Holiday Greetings,

It's hard to believe 2009 is quickly coming to an end. It's been a challenging year for State Parks and a hardworking year for Stewards as we again stepped up to the plate by supporting our parks through advocacy. Despite the frustration we experienced, we made the best of the year by focusing time on celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Armstrong Redwoods, one of the reasons we are fighting so hard to keep our parks open. From the initial launch in April to the Gourmet Hike in July and then our grand finale weekend in September we remembered the history of the preservation of the largest old growth redwood forest in Sonoma County and why we appreciate the Armstrong family and others for their foresight in preserving this park for the enjoyment of all.

One of our favorite events, our Annual Volunteer Celebration was well attended and again a very memorable event. Everyday someone new walks into the office with positive comments about the event last Friday evening. Everyone seemed to enjoy the new cocktail party format with live music, which was generously provided by Edge of Town, an excellent local band. We have grown past the point of being able to accommodate everyone for a sit down dinner so we had to come up with a new idea. Special thanks to Annie Cresswell, Liz Beale, Becky Scharmburg and Tiffany Watkins for planning and preparing all the wonderful appetizers and desserts. Also, thanks to the many State Park employees who helped throughout the day and evening with set-up, serving, food prep, bartending and clean-up. Finally, thanks to the entire Stewards staff for all their work planning this annual event.

Becky Scharmburg, Denise Alexander, Liz Beale, Annie Cresswell

The Holiday Auction also did well and raised over $5,600 to support our education and stewardship volunteer programs. We had over 160 items donated! Special thanks to Amy Racina for all her help prepping and staffing the auction.

It's been an incredibly busy fundraising year for Stewards and I will honestly say that I am looking forward to a short break through the holidays. We are very thankful for the generosity of our donors. We are very close to reaching our $10,000 matching grant from the Dean Witter Foundation with donations received since October 2009. Please donate now, if you haven't already done so, and support our hard work throughout the year to provide quality education and stewardship volunteer programs, as well as our work to sustain our State Parks into the future.

Finally, a reminder that the Stewards office will be closed for two weeks from December 21st through January 3rd. We are looking foward to 2010, the year of hope for our State Parks.

Wishing you a peaceful and happy holiday season,

Michele Luna

Signature Gathering Training Workshop
December 12, 2009, 10 - Noon, Volunteer Center in Santa Rosa

All volunteers interested in gathering signatures for the 2010 ballot measure that will provide sustainable funding for our State Parks MUST attend a workshop to become acquainted with the procedures for collecting enough signatures to qualify this very important ballot measure. Please email stewards@mcn.org with your name, preferred email address and phone number so we know to expect you and we will send you a google map link to the Volunteer Center. If you cannot attend this workshop please let us know and we will work on scheduling another workshop after the first of the year.

For more information about the California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust fund Act of 2010 visit the advocacy page of our website or the California State Parks Foundation's website.

Holiday Shopping

There are a number of ways to support Stewards that will also benefit you and your holiday shopping needs. 40% of the purchase price of each item supports our programs.

• Shop in our Visitor Centers, which provide wonderful holiday gifts for nature-lovers of all ages. The Armstrong Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 11-3. The JVC is open on weekends also from
  11-3.

• Shop our E-Store - (Click photo below)

  • Educational Toys and Games for Children
  • Apparel
  • Field and Pocket Guides
  • Patches, child's daypack

  Also, if you have seen an item in one of our Visitors Centers and would like to have it shipped directly to a friend or family member don't hesitate to call us by December 14th so we can provide you with this service.
  

• Give a gift membership to Stewards to a family member or friend who would be honored that you thought of them with a donation to a worthy cause. They will also benefit with a 20% discount at our Visitor Centers.

Upcoming EcoAdventure

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.

New Volunteer Orientation & First Seminar of 2010

General Volunteer Orientation - Required for all New Volunteers
Session 1
Saturday, January 9
9:00-11:30am
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
(Lunch Break)

Cultural History of Armstrong Redwoods/Austin Creek State Recreation Area
12:30-3:30pm
Instructors: Doris Dickenson and
Carmen Finley (local historians and authors)
John Schubert (local Russian River historian and author)
Learn about the history of this fascinating area from the pioneer days (1840) to the early 1900s. Topics include logging, railroads and the old mines in the area as well as a detailed biography of Colonel James B. Armstrong and his family.

Orientation and Seminar Registration - Register early

For more information email
Ruby Herrick (rherrick@mcn.org)

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