Oleta 5th Sundays - 1/29/12

MISSIONS:
Organic Stewardship and Planting Prep.

SCHEDULE:
8am Staff Arrive (UPG Nursery area)
8:30am Volunteers Arrive (Maritime Hammock Area, follow the UPG signs); Registration Begins.
9am Orientation, Training, Work Begins!
Noon Work Done, Cleanup.
12:30 Begin picnic.
Kayaking will be available (please let us know when you RSVP).

TEAM LEADERS:
Sam Van Leer - UPG Executive Director
Tom Gilfoy - Area Steward, UPG Habitat Zone Oleta
Caroline - Team Leader

RSVP:
If you plan to come, you need to RSVP.
To: caroline@urban-paradise.org
Subject: RSVP for Oleta + (type in the activity date)
Let us know how many adults, how many kids, their ages.
If you have a BIG group, get in touch ASAP so we can confirm your participation!
****************
If you don't RSVP, you will NOT FIND UPG.
Our work-site is not in a public area.
****************

BRING / WEAR / PREPARE
Please protect yourself by bringing & wearing the right gear.
* There is NO BATHROOM in the planting area, and we'll be working for 3 hours. Please use the bathroom BEFORE you arrive!
* Water Bottle, Refillable (we provide ice water, you bring a bottle, or buy one from UPG for $2)
* Hat, Sunglasses & Sun Shirt
* Sunblock & Bug Spray
* Closed-toed Shoes or Boots
* Change of clothes for recreation
* Towel & beachwear for Kayaking or Swimming

TOOLS & Materials provided by UPG:
* Endless Ice Water (bring your own bottle, or buy one for $2).
* Shade Tents for breaks (it will be hot)
* Tools
* Work Gloves (adult sizes)

LOCATION INFO:
http://www.urban-paradise.org/oleta

ANNOUNCEMENT:
UPG Oleta needs YOU! We have vacancies for:
Interns (College & HS)
Area Stewards
Nursery Staff
Team Leaders
Volunteer Staff
Instructors

BACKGROUND:
A "Hammock" in several Native American dialects means "A cool place". Most of our Hammocks were destroyed by Developers, and only a few remain.
The tall canopy trees (50' or more) absorb the sun's energy, and create cool shade below. Few modern residents of South Florida have ever been to one, but the scorching outside temperature drops immediately to a comfortable level!
A Maritime Hammock is a variant, a forest growing near salt-water, and includes many salt-tolerant species.

PROJECT HISTORY:
Phase 1 (Nov 2010): We planted 550 Native trees and shrubs.
Phase 1.5 (March 2011): We planted 30 Freshwater Wetland trees along the waterway on the west side of the Hammock.
In Phase 2 (July-Aug 2011) we have planted 716 as well has hundreds of native grasses on 7/13, 7/17, 8/7 & 8/21.