Greetings,
The leaves are changing colors and the rains are upon us. Fall is definitely in the air. I'm pleased to give you an update on the Willow Creek Second Bridge project and tell you about a few upcoming fall activities.
Willow Creek Second Bridge Project

We reached another milestone this week when the bridge decks were put into place. It was exciting to watch the crane lower the six 43 foot girders. Everything fit together just like a puzzle. The construction crew sure made it all look easy. Board members Elizabeth Vega, Bill Bambrick, Gregory Fearon and advisory board member Kathie Lowrey joined me in watching this momentus event. We are now one step closer to restoring fish passage in the watershed.
Fall Activities
Stewards has a busy fall ahead of us. First, we will again host a Jenner Headlands Hike on October 8th. This is a great opportunity to view this incredible property owned by the Sonoma Land Trust. With the summer behind us, we can expect less fog and wonderful views of the coast and the birdlife.
On October 22nd we will host our Annual Membership Meeting and Picnic at the Armstrong Redwoods Group Picnic Area. Some of you may recall that we had to cancel this annual event last year due to heavy rain. We are hoping for a nice fall day this year. The day will begin at 10:00 am in the Volunteer Center Conference Room with a presentation of the new Parson Jones DVD produced by Doris Dickenson and Carmen Finley. Don't miss this great opportunity to learn more about the man who married Lizzie Armstrong Jones and helped save Armstrong Redwoods.
The potluck will begin at noon and Stewards will provide wine, other beverages and utensils. Bring your own plate and a dish to share. Besides the annual report to our members, the meeting will provide an opportunity for Stewards to survey those in attendance about future priorities for our organization. We hope you will join us and provide your valuable input.
Our Annual Whale Watch Orientation is also coming up on November 12th. See below for all the details on this popular volunteer opportunity.
Our Annual Online Auction will run for 3 weeks in November. Stewards is seeking auction items. If you have a gently used item or something new to donate we would be most grateful. Call the office at (707) 869-9177 for more information.
Visiting our State Parks during the fall is always a special experience. After each rain, the parks are fresh with the smell of the flora and the sound of the creeks flowing brings a sense of peace.
My best,

Michele Luna, Executive Director
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods
Jenner Headlands Hike
October 8, 2011 - 10:00 t0 3:30, Free, bring a lunch. Registration required.

The hike will take place along the coastal headlands of the property. This strenuous 4.0-mile roundtrip hike will ascend more than 800 feet in elevation. Along the way, hikers will be greeted with dazzling views of the Sonoma Coast (on clear days!). Some sections of the route are especially rough with uneven footing so please wear sturdy hiking boots. This hike is not for inexperienced hikers — you must be in good physical condition. Along with the rough terrain comes the varying coastal weather that can bring bright, sunny skies or damp, cold, foggy and windy weather. We highly recommend dressing in layers and including a windbreaker jacket to protect you from the potentially biting coastal winds.
Contact stewards@mcn.org for more information.
Annual Membership Meeting & Potluck
October 22, 2011, 10:00 am - Presentation in the Volunteer Center Conference Room with Doris Dickenson and Carmen Finley.
"Parson Jones, the Little Known Man of Armstrong Woods. Who was he? Why do we honor him?"
Noon - Potluck Picnic and Public Meeting
Bring a dish to share and your own plate. Stewards will provide beverages and utensils.
Join us for
an annual organization update and a chance to give input on priorities for the organization as we face the challenges of park closures during the next year.
Annual Whale Watch Orientation
November 12, 2012, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm
Bodega Bay, more details will be emailed after registration.
Learn how to assist the public in viewing one of nature's wonderous annual events. Our whale mother, Bea Brunn will enlighten new docents about the world of whales and the logistics of being a Whale Watch docent. A visit to Bodega Head after lunch will provide a presentation by one of our dedicated lifeguards on Sonoma Coast.
Register online and contact Ruby Herrick for more information.
California State Park Poster Series California State Parks are an enduring symbol of our state's history and legacy. To celebrate these priceless treasures, Folk4Parks.org, a net-roots organization fighting for CA Parks, has just announced they are commissioning a new, collectable series of illustrated posters, commemorating the California State Park system.
All artwork in the series will be inspired by the Art Nouveau period of the early 20th century, a reminder of a time in California history when our parks grew and prospered. All posters are 12″ x 17″, aqueous-color prints on premium recycled paper.
Also check out Christopher Grant Ward's Blog 3 Money Myths about California State Parks.
|