stewards of the coast and redwoods newsletter, winter 2007

8/9/2019 Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods Newsletter, Winter 2007

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Mission Statement

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods

(Stewards) works in partnership with Cali-

fornia State Parks to protect and interpret

the natural and cultural resources of the

Russian River District.

State Parks SupportedArmstrong Redwoods State Reserve

Austin Creek State Recreation Area

Sonoma Coast State Park

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods

P.O. Box 2, Duncans Mills, CA 95430

707.869.9177 FAX 707.869.8252

[email protected]

www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org

Stewards of the Coast and RedwoodsPreservation through Education and Stewardship

Russian River District State Parks

Volume XXII, Number 4, Winter 2007

Diane BarthWinter Memories

Some of my most memorable winter days have been spent at the coast. The days

can be surprisingly sunny, warm and calm and there is hardly anything more beauti-

ful than watching the sunset over the Pacic. Maybe youll even see the green

ash - rare optical phenomena that can occur shortly after sunset (or before sunrise)

when a green ray shoots up from the sunset point.

As we say goodbye to 2007 and welcome in the New Year of 2008 we traditionally

look back on the past with retrospection and make resolutions for the year ahead.

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods nishes up the year on a high note with two

important events: our Annual Board Retreat in mid-November and the Volunteer Celebra-

tion in early December.

The Board Retreat gathers together board members, staff and state park reps for a day-long

meeting of reminiscence, planning and dreaming for the near and long-term future. We review the progress of the past year and set

goals for next year, and beyond. Exceeding and falling short are realities of life; balancing hopes, expectations and reality is a continu-

ous cycle for successful organizations, as it is in our own personal lives. Setting high goals is the rst step in realizing our dreams.

Our Volunteer Celebration is a special evening of appreciation, sharing of stories and memories and enjoyment of a wonderful meal

together with the dedicated corps of beautiful people that make our programs, projects and events successful. Everyone that has

volunteered during the year is invited. It is one of my favorite events of the year, an opportunity to say thank you to everyone that

has done so much.

Make volunteering for Stewards one of your New Years resolutions. Check out the extensive list of new training opportunities. This

year we are expanding our eld seminars and have some terric opportunities to increase our knowledge of this incredible area we

call home. Start the New Year by coming out to Bodega Head to say hello to Bea Brunn, and her Whale Watch crew, and experience

the spectacular migration of the Pacic gray whale.

Endings and beginnings are exciting connections to the circle of life. Celebrate and

enjoy the holiday season with friends and family. Remember those less fortunate

than you.; do something special for someone you know who is lonely. Make this

season of giving a magical time.

Volunteers

CelebrateStewards annual

Volunteer Celebra-

tion was again a huge

success with about 150

people. Grand food

was provided by Al

a Heart catering and

appetizers and desserts

provided by El Molinos

Culinary Arts students.

The Silent Auction was

also a great success!

Barbara Seymour, John Schubert, Barbara Hoffman, and Sarah Brooks


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Page 3

Alot of history will leave State Parks when Gary and Melanie Lathen retire this month after a collective fty-four (54) years ofservice (Gary = 30 & Melanie = 24).Melanies father, Mel Badger, was a Ranger at Salmon Creek and later a Regional State Park Ecologist. She and her siblings were raised

at Salmon Creek and were considered park brats; kids lucky to be living in the parks (especially back in the 50s and 60s when Bo-

dega Bay was a sleepy coastal town). As a Management Services Technician she has cared for the detailed personnel records of every

employee in the Russian River District since August, 1984 -- talk about the inside scoop.

Melanie has been an extraordinary personnel services representative for the Rus-

sian River District. She went above and beyond to make sure staff was aware of

their benets, although her specialty is coincidentally retirement. She has taken many

employees under her wingand supported and cared for them like a l ittle mother hen.Had it not been for Melanie, many would have lost out on career opportunities and

comfortable retirements.

Prior to working in the Russian River District, Gary worked seasonally at Angel Island

and Samuel P. Taylor. He never planned to make a career of working in State Parks it

was just a fun summer job! Thirty years later, he has managed to keep a positive at-

titude of making the job fun.

Gary started with the Russian River District State Parks in 1977 but has been at Arm-

strong Reserve since 1981, and for this he will always be remembered. Its hard to

believe that he is old enough to retire as he still has a ne thick crop of red hair, boy -

ish mannerisms, and one of the best senses of humor you will ever know. Gary can

tell a story like few others, and he has many to tell Catch him when he has a few

minutes to spare and he will keep you smiling and provide an intimate insiders knowl-

edge of the ancient redwoods and the cast of characters that have made this place so

special during his

long tenure the

past thirty years.

A Trail Crew volunteer wrote this of Gary when she moved away:

If you are representative of the high quality of the State Park

maintenance employees, then our State Parks are in safe hands. I

have never worked with more capable, dedicated, knowledgeable,

responsible, thoughtful and hard working people anywhere. They

are very lucky to have you taking care of Armstrong. I will miss the

trail days each month that we spent together walking and working

our way around the park sharing interesting tidbits of botanical

information and humorous stories.

We wish Gary and Melanie all the best as they transition forward

into this glorious life of freedom, it is richly deserved. The staff at

Stewards has a volunteer packet waiting for them to complete.

We suspect, however, this will have to wait until they make a fewmore exotic trips to fascinating places.

Compiled by Diane Barth with the help of Laura Parent and Legia Nunez

Happy trails - raise a toast to gary & Melanie latHen

No shortage of fun at the District ofce! Liz Beale,

Melanie Lathen, and Beck Scharnberg go ducky!

The three stooges: Ron Larson, Laura Parent, Gary Lathen.

Joe, Moe, and Curly?!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT THE STEWARDS OFFICE

Our ofce volunteers provide such a huge service to our organization. We are so grateful for their time and the assistance they

provide us throughout the year. If you want to meet and spend time with a FUN group of people then just volunteer to work a

few hours every month at the Stewards ofce. The ofce is located in the Volunteer Center at Armstrong Redwoods.

Contact Michele Sokol at (707) 579-1354 or email [email protected] to join a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers.

SNACKS INCLUDED.


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WHale WatCHBea Brunn, Whale Mother

We are gearing up for the 2008 Whale Watch season, and what a boost we had on Saturday, November10 when we had our orientation at the Bodega Bay Grange. The weather was not cooperating aswe had a steady down-pour all day. In spite of this beautiful liquid sunshine we had fty-two brave souls in

attendance (about half returning volunteers and many new recruits).

As usual Stewards put out lots of goodies, coffee and soft drinks. Michele started with the welcome and introduction, followed by

Interpreter Mike Wisehart talking about State Parks and interpretation. Bill Bambrick, Stewards Board President, talked about the

various programs within Stewards. After a short break we viewed our beautiful video about the whales in San Ignacio Lagoon. Then,

after Beas whale presentation, we passed the calendars around for the coming 2008 season - thank you all for your enthusiasm and

commitments for next year. As it was still pouring outside, Lifeguard Brit Horn gave us the usual informative talk about ocean safety

this year at the Grange.

Thanks to the Stewards staff (Annie, Diane, Ruby and the ofce volunteers (Michele, Yvonne, Roz and Sandy) for handling all the

logistics and assembling of volunteer forms, manuals and packets for the training.

We are now eagerly awaiting our rst whales swimming by Bodega Head on their way to Baja California. Thank you all for making

this such a successful training day.

a neW year, a neW approaCH

DoCent anD CoMMunity eDuCation prograMRuby Herrick, Programs Manager

Iwould like to introduce myself to Stewards volunteers whodont know me yet. Some of you are friends from the past andsome of you I have just met. After my tenure as Programs Manager

beginning in 1995, I left with the new millennium. Im pleased to

return as Programs Manager again.

