The Upper Merced River Watershed Council, in partnership with Yosemite National Park, is in search of volunteers to assist in bullfrog surveys this spring and summer along the Merced River. No experience necessary – FREE TRAINING included! ​

Yosemite National Park has eradicated bullfrogs from Yosemite Valley; the UMRWC is hoping to help continue this effort downstream! The first step is determining how many bullfrogs are present and where their strongholds are. WE NEED YOUR HELP! This project includes free training from a YNP biologist on frog identification, and in the field training on conducting visual encounter surveys. One training was conducted during Fall of 2015. The date for Spring 2016 training is TBD and surveys dates are flexible. All skill levels welcome! For more information, please contact UMRWC board member Melissa Odell at melissa@odellplanning.com or click the button below.

​Thank you and hope to see you out on the river!!

The UC Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Preserve, the Merced County UC Cooperative Extension Office, and the Upper Merced River Watershed Council are excited to sponsor the California Naturalist Certification Training at UC Merced from February 11 - April 21, 2016.  The course, open to all members of the community, provides a broad overview of California natural history and, in particular, introduces participants to the unique ecology of the San Joaquin Valley and central Sierra Nevada foothill regions.
 
Students in the California Naturalist Program will become part of a committed corps of volunteer naturalists and citizen scientists, equipped with the skills needed to take an active role in natural resource stewardship and education.  This 10-week training, taught by UC Merced faculty and other local experts, combines science instruction with guest speakers, field trips, and project-based learning.  The course will cover basic ecology, watershed processes, geology, wildlife, plant communities, and global environmental issues, as well as tools for collaborative conservation and communication.  There will also be opportunities for bird watching, wildflower identification, sketching, and journaling!  Upon completing certification requirements, participants are eligible for four academic credits through UC Davis Extension for an additional nominal fee. 
 
The Watershed Council is providing a limited number of partial scholarships, so please get your scholarship application in as soon as possible!  Additionally, the Watershed Council is providing a number of capstone service projects (i.e. water quality monitoring, bullfrog management, trail rehabilitation) for participants. 
 
To sign up for the 2016 Spring program and/or apply for a scholarship, please fill out the registration and scholarship forms available here (Registration Form, Scholarship Form) or on the Merced County UC Cooperative Extension home page.  Scholarship applications must be received by Wednesday, January 20, 2016.  The course registration deadline is Friday, February 8, 2016. 
 
For more information about the UC Merced CalNat Program, please visit the website (http://calnat.ucanr.edu/Take_a_class/UC_Merced/) or contact Monique Kolster, course coordinator (mkolster@ucmerced.edu). 

Date & Time: Saturday, September 19th @ 9AM
Meeting Location: Briceburg Recreation Area Parking Lot

The Great Sierra River Clean-up is a collaborative effort between Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Upper Merced Watershed Council, Bureau of Land Management, and the Kim Evans Memorial Clean Up. This is a one-day event held annually in September that brings the community together to help clean up our beloved watershed. Volunteers are needed to help! Let's make this a cleaner and safer river canyon for families to enjoy!

Each year participants remove over 2,000 pounds of trash and recyclable material from the Merced River. The Great Sierra River Clean Up is about much more than picking up trash, however. It’s a day for Sierra communities – and those from all over California – to demonstrate their desire for clean water and healthy rivers. Help restore the Merced River, which flows from Yosemite National Park to the Central Valley.

On the day of the cleanup, make sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, closed-toe shoes, your friends and family, gloves (may be provided), water (may be provided) and a plastic bucket (optional). This year, we will be meeting at the Briceburg Recreation Area parking lot at 9AM.  The event will conclude between noon and 1PM.  Hope to see you there!    

The first phase of this partnership commenced this past Friday, April 24th.  NPS planner Jim Donovan joined three UMRWC volunteers to map three miles of the trail and record trail conditions.  The group found downed logs, trail wash-out, and poor tread in many areas.  They used Park Service recording techniques to detail the exact width and condition of trail segments. With a full trail assessment, UMRWC would like to to evaluate exactly what resources are needed to improve the S Fork trail and make it safe and passable for hikers.         

The South Fork Merced River Trail Collaborative is hosting a volunteer trail work day on Saturday, March 21st at 10AM.  Volunteers will help clear brush along the Savage-Lundy trail, while learning about the South Fork’s natural and cultural significance.  The Trail Collaborative is partnering with Sierra National Forest to host the event. 

The Savage-Lundy Trail extends from Hite’s Cove Road to Devil’s Gulch on the South Fork Trail.  The three-mile hike has scenic views of the Merced River and is a favorite destination for local Mariposans.  During the volunteer day, Ralph Mendershausen, author of the “Treasures of the South Fork,” will share stories about the history of the beautiful and unique South Fork country.   

Volunteers will be provided with lunch and all necessary equipment.  The Trail Collaborative is excited about finding individuals who enjoy working in the outdoors and who are committed to preserving and protecting our local trails.     

The Trail Collaborative is a standing committee of the Upper Merced River Watershed Council and is comprised of individuals with affiliations to various local interests and community groups, including Merced River Conservation Committee, Bureau of Land Management, UC Merced, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, and more.  

The group has drafted a plan to improve access to the South Fork Trail.  They want to ensure that the historic trail, built in the early 1900s by the US Calvary, is maintained and accessible to the public. 

If you would like to participate in the trail work day or learn more about the Trail Collaborative, contact UMRWC at mercedwatershed@gmail.com

The South Fork Merced River Trail Collaborative, a standing committee of UMRWC, has drafted a plan to improve access to the South Fork Trail.  The trail extends 22 miles from Savage's Trading Post on Highway 140 to Highway 41 in Yosemite National Park.  In the springtime, it attracts many visitors with its stretches of beautiful fiery orange poppies. 

The Trail Collaborative is comprised of individuals with affiliations to various local interests and community groups, including Merced River Conservation Committee, Bureau of Land Management, UC Merced, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, and more.  The Collaborative wants to ensure that the historic trail, built in the early 1900s by the US Calvary, is maintained and is accessible to the public. 

If you are interested in working on the trail or obtaining a draft of the Collaborative's plan, contact Will Fassett at wfassett@gmail.com