Winter 2009 Current - American River Conservancy

THE
CURRENT
Informational Newsletter for December, January, February 2009-2010
American River Conservancy
Nine Rivers, a Delta and . . .
One Impending Peripheral Canal
By Alan Ehrgott
For the past 20 years the American River Conservancy has worked to protect and improve
the quality of water flowing from the American and Cosumnes Rivers. We do this to protect native fisheries, wildlife habitat and the quality of water consumed by over 23 million
Californians. For ARC supporters, it is the right thing to do. These two rivers are both
our home and our back yard. They are a thing of beauty. They inspire us and keep us
healthy in body and spirit. This issue of the Current is dedicated to the larger river system that the American and Cosumnes Rivers are a part of. By necessity, this larger river
system will be a core focus of California politics throughout this decade and perhaps even
the next.
By all standards, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the physical, hydrologic and political heart of California. The
Delta is the largest estuary on the West Coast, supporting a vast array of fish, migratory birds, and resident wildlife.
Nine major rivers contribute to the Delta, including the Sacramento, Feather, America, Cosumnes, Mokelumne, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Merced, and San Joaquin. The Delta is the largest water source for Californians, providing drinking
water to 23 million residents as well as agricultural water to irrigate 3 million acres of Sacramento and Central Valley
crop land.
Prior to the 1850’s the Delta was a vast freshwater tidal wetland, directly connected upstream to these rivers and the
vast landscape they drain, as well as downstream to the saltier San Francisco Bay estuary. Following the discovery of
gold and the rapid growth of San Francisco and the Sacramento Valley, the Delta underwent a steady evolution of alterations as floodplains were blocked off by levees, giving rise to Delta islands through diking, draining marshlands,
and diverting increasingly significant amounts of water upstream. Several dozen major dams were built over the next
century to provide irrigation for farms, power, and an urban water supply, culminating in the Oroville Dam, completed in 1967.
As diversions reduced river flows, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides from agricultural run-off significantly decreased water quality. The result was a rapid decline in estuary-dependent fish species such as Delta smelt, green sturgeon, and longfin smelt. Other freshwater lake species increased, including nonIN THIS ISSUE
native predatory species, such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, black, and Feature Articles & Land Update
1-3
4-5
striped bass. This rapid change in fish populations would probably remain unno- Education Update
Starthistle Ball Update
6
ticed had it not been for the Federal and State Endangered Species Act. Only after Winter Dinner Invite
6
Delta smelt, longfin smelt, green sturgeon, winter, and spring Chinook salmon be- Health in Nature Article
7
8-9
came listed as threatened or endangered did management of the Delta ecosystem Programs Plus
Central Valley Project Article
10-11
begin to change. Despite minor changes in water diversions, the five fish species Book Review
12-13
continued to decline in numbers. Finally, in 2007 and 2008, Judge Oliver Wanger Volunteer Opportunities
13
Eddies
14
ordered significant reductions in the diversion and export of water from the giant
ARC Summer Supporters
15
pumps in the southern Delta.
Continued on page 3<. (See Map Insert)
Membership
Programs Calendar
Map
Board Ballot
16
Insert
Insert
Insert
page 2 The Current
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
American River
Conservancy
PO Box 562
348 Hwy 49
Coloma, CA 95613
(530) 621-1224
Fax: (530) 621-4818
email: [email protected]
www.arconservancy.org
ARC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Penny Humphreys—President
Gail Wilson—Secretary
Ray Pingle—Treasurer
Scott Underwood Doug Stadler
Joan Kelley Barrow
Julie Leimbach Greg Widroe
Courtney Covington Dan Rathbun
Clint Collins Rosie Chin
Cathy Ciofalo
STAFF
Alan Ehrgott
Executive Director
Elena DeLacy
Conservation Project Coordinator
Amy Hoffman
Operations Manager
David Morrill
Development/Marketing Director
Michael Dotson
Environmental Education Coordinator
Molly Hucklebridge
Environmental Education Specialist
Alice Cantelow
Environmental Educator
Maureen Sorensen
Bookkeeper
Julie Andert
Public Outreach Coordinator
Judith Gossett
Weekend Docent
Land Conservation Update
Despite the economic downturn and a continued freeze on State bond funding, the American River Conservancy (‚ARC‛) has secured purchase funding to advance a number of
critical habitat acquisition projects. Here is a sampling of purchase projects ARC expects
to complete within the next few months.
Kanaka Valley (1,447 acres): This hanging wet-meadow system is immediately southeast
of the Salmon Falls bridge where the South Fork American River flows into Folsom Lake.
It might be called remote with the exception that it is one ridge removed from a fast growing area of large and expensive homes along Salmon Falls Road. The beauty of Kanaka
Valley is the diversity of habitat it contains and the wildlife it supports. There are freshwater springs and two year-round creeks that support extensive and mature valley oak
forest. There is blue oak woodland, blue oak savannah, blue oak-foothill pine, montane
hardwood, mixed chaparral and chamise-redshank chaparral. It is very rare that two
square miles of land will contain so many different kinds of habitat with food and shelter
for so many native plants and animals. There is not a single large carnivore that is not regularly seen in Kanaka Valley.
The ARC recognized the natural importance of Kanaka Valley in 1994 and started working
with a series of owners to acquire and protect the property. In 2002, ARC pulled together
$4.6 million from federal, state and local grant sources to acquire and protect a 752-acre
portion of Kanaka Valley. On October 30, 2009 three federal agencies and the American
River Conservancy agreed to expend $5.4 million to acquire the remaining 695 acres. A
purchase contract between the current owners and ARC has been signed and the agencies
are working closely together to complete this purchase by December, 2009. The entire
Kanaka Valley property is expected to be managed by the Bureau of Land Management as
part of the Pine Hill Ecological Reserve.
Cameron Meadows (40 acres): Sometimes the critical natural resource values of a parcel
are not discovered until after the property is zoned for medium or high density residential
development. In many cases the sewer, water and road infrastructure is already in place
prior to the discovery of rare plant populations. This has often been the case in Cameron
Park community. The ARC is working with the ownership of the Cameron Meadows
property and the El Dorado Irrigation District (‚EID‛) to use funding from ‚rare plant mitigation‛ fees collected from new water connections in the EID service area to acquire these
40 acres. This habitat supports five rare plant species, including the endangered El Dorado
Bedstraw, the endangered Pine Hill Ceanothus and the threatened Layne’s Butterweed. It is
expected that $1.4 million in local mitigation funding will be used to acquire this property
before the end of December 31, 2009.
Boulder Glen (40 acres): This property is located just east of Salmon Falls and just north of
the South Fork American River. This 40 acres is the last trail corridor property required to
complete the South Fork American River Trail from Hwy 49 (just north of Coloma) to the
Salmon Falls bridge at the eastern end of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. ARC has
raised approximately one-half of the $400,000 purchase price of this parcel through community fundraisers and private donations.
Additional grant applications are being prepared to finance the balance. It is expected that ARC will complete this purchase before
the end of December, 2009 but will most likely have a bridge loan to payoff through other grants and fundraisers in 2010. ARC is
committed to completing the construction of the South Fork American River Trail as quickly as it can and hopes to open this new section of trail sometime in 2010.
Grant restrictions prevent ARC from using purchase funding from public agencies to support the organization. ARC can only support its conservation, education and stewardship programs with donations and grants from individuals and private foundations.
Please help ARC continue its critical conservation work protecting native fishes, rivers, endangered species habitat, and recreational
lands. Make a generous donation to ARC today.
page 3 The Current
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answ er, it sings because it has a song. - Lou Holtz
...continued from page1
In the meantime, sea levels continue to rise and farmed Delta islands continue to sink. The State Dept. of Water Resources now
predicts a sea level rise of 1 to 2.5 inches over the next ten years and a cost of levee improvements, just to keep up with the sea
rise, of $1.1 to $2.8 billion. In addition, two recent reports by U.C. Davis scientists indicate that major changes will come, especially from inevitable earthquakes and from levee failures during high tides and winter floods, including at least one large El
Nino event over the next 10 years. Over a longer 50-year period, it is expected that much of the western and central Delta will
shift from fields of alfalfa, grass and corn to expanses of open water, 15 to 30 feet deep, which most likely will be too salty to export through existing pumps.
Some argue that this inevitable increase in open water will benefit some fish species now in decline, particularly Delta smelt,
longfin smelt, and striped bass and will likely decrease populations of largemouth bass and sunfish. Changing inflows of water,
land subsidence, sea level rise, earthquakes, and the escalating cost of maintaining the current levee system is beginning to outstrip the value of many Delta islands and exceed the supply of state bond funds. Energy is now being focused on investing selectively and protecting those Delta islands with high residential and infrastructure value. Lower-value islands with less economic and strategic interest may be allowed to flood and return to aquatic habitat.
Given the increased difficulties of channeling freshwater through a failing Delta to export pumps, a Peripheral Canal that would
transport Sacramento River water around the Delta has been raised again as the most viable alternative. The last time the Peripheral Canal was considered it was soundly defeated, in June of 1982. But many environmental organizations who lobbied
against the Peripheral Canal in 1982 are taking a second look. What has changed? First, sending water through the Delta via
levees to large export pumps appears to be bad for many fish species – worse than previously thought. Second, it is now understood that these transport levees are increasingly vulnerable to failure.
A U.C. Davis research team recently considered different water export strategies for the Delta in terms of water supply reliability, cost, and environmental sustainability. Continued through Delta exports were found to be the most unstable, the least sustainable, and most costly solution. Ending all water exports from the Delta was the best strategy for fish, but had an enormous
impact on the California economy. The Peripheral Canal had potential for providing both a cost-effective water supply and improving fish viability.
It may take years for a Peripheral Canal bond measure to reach California ballots and another decade to build it even if it does
pass. In the interim, it is clear that Delta managers and California residents should move away from levees as a primary means
of managing Delta land and water. Delta managers should plan on climate change, for rising sea levels, permanent levee failures and new invasive species. This means that a new system of governance and regulation must be devised that integrates
more effective and flexible ecosystem management as, at the very least, a co-equal goal to water export and sustainability. It is
very possible that a new Peripheral Canal may be the best promise for successful water management and ecosystem health.
Resources:
Envisioning Futures for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; Jeff Mount, Jay Lund, Ellen Hanak, Bill Bennett, Peter Moyle, Bill Fleenor,
Richard Howitt, Robyn Suddeth et. al. Go to ppic.org
Navigating the Delta: Comparing Futures, Choosing Options; Research Brief, ppic.org
OUR MISSION
The American River Conservancy serves our community by protecting and enhancing natural habitats where wildlife
can flourish. Through education and recreation we promote a broad ethic of stewardship, ensuring healthy ecosystems
now and for the future.
page 4 The Current
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
Education Update
Fall programs have been going strong, with many children
visiting our nature center, learning from our programs, and
enjoying hikes along the river. We even had a high school
class from Texas spend some time with us! Umpqua Bank’s
generous grant has helped several local schools afford a field
trip to our Nature Center. We’ve also added new programs to
our repertoire at every grade, mostly relating to water, as our
efforts to expand continue.
ARC 2009 Wish list

 Gently used toaster
Individually wrapped snack bars for
stewardship projects
 Back-up generator
 Energy-efficient light bulbs
 Dot Matrix paper
 Tool kit
For more wish list info, visit the ARC website at:
www.arconservancy.org
Our educators have also been busy traveling to schools in El
Dorado Hills for the NEST program. This more in-depth program is being revamped for all grades to bring even more
engaging activities to students.
New this season were several river trips in which we provided a naturalist’s interpretation of the South Fork American River watershed. This was a fun way to spread our conservation message!
And last, but not least, we have been contracted by the Innovations in Education Fund and its sponsor Bob Massad to
produce their quarterly newsletter for El Dorado County
teachers. The purpose of the Quail Call is to connect local
teachers to environmental education resources and to help
them learn about each other’s successes. The first issue went
out in October, thanks to the wonderful volunteer help of
Linda Brewer, Elizabeth Rocke, and Pam and Loyd Evans.
We could not have done it without them!
Homeschool Thursdays
All classes 10—11:30 am
*REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR ALL
PROGRAMS*
$12/student for members
$15/student for nonmembers
Payment is due one week before program.
Please contact Alice or Molly at 530-621-1224 to sign up.
HOMESCHOOL THURSDAY SCHEDULE FOR
WINTER 2010
Join other homeschoolers for these engaging
monthly classes!
All classes start at 10 am and last 90 minutes.
Fungi with a fun guy – Thursday, January 21st, 2010 (Rain
date: January 28th, 2010)
Join ARC educator, Michael Dotson, as we explore the wonderful world of fungus. We will go on a mushroom hunt, identifying species found here in the Coloma Valley. We will discuss
the role these decomposers play in the cycle of life. If we’re
lucky, students will leave with an art project made from the
spores of mushrooms. Rain cancels.
‚High school students
from Texas and Arizona join us at Cronan
Ranch‛
A big
THANK YOU
to REI for
their grant
in support
of our PEER
field study
program.
Extreme Ecology – Thursday, February 18, 2010 (rain or
shine)
Freezing temperatures, pounding rain, scarcity of food. What’s
an animal or plant to do? We’ll explore the various methods
that local life uses to survive winter and its extreme conditions.
Learn things like: what some frogs and bears have in common,
which birds “overwinter” here and how they cope, and how
manzanita flowers go to “sleep”. Be prepared for fun activities
to enhance our learning.
(no December program)
page 5 The Current
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
Save the Date for Summer Nature Camp!
Counselor Training
Ages 12-19
Tracks ‘n Trails
Ages 4-5
Ages 6-8
June 14th and 15th
or
Ages 9-11
Backyard Bandits
Ages 7-10
June 21st - June 25th
June 28th - July 2nd
July 5th - July 9th
July 5th - July 9th
July 26th—July 30th
All Tracks ‘n Trails camp programs are based in the Coloma
area. Backyard Bandits is a separate camp program that will
take place along the Hwy 50 Corridor– exact location TBA.
Kids, come be part of the fun! Look for camp registration in the Spring issue of The Current.
Meet ARC’s newest environmental educator – Molly Hucklebridge
After a stint in Colorado, Molly Hucklebridge is excited to return to her home state. Molly grew up
in Santa Cruz County where her love for nature was shaped by tandem bike rides with her dad,
hikes in the coastal redwoods, and tidepooling on the coastal shores.
Since 2005, Molly has worked for environmental education programs that serve students in the Monterey Bay, the Central Valley, Yosemite, Mono Lake, the Yuba River, and now along the American
River. A go-getter for adventure, Molly spent four months traveling and volunteering in Central
America in 2008 and this March she sang and photographed her way through Ireland. After completing the John Muir Trail in September 2008, Molly thought she would try out some different
mountains. This summer Molly directed a summer camp in Nederland, adjacent to the Rocky
Mountains. Colorado was a great experience, but she couldn’t resist the draw to educate Sierra and
Central Valley youth!
Molly graduated from UC Davis in 2004 where she studied Social Services and Documentary
Film. In 2005, she completed the Great Valley Center’s Fellows Program. In her quest for adventure, she enjoys exploring the
outdoors, snapping pictures, and journaling about her latest jaunts.
Attention teachers and parents!
What’s in the Corner?
Want to learn more about the Delta and why it is so im-
Marshall Gold State Park is reducing
portant to all Californians? Check out the new corner ex-
the number of spring field trips
hibit in our Coloma Nature Center Dec.10 for hands-on
exploration of this crucial area, the largest estuary in the
allowed in the park by half. If your
West. See how it is changing, learn more about the criti-
class is planning a trip to our nature
cal issues it faces, and why it has politicians on all sides
center, schedule it as soon as possible,
scrambling.
Yes, this mostly hidden region matters to
YOU and your family. Let our exhibit drive home why.
or you may be disappointed!
page 6 The Current
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
Starthistle Ball Update
Our 20th anniversary celebration at the Venezio Vineyard and Winery was a great success. With over 250 people in
attendance, the venue was full to capacity. With wonderful dance music provided by ‚In Full Swing,‛ yummy hors
d’oeuvres, and great wines from Madrona, Boeger, and Venezio, the atmosphere was fun for all to enjoy. Even the
kids had their own venue with food and a movie. Our silent and live auctions provided not only generous revenues,
but also an electric atmosphere from our enthusiastic auctioneer Tim Madden. Popular items such as a Mexican
Riviera vacation, upscale Trek mountain bikes, high-end wines, beautiful artwork, and much, much more brought in
an amazing amount of money to help meet our goals for the trail campaign. The surprise of the evening was the
amazing challenge from the Widroe family. Their very generous offer to match all donations made that evening up
to a grand total of $20,000 was not only met, but surpassed. This made the goals of the Starthistle Ball much easier to
achieve. There are so many people to thank, not only for the donations they made, but also for the many volunteers
who generously gave their time. We had over 40 volunteers help with making the Ball a success. And we can’t forget the huge effort in feeding close to 300 people by Chef Dennis. He did a great job with the tri-tip, salad, and all
the fixins’. Bottom line< the Starthistle Ball was a resounding success. Thank you!
