Volunteer Only Sahara Mustard Pull: Limestone Canyon

One of the most problematic weed species in Orange County aggressively competes with our native plants for resources and spreads rapidly once established. Therefore, removal of Sahara Mustard helps suppress new invasions and creates opportunities for native species to thrive. This activity will involve removing mustard using long hand-held tools. No previous experience is necessary, just a desire to work outside and get dirty! Bring your own gloves.  Please note that participants must wear long sleeves and long pants, as well as sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots. A hat and sunscreen is highly recommended. Note: This is a wilderness area, there are natural hazards. Snakes, including rattlesnakes, are occasionally seen here.

• Before leaving your home to report for volunteer work, conduct a self-assessment by
  responding to the following questions (current as of May 31, 2020, from the CDC).
  1. Are you experiencing any of the following?
  a. Fever or chills
  b. Cough
  c. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  d. Fatigue
  e. Muscle or body aches
  f. Headache
  g. New loss of taste or smell
  h. Sore throat
  i. Congestion or runny nose
  j. Nausea or vomiting
  k. Diarrhea
  2. Have you had contact with anyone within the last 14 days who has been
  sick?
  If you answered YES to any item above, stay HOME. And stay HOME if you are
  not feeling well, even if your symptoms are not on the list above. Please contact
  the volunteer management team at activityoperations@irconservancy.org or (714)
  508-4760 (call, do not text). Seek medical attention by contacting your doctor or
  medical provider.
• Seek emergency medical care immediately if you are experiencing any of the
• following (current as of May 31, 2020, from the CDC):
• Trouble breathing, Persistent pain or pressure in the chest, New confusion, Inability to wake or stay awake, Bluish lips or face.

● Pre-fill your personal water containers at home and bring them with you. If you need
to eat during your work shift, bring that with you. IRC is not providing food or beverages.
Do not bring food or beverages to share with others.
● Wear your approved IRC volunteer uniform while on duty, including your IRC
volunteer ID badge. Carry your provided CPR/first aid kit in case you are injured.

If tools or other equipment or supplies are required, you must make arrangements in
advance.

• Employees will provide sanitized tools and equipment for you to use and will maintain
  an inventory of the items provided to you.
  ● Ideally, you will keep the items in your possession for future use to avoid the need for
  sanitizing after each use.
  ● If you are not able to keep the items in your possession, then you must sanitize all items
  upon returning to the IRC bin or a storage site. Your employee contact will arrange
  sanitation supplies at IRC or the storage site for your use.
  You are not to share any tools, equipment, or other items with any other person, including
  other volunteers.

While Working in the Field
● Face coverings may be required. According to the OC Health Officer’s order of May
28, 2020: “All Orange County residents and visitors shall wear a cloth face-covering
outside their home when they are not able to maintain at least 6 feet of physical
distance from another person who is not a family/household member or does not reside
in the same living unit.”
● Tools and equipment are not to be shared. Volunteers who are working in small
groups should use only the tools and equipment they brought with them. Under no
circumstances should any tools or equipment be shared.
● There will be a limited supply of hand sanitizer. If available, please use it to clean your
hands after touching commonly handled surfaces and fixtures like gates, locks, portable
restrooms, etc. If hand sanitizer is not available, a cleaning solution and paper towels
should be used.
● Wash hands frequently, including before eating. Some field sites may have running
water; if liquid soap and paper towels are available, please use them. If not, completely
cover your hands with hand sanitizer and rub vigorously for a minimum of 20 seconds.
● Transportation. All volunteers must be able to drive or otherwise transport themselves
to a staging area, trailhead, or entry point. Transportation of other people is prohibited.
All worksites must be reachable on foot or bike, as there are no IRC vehicles available
for volunteers.
● Do not share food or beverages.
● Maintain six-foot physical distancing at all times.

After Working in the Field
● Wash your hands. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum
of 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer.
● Clean all tools. If returning tools to the IRC bin or a storage area, wearing disposable
gloves, and using spray or wipes, clean tools and equipment. See instructions above.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.