Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods - E-News
January 28, 2012

Ways to help Keep your State Parks Open

Annadel, Austin Creek, Jack London, Petaluma Adobe, Sugarloaf Ridge and Sonoma Coast

Promoting education, preservation & restoration
of the natural & cultural resources of Russian River area State Parks

If you cannot read this E-Newsletter click on the link at the bottom of the page to read it online.

IN THIS ISSUE:

State Park Closure Update

Docent and Community Education Program

Fort Ross Bicentennial

Volunteer Hours Due

Shop Duncans Mills on Tuesdays

stewards@mcn.org

Post your stories and photos on our Facebook page and Twitter.

Join us on Facebook

Join us on Twitter

QUICK LINKS:

Visit our E-Store

Volunteer Opportunities

Docent and Community Education Program

Become a Member

EcoAdventures

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Mailing Address:

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods
P.O. Box 2
Duncans Mills, CA 95430

Tel: (707) 869-9177

FAX: (707) 869-8252

E-mail: stewards@mcn.org

Website

In Partnership with:

Greetings,

One of the most important things that Stewards does is advocate for our State Parks. There are a number of ways that you can help us with our efforts to keep all the State Parks in Sonoma County open and flourishing. Even if you choose just one of the following you will be helping to make a huge difference.

Board of Supes Meeting to Approve Annadel Operating Agreement
January 31, 2012 at 2:10pm. Board of Supervisors Chamber
575 Administration Drive, Room 100 A, Santa Rosa
Sonoma County Regional Parks has been working diligently on a proposal to take over interim management of Annadel through an agreement with State Parks. The proposal is ready to submit to State Parks, but they need the approval of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Join us and all of our Parks Alliance partners to support Sonoma County Regional Parks and their efforts to keep Annadel open.

A Benefit for Jack London State Historic Park
February 12, 2012, 4-6:30pm
2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen
Celebrate Valentine's Day a little early at the House of Happy Walls in Jack London State Historic Park. Piano Club pianists will play Charmian London's ll0 year-old Steinway Grand Piano, bringing the House of Happy Walls Museum to life. Tickets are $20, sold online here, and additional donations are welcome.

Love Your Park Day - Benefit for Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park
February 14, 2012, 5:30-9:30pm
Lagunitas Brewery, 1280 North McDowell, Petaluma
Beverages, Food, Live Entertainment, Silent Auction and Door Prizes
Tickets: $40 in advance, $45 at the door, sold online here or
call (707) 938-4626.

Benefit Hike for Sugarloaf Ridge State Park with Bill & Dave
February 18, 2012, Arrive by 9:45am
Join Bill Myers and Dave Chalk of "Bill and Dave Adventures" for a special event hike in Sugarloaf Ridge SP. All proceeds will benefit Sugarloaf and help Team Sugarloaf open and manage the park for the public. $25 per person plus parking fees. For more information.

DEFEND WHAT'S YOURS
They are turning the lights out on State Parks!
The California State Parks Foundation has launched a wonderful series of Ads about the park closures. Visit their website to view them and take action. BECOME A DEFENDER!

10th Annual Park Advocacy Day in Sacramento
An event coordinated by the California State Parks Foundation
March 20, 2012, 8:00am to 5:00pm
State Capital in Sacramento, CA
Participating in Park Advocacy Day is a meaningful and fun way to show support for California's state park system. As a park advocate, you will have the opportunity to join with park supporters from throughout the state to meet with lawmakers and urge them to make sure California's state parks are open, protected and well maintained. Register online no later than February 23rd. Stewards staff and volunteers attend this event annually. This year we are willing to coordinate a bus from various Sonoma County locations if we get enough people interested. Email stewards@mcn.org if you would like to travel with us.

Visit Your Parks
After a wonderful downpour of rain this past week our parks are spectacular. The weather is perfect for hiking and whale watching. Get out and visit our docents at Bodega Head. They will help you view the southward gray whale migration and then take a lovely hike along the bluffs. If you visit Armstrong Redwoods, be sure to take the trail to the waterfall. It's a short hike from the parking lot beyond the picnic area (stay to your right). Post your photos on our Facebook page.

VOLUNTEER
Finally, sign up with one or more of the programs Stewards supports and volunteer. It's always a rewarding experience. Our Docent and Community Education Program will provide you with all the information you need to be prepared for your volunteer experience.

Stewards is also looking for people to join one or more of our Special Event Committees. Raising money through our special events is one of the ways we keep our organization healthy. Committees are now forming for these upcoming events: Auctions, Earth Day, Fish Fest, Art in the Park, Gourmet Hike, Bodega Festival, and Old Grove Festival. Committee work is enjoyable and we are always looking for new ideas. We schedule committee meetings to accommodate the committee members. Contact me at mluna@mcn.org for more information.

DONATE
Finally, if you haven't donated to our efforts recently to keep our parks open, please do. Becoming a member of Stewards provides many benefits. DONATE NOW.

Have a lovely weekend,

Michele Luna, Executive Director
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods

Docent and Community Education Program

Pinnipeds and Sonoma Coast Birdlife Seminar
Saturday, February 11, 2012
9:00am-Noon
Instructor: Dr. Sarah Allen (Senior Science Advisor, National Park Service Pt. Reyes)
Learning about the pinnipeds (seals) on Sonoma Coast from Dr. Allen is always a treat. This expanded seminar with include information about harbor seals, sea lions and elephant seals.

Instructor: Mary Follis (Seal Watch mentor and trainer)
An outstanding introduction to coastal bird life.

(Lunch Break)

Seal Watch Program Logistics - Training
Saturday, February 11, 2012
12:30-3:30pm
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
Help protect the harbor seals at the mouth of the Russian River during the pupping season (March to Labor Day). 

Seminar Fee: $15 for non-members, $5 for members
(no one turned away for inability to pay) Fees provide funding for FREE environmental education programs for school groups.

No charge for Volunteer Training.

Registration online required - Details will be emailed upon registration.

For information email: volparks@mcn.org 

Pinniped Monitoring Program Training
(Stewards Program - not Volunteers in Parks)
February 14, 2012, 10:00am to 3:00pm with a lunch break
Instructors: Joe Mortenson, Sonoma County Water Agency staff and Stewards staff

Trained citizen monitors count seals at numerous locations in and around the Jenner Estuary during breaching activities and during the outlet channel formation that is recommended in theBiological Opinion, a federally mandated 15-year blueprint to help save endangered fish and ensure water supply. Monthly baseline data collection is also scheduled twice a month. As a Stewards program, volunteers are eligible to receive a stipend to cover travel and meal expenses.  

No charge for Volunteer Training.

Registration online required - Details will be emailed upon registration.

Next General Orientation for New Volunteers - required
March 17, 2012, 9:00am to Noon - No charge
Learn about the many volunteer opportunities available in Russian River area State Parks. Learn about the rules, regulations and what is required of volunteers.
Registration online is required, email volparks@mcn.org for more information

CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR ALL UPCOMING VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS.

Fort Ross Bicentennial

Celebrating the Fort Ross Bicentennial is something State Parks and our sister cooperating association FRIA (Fort Ross Interpretive Association) has been planning for quite some time. 2012 will be filled with special events in Sonoma County as well as in San Francisco that you don't want to miss.

February Events

Russian Festival
February 10th, 11th and 12th, 2012
Visit the San Francisco Russian Center's 24th annual Russian Festival, a Russian-American celebration of food, music, dance, and art. This year's theme is the 200th anniversary of the founding of Fort Ross and Russians in California.

Opening Reception of the Tsar's Cabinet
February 25, 2012, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Sonoma County Museum
Join Sonoma County Museum for an evening of live music, a vodka bar, and Russian-style appetizers, as it celebrates the opening of the exhibition, The Tsar’s Cabinet: Two Hundred Years of Russian Decorative Arts under the Romanovs. Admission: Museum Members are Free. $15 for the general public.

Complete listing of 2012 Events

Volunteer Hours Due

Be sure to submit your volunteer hours for 2011 to Stewards before the end of the month. We sent the first batch to State Parks last week and will submit another batch by the end of the month. If you would like your day-use pass sooner then later, submit your hours to us now. Those who volunteer 16 hours a year receive a Russian River District pass. Those who volunteer 200 or more hours per year qualify for a Statewide day-use pass.

You can download a volunteer hours form on our website. Either mail your form to PO Box 2, Duncans Mills, 95430 or email to stewards@mcn.org.

Shop Duncans Mills on Tuesdays

Mr. Trombly's Tea - 15% goes to Saving our Parks and 10% of online sales when you use the code parks at checkout.

Weavers and Dreamers - State Parks Tuesdays - 10% goes to Saving our Parks

Worldly Goods - State Parks Tuesdays - 10% goes to Saving our Parks

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods · P.O. Box 2 · Duncans Mills, CA 96430
17000 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, CA 95446