Please be our guest at t he A merican River Conservancy’ s A nnual
Wint er Dinner 2 0 0 9
l
st i l
s
r
t ee d t o s!
n
u
e
l
V o n eede t ab l
e
t
or a
c
e
d
A n evening of celebrat ion and recognit ion
Thursday, December 3rd
5 :3 0 - 8 :3 0 pm
Shak espeare Club
2 9 4 0 Bedford A venue
Placerville
RSVP t o ( 5 3 0 ) 6 2 1 -12 2 4 or
[email protected]
Spaces are limit ed; reserve early!
page 7 The Current
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
Health in Nature: The Science
By Scott Underwood
In his book The Creation, Dr. E.O. Wilson argues persuasively that both science and religion have compelling reasons to support the good
stewardship and preservation of nature. He defines nature as ‚the original environment and its life forms before human impact.‛ As one of
the world’s foremost ecologists, Dr. Wilson feels the need for such stewardship especially urgently since the current activities of humankind
will force over half the world’s species to extinction or its brink by the end of the century. But even if we didn’t need natural ecosystems to
provide clean air, water, energy, food, etc., what is the evidence that the direct experience of nature benefits human health and should be
preserved for that reason as well? Let us explore some recent science.
1. The Experience of Nature Reduces Stress
Medical science has established that stress plays an important role in 80% of all illness. As you de-stress and connect with the sights and
sounds of nature you boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, reduce levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, increase release of pleasure mediators such as endorphins and, promote your physical and mental health.
2. Exercise is Great for Health and Exercise in Nature is Even Better!
No doubt you knew that aerobic exercise is good for your health. What is surprising is that the setting in which exercise occurs is an important
determinant of the health benefits of exercise. Subjects who exercised in a ‚green‛ environment surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature
have greater reductions in blood pressure, higher elevations in HDL (the good cholesterol), and greater improvements in mood and selfesteem than those who exercise the same amount in urban, non-green environments. Mitchell and Popham, Lancet, 372: pg. 1655-60.
3. Nature is Good for Your Brain. The City Hurts Your Brain.
Ever felt like your brain was on overload? Chances are you were in a crowded city or caught in traffic. Activities in nature allow your brain
to unwind from urban life and actually improve mental functioning. So says Marc Berman, a psychologist at the University of Michigan and
lead author of a new study that measured cognitive deficits caused by urban environments. Marc says that the brain is a limited machine
and ‚we are beginning to understand the different ways a city can exceed those limitations.‛ By contrast, even fleeting glimpses of nature
improve brain performance.
4. Children Benefit Greatly from Experiences in Nature, the Longer the Better
Those of us who raft rivers know what a thrill it is to watch our children whoop and holler through a whitewater rapid. Often timid at first,
by the time you reach takeout the kids are asking, ‚where are the really big ones?‛ and then beg for more. Children these days are often
more stressed than adults. In part this is because they are highly empathetic and mirror the emotions of their parents and other adults who
are dealing with the stresses and strains of modern industrial society.
It is therefore good news that researchers have found children benefit from exposure to nature with a related reduction in their stress levels.
The longer the exposure to nature, the lower the levels of stress in the child. Those of us who have experienced an extended raft trip on the
Grand Canyon certainly know the feeling: What day is it anyway? Leaving home your TV, computer, and cell phone helps too. (N.M. Wells
and G.W. Evans, Environment and Behavior, 35(3): 311-330.)
5. Experiences in Nature are Great for ADD and ADHD
Attention disorders have become one of the challenges of the current age. The percentage of children on Ritalin and other drugs used to
treat ADD and ADHD (which is generally ADD in males) is truly astounding. Theories abound on the causes and appropriate treatment of
these children, but recent evidence has found that one treatment improves the symptoms in virtually all cases. That treatment is exposure to
nature. The data is so compelling that some have suggested that ADD and ADHD are actually ‚Nature Deficit Disorder‛ in disguise. If our
children were to grow up in an environment more similar to the one in which their nervous system evolved, the problem might disappear.
This may be hyperbole. Nevertheless, what is clear is that children diagnosed with attention issues have better functioning after activities in
natural or ‚greener‛ settings. Furthermore, the greener the setting, the less severe the child’s attention disorder. ( A.F. Taylor, F.E. Kuo and
W.C. Sullivan. Environment and Behavior, 33 (1):54-77) Also Taylor and Kuo, Journal of Attention Disorders, August 2008.
These are just a few of the studies that increasingly suggest that John Muir was right, not only is ‚in<wildness lies the hope of the world‛; it
is a primary condition for the preservation of human health. Keep it wild!
Scott Underwood M.D., ABIM, ABEM, trained at U.C. Davis before his retirement from a career in Emergency Medicine. As the longest serving member
of the ARC Board of Directors, he now volunteers at the Mother Lode River Center in Coloma where the mission is “to promote healthy people, living in
equitable and sustainable societies, in balance with the natural world.” Visit www.malode.com or send comments to [email protected].
page 8 The Current
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
PROGRAMS PLUS
KIDS’ DISCOVERY DAYS
KDD-JOIN ARC DURING CHRISTMAS IN COLOMA
December 12th & 13th 11 am – 3 pm
Be sure to join our Education department for this
festive weekend. We will be offering a candlemaking craft for children and adults at the Nature
Center in Coloma. $1 per candle.