In 2008, we will take a new approach to our program orientations

and trainings. Our Docent and Community Education Brochure

will provide you with all the details (See the handout in this issue

of the newsletter). The spring training season will be lled witheducational talks and hikes relating to our programs. We have

enlisted the knowledge of docents, professionals and college

instructors for in-depth educational seminars which will also be

open to the community. New volunteer orientation sessions will

give an overview of Stewards, DPR and completing the required

forms while giving attendees the opportunity to chat with state

parks staff and docents. Our training programs will now be able to

focus more on their areas of interest and activities. We hope ac-

tive, returning, and new volunteers will enjoy and learn from these

educational sessions.

As the new the Programs Manager for Stewards, I hope to makemore friends as we go through the 2008 orientations and train-

ings. I invite you to call me to get acquainted, talk about the bro-

chure in this newsletter, or with you questions about volunteering.

My extension is 01, and Im in the ofce on Tuesday, Thursday and

Friday. Or you may leave me a message and I will get back to you.

I am looking forward to working with you at next years seminars

and individual program trainings.


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How to Volunteer

for VIP Progras

Call the Stewards ofce at

869-9177 or email

[email protected]

Program Activities

Armstrong Redwoods

Visitor Center Stafng

FAR

Docent Tour Guides

Trail Maintenance

Habitat Restoration Project

Pond Farm Interest Group

Sonoma Cst State Beach

Visitor Center Stafng

Seal Watch

Whale Watch

Tide pool Programs

Watershed Program

Environmental Living Prog.

Sonoma Coast Citizen

Action Team (CAT)

Other Projects

Recycling & Firewood

Ofce Help & Special

Events

Volunteer Progra

Coordinators

Joyce Bacci, ARVC

Lanny Keyston, AR Trails, FARLaura Parent, Pond Farm

Linda Fisher Jenner VC

Bob Caricato, Seal Watch

Bea Brunn, Whale Watch

Suzanne Abrams, ELP

John Cole, Recycling

Vacant, Willow Creek Ed.

Bill Bambrick, Sonoma Cst

Citizen Action Team

The Sorensons, Marine

Debris

Lisa Bacon, Tidepool Prog.

State Park Volunteer

CoordinatorsRanger Shana Gibbs,

Armstrong/Austin Creek

Ranger Greg Probst,

Sonoma Coast State Park

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CoHo salMon re-establisHeD in russian riVerContributed by Rob Dickerson Article from http://cesonoma.ucdavis.edu/coho/coho_index.html

Along the Pacic coast, populations of Coho salmon have signicantly declined over the last century.Coho salmon in California are currently estimated to be no more than 15 percent of their 1940sabundance. Private landowners, organizations such as resource conservation districts, and government

agencies have responded to this decline, by conserving and restoring critical habitat within the Russian

River Watershed and California. The stewardship of

habitat, by these groups and others, has created the

opportunity to take the next step in recovering Cohoto this watershed.

Since 2001, a collaborative effort has been underway

to re-establish Coho in the Russian River. Partners

carefully capture, rear, and spawn Coho broodstock.

They then release these off-spring as young sh in area

tributary streams. Partners also monitor their growth

and survival, until the time arrives for them to move downstream and into the Pacic. This cycle will

be repeated annually including the monitoring of adults returning three years after their release to

tributary streams.

