Promoting education, preservation & restoration of the natural & cultural resources of Russian River area State Parks
Promoting Preservation through Education and Stewardship in Russian River and Sonoma Coast State Parks
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods (Stewards) is a non-profit organization that partners with the Russian River Sector of California State Parks. The sector includes Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve (outside Guerneville), Austin Creek State Recreation Area,Sonoma Coast State Park (from Bodega Bay to Jenner) and includes the Willow Creek watershed. The State Parks Volunteers in Parks program depends on Stewards to provide funding for educational and interpretive activities, for resource management projects, and to assist in the development of interpretive facilities.
The State Parks of Sonoma County's coast and Russian River valley are rich in natural and cultural history, biological diversity and distinctive geology. Our mission is to promote education, preservation and restoration of the natural and cultural resources of Russian River area State Parks through interpretation and public stewardship. We do this (with the help of over 300 volunteers) by providing park visitors of all ages with a variety of programs and opportunities to experience and explore these exceptional parks.
In addition, Stewards plays an important advocacy role for California State Parks. For decades, California's park system, the nation's largest, has been under funded. This has lead to serious understaffing and a $1.2 billion deferred maintenance backlog. In May 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation placed our entire state parks system on the list of the top 11 most endangered historic places. Stewards routinely advocates for the needs of our State Park treasures, ensuring they will be open and available for public enjoyment for generations to come.
New Hope for State Parks: California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010 - 11/6/09
It is with great hope that we report that a significant step towards sustainability for our State Parks was taken this week by the California State Parks Foundation and partners. On November 3rd a proposed statewide ballot measure was filed with the Attorney General's office. The "California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010, would create a stable, reliable and adequate source of funding to protect state parks and conserve California wildlife."
Natural and Cultural History of Willow Creek & Watershed Education Program Docent Training Saturday, March 6, 2010
Watershed Education Program Logistics and Training
9:00-11:30am Learn to assist middle school students explore watershed values, the life cyle of salmonids and what it takes to restore a watershed to health through hands-on activities. Facilitated by Staff and Docents
(Lunch Break)
Natural and Cultural History of Willow Creek
Saturday, March 6 12:00-4:00pm Instructors: Brendan O'Neil (State Park Environmental Scientist) & Marianne Hurley (State Parks Historian)
Review the natural and cultural history of this important watershed and learn about the steps being taken to restore it as a viable salmonid habitat. Seminar will take place both in class and in the field. Be prepared for all weather conditions.
Stewards and many dedicated volunteers are working very hard to get the California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund of 2010 on the November ballot.
If you are willing to help gather signatures for this initiative please contact Michele Luna at mluna@mcn.org.
We will be gathering signature until April 15th.
Your help is needed to support this important measure that will sustain our State Parks into the future. For more information visit the Caifornia State Park Foundation website.
Park Advocacy Day - March 8, 2010
The 8th Annual Park Advocacy Day (PAD) will take place on March 8th in Sacramento from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
Stewards offers special educational programs to help students and the public learn about a redwood grove's complex web of life, discover the wonders of coastal tide pools and engage in watershed field studies. In addition to studying a wide variety of flora and fauna, we help you explore the history of the Native Americans and other cultural groups who dwelled here.
Our School Group Education Programs serve over 5,000 school children a year. Stewards provides manuals and learning aids to teachers to support their curriculum goals. On-site field trips led by State Parks Volunteer Docents and Staff give students a hands-on opportunity to:
Investigate the wonders of the interdial zone
Learn about watershed values by participating in creek assessment projects
Explore the ecology of an old-growth redwood forest
Stewards' Public Education Programs are staffed by State Parks Volunteer Docents and Staff. They give generously of their time to share their love of nature, knowledge and information, as well as stewardship values. These programs include:
The natural resources in our parks have been impacted by past land use practices and are in need of continuing restoration to
bring them back to health.
Stewards has raised over $600,000 in funds
through donations and grants to support
resource management projects. We develop partnerships with other private
and public organizations. Our volunteer stewardship programs include:
Additional trail and restoration projects occurring as needed
State Parks Visitor Centers
Stewards supports the California State Park Visitor Centers in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve and at the Sonoma Coast State Park in Jenner. State Parks volunteers operate nature stores at both locations. Our long-term goals include the renovation and
expansion of current facilities and the development
of a new facilities at Armstrong Redwoods and the Sonoma Coast State Park.
The 8th Annual Park Advocacy Day (PAD) will take place on March 8th in Sacramento from 8:30am to 5:30pm. 
