Orange County Workday, Mar 11, 2023
Hi Friends (of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail)

We were unable to get the gravel for the Feb workday (due to a mechanical failure at the gravel pit), so spreading it on the previously raised trail is first up for our March workday.
We will continue removing invasive plants (into the Occoneechee Speedway infield), and continue with other JM Johnson Nature Preserve trail improvements.

Date: Mar 11, 2023, 9 AM - 3 PM. If you can't stay for the entire time, please know that we are deeply appreciative of any effort you contribute.

Meeting Location: The Historic Occoneechee Speedway parking lot (320 Elizabeth Brady Road, Hillsborough 27278).

If you can join the team: Please respond by email to Bill.Boyarsky@gmail.com by Mar 8 -- your response informs the number of biscuits, apples and tools that will await you, helps me plan the day, and puts you on the notification list for further updates (about this workday) or a workday cancellation message.

What to bring: You need to wear appropriate-for-the-weather work clothes (that can get dirty), solid shoes or boots, and bring lunch (if you plan to work into the afternoon), snacks, water, and work gloves. If you have a favorite tool, bring it.

What we bring: We will provide all tools, extra work gloves, and instructions. If you are new to this kind of activity, there will be experienced volunteers within asking distance: we are a supportive trail community that loves to grow.

Cancellation: If the workday is cancelled due to bad weather, an email will be sent out no later than 8:00 p.m. the preceding day, to the RSVP list.

Safety: Use tools carefully. If you do not know how to use a particular tool, or what to do in a particular circumstance please ask. Do not work too close together -- avoid hitting the person next to you. When walking past another volunteer, please say something so they know you are approaching. Do not lift anything heavier than you can comfortably lift -- know your own limits. Take plenty of breaks. Undertake different tasks with different tools throughout the day. Make sure to drink plenty of water, even when it's cold outside. .Be aware of ticks, chiggers, snakes, stinging insects, and poison ivy.

Next Orange County MST workdays (RSVP to Bill)
Apr 22
May 27

If you are not on our Eno/Orange County workday announcements email list (announcements like this one), but would like to be, let me know by email.

Next Eno MST workdays (RSVP to Fred <dietrich@duke.edu>)
Feb 25 (Penny's Bend)
March 18
April 8
May 13  Annual Picnic
June 3  National Trails Day

Next Alamance County MST workdays (RSVP to Andrew <asam30035@gmail.com>).
Starting work at Saxapahaw, on the Haw River, the site where our OC trail will meet...someday. Andrew, the Task Force Leader, would welcome email from you about a workday or a request to be added to his Alamance County Workday Announcement List).
March 18
April 15
May 20
June 17
September 16
October 21
November 18
December 16
The Gathering, our annual statewide meeting of Friends will be held on April 28-30 here in the Triangle.
Friday will kick off with a full day of guided hikes for everyone, followed by excursions, meetings and celebrations through Sunday.
Hikes, excursions and trail workdays will spread across Durham, Orange and Wake counties. The Department of Recreation and Wellness at NCCU will host our annual meeting on Saturday, where Friends of the MST’s membership gathers together to learn about the trail, spend time with each other, and celebrate our very special trail community. While this is a membership-based event, all with an interest in the MST are welcome to join and attend.
Full details at https://mountainstoseatrail.org/gathering-of-friends/

Thanks to our major sponsors: To REI Co-op, whose 2022 gift of $15,000 supports our efforts with (among other things) signage improvement, updates to trail guides, the purchase of new tools, and tool repairs.
And thanks for all you do for the Mountains-To-Sea Trail

Bill
Bill.Boyarsky@gmail.com
Friends of the MST Task Force Leader, Orange County
(919) 451-2900
Pronouns: he, him
Friends of the Mountains-To-Sea Trail https://mountainstoseatrail.org/