Native Here Nursery is situated on a hillside in Tilden Park. This lovely setting is a joy for everyone who visits as well as for volunteers. The only problem is some of Tilden’s oaks and bay trees are infected with Sudden Oak Death, the disease that kills coast live oaks and other plants. To keep our plants as safe and healthy as possible, they must be kept off the ground and above the splash zone of raindrops. We are in the process of raising every table in the nursery above the splash zone—a job involving hundreds of tables, currently made of cinder blocks and wood but transitioning to blocks and metal. While we are raising the tables, we do a bit of leveling and straightening too. This is a job for a couple of resourceful people who like a bit of exercise and are handy with a level and a shovel.
Here’s what we’re looking for:
Table Raiser
Location: Native Here Nursery
Qualifications: Ability to work outdoors, on your feet, at the nursery, several hours per month. Need to be able to haul cinder blocks of up to 30 lb, use a shovel to move dirt to level, set blocks into the soil, and move container plants before and after raising the table.
Responsibilities: All work is at the nursery. A team captain will order and arrange for delivery of needed supplies. (Any knowledge of cheap sources of materials is welcome.) Can work solo or as a two-person team. Several teams are possible if there are enough volunteers.
Time commitment: 6-10 hours per month, flexible. Best to start out during regular nursery hours, Tuesdays 12-3, Fridays 9-12, Saturdays 10-2, but once trained you can work at other hours.
Whom to contact: Lesley Hunt, outreach@ebcnps.org
About half of our tables have been raised, but the remaining ones are in some of the more challenging situations. The production manager and others can advise on priorities for the remaining tables.