Yearly Totals:

2007 2006 2005 2004

Tributary Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall

Steephouse Creek 3,004 0 2,911 978 7,024 1,070 0 952

Gray Creek 2,995 5,584 3,201 2,772 2,584 2,240 0 0

Palmer Creek 3,967 3,880 2,102 3,021 2,466 1,920 0 0

Mill Creek 8,038 25,154 5,297 6,302 0 4,399 0 3,433

Ward Creek 0 0 5,690 0 0 4,356 0 1,775

Gilliam Creek 0 2,709 0 0 0 0 0 0

Dutch Bill Creek 0 7,945 0 5,286 0 0 0 0

Green Valley Creek 0 7,883 0 4,278 0 0 0 0

Seasonal Totals: 18,004 53,155 19,201 23,637 12,074 13,985 0 6,160

71,159 42,838 26,059 6,160

Willow Creek Restoration Update - 2nd Bridge

Stewards is in the process of seeking grant funds for the next phase of the Willow Creek Restoration

Project. State Park Environmental Scientist Brendan ONeil calls this project the lynch pin. Without

addressing the sh passage issues at Second Bridge the chances of seeing anadromous sh return to

Willow Creek is nonexistent. Willow Creek has been identied by state and county agencies, as well

as the local community, as a high priority stream for the restoration of Coho salmon. This project

will fund the development of 80% engineering designs and environmental documentation for culvert

replacement and channel restoration. A proposal to the State Coastal Conservancy in the amount of

$130,000 will be decided in early December. Additional funds have been requested from the Sonoma

County Fish and Wildlife Commission with a decision pending in January. Securing funding by early

2008 is critical so that work can be done and plans submitted to the Department of Fish and Game for

construction funding in the spring of 2008.

Willow Creek has been identied for the broodstock program once sh passage is re-established.


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Iam very happy to report that this summer and fall our visitor centers have done exceptionally well. They have prospered withincreased sales and visitation. I have been working hard at increasing and updating the inventory items that we have to offer. Thiseffort along with the efforts of our truly dedicated coordinators, Joyce Bacci and Linda Fisher and the dedicated volunteers that staff

them, sales are on the rise. Without the hard work of these two coordinators our visitor centers wouldnt be as protable or as

much fun to volunteer at. THANK YOU LADIES!

There are several new books at the visitor centers that cover a variety of different subjects.

Our new Princeton Field Guide Whales and Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals of the Worldby Hadoram Shirihai and Brett Jarrett is just wonderful. It has some wonderful color plates

and great information about distribution, ecology and similar species. We also have another

Princeton Field Guide Sharks of the Worldby Leonard Compagno, Marc Dando and Sarah

Fowler which again is a great reference book for anyone interested in Sharks. There is so

much wonderful information.

I am very pleased with all of our new childrens books. Two in particular stand out to me.

The rst isA Pioneer Sampler - The Daily Life of a Pioneer Family in 1840 by Barbara Green-

wood and illustrated by Heather Collins. This book is appropriate for older children who

are reading independently. It is a great story about a family in the 1840s and it also has

activities so the children reading it can get a real feel for their life and the trials they experi-

enced. For example, how many of us today go out and look for a Honey Tree. Makes onethink.

The other childrens book I recommend is so unusual. It is a great story told without any

words. You just have to see Flotsam by David Wiesner to understand. It makes one wonder.

We also carry a large variety of apparel from eece hoodies to May the Forest be with You t-shirts and sweatshirts, a very popular

item. There are lots of gift items for all ages including puzzles, environmental games, stuffed animals, and puppets, all with interpretive

text. I encourage you all to stop by and check out the visitor centers and give me a call if you are interested in becoming a volunteer.

My extension is 02. Also remember members receive a 20% discount now so come on out and visit your local parks and support

Stewards during the holiday season.

Book Review

THE WILD TREESBy Richard Preston

Can you imagine picking huckleberries in the top of a redwood tree?

Or watching salamanders and earthworms in the soil mats at the top of

these trees?

Author Richard Prestons latest book is the story of a group of young

adventurers who set out to discover and explore the tallest trees in the

world. Descriptions of their early lives provide background for their

motivation and enthusiasm.

Wild trees are those which have never been climbed or explored, and

these young people were pioneers in searching for the worlds tallest trees and uncovering the mysterious worlds in the crowns of

the redwoods. Also, in the process of their exploration, they invented new techniques to serve their purposes. In 2006, they located

Hyperion in Redwood National Park, which is now the worlds tallest living tree at 379.1 ft. The book is illustrated with intricate

drawings of their explorations and discoveries in the redwood crowns. It also includes the authors experiences in tree climbing.

The Wild Trees is available for purchase at the Armstrong Visitor Center, or for checkout at the public library.

HoliDay sHopping at our Visitor CentersAnnie Cresswell, Executive Assistant

Doris Dickenson, Armstrong Docent Holiday Shoppingat our Visitor CentersArmstrong Redwoods

(daily 11-3)

&Jenner(weekends)

20% Discount forMembers of Stewards


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Page 7

In Appreciation of our DonorsPatron - $200

plusMountain Shadows Middle

School

Supporting $100

Gail Lee

Contributing

$50Jocelyn & Fred Euphrat

William Furney & Jana Selph

Kristen Lorenzen & Robert

Sheridan

David Noorthock, M.D.

Lorraine Sugg & Steven

Vallarino

FailyRichard Adams & Susan Spar

Hollis & Jerry Bewley

Tom & Svitlana Lynch

Linda & Don Moon

IndividualDonna Brown

Debbie Clarkson

Liam Davis

Catherine Giacalone

Ed McColgan

Curtis Myers

Tonya OClaire

Senior/StudentJeanette Doyel

Nancy Gilliland

Bert & Susanna Kaplan

Nina & Gregory Reeser

Adrienne Tripp

John Walton

WELCOmE

NEW mEmBERSFoundationsBig Sur Natural History Foundation

California Community Forest Foundation

California State Coastal Conservancy

California State Parks Foundation

The Dean Witter Foundation

EcoRing - Russian River Redevelopment

Bodega Bay Fishermans Festival

Medtronics Foundation

Michael Lee Environmental Foundation

REI

Save-the-Redwoods League

CorporationsChevron

Mendocino Redwood Company

Valmet / Komatsu Forest Equipment Co.

Westamerica Bank

Winecountry Festivals

Old Grove SponsorsRedwood Canopy - $2,500

Exchange Bank

$1,000 plus level

Russian River Getaways

Sonoma West Times and News

Rumm Studios

Cresco

$500 plus level

Guerneville Graphics

Russian River Monthly

Russian River Chamber

$100 plus level

Acupuncture & Herb Center

Advantage Realty

Classic Images

Coffee Bazaar

Darrell the Tree Climber

Dawn Ranch Inn

Eileen GregsonFern Grove Cottages

Frank Howard Allen Realty

Herth Realty

Gold Coast Coffee & Bakery

Green Mary

KGGV

KRCB

KRSH

Roadhouse Cafe

Russian Riverkeeper

Russian River Times

Twin Hill Ranch

True Value Hardware - Guern.West County Design

West Sonoma Inn & Spa

West County Gazette

Wildwood Retreat

2007 Event SponsorsA Hot Tub Place Inc. Jenner Inn and Cottages

Cape Fear Wine and Cheese Shop

Duncans Mills Merchants in Duncans Mills

Rivers End Russian River Outtters

Norman & Nancy Blackburn Burgess Lumber

Carlenzoli and Associates Cheri Puig, CPA

Clover Stornetta Farms Bill Dickinson

Empire Eye Doctors Gene Gaffney Insurance

Jere & Sally Jacobs John Metzger

Edward & Margery Neal Northwood Pro Shop

Sonoma National Bank The Running Bear Co.

US Bank

Rafe & Silent Auction

Lisa Bacon

Diane Barth

Ann Bigham, Camellia Inn

Case Ranch Inn

Ann Chambers

Silva Diaz

Bill Dickinson

Rob Dickerson

Enjoy Day Spa & Salon

Et cetera, Et cetera

Carol Farnes

Silvia and Lew Forrest

Gold Coast Coffee

Susan and Tim Gonzalez

Jan Heller

Roz Hendy

Ruby Herrick

Chuck Honek

Alby & Wallie Kass/RiverlaneResort

Yvonne Kenner

Lanny & Joann Keyston

Latitude Island Grill

Frances Kimball

John Kolsrud

Rich Lawton

Michele Luna

Felix Macias, Jr.

