SOS team members are mobilized to respond individually or as part of a group during moments of need. In the winter months in particular, heavy wind and rain events can cause severe damage to roads and trails, moving heavy loads of sediment, and many times dispensing them in our creeks. In rain events with excessive rainfall (~2inches/24hours), water features that were recently cleaned can become clogged quickly with debris and this can lead to devastating damage as water finds a new course to travel. Many times, something as simple as the removal of a tree branch from a culvert can save a whole road!

At this training, volunteers will hike around the Bohemia Ecological Preserve with LandPaths’ Facilities Lead Steven La Gatta and Ocean Song Steward Erin Mulligan, where relevant techniques will be demonstrated and taught – digging waterbars, checking and unclogging culverts, identifying and reporting hazard trees, etc. In addition, we will go over important logistical and safety information, including processes relating to accessing the preserve and communicating your whereabouts for the day.

Once you have completed this one-day training, you will be added to our list of Stewards on the Scene! We will typically put out the call for SOS teams to mobilize before, during, and after high rain events. By signing up for a SOS team, you are not guaranteeing that you can respond each time, but that you are willing to receive a phone call / email, and will respond if available. If you join a team, you will receive the contact info of other team members, maps of the preserve with safe parking locations and, if available, locations of culverts and other notable water features. “