Greetings from Michele Luna

While I was on a relaxing vacation in Mexico we had a couple weeks break from our Docent and Community Education Program. This gave Stewards' staff time to recover from that horrible illness going around. I was lucky not to get sick and pleased to return to some nice weather too!

This coming Saturday, March 14th we are presenting the Geology of Sonoma Coast with Terry Wright. This was a popular and very informative seminar last year. Check out our Docent and Community Education Seminar series online and please register early so we can plan accordingly.

State Park Adocacy Day is only a couple weeks away. If you have been thinking about attending please contact us immediately as we are making final plans this week.

Enjoy the beautiful weather and the wildflowers popping up everywhere in our parks!

Michele

Upcoming Docent & Community Education Seminars and Orientations

Geology of Sonoma Coast
Saturday, March 14
9:00am-2:30pm (includes lunch break)
Instructor: Terry Wright (Professor Emeritus, Geology, SSU)
This seminar will take place at Shell Beach and Bodega Head. Learn about the geologic formations, landforms, geologic history, plate tectonics, and their significance on the Sonoma Coast.
Environmental Living Program (ELP) Logistics
3:00-4:00pm
Become an ELP docent for school groups who learn about the natural and cultural resources on Sonoma Coast during an overnight educational experience. No experience needed (daytime committment only). Resource materials and training provided.

State Parks Volunteer Docent/Stewards General Orientation – Session 2 - Required for all new docents and volunteers
Saturday, March 21
9:00-11:30 am
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
(Lunch Break)
Wildflower and Plant ID Hike at Armstrong Redwoods
12:30-2:30pm
Instructors: Keith Nelson (Docent) and Norman Hill (Docent)
Discover the wildflowers of Armstrong Redwoods on an easy hike.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Register online or call Ruby Herrick at (707) 869-9177 x1#
or email rherrick@mcn.org

Join us for Park Advocacy Day
March 23, 2009

Park Advocacy Day is an event that brings together park supporters from throughout California to advocate for the protection and enhancement of California's 278 state parks. Participants meet with policymakers to discuss the important issues facing state parks throughout California. These meetings make a great impact in legislators' support for key park policies and issues.

Join us for the 7th Annual Park Advocacy Day on Monday, March 23, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Sacramento. This event is sponsored by the California State Parks Foundation. Click here for more information and to register online.

We are arranging carpools and working on other transportation options. Email Annie Cresswell, ace@mcn.org and let her know if you would like to join us and are willing to pay $10-$20 to travel with us to Sacramento.

75th Anniversary of Armstrong Redwoods

We are busy planning a number of events to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Actually, Sonoma Coast also became a state park as part of the same deal in 1934, but we are only able to focus on one park this year.

The first event will take place on April 18th and include a redwood ecology seminar, a ceremony with dignitaries, a cultural history walk through the grove and a birthday cake celebration. We will be running another online auction two weeks prior to this event and will close the auction at the birthday party. (If you have auction items you'd like to donate please contact us at stewards@mcn.org.)

Other events include the Human Race on May 9th, a Gourmet Hike on July 25th and the Old Grove Festival weekend of September 25, 26 and 27th. On Saturday, September 26th we're also planning a Family Day in the Park.

The Volunteer Blog is now ready for viewing and participation. For starters, volunteers should sign up to access the private "volunteers only" area of our website. Once you have access you will be given more information on how to make the most of this valuable resource for our dedicated volunteers.

Renew or Become a Member of Stewards Today
Help support preservation through education and stewardship in Russian River State Parks.

Michele Luna, Executive Director
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods