Rotarians prove volunteerism alive and well in Fallbrook

FALLBROOK – On Saturday, Nov. 7, the Rotarians at Work program kicked in to help Save Our Forest (SOF) with a huge mulching project. The job was made possible by a donation of mulch from Vista Tree Service. Nine volunteer Rotary Club of Fallbrook members came to help the Save Our Forest (SOF) committee of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy and spread the mulch in less than two hours.

The location is on South Mission at Old Stage Road. There, SOF has planted jacaranda and redbud trees to enhance the southern entrance to Fallbrook. This segment extends, or connects, to the 1.1 mile of plantings all the way to Winter Haven. That planting happened in 2001 and 2002, made possible by an Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation grant from CalTrans.

This winter, SOF is working to replace some tree and shrub loss. Luckily the 1.1 mile location uses reclaimed water, a real boon, but the reclaiming process leaves a high saline content which is too harsh for some plant material.

The morning was a hubbub of activity moving mulch with wheel barrows and large 15 gallon containers via truck to the most distant spots. This segment, part of the Grand Tradition property, is irrigated with their well water and their crew had weed-whipped the entire stretch in preparation.

These kinds of partnerships are not unusual for Rotary which offers support for community groups throughout the year.