Enjoying and Protecting our Parks

I am just back from a very nice vacation in Colorado visitng family and especially my almost
3-year-old grand-daughter. Great fun and I also had a chance to travel to the "top of the world" when we drove through Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park. The pine trees in the area are being devastated by the pine beetle, which looks much worse then Sudden Oak Death. They are also working hard to protect and preserve the alpine tundra above treeline.

The tundra was prolific with wildflowers and very lovely, but we saw many park visitors ignoring the signs to stay off this fragile area. They are also challenged with an overpopulation of their majestic Elk due to the loss of their main predator, the wolf. Some Elk are also suffering from wasting disease. It's interesting to see what envionrmental issues other parks are battling.

Our issues in Russian River State Parks continue. Read below about the large numbers of marine mammals that are dying from malnutrition on our coast. Also of great concern is still the potential for park closures. I just read in the Sacramento Bee that the Senate is recessing until Monday, but legislators are instructed to stay within four hours of the Capital, just in case there is a budget vote. State employees are also now taking an additional furlough day each month, which represents a 15% cut in pay. Many will not survive and will be forced to look for new jobs. This week the focus was on solving the budget issues with education and there are still more issues to solve with social services. State Parks has taken a back seat for the moment, but we need to stay attentive and hope they reinstate our funding or, better yet, find a way to convince the Governor to agree to the State Parks Access Pass.

If you haven't had time to contact the Big Five to tell them that you want your beloved State Parks to stay open please do so NOW.

1. Send your letter through the CA State Parks Foundation's website - CLICK HERE - it will automatically go to the Big Five. FAST AND EASY.

OR

1. Mail your own letter OR Call the Big Five. Use this sample letter as a guide.

I also want to thank Hollis and Jerry Bewley for conducting and wonderful Birding Hike at Bodega Head this past weekend. The hike received rave reviews from participants. Hollis also provided following-up information and pictures of new hatched oyster catchers
that are adorable, don't you agree?

Thanks so much for your support and we hope to see you at one of the exciting events we are offering in our parks.

Michele

Support Stewards' Gourmet Hike
Food and Wine Event

July 25, 2009, 1:00 to 5:00 pm
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

Stewards needs your support and our next 75th Anniversary of Armstrong Redwoods fund raiser is a great and reasonable way to support our efforts and have a memorable time in the park as well.

Tickets are $30 per person or 2 for $50.
Ticket reservations are available online or by mail or phone.

The Gourmet Hike Food and Wine Event will meander through the old growth redwoods of Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Guests will begin their journey in the group picnic area and proceed along the Pioneer Trail where they will stop to partake in gourmet appetizers prepared by local chefs and Sonoma County premier wines. Entertainment along the trail will enhance the magic of the walk through the towering, majestic giants. Docents will also be available to share some of the natural and cultural history of the park. The final and fifth stop will be the historic Redwood Forest Theatre where birthday cake and champagne will be served as guests listen to music and socialize in a venue that has been used since the 1930s for treasured theatrical and musical events.

Food and Wine Sponsors include: Applewood Inn, Highland Dell, Coffee Bazaar, Chef Patrick's, Helena Gustavsson, Korbel, Barefoot Wine and Bubbly, Harvest Moon, Moshin Vineyards, Clos du Bois and Topel Winery.

Other sponsors include: Russian River Getaways, PG & E, Russian River Recreation and Park District, Russian River Chamber of Commerce, Guerneville Graphics, Fern Grove Cottages, Bohemian, West County Gazette, Sonoma West Times and News, KRCB, Sophies Cellars, 3 Seasons Resort, Gene Gaffney Insurance, Russian River Times and Donna Roper.

Upcoming EcoAdventures

Sunset Paddle & Hike Tour on the Russian River Estuary with Suki from Watertreks
Saturday July 18, 2009, 6:00 – 9:00 pm – Meet at the Jenner Visitor Center

We return just after sunset! Join Suki Waters, owner of Watertreks for a grand experience on the Russian River Estuary in Jenner. Wildlife & History Interpretation. Dress in layers with a waterproof layer on top.
$15 per person donation, Stewards members FREE. Limited to 20
For reservations contact Suki at watertreks@yahoo.com, or 707-865-2249.
Kayak rentals - $35 per person, Water Resistant Tops, Bottoms and Dry Bags included with Rentals.

Red Hill Photography Hike with Harvey Mendelson
“There’s a Picture in the Picture”
Sunday, August 2, 2009, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Join Harvey for a hike to Red Hill and learn how to get to the real picture when you photograph nature. Harvey has a beautiful collection of photographs that he took on the John Muir Trail using this technique. Meet at Shell Beach. Dress in layers, wear sturdy walking shoes, sun protection (hat and sun screen). bring a camera and tripod if you have one, lenses, extra batteries. Also bring a lunch, water, and something to sit on. Limited to 20, $15 per person donation, Stewards members FREE. Register online.

Pinniped Monitoring Training & Program

Mandatory Training will take place on July 29, 2009 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Visitor Cener in Jenner and in the field.

Stewards has been awarded a contract by the Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) to monitor pinnipeds during the Russian River Estuary Management Plan activities that will take place at the river mouth. Volunteers will be trained by Dr. Joe Mortenson and Daniella Dekelaita to collect baseline data, breaching activity data and data during the formation of the outlet channel. The data will be used by the SCWA to generate a report that is required for their Incidental Harrassment permit with the National Marine Fisheries Serivide (NMFS). All Marine Mammals are protected by the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Volunteers must be able to make a commitment and have a weekday, flexible schedule. Baseline data will be collected monthly and breaching data collection will take place as needed. During the outlet channel formation each volunteer will be required to commit to 3-5 half or full days during a ten-day period.

Volunteers will be provided with a stipend of up to $50 for a full day. This is not a State Park Volunteers in Parks Program and hours cannot be applied towards a State Park day-use pass.

If you are interested and able to make a commitment to this new program please contact Michele Luna at mluna@mcn.org.

For more information on the Biological Opinion and the Russian River Estuary Management Plan visit the Sonoma County Water Agency Website.

Marine Mammal Deaths from Malnutrition

Sea Lions and other marine mammals are dying in very large numbers on the Coast. Keary Sorenson reported that he personally is seeing and attending to 5-7 seals a day that are either dying or dead. There are way too many animals being affected by malnutrition and dying then the Marine Mammal Center (MMC) can handle. Suki Waters reports the MMC is only able to repond to a small number of animals in distress and they do not have the resources to attempt any rescues in the Estuary or at Goat Rock Beach unless the animal is in a high use area with a high risk of direct contact with people. The photo was taken by Dale Jacobs who said the animal was down a 150 foot cliff on the Sonoma Coast. Dale, a fisherman, has been providing us with some valuable information.

It is thought that the problem may lie with the lack of sardines and anchovies that are usually abundant this time of year and are not because of the lack of upwelling.

We will continue to monitor this situation and let you know if there is anything else we can do to help. For now, my suggestion is that you contact Suki Waters at watertreks@yahoo.com, or 707-865-2249 to report any marine mammals that you see stranded. She is keeping local stats and sending them to the MMC. She also will know if the animal meets the guidelines for rescue or not.

Rick Royer's Retirement Party

Make a reservation to attend on August 1, 2009 from 2:00 to 6:00 in the Group Picnic area at Armstrong Redwoods to Celebrate.

Download FLYER for reservation details. Cost is $15 per person for BBQ and gift.

After over 30 years, Rick Royer, Russian River District Interpretive Specialist is retiring. Rick has been a loyal supporter of Stewards since the beginning when he actually served as Executive Secretary. This was in the day when park staff could be on the board's of Cooperating Associations. Rick was also the Association CAL for many years and helped Stewards achieve many goals. He was involved in our first Strategic Plan, the renovation of our office building and Volunteer Center and the new acquisition to Willow Creek in 2005.

Renew or Become a Member of Stewards Today
Your support is needed now more then ever as we fight to keep our State Parks accessible to all
of us who love them so dearly.

Michele Luna, Executive Director
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods