Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods

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 400 volunteers) by providing park visitors of all ages with a variety of programs and opportunities to experience and explore these exceptional parks.

With your support we will combat 70 State Parks Closures during the next year, protect Austin Creek State Recreation Area with volunteer patrols and opportunities for public access, work towards reopening closed camping and day-use areas on the Sonoma Coast, as well as continue all our existing education and stewardship programs during these unprecedented times. We will continue to support efforts to secure a sustainable funding source for our state parks. All donations will help us achieve our goal of KEEPING OUR PARKS OPEN.

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 $1.3 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.

Annual Events:

Art in the Park - June 23, 2012

Gourmet Hike and Silent Auction - July 21, 2012

Bodega Seafood, Art and Wine Festival - August 25 & 26, 2012

Old Grove Festival - September 15, 2012

Featured Events:

View Event Calendar »

Docent & Community Ed Program

NEXT GENERAL VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
Saturday, May 19, 2012
9:00am-12:00pm - 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

Volunteer Orientations - Free to participants
Seminars - $15 for non-members, $5 for members, no one turned away for inability to pay.

pond farm

Pond Farm and the Legacy of Marguerite Wildenhain
Saturday, May 26, 2012
10:00am-12:30pm
Instructor: Laura Parent (State Parks Staff)
Marguerite is an internationally known potter who passed away in 1985. She inspired many students who attended her school in the Austin Creek SRA from the 1950s to 1980.

harboar seals

Seal Watch Training
June 2, 2012
9:00 - Noon
Instructor: Mary Follis, docent
Another opportunity to learn about pinnipeds from Mary Follis and be trained to help protect our local colony of harbor seals at Goat Rock State Beach.

TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS & FILM SHOWINGS

Join Stewards as we show the short film, The First 70, followed by an update by Stewards on their proposals to keep Austin Creek SRA open and re-open closed areas at Sonoma Coast State Park. Bring your comments and ideas and join the effort to KEEP YOUR PARKS ACCESSIBLE.

BODEGA BAY GRANGE - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 6 to 7:30 pm
MONTE RIO COMMUNITY CENTER - MONDAY, JUNE 11, 6 to 7:30 pm

EcoAdventures & Special Events

kayaking

Kayaking in the Jenner Estuary
June 9, 2012
9:00 - Noon
Instructor: Suki Waters
A wonderful opportunity to view harbor seals at Goat Rock State Beach from the water.

Registration online is required, email stewards@mcn.org for more information

PARADES (June 2nd and 9th)- Last year Stewards participated in both the Pride Parade and the Stumptown Days Parade. It was great fun. Won't you join us as we walk the parade in costume or carrying puppets. We will be following Lizzie Armstrong Jones riding in Keith McLaughlin's classic car. All ages welcome. Email stewards@mcn.org.

artpark

ART IN THE PARK
June 23, 2012, Noon to 5:00 pm
Art Exhibition and Sale, Wine and Beer Tasting, Food and Music
Admission is FREE, parking fees apply, shuttle service provided, Wine and Beer tasting - fee includes commemorative glass.

LITERARY LUNCHEON
June 23, 2012 - at noon Art in the Park
Kennith Brower, son of David Brower will provide a reading from his book, The Wildness Within, Remembering David Brower during a special luncheon in the group picnic area at Armstrong Redwoods SNR.

$50 per person or two for $80 includes a signed copy of The Wildness Within & Lunch: a glass of wine or beer, commemorative glass, BBQ Ttri Tip or Portobello sandwich with potato salad, green salad and dessert.
Reservations available at River Reader or online.

Dan Hicks

ANNUAL OLD GROVE FESTIVAL
September 15, 2012 - Gates open at 4:00 pm
"Swinging in the Redwoods with Dan Hicks"
Opener - Solid Air and Pre-show - Sticky Notes
$40 for Redwood Circle (front rows) and $25 general, Child (5-12) $10
One child (up to 12 years) free with one paying adult
Reservations available online.
Reservations also available for our fabulous pre-sold meal.

News

Link to Stewards' Advocacy web page

Stewards Announces Public Meetings Regarding State Parks Closures - Responding to further State Parks cut-backs, Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods (Stewards) announces two public meetings. Over the past two years, campgrounds and coastal access sites have been closed and further closures may be coming. Working with local State Park staff, Stewards is considering ways to offset the closures. The public is invited to hear about plans to keep Austin Creek State Recreation Area and Sonoma Coast State Park open and share your ideas as well.

Stewards Proposes Operating Agreement for Austin Creek and Sonoma Coast - Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods (Stewards) has submitted a proposal to California State Parks to keep Austin Creek State Recreation Area (currently on the closure list) and Sonoma Coast State Park open.

Other news stories »

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods on Facebook

Education

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:

Resource Management and Restoration

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:

Armstrong Trail Crew
Sonoma Coast Trail Crew
Willow Creek water quality monitoring
Monthly marine debris monitoring and
beach clean-ups
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.

Armstrong Redwoods
State Natural Reserve

Austin Creek
State Recreation Area

Sonoma Coast
State Park

Willow Creek
Watershed