Volunteer Opportunity Details:

HEAVEN ON EARTH - THE HAVEN AT DAVIDSON
Davidson Middle School, San Rafael

Saturday, March 27, 2010
9 am to 2 pm

Wednesday, March 31, is the anniversary of Cesar Chavez' birth. Chavez called on everyone to care for the earth, work for justice, and make sacrifice for the common good. On this Saturday celebration, we gather with friends from the community to break ground for the newest addition to our Green Schoolyard. There are jobs for everyone, from light tasks to heavy labor, as suits your soul.

Our mission: construct the Haven, a patch of earth behind the wood shop, where a fruitful apple tree is surrounded now by wood chips, weeds, and asphalt. We will transform this spot into a verdant home of herbs and fruit trees, with paths and benches for students to relax and enjoy blue sky and flowering plants.

Tasks include:

Ground preparation
 Lay out paths
 Apply wood chips
 Spread mulch and compost
 Remove weeds

Construction
 Dig post holes
 Cut fence posts to size
 Set posts in gravel
 Attach mesh to posts
 Build entry gates
 Construct tool shed
 Lay water lines

The Haven construction is part of a campus-wide effort with Conservation Corps North Bay and San Rafael Clean. Other support work for the day includes:
 Removal of invasive exotics from the riparian zone
 Collecting rocks (for designs and walls)
 Removal weeds from manzanita hill
 Litter clean-up across campus and on adjacent streets
 Planting of summer vegetables in the School Garden

Earth-friendly snacks will be provided. Want to share a snack or drink? Please refer to the Zero Waste Lunch guidelines below. Especially, do not bring single-use plastic bottles; they hurt the earth and our economy in many ways.

Confirmation of your participation is appreciated. If you have handyman skills, let us know! RSVP to Stuart Moody, Garden Coordinator: phone 459-0176; e-mail: stuart@greensangha.org. Sprinkles are no obstacle, but rain cancels. Call between 8:00 and 8:30 the morning of the event if you are not sure about the weather.
THE ZERO WASTE LUNCH
An action paper by Green Sangha

Every day, the average American throws away about 4.5 pounds of garbage. This garbage doesn’t just go away. It takes up vanishing landfill space. The more garbage we produce, the farther we have to truck it for dumping, and the more greenhouse gases we emit. Garbage trucks are major producers of particulates – asthma-causing diesel fumes that end up in our children’s lungs. Even items that we try to dispose responsibly (such as light-weight plastic bags) blow out of bins, trucks, and landfill sites, landing in our streams and Bay. Over 25% of our garbage by volume is disposable plastic. Plastics are known for their non-biodegradability and toxicity. When they break down into smaller pieces, they can make poisonous leachate which is costly and difficult to control.

Going Zero Waste is one of the most significant things we can do to protect the environment and our children’s health. And it’s easier than you think!

What is a ZERO WASTE LUNCH?
A Zero Waste lunch is a celebration of community and our connection to all of life. A Zero Waste lunch generates no trash. Instead, everything can be eaten, reused, or recycled. Here are some tips to get you started:

What to use for your ZERO WASTE LUNCH:
o A picnic basket, metal lunch box, or reusable canvas bags.
o Reusable containers for sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, crackers, etc. (for example, bandana, stainless steel tiffins, glass jars, waxed paper bags).
o Thermos or reusable drink containers (glass, steel, ceramic).
o Reusable tableware.
o Cloth napkins.
o Washable linen or other fabric tablecloth.
o Biodegradable cutlery (better yet, use stainless steel forks and spoons and wash them!).

What NOT to use for your ZERO WASTE LUNCH:
o Juice boxes, disposable plastic or foil drink containers (e.g., Capri Suns).
o Plastic bottles of any kind.
o Styrofoam containers and cups.
o Plastic baggies.
o Aluminum foil (unless you can take it home to wash and recycle or reuse).
o Individual-serving containers (e.g., applesauce, chips, pudding, yogurt).
o Plastic cutlery.
o Vinyl table coverings.
o Any kind of throw-away table covering!
o Lunchables!!!

Just come with a ready heart, clothes to work in, and sturdy shoes. Hats are recommended, too. We have a few extra pairs of work gloves, but bring your own if you have.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Davidson Middle School - Green Schoolyard

This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Adolescents (13-17) Children (5-12) Adults (26-54) Young Adults (18-25) Adults (55+) We need volunteers who are free at these times One-Time

Contact Person: Stuart Moody, Garden Project Manager, (phone), (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

280 Woodland Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901 (See a map)

Directions:

FROM HIGHWAY 101: Take the Central San Rafael exit. Turn west on 3rd Street. Turn left (south) on Lindaro street. Cross Anderson Drive (stoplight). Proceed two blocks farther, and you will see Davidson Middle School on the left hand side, where Lindaro merges with Woodland Ave. The Garden is across campus, in the far southwestern corner of the property, next to a wooden bridge over the marshy slough and adjacent to the Annex campus (which now houses a Jewish pre-school). FROM POINTS WEST: Take Red Hill Avenue (the Miracle Mile) east. It will turn into 2nd street. Turn right (south) at Lindaro. Proceed two blocks farther, and you will see Davidson Middle School on the left hand side, where Lindaro merges with Woodland Ave. The Garden is across campus, in the far southwestern corner of the property, next to a wooden bridge over the marshy slough and adjacent to the Annex campus (which now houses a Jewish pre-school).   Nearest Bus Stop: The 22, 23, 29, 35, 45, 49, 70, 71, 80 and other bus lines stop at the Golden Gate Transit Center, San Rafael. The 40/42 line stops even closer, at Anderson & Lindaro., 5-10 minute walk