KDD-THROUGH ENDANGERED EYES-CHILDREN’S BOOK AND ART PROJECT
Saturday, January 23rd 11 am – 12:30 pm
Local Author and Artist will be reading and signing her children's
book "Through Endangered Eyes - a poetic journey into the wild." Through
beautiful paintings and intimate poems, you will learn about the lives of
these amazing animals and why they are in danger. Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, Rachel Dillon earned her bachelor s degree in art and graphic
design from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Rachel will be available to
teach her art acrylic dot painting technique. She will have note cards available
for children to make paintings on in acrylics. Minimum age: 6. Suggested
donation $5. Please call to sign up and for meeting location (Coloma area).
KDD-AMPHIBIANS
Sunday, February 21st 1 – 3 pm
Spring is just around the corner, and our amphibian friends are
emerging from their winter homes. Biologist (and mom) Elena DeLacy will
teach you about amphibian basics, how you can use your eyes and ears to
identify and count frogs and toads, how to create amphibian-friendly yards,
and why they are an important part of the web of life. We will also create a
toad house for you to take home! Min. age – 3 years. Cost: FREE if you bring
a small terra cotta pot (don’t worry if it’s broken!); Otherwise - $3 per
child. Please call to sign up and for meeting location (Coloma area).
NATURE WALKS
EUCHRE BAR TRAIL-HIKE
Wednesday, December 9th, 9am – Approx. 3-4 pm
Join ARC volunteer Bob Griffis as he shows you the rich history on
this unique and popular trail along the North Fork American River. From the
trailhead, it’s a 1.5-mile plunge (1780 feet) off Iron Point Ridge on a series of
switchbacks to Euchre Bar where the trail crosses the North Fork on an equestrian bridge built in 1965 (the only remaining footbridge on the North Fork).
After crossing the North Fork, it’s an easy 2.5 mile hike upstream to Humbug
Bar along the North Fork of the North Fork American River and Humbug
Creek, passing many nice pools, camp sites, and a collection of mining equipment from the many mines that were in this area. Steady rain cancels. Suggested donation $5/members, $10/non-members. Please call to sign up and
for meeting location (Auburn area).
AMERICAN RIVER CANYON HIKE (MIDDLE FORK)
Saturday, January 2nd 9am – 12 pm
Join ARC volunteer Howard Williams, hiker, backpacker and nature buff for this short (about 4 miles) hike on trails on the south slope of the
Middle Fork American River Canyon in Cool. This beautiful area is much
different than anything on the South Fork at the same elevation. It is heavily
forested with the feel of being several thousand feet higher in elevation. We
should encounter wildlife and perhaps find some wild mushrooms. The hike
will be at a leisurely pace but does include a 600 ft. elevation
gain. Responsible teen and older welcome. Rain cancels. FREE. Please call to
sign up and for meeting location (Cool area) .
STEVENS TRAIL (IOWA HILL)-HIKE
Wednesday, January 13th, 9am – Approx. 3-4 pm
Join ARC member & volunteer Bob Griffis on this 7.4-mile (round
trip) hike. This North Fork American River trail starts at the Iowa
Hill store (the first Macy’s in California) and descends 1600 feet on a
gentle sloped trail. The trail is north facing and mostly shaded, requiring warm layers this time of year. Along the way, we will cross a
hydraulic mining pit where we will explore tunnels that were dug to
‚drain‛ the diggings before continuing on down the trail to the river.
At about the halfway point, we will break out of the forest cover and
enjoy fabulous views of the North Fork canyon. This trail was built in
the 1850’s and is supported by beautiful rock walls along this section.
The trail ends on a rock outcrop a short distance from the old cable
bridge site (this outcrop makes a nice lunch/turn around point). Rain
cancels. Suggested donation $5/members, $10/non-members. Please
call to sign up and for meeting location (Auburn area).
CHINA WALL SNOWSHOE ADVENTURE-HIKE
Wednesday, February 10th, 9am – Approx. 4pm
China Wall is a staging area off Foresthill Rd. and marks
the end of the snow removal area. It is quite popular for snowmobilers, cross country skiers, and snowshoers alike (It was at one time the
staging point of an annual sled dog race). Bob Griffis will lead you
up Foresthill Rd. to the Mumford Bar Trailhead and enjoy local views
from the ridge bordered on one side by the North Fork American
River and by the Middle Fork on the other. Suggested donation $5/
members, $10/non-members. Please call to sign up and for meeting
location (Auburn area).
All programs require sign-ups
Please contact [email protected]
or
530-621-1224
WORKSHOPS/LECTURES
‚GREY WATER IS MY FRIEND‛ – NEW GREY WATER STANDARDS
Tuesday, December 8th, 6:30 – 8 pm
Using grey water can be a very effective way to reduce
water use. Recent changes to grey water standards in California
have made this a viable option for many homes, spurring us to educate our community. ‚Laundry to Landscape,‛ a short DVD on how
to make changes to use your grey water for landscaping, will be
shown, along with handouts of recent grey water changes. How will
this be regulated? What are the pros and cons? We are in the process
of finding homeowners and/or contractors and others to be on hand
to answer these and other questions. FREE-Donations encouraged.
Placerville Library (345 Fair Lane).
page 9 The Current
RAKU SALMON CLAY OCARINA WORKSHOP
Saturday, December 12th 9 am – 4 pm
Participants will glaze their individual bisque-fired clay salmon
ocarinas that we provide. Raku is a unique Japanese style ceramic firing
developed in the sixteenth century. In contemporary raku a portable propane fired kiln is quick fired to a glowing red hot temperature of about
1800 degrees. The glowing fish are removed from the kiln using metal
tongs and smoked in a closed container using pine needles, leaves or other
combustible materials. After smoking, the salmon ocarinas are cooled in
water. The finished glazed fish can range in color from bright rainbow
coppery metallics to soft crackled colors. The entire process from glazing
to firing and cooling takes about 2-3 hours. All participants will be given a
song sheet and taught a simple fish song. Eric and Paula Peach are ceramic artists and educators working from their studio in Auburn for the
past 15 years. They specialize in nature and mythological ceramic art
sculpture and workshops. $25/members, $30/non-members. Please call to
sign up and for meeting location (Coloma area).
