***** RSVP on MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP*****
Join a group of outdoor lovers for a Service Project to the yet-to-be-opened South Unit of the Devils River State Natural Area. The Devils River is one of the most wild and scenic rivers in Texas. Clear spring-fed water tumbles past rugged bluffs and canyons and along its brushy banks. [https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/devils-river](https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/devils-river)
We are returning to the Devils River SNA because we didn’t finish one of our tasks back in the Spring. This would be girdling Chinaberry Trees in and near the river. Let’s throttle this invasive species, many of which grow on islands. Yes, you can probably expect to get wet.
Please watch this video on how to girdle a tree. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-L1RJn095w
For this shortened Service Project, participants are responsible for their own transportation, camping gear, and ALL MEALS. Well, let’s insert a lawyerly asterisk here. Dawn and Chris and Stan will cook a big meal for everyone our first night there – Friday night.
TPWD provides all tools and safety equipment. Your park admission will be comped.
What kind of vehicle do you need for this? Actually, you could bring your Prius; a Prius just wouldn’t like it very much. There are jutting rocks in the road that you have to traverse outside of the park. I would recommend a High Clearance Vehicle.
COOL THING #1:
Superintendent Vermeulen is working on giving us exclusive use of their – for lack of a better word – ***resort,*** which sleeps 16 and has lovely kitchen facilities. It has six hot showers!
A Heads Up: The showers are in the private bedrooms. If you are lucky enough to get one of the bedrooms, you will need to share your shower with all of us.
COOL THING #2:
The South Unit has not yet opened to the public. We will have it to ourselves. It is a beautiful, quiet area.
It is at 15166 Private Rd 1500, Del Rio, TX 78840.
If you prefer to camp, you may do so adjacent to the resort.
To reserve your spot, you need to sign up here and then contact Stan Peyton at [email protected] with your email address and phone number.
The $100 fee is a deposit. You show up at the resort, you get it all back. Due to the high demand we anticipate for this Service Project, we only want you to sign up if you are **really really committed** to showing up.
If you don’t show up, your check will become a donation to Sierra Club. No refunds will be issued.
Sorry, no dogs allowed.
We begin gathering the afternoon of Friday the 11th of October at the Resort.
In 2021, we did another Service Project at the North Unit of Devils River State Natural Area. The North and South Units are not contiguous. In fact, on our scoping trip, it took us an hour and 45 minutes to drive from one to the other.
To reach the resort, get out your Texas Highway Map and locate the “T” intersection where US277 and US377 meet. Once you get to that intersection, you will go north less than a mile and turn west on Miers Road. We will give you more detailed instructions on how to reach the resort after you have completed your registration for the Service Project.
**TO RESERVE A SPOT:**
1. Write a check for $100 payable to “Austin Sierra Club”. If you do not have access to a check, you can get a money order at any bank or convenience store.
2. Print, Fill out and Sign a Participation Agreement: [https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020](https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020)
3. Print, Fill out and Sign a Medical Form: **[https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021](https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021)**
4. Proof of Covid-19 vaccination, unless you test negative at the beginning of the trip as explained above
5. Mail items 1,2,3,4 to leader:
Stan Peyton
8408 Hanbridge Lane
Austin TX 78736-3021
6. **VERY IMPORTANT: IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR DEPOSIT AND THE ABOVE PAPERWORK WITHIN TEN DAYS OF YOUR SIGNING UP, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRIP.**
We will contact you for additional discussion to make sure this trip is right for you. **WAIT UNTIL APPROVED** by leaders before making other reservations.
Let’s Do Service!
