which all of you participated and gave of yourselves in the following ways.

March 2010 Film Festival: Heartfelt thanks to Virginia Christman and her wonderful crew!

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” Seneca

Earth Day 2010 (our 20th annual!): Huge gratitude to Gretchen Gerlitz and volunteer friends.

“The breeze, the trees, the honey bees - all volunteers!” Juliet Carinreap

River Rafting Trip in September: Enormous thankfulness to Shantam Sheptow, the river guides and suppliers

“I can no other answer make, but thanks, and thanks.” William Shakespeare

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN 2011!

Greenhouse volunteers are currently working every Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Interested people should call greenhouse manager Twyla Miller at 926.9660 to sign up. The work is mostly in the Forest Service greenhouse and Interpretive Garden, with some field work. All the projects mentioned above will continue to offer opportunities for service to the Mountain. To learn more and sign up, please email volunteer coordinator Neera Paine at neeratheresia@gotsky.com or call the Ecology Center at 530.926.5655.