Bruce Saint John Maher

Jacque Milke

Northwood Golf/Vern Ayres

Ratzlaff RanchRio Theater/Don & Suzi Shaffert

Roses River Jewelry

John Schubert

Michele Sokol

Sparkys

Trout Unlimited

Village Inn Restaurant

Gretchen Williams

Weavers & Dreamers

Worldly Goods

George Zastrow

Osprey Circle Donors

$10,000 plus

Anonymous

Betty Riess

$1,000 plus

Leslie A. Cobb

Peggy and Churchill Colburn

Claudia Lapin

Dennis Martino

Shirley McDonald

Laura Morgan

Josephine Nattkemper

Charlotte and Arthur Zitrin Foundation

$500 plusLisa Bacon

Lisa Brom

Sarah Burkdoll

Art Carter

Terry and Joanne Dale

Silva Diaz

Terry Grant

Lanny and Joann Keyston

Carolyn & Jim Losee

Kathie Lowrey

Fred & Michele Luna

Leah MahanWarren & Janis Watkins

Wine & Brew Donors

Archipel Balleto

Blackstone Winery B.R. Cohn Winery

Clos du Bois Dry Creek Vineyards

David Hanes - Eclipse Hartford Family Winery

Korbel Champagne La Crema

Lagunitas Brewery Matanzas Creek Winery

Paradise Ridge Winery Ravenswood

Roshambo Sebastiani

Scott Taylor Wild Hog Vineyards


8/8

YES, Id like to become a member.

Senior/Student $20.00

Individual $25.00

Family $35.00

Contributing $50.00

Supporting $100.00

Business $100.00Patron $200.00 plus

Osprey Circle $500.00 plus

Payment type: Check Charge Card Visa MC Total tax deductible donation $____

Make check payable to Stewards. Account #_________________________ Exp. Date____________

Annual Renewal Date: February 1 Signature: _________________________

Page 8

reneWal notiCe

NONPROFITORGANIZATION

US PostagePAID

Permit No. 6

Return Service Request

Stewards members

receive this quarterly

newsletter with infor-

mation about District

parks, special events

for members and op-

portunities for volun-

teering. Members are

also entitled to 20%discount on purchases

at Stewards run visitor

centers and at our

special events.

Stewards of the Coast and RedwoodsMembership Form

Name(s) ______________________________

Address __________________________

______________________________

Phone ______________________________

Email ______________________________

Id like to help with an additional donation of $_____

Your Gift to the Future of State Park Volunteeris

With your help future generations will enjoy quality interpretation through Volunteers in Parks pro -grams for many years to come. A gift to Stewards is the simplest form of giving from your estate. There a

several types of charitable bequests by will (or beneciary designation).

Sample:

I hereby give and bequest to Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, a nonprot organization incorpo-

rated under the laws of the State of California, with a principal address at P.O. Box 2, Duncans Mills,

CA 95430, _______percent of my estate, (or) the sum of _____dollars, (or) the following assets

_____________________.

Bequests

Renewal

For Information on contributing to Stewards Endowment in support of Armstrong Redwoods

please contact Michele Luna at the Stewards ofce (707) 869-9177 X03.

Stewards of the Coast and RedwoodsPO Box 2, Duncans Mills, CA 95430(707) 869.9177, FAX (707) [email protected], stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org

CALL 800-320-0476 TO MAKE A VEHICLE DONATION IN THE NAME OF

STEWARDS OF THE COAST AND REDWOODS

VIP docents earn

annual day-use passes.

COMMUNITYSMART CARDS

are available from

Stewards. Businesses

who participate donate

a percentage to our

organization.

To sign up go to

www.communitysmart.com

or contact the ofce.

stewards of the coast and redwoods newsletter, winter 2007

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