Benefits for the Entire Community

For many years, DPR has worked closely with various chapters of Christmas in April. This year’s project for the San Mateo, CA’s mid-Peninsula chapter represents DPR’s biggest and most challenging-the renovation of the 30-year-old Gazos Creek Mountain Camp for the Pescadero Conservation Alliance. DPR postponed the project from April to August in order to preserve the nesting area and breeding season of the Marbled Murrelet, a protected bird species living in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

“We wanted to maximize our resources,” said DPR’s James Spielman. “Previously, we worked on single-family homes, but, this year, we were looking for a larger project that would benefit the entire community.” The renovation includes the installation of a new electrical system and generator, heating systems, 14,000 sq. ft. of roofing, and 10,000 sq. ft. of interior work.

“The people at DPR bring their own construction know how, as well as their relationships with subcontractors and suppliers, so they can tackle larger, complex projects that require more skilled labor,” comments Loretta Collinane, Executive Director Mid-Peninsula Chapter of Christmas in April.

When renovated, the camp will be the new home of the Pescadero Conservation Alliance, whose mission is to restore and care for the western watersheds of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The alliance combines restoration and land management projects with scientific research, creating a hands-on, environmental studies learning camp with enough space for 70 overnight students, 80 day students and camp staff. “We need all the help we can get restoring the camp,” says John Wade, Executive Director of the Pescadero Conservation Alliance. “DPR is a Godsend!”