COSUMNES RIVER PRESERVE & STATEN ISLAND TOUR
MANAGED WETLANDS AND RESTORATION PROJECTS/WILDLIFE FRIENDLY
FARMING
Sunday, January 3rd, 8 am – 4 pm
Mark Ackerman with the Cosumnes River Preserve will begin
our tour at the Visitor Center with a general overview of the Preserve and
the Partnership. The wetlands portion of the visit will include a driving
and walking tour that will focus on importance of wetlands, wetlands
management at the Preserve, and the connection and importance to the
Delta including a site visit to our most recent wetlands restoration project
(Twin Cities Unit). The restoration and projects portion of the tour will
include site visits to the levee setback and breach (restoration by design),
and time and weather permitting, a visit to Snake Marsh. The second part
of the tour will take place at Staten Island located approximately 7 miles
west of the Preserve Visitor Center. The visit to the island will include a
brief history, the importance of wildlife friendly farming, and the challenges of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. (This trip will include a 3
mile hike-intermediate level). Responsible Teens and older welcome. Rain
or shine. $35/members, $45/non-members. Transportation and lunch provided. Call to reserve your spot.
THEY CALL THE WIND MARIAH
Thursday, February 4th 6 – 7:30 pm
Come see a presentation on wind power by Mariah Power,
which uses patented technology to maximize energy conversion from
wind to electrical power. Their flagship Windspire product was released
in June 2008. Glenn Carnahan, CFO, has been with the firm since its product release. Previously, he helped get Solar Power, Inc. off the ground.
Suggested donation $5. Meet at Tsuda’s Old Town Eatery in Auburn (103
Sacramento St).
NATURE, CULTURE, AND HISTORY OF THE DELTA REGION
Saturday, February 6th, 8:30 am – 4 pm (approx.)
Join ARC for an informational Delta Tour with Jeff Hart from
Hartland Nursery and Hart Restoration, Inc. They specialize in all aspects of
natural wetland and riparian habitat restoration and emphasize landscapes
with minimal maintenance requirements, drought-tolerant plantings, wildlife friendly species, and beneficial insect vegetation. He will then take us on
a tour of the Delta Meadows State Park property, whose purpose in Sacramento County is to preserve and protect one of the last remaining areas of
the northern Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta that exhibits remnants of
the natural conditions that existed prior to Euro-American settlement. You
will be shuttled down by van, enjoy both private tours and a picnic lunch at
Hartland before returning home. $35/members, $45/non-members. Responsible teens and older welcome. Please call to reserve your spot.
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
MISCELLANY
‚WELCOME TO THE WINTER SKY‛ – ROTARY COMMUNITY OBSERVATORY VISIT
Thursday, December 10th, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Come experience the beauty of the winter sky. Standing center stage in
our winter sky is Orion the Hunter, the most brilliant constellation of all.
We find Orion about to do battle with Taurus the Bull. According to legend, Orion is trying to save seven sisters who were kidnapped by Taurus.
We can still see the sisters trapped in the sky, formed by the tiny cluster of
stars known as the Pleiades. Mature 10-year-olds welcome. Rain cancels.
FREE - Donations to the observatory recommended. Please call to sign up
and for meeting location (Placerville area) This will be a private viewing for
ARC guests only.
ECO-POETRY - A READING AND DISCUSSION ON WATER
Friday, January 8th, 6 – 7:30 pm
Join poet Alexa Mergen in sharing poems that describe water,
celebrate water and offer a call to action. Bring and read your original poems about water as well as poems by your favorite authors. Alexa serves as
Sacramento Area Coordinator for California Poets in the Schools. All ages
welcome. FREE (donations encouraged). We’ll meet at the Nature Center in
Coloma (348 Hwy 49). "Everything ripens at once/by the river as if life is
racing..." - Alexa Mergen
A TALK ON THE WILD SIDE-MUSHROOM PRESENTATION
Saturday, January 9th, 9 – 11am (followed by walk)
Robert Mackler, an ARC volunteer naturalist, will take you
through a discussion on mushrooms as food from prehistory to present,
including cultural differences between people concerning mushrooms. The
various types of mushroom poisoning will be explained. There will be a
show-and-tell for participants who are asked to bring in whole mushroom
specimens in good condition or good photos and, weather permitting, a
walk in the park to see living examples of fungi. Responsible teens and
older welcome. $5/members, $10/non-members. This will be an easy walk
in the Coloma area. Walk canceled if steady rain. Please call to sign up and
for meeting location (Coloma area).
TRAILWOOD FILMS ‚MOVIE SERIES‛ PART I (OF II)
Tuesday, January 12th, 6:30 – 8pm - THE STORY OF GRAND CANYON
NATIONAL PARK
FOREVER WILD
Friday, January 15th 6:30 – 7:30pm
"Forever Wild," a 55 –minute PBS documentary, shows how dedicated volunteers can make a difference. Narrated by Robert Redford, with
poetry by Terry Tempest Williams and Henry David Thoreau, the film features successful efforts to get California's ‚Lost Coast" and other sites in the
West and New England declared Wilderness Areas -- all through grass-roots
efforts of a few folks just like us at the American River Conservancy! Come
be inspired and re-energized for 2010. Suggested donation $5. Please call to
sign up an for meeting location (Coloma area) .
TRAILWOOD FILMS ‚MOVIE SERIES‛ PART II (OF II)
Wednesday, February 10th 6:30-8pm - VENTURE TO ALASKA
PLACERVILLE PATHS-TRAILS ALONG THE SOUTH FORK
Friday, February 19th 6:30 – 8pm
Tom Petersen, author of Georgetown Trails, ARC member, hike
leader, and past trail slave for the Pacific Ranger District between 1990-95,
has gathered hiking paths on public lands near the South Fork American
River Canyons including: New Pony Express Trail, Fleming Meadows, Jenkinson Lake, El Dorado Bike Path, and the newly-opened Southern Pacific
Rail Trail. Suggested donation $5. Please call to sign up and for meeting
location (Coloma area).
page 10 The Current
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
California’s Central Valley Project
By Elena DeLacy
When you fill up a glass with water to drink, do you ever wonder where that water comes from? For many living
in California, that water has to travel a great distance to reach a tap. Today the Central Valley Project (CVP), operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, is one of the world’s largest water storage and transport systems. Its 22 reservoirs have a combined storage of 11 million acre-feet, of which 7 million acre-feet is delivered in an average year.
CVP water irrigates more than 3 million acres of farmland and provides drinking water to nearly 2 million consumers (California Dept. of Water Resources). But what about the water needs of native fisheries, wildlife, estuaries and wetlands? How have these massive water delivery projects affected the nature of, well, Nature?
A little history first: California’s mild Mediterranean climate proved to be a mixed blessing for early settlers and
farmers. Arid summers and unreliable precipitation made it difficult for farmers to grow crops. By the turn of the
20th century, it was clear that California needed a more reliable supply of water. The Central Valley Project (CVP)
had its start in the 1930s as part of the State Water Project to protect the Central Valley from water shortages and
floods. During the depression, however, the State was unable to finance the project. Most of the water development
envisioned by the State was accomplished by the Federal CVP, beginning with its initial authorization in 1935.
Work began in 1937 with the Contra Costa Canal, the first of many water delivery systems to be built as part of the
CVP. Shasta Dam, the CVP’s crown jewel, took seven years to complete, and by 1945 it was able to store over 4
million acre-feet of Sacramento River system water (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation). Thirteen separate measures were
then passed by Congress to authorize the development of other major project facilities over the next three decades.
The final dam, New Melones on the Stanislaus, was completed in 1979.
The development of water storage and delivery infrastructure in California meant that people could now farm and
live in areas where water was not usually abundant. It also meant that the very processes that maintain healthy
river ecosystems would cease on several of California’s largest river systems. Spawning grounds for anadromous
fish such as salmon were lost; important wetlands for amphibians and migratory birds were compromised. The
process of fluvial sediment transport was halted, making for sediment-starved rivers and tributary streams. Lands
submerged by reservoir waters contained important tribal lands for Native Californians (such as the Winnemen
Wintu of Shasta) and archaeological sites. Recreational sites were lost, too. The loss of whitewater rapids on the
Stanislaus River was just one of many damages caused by the construction of New Melones dam.
Luckily, people noticed what was happening to our river ecosystems and decided to do something about it. River
conservation and advocacy groups were formed; people began to change the way they thought about water. Even
Congress got involved! In 1992, Congress passed legislation to help mitigate the effects of the CVP and improve its
management. Title 34 of Public Law 102-575, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA), mandates
changes in management of the Central Valley Project, particularly for the protection, restoration, and enhancement
of fish and wildlife. Part of this legislation directed the Bureau of Reclamation to establish a fund for habitat restoration and acquisition. The American River Conservancy has used monies from the Central Valley Project Conservation Program to fund habitat acquisitions and restoration projects. These projects benefit federally endangered
or threatened species affected by CVP facilities and their cumulative impacts such as residential and commercial
development. Affected species include California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii), El Dorado bedstraw (Galium
californicum ssp. Sierra), Stebbin’s morning glory (Calystegia stebbinsii), Pine Hill ceanothus (Ceanothus roderickii),
Pine Hill flannelbush (Fremontedendron californicum ssp. Decumbens), and Layne’s butterweed (Packera layneae).
Chances are, if you live in California, you live within 100 miles of a Central Valley Project facility. And, consequently, you most likely receive some sort of benefit from that dam, canal or hydroelectric facility. The next time
you water your garden or get a glass of water, think about where that precious liquid comes from. Maybe it comes
from a well, or maybe it comes from a CVP facility. Either way, one thing is certain: water is an essential part of
life on Earth. The real challenge is making sure that every living thing has enough water to not just survive, but
thrive. (See Facts on next page)
page 11 The Current
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
Quick Facts about the Central Valley Project (CVP)*:
Reaches from the Cascade Mountains near Redding in the north some 500 miles to the Tehachapi Mountains near
Bakersfield in the south.
Is comprised of 22 dams and reservoirs, 11 power plants, and 500 miles of major canal as well as conduits, tunnels,
and related facilities.
Annually delivers about 7 million acre-feet for agriculture, urban, and wildlife use.
Provides about 5 million acre-feet for farms -- enough to irrigate about 3 million acres or approximately one-third
of the agricultural land in California.
Furnishes about 600,000 acre-feet for municipal and industrial use, enough to supply close to 1 million households
with their water needs each year.
Dedicates 800,000 acre-feet per year to fish and wildlife and their habitat and 410,000 acre-feet to State and Federal
wildlife refuges and wetlands pursuant to the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA).
During an average water year, generates about 4.8 billion kilowatt hours of electricity to meet the needs of some 2
million people.
* From United States Bureau of Reclamation, 2009. http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvp/about.html
The
American
River
Conservancy is a member of
Earth Share of California,
providing charitable giving
opportunities
in
the
workplace. For more information on how you can get
involved with one or more of these programs, contact the
Conservancy.
