Hope for our State Parks in 2010

Happy New Year Everyone,

It's will great hope that I send our first e-news of the year 2010.

We are very excited to be participating in what may be the year that we truly Save our State Parks for future generations. Our work is cut out for us as we organize supporters to gather signatures in all areas of Sonoma County during the next few months for the State Park ballot initiative. If you missed the first signature gathering workshop, don't worry we are planning another one sometime in the next month. Those of you who did attend the first workshop will be hearing from me in the next few days. For more information about the State Park ballot measure visit the California State Park Foundation's website.

Match Achieved
I am very pleased to report to you that with your generous contributions we matched our $10,000 Dean Witter challenge grant. With grants received, proceeds from the auction and our year-end appeal we raised almost $20,000 in the past two months. We thank you so very much for your dedication to Stewards. You are keeping our work alive.

2010 Programs are Funded
Your support will allow us to fully fund our programs in 2010. Our Docent and Community Education Program will continue and we are sponsoring the first of three State Parks Volunteer Orientations on January 9th at 9:00am at Armstrong Redwoods. The new year is a great time to learn how you can volunteer in our State Parks. Stewards manages a wide variety of education and stewardship volunteer opportunities in our parks. Join the fun and make a difference!

Following the orientation we are honored to have John Shubert, Doris Dickenson and Carmen Finely, all published local historians, conduct a seminar on the Cultural History of Armstrong Redwoods and Austin Creek from 12:30 to 3:30. Please reserve your spot early this week as space is limited and we would hate to turn you away.

I'll be keeping you up-to-date on upcoming seminars but I highly recommend that you visit our website and sign up for the seminars that you are interested in now before they fill up.

The Board and Staff of Stewards is very excited to work with you all in the coming year to realize the dream of a sustainable State Park System that preserves our natural and cultural resource heritage and provides opportunities for high quality recreation and spiritual connection for all park visitors.

My best,

Whale Watch Begins

Under the expert leadership of our Whale Mother, Bea Brunn, the Whale Watch season began this past weekend. Ruby was out on Saturday with whale cookies for the volunteers to help launch this popular program on an absolutely gorgeous weekend on the coast. Michele tried to stop by on Sunday but the parking lot was completely full so she missed saying hello to our dedicated Whale Watch volunteers.

Volunteers are available on weekends at Bodega Head after noon-time to interpret this amazing natural event to park visitors until May.

Whale Watch Trip to Baja
There may still be room on the annual Whale Watching Expedition to San Ignacio, Mexico from February 15 - 21, 2010. This is a wonderful opportunity to see Mom's and their calves up close and personal. Contact Gayle Peebles at Gayle 4 Travel at (707) 577-1494 or email gayle4travel@aol.com for more information.

Michele Luna, Executive Director
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods