Russian River District Service Reductions

Greetings,

Yesterday the Russian River District announced the following service reductions in our local State Parks:

Austin Creek State Recreation Area
• Bull Frog Pond Campground and Tom King/Mannings Flat I and II Backcountry Campsites closed November 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010

Sonoma Coast State Park
• Bodega Head East Day Use, Campbell Cove Day Use, Bodega Dunes Day Use, South Salmon Day Use, South Goat Rock and Blind Beach Day Use, Russian Gulch Day Use, and Vista Point Day Use closed November 2, 2009 to June 30, 2010

• Jenner Visitor Center and Public Restroom closed November 2. 2009 to June 30, 2010. (See below for plans to keep these open)

• Bodega Dunes Campground partially closed November 1, 2009 to
June 30, 2010.

• Willow Creek and Pomo Canyon Campgrounds closed
November 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010.

Fort Ross State Historic Park
• Reef Campground and Day Use Area closed November 1, 2009 to
June 30, 2010.

• Fort Ross State Historic Park including Visitor Center and Fort Compound closed Monday through Thursday.

Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve
• Restroom Facilities closed November 2, 2009 to June 30, 2010.

Salt Point State Park
• Fisk Mill Day Use and Lower Gerstile Cove Day Use closed
November 2, 2009 to June 30, 2010.

New Fees
In addition, State Parks will start charging fees to park in some parking lots on Sonoma Coast and also in the front lot at Armstrong Redwoods.

Stewards is working hard to restore the following services:

• We are raising the funds needed to keep the State Park Visitor Center and public restrooms in Jenner open. Thanks to a generous contribution of $2,500 from the Sonoma Land Trust we are half way to reaching our $5,000 goal. Won't you consider helping us?

• We are determined to continue providing opportunities for over 5,000 school children each year to use our Russian River area State Parks as their outdoor classrooms. This means funding portable restrooms for their use and maintaining the staff support needed for our docent-led environmental education programs.

• With the reduction in seasonal park staff, we are organizing volunteers to staff the entrance station at Armstrong Redwoods SNR during the off season to encourage park users to pay required fees and provide park information.

• At this time, it is looking promising that we will move forward under the leadership of the California State Parks Foundation to pass a ballot measure in November 2010 to provide sustainable funding for the State Park system. If approved, a surcharge on our annual vehicle license fee will provide Californians with a State Park Access Pass, allowing free day-use in almost all of California’s State Parks. Stewards will lead this effort in Sonoma County.

Ways for you to Help Stewards

• Support our Quilt drawing with a donation online. The drawing will take place at the Annual Volunteer Celebration on December 4, 2009.
  
  
• Support our Holiday Online Auction (see below)
  
  
• We are honored to have recently received another challenge grant from the Dean Witter Foundation for general support. The $20,000 award includes a $10,000 matching grant, which means we need your help to raise the $10,000 that will be matched by the Dean Witter Foundation dollar for dollar.

If you are able to donate now, before November 9th you will spare Stewards the expense of sending you a Year End Appeal letter.

Thanks for your continued support,

Michele Luna

Bid Wild for State Parks Holiday Online Auction

From November 13 to December 2, 2009, Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods will be holding our Holiday online auction to raise much needed funds for education and stewardship volunteer programs in our State Parks.
 
Make a tax-deductible donation NOW.
We need auction items to add to our catalog.
 
We want items that will bring excitement and value to our auction:

• Unique or rare items or collectibles,
• Gently used items that you no longer need,
• Business or personal services,
• Vacation rentals,
• Private docent-led experiences,
• Photography, art, jewelry, wine, books,
• Tickets to sporting events, musical performances, theater
• Gift certificates

We would love your contributions today. Donors who provide an item valued at $250 or more will also be listed as a sponsor with a link to your website.

Click here to DONATE. If you prefer you can contact us and we will list your item for you. Just call our office at (707) 869-9177.

Be a Sponsor.
Click the link to the right or contact Michele Luna at mluna@mcn.org or 707-869-9177 to take advantage of promotional opportunities for your business or to pledge your individual support. As a Sponsor you will have a link from our auction home page to your website. 

Tell Your Friends.
Do you know someone who would be interested in supporting our cause? Please share the news of the online auction with your friends so they can be part of the excitement. Refer a Friend to our auction so they can get involved.

Thank you in advance for your continued support! We look forward to your item donation and online bids!

Upcoming EcoAdventures

History & Ecology of the Jenner Estuary - Kayaking & Hiking
Sunday, November 8, 2009, Easy to Moderate: 4 hours: 10AM-2PM
Pack A Lunch! Rain cancels.

Join Local Native, Outdoor Enthusiast and Kayak Instructor Suki Waters in exploring the local history including; Native American Culture, River & Coastal Commerce and Ecology. Wildlife and Plant Identification encouraged and shared.
Limited to 20, $15 per person donation, Stewards members FREE. Register online. Kayak Outfitting & Outerwear Available if needed through WaterTreks ($30 per person)

Birding at Campbell Cove with Hollis and Jerry Bewley
Saturday, November 21, 2009, 9 am at Campbell Cove Parking Lot
near Bodega Head (Meeting location TBD)

Get acquainted with bay waterfowl & divers.  Possible sightings include buffleheads, scoters, scaups & cormorants, as well as multiple species of grebes, loons & gulls - maybe a kingfisher if we’re lucky.  Bring binoculars & dress in layers.  We’ll provide a couple of spotting scopes.  Will postpone until the following weekend if it’s raining. Limited to 20, $15 per person donation, Stewards members FREE. Register online.

Birds of Prey on the Kortum Trail with Hollis and Jerry Bewley
Saturday, December 19, 2009, 9 am, meet in Shell Beach Parking lot

We’re fortunate to have some “Species of Special Concern” hunting in our State Parks & they’re easy to spot once you know what to look for. Possible sightings: northern harriers, white-tailed kites, kestrels, red-tailed and migrant hawks. Bring binoculars, water and a snack. Dress in layers. Will raincheck if necessary.
Limited to 20, $15 per person donation, Stewards members FREE.Register online.

Whale Watch Orientation for New and Returning Docents

November 14, 2009, 9:00am
Bodega Bay Grange

Learn about one of nature's wondrous events,
the Pacific grey whale migration from
Alaska to the lagoons in Mexico.

Volunteer earn free District day-use passes for volunteering for 16 hours or more and a statewide pass for volunteering 200 hours or more.

Register Online for this and other
Docent and Community Education Semninars

For more information contact Ruby Herrick at rherrick@mcn.org or (707) 869-9177 x1#

Donate,
Become a Member
Your support is needed now more then ever as we fight to keep our State Parks accessible year round to all of us who
love them so dearly.

Michele Luna, Executive Director
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods