Greetings,

Our Docent and Community Education Program has been a great success again this year. We have just a few more field seminars and docent orientations left. Special thanks to Mike Wisehart who conducted a great seminar on the Wildlife in Sonoma County last Saturday. Coming up on May 15th we will have our last State Park Volunteer Orientation and also a wonderful Wildflowers and Plants of Sonoma Coast seminar. On May 22nd, a great seminar will take place in Austin Creek SRA when Laura Parent and Breck Parkman team up to conduct the Legacy of Margarite Wildenhain and Pond Farm. Finally, on June 5th, we will have a second Seal Watch orientation and estuary-viewing of the harbor seals by kayak. Be sure to Register on our WEBSITE

Signature Gathering to Save our State Parks - We did it!
I am extemely proud of our 50 volunteers who gathered almost 9,000 signatures through Stewards' coordination. We partnered with docents from Sonoma and Santa Rosa State Parks and boy did we make a difference. Statewide we were the most successful grassroots organization. The next step will be validation of the signatures and I have heard reports that we are above average as far as good signatures, so we should have no problem getting on the ballot in November. We are expecting to get our proposition number sometime in June. Once that happens we will be working to get more endorsements by local governments, agencies, Chambers, etc. Stay tuned for meetings where your support will be helpful. Consider endorsing the campaign as an individual. Go to yesforstateparks.com.

Fundraising season is also upon us and we need your support at our wonderful, and fun-filled events.

Read below about a few of our upcoming events and ways that you can support our hard work.

Remember, April showers are a good thing,

Michele Luna, Executive Director

Spring Online Auction Opens on Friday!
April 16 to April 29th - May 1st is the live event at May Day in the Redwoods

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So far, we have over 50 wonderful auction items on our auction website. Bid Wild and Bid Often to help us celebrate our 25th Anniversary and raise much needed funds for our education and stewardship programs and to help us Save our State Parks.

You can still donate items through our auction website. Be sure to check out what there is to bid on!

Email stewards@mcn.org for more information.

Fisherman's Festival
April 17 & 18, 2010, 10-5
Westside Park in Bodega Bay

Great Food, Entertainment, Craft Booths, Games for the entire family, Blessing of the Fleet.

Don't miss it! Look for Stewards' booth and use your 20% discount if you are a member.

EARTH DAY CLEANUP
April 24, 2010, 9 am to 1 pm
Meet at the Jenner Visitor Center

Every year Stewards partners with State Parks, Watertreks and many volunteers to clean up the Russian River estuary and North Jenner Beach. With the heavy winter and spring storms there is a lot of debris washing up on the shores of Penny Island and the beach. This debris is very dangerous to birdlife and other wildlife, as well as unsightly.

There will be two activities going on - once is a beach cleanup where volunteers will be shuttled to the overlook past River's End. They will walk down to the beach once and haul the garbage to the river's edge where it will be loaded on a canoe barge for transport to the boat launch area. The other activity will be a paddle cleanup around Penny Island. Volunteer who want to paddle must sign up with Suki Waters ahead of time. Please email her at watertreks@yahoo.com.

Dress for all weather conditions, including wind. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle to fill up with provided water. We will also have organic fruit available.

Groups are welcome. For more information email stewards@mcn.org.

This event is sponsored by North Bay Corporation, Food for Humans and Whole Foods.

May Day in the Redwoods
Saturday, May 1, 2010
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Picnic Area
Free Event, usual parking fees applY

CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS

Help Stewards celebrate our 25th Anniversary, a day that we are honoring our success through partnerships with other public and private agencies and nonprofit organizations. There will be a ceremony with special dignitaries, including Efren Carrillo, volunteer awards, and other guest speakers.

Don't miss this family day in the park with horse and carriage rides (donations accepted), free activities for children, partner booths, food for sale, a silent auction (final day following the online auction), and complimentary cake, champagne and sparkling beverages.

Save the Date - Annual Golf Tournament - June 4th
Northwood Golf Course

DOWNLOAD FLYER WITH APPLICATION FORM

Gourmet Lunch is at 11:30 and Start Time is at 1:00.

Don't miss this fun event. Great tee prizes, raffle, and an opportunity to golf in a relaxed tournament.

Michele Luna, Executive Director
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods