Spring and summer maintenance work is ramping up at Richmond's East Brother Island to keep the 130-year old lighthouse shining brightly. The island lighthouse complex, which is a state and national historic landmark, is maintained and operated for public use, including a Bed and Breakfast Inn, by a Richmond-based non-profit corporation. Proceeds from the inn operation are used to defray maintenance costs.

With the exception of the inn operation, the property is entirely managed and maintained by volunteers. Typically, one Saturday a month is a Volunteer Projects Day. Currently scheduled projects include painting, landscape maintenance, repair of wood trim, window repair and replacement, gutter replacement, and repair of a redwood water tank. There is a need for both skilled and unskilled people.

See www.ebls.org for additional information about East Brother Light Station. To volunteer and receive additional information about the volunteer program, email Pete Martin at pmartin@firedept.net.