Oroville, CA, May 20, 2019 – Join the Plumas National Forest for the annual American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1. Volunteers will have an opportunity to improve the 1.7 mile Valley Creek Trail while experiencing the ecological significance and breathtaking scenic beauty of the Valley Creek Special Interest Area (SIA), one of the last remaining portions of old-growth mixed conifer forest in the Northern Sierra Nevada. The SIA is about two miles southwest of La Porte, CA.

The goal of the event is to improve the trail’s tread and drainage features and to educate volunteers on Leave No Trace principles.  While on the trail, prepare to be amazed by towering old-growth Douglas Fir and Sugar Pines and, if you’re fortunate, a number of sensitive and threatened native wildlife species, including the foothill yellow-legged frog, red-legged frog, California spotted owl, and Northern goshawk.

Coordinating the event is both important and exciting for Rubie Teffeteller, Natural Resources Assistant and AmeriCorps member stationed out of Feather River Ranger District in Oroville.

“I think that volunteer land stewardship is imperative to the health and quality of our public lands, not only recreationally, but ecologically and educationally,” said Teffeteller. “This is also a great opportunity for the public to engage hands-on in their forestland and for our agency to spread the word on what special interest areas are, why it is critical that we preserve them, and how we can do that responsibly in a recreational setting such as Valley Creek.”

National Trails Day is a nationwide movement which fosters and encourages the unity and partnership of hikers, land trusts, government agencies, trail clubs, businesses, nonprofits, and outdoor enthusiasts alike in the advocacy, maintenance, and rehabilitation of our public lands and trails.

For more information on how to RSVP for “TLC for Valley Creek Trail” during National Trails Day, please visit https://tlcforvalleycreek.eventbrite.com or contact Rubie Teffeteller at rubie.teffeteller@usda.gov or (530) 532-7441.

Visit the Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/plumas for other forest information.