The aftermath of the Davis Fire left parts of the Davis Creek campsite scorched. But today about 50 volunteers came together to help restore what was destroyed by the blaze.
The volunteers planted a plethora of native shrubs and seedlings to help restore the land. Today alone they planted 700 plants in the ground.
Vegetation such as:
- Sage brush
- Rabbit brush
- Apache plumes
- Great Basin Wildrye
- Wheat grass
- Western Aster
- Globemallow
- Yarrow
The organizers say the support from the community was overwhelming. They said the surprising thing was it only took one day to gather so many people to help.
“It was so exciting, in fact as soon as we posted this event on social media it filled up within 24 hours so we’re really excited to have the community support, have them come out and just help us get some plants back out here,” said Joanne Lowden, the National Resource Planning Coordinator for Washoe County Parks.
“We’re really moving through it with the help of all the volunteers that signed up we’re flying through it,” said Jason Albery, the Recreation Coordinator for Washoe County.
He adds “It’s a really awesome feeling to come out and see all the volunteers here to help out.”
“I think it means a lot this park means a lot to the community, and they want to see it reopen they want to see it back here camping and fishing and hiking so whatever they can do they want to come out and help and do whatever they can to get it open,” said Nick Steuer, Park Ranger.
Meredith Reynolds, a Volunteer from Reno says “It means a lot, I camp here a lot throughout the year and I wanted to do something to help to get things back to where it used to be.”
The volunteers were working from late morning into the afternoon.
Organizers say planting native plants is very important, because if they don't, more cheat grass will grow and it's highly flammable and not goof for the ecosystem.
“We have a natural resource planter with the county, and she has been working with the Washoe Nursery, and we’ve decided on the plants that are going to be native to this area so plants that you would naturally see here is the seedlings that we’re planting.” says Steuer.
Reynolds tells us “I’ve been digging some holes and mixing in some stuff to maintain water and planting plants and filling them back up and moving on.”
Reynolds also shares with us how sentimental the campsite is to her, as she bought a trailer to camp there during the pandemic. She said it was devastating to know it was burning, she was hoping the entire campsite wouldn't be gone when the fire was officially out.
Reynolds encourages others to come out and help if they can “I mean it’s easy work, it’s not that hard it doesn’t take much time, and you can make a difference.”
Albery says “Parks and the outdoors in general, I think everyone should be a part of and get outside and it’s really awesome to see all these people coming out to help rejuvenate this area that got burned in the fire.”
Even a biology class from Carson High School came out to help.
Santiago, a volunteer from the school tells us “We’re observing the fire and the vegetation and how it’ll turn out in the spring and the upcoming years.”
She adds “It makes me feel excited, instead of staying in a classroom and just hearing about it we get to see it and experience it and research it for ourselves.”
They're also doing some restoration that is non-plant related.
Steuer says they're working with a local artist who is carving into the burnt tree stumps and turning them into bear and other wildlife sculptures.
He also says “We’re working with a few local artists. We have a metal sculptor who is willing to take some of the burnt tools and signs from the fire damage and create a metal sculpture at the entrance to Davis Creek Park which is really exciting.”
If you missed the volunteer opportunity today you can catch another one by checking out the Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space Facebook page where they post regional updates and volunteer events as they get planned.
You can also check out the link here for more volunteer opportunities.
