MCBC Delivers on Three "E's" Education, Environmental Stewardship, Expanded Opportunities

When Marin County Bicycle Coalition launched the MCBC Off-Road Program in 2012, we identified three primary goals – the “Three E’s” as we call them. They are Education, Environmental Stewardship and Expanded Opportunities for mountain biking. MCBC is delivering on all of these goals equally in 2017, here are a few examples from the past few months.

MCBC’s Three E’s: Education

Trail Partners (Marin Conservation League, MCBC and Marin Horse Council) have been setting up Slow and Say Hello outposts at popular trailheads around the county, like this one at Mount Burdell last Saturday.  The purpose of the Slow and Say Hello campaign is to remind the many visitors who recreate on Marin’s open space, watershed and park lands of the importance of trail safety, courtesy toward other visitors, and respect for the plants and wildlife that inhabit them. “Slow and Say Hello” simply asks that we communicate with each other on the trail with a simple “Hi”, wave or ring of the bell — to acknowledge our shared responsibility.

Stop by our next outpost at the Mission Pass pathway (aka Fawn Drive) between Sleepy Hollow and Terra Linda on Saturday, August 12 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

MCBC’s Three E’s: Environmental Stewardship

On July 20 MCBC had the pleasure of working with a group of Vallejo and Jessie Bethel High School students who were enrolled in the Student Conservation Association (SCA). SCA’s mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.

The project was to restore a picnic and viewing area near the top of San Pedro Mountain at China Camp State Park. Benches and picnic tables with amazing views had become lost in overgrowth. After learning about the native plants and what to avoid, these kids cut back vegetation to reestablish this resting area. We told them about the many programs that engage youth in the field of conservation. There were a lot of smiles when we asked how they liked working outdoors.

Special thanks to SCA for providing the volunteers and to Friends of China Camp for arranging a project!

MCBC’s Three E’s: Expanded Opportunities

Marin County Open Space is currently working on two projects that will increase trail access by roughly 2 miles, including the Bob Middagh Trail change-in-use project and the Hunt Camp Trail adoption project. Note – You can be a part of the project to build an extension of the Hunt Camp Trail later this month – you can find more details on the August 18-20 Volunteer Days here.

Additionally, we expect Marin Municipal Water District to announce final plans soon for the adoption of the old Liberty Gulch Road near Azalea Hill to provide safe bicycle access between Mt. Tamalpais and Pine Mountain, while State Parks will be wrapping up work on Bill’s Trail this fall and winter.

How to Get Involved and Stay Up to Date

Did you miss the last trail work day? Didn’t get the word about a critical RTMP meeting? Take a moment to visit the MCBC Trail News Calendar and subscribe. You’ll see updates in your google or Apple/ICS calendar as soon as our Off-Road team posts them!