I am raising money for my Eagle Scout Service Project for Boy Scout Troop 202 in Oakland, California. The project will benefit the Friends of Sausal Creek, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation and environmental protection in the Oakland hills, specifically Joaquin Miller Park.

For my project, a group of 30+ scouts will work together to construct over a hundred feet of fencing around the vulnerable Sausal Creek watershed. Hikers and bikers go off trail and trample down the delicate wetland area surrounding the top of the creek, destroying native species and causing erosion (photo below). The fencing will protect the watershed by making it clear that staying on trail is mandatory, and the condition of the watershed should start to improve.

The split-rail fencing will be made of cedar. The rails will be eight feet long and the posts will be 5.3 feet tall (photo below). The project will not require any cement – instead, scouts will dig eighteen-inch holes, fill them back in with the dirt, and tamp vigorously. Scouts will insert railings into the pre-cut slots in the posts and then screw in two screws on each connection between the railing and the post to ensure they are tightly fastened. Overall, we will be constructing 104 feet of fencing.

Your donations will go towards purchasing lumber, other building materials, and food for hungry scouts. Any excess donations will go directly to Friends of Sausal Creek to help with their conservation efforts. Please note that donations to this GoFundMe are not tax deductible because I am not a registered nonprofit.

It means a lot to me to be able to give back to the park that I have enjoyed so much throughout my whole life. Your contributions allow the park to continue to flourish and provide outdoor space for the community for years to come. Thank you!

Matthew