Meet our new weekend
docent, Judith Gossett
Judith lives in Kelsey overlooking the South Fork of the
American River. She is now
retired after 33 years as a Human Services Supervisor at
Sacramento County. Judith is
happiest when she’s working
at the Nature Center, volunteering with the PEER Program, hiking or “anything outdoors”. Her hobbies include painting, jewelry making, and trying new arts and crafts.
Last Child In The Woods
Book review by David Allan, ARC member & volunteer
After reading ‚Last Child In The Woods,‛ by Richard Louv, I am convinced that his book is a
MUST READ for every parent. Not only does Louv point out the need to get growing children
closer to the natural world, but he illustrates several ways to accomplish this. The author, along
with many other professionals, believes that our society is drifting away from nature, due, in part,
to our fascination with electronic gadgets. Kids would rather watch T.V. and play video games
than play outdoors. Louv proposes that we adults need to rethink the way we design our parks,
school yards, landscaping, and urban planning in order to better accommodate outdoor activities.
ARC, along with the The Nature Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, The Resources Defense
Council, and similar environmental groups, are in a unique position to encourage a true ‚back to
nature‛ movement. Again, I repeat, read Louv’s book!
page 12 The Current
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
Introduction to Water in California
Author: David Carle
The Great Thirst: Californians and Water, 1770s-1990s
Author: Norris Hundley, Jr.
‚Book Reviews‛ by Amy Hoffman
Water is essential to life, and we often take it for granted that we will always have access to ample supplies of clean healthy water. Yet, according to the latest 2009 update of the California Water Plan, ‚California is facing one of the most significant water
crises in its history—one that is hitting hard because it has many aspects and consequences. Reduced water supplies and a
growing population are worsening the effects of a multi-year drought. Climate change is reducing our snowpack storage and
increasing floods. Court decisions and new regulations have reduced Delta water deliveries by 30 percent. Key fish species continue to decline. In some areas of the state, our ecosystems and quality of underground and surface waters are unhealthy. The
current global financial crisis will make it even more difficult to invest in solutions.‛
To begin to understand California’s water crises, I suggest that one read David Carle’s The Introduction to Water in California.
This book is a natural history guide, but one that recognizes the overwhelming role of humanity in the story of California water.
It includes a summary of the water cycle and California’s precipitation and climate patterns, a comparison of the original waterscape of California with today’s scene, followed by the plumbing of California’s water distribution system, the challenges that
result from our ever-increasing demand for water, and ways of addressing these challenges to shape California’s water future.
California’s water is supplied from surface water and from groundwater. Today, California operates in a water deficit, meaning
that overall demand for water exceeds the supply of developed water. In addition to supply issues, we also have a distribution
problem: 75% of the demand for water lies south of Sacramento and 75% of the supply is north of Sacramento. We expend a lot
of energy pumping water through canals and pipelines to redistribute it throughout the state.
On a local basis, we live in a basin that is a critical part of California’s water supply. The Sacramento River Basin generates 31%
of the total annual surface water runoff. This runoff mostly originates from snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, which is our largest
and most effective ‚reservoir,‛ slowly releasing water in spring and summer. Two of our major river arteries, the Sacramento
and San Joaquin Rivers, merge into Delta channels that pass water through San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. Only about
½ the river water that historically moved from the Delta out to sea makes it that far today. About 7 million acre-feet (MAF) is
pumped from the Delta to aqueducts and shipped South to serve 2/3 of California’s population and irrigated farms. California is
the #1 agricultural state in the nation, with 55% of US produce grown here. While we only drink about one gallon of water daily,
the food we eat each day takes about 4500 gallons of water to produce. So, as pointed out by Carle, it’s no surprise that 80% of
the developed water in California goes to agricultural uses.
While Carle’s book provides the introduction to water, Hundley’s book, The Great Thirst, records the history of how we got to
be where we are as far as water in California. I found Hundley’s book to be illuminating and entertaining – reading about the
shenanigans of various parties to acquire as much water as possible. William Mulholland, the engineer behind the Los Angeles
aqueduct said, ‚Whoever brings the water, brings the people.‛ Certainly, the Los Angeles and San Francisco metropolitan centers could never have grown to their current population without the extensive water delivery systems we have today.
It wasn’t until reading Hudley’s book that I finally began to understand the complexity of water laws in California. Not until
1914 were water rights even recorded. Approximately ¼ of the annual demand is still unrecorded today. Beginning with the
doctrine of prior appropriation favored by miners in the Gold Rush, if you were first to use the water, you were the first in line
to continue to use the water. Also, a corollary of prior appropriation was that, if you failed to use the water, you would automatically lose the right. Yet another water right from the 1850s was riparian rights that guaranteed the owner of riparian land
the right to the full natural flow, less what was diverted upstream, but only for domestic use. This right was not lost by lack of
use.
Continued on page 13...
page 13 The Current
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
...continued from page 12 (book review)
When these two laws came into conflict, in 1886 the California doctrine of water rights was created by the courts, which blended
the two rights to essentially say that riparian rights triumphed in all private lands except where an appropriator had started using water from a stream before the landowner acquired the land. Needless to say, this created a field day for lawsuits. Future
water laws and court case rulings added even more complexity, and Hudley’s book provides the details along with thorough
footnotes for additional reading (in case you’re not thoroughly befuddled.)
Taken together, these two books provide the essential background to understanding water in California - a background necessary to help us all work together to solve California’s water crises. As the 2009 Update to the California Water Plan states, ‚We
must act now to provide integrated, reliable, sustainable, and secure water resources and management systems for our health,
economy, and ecosystems.‛
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
December 3, Adopt-a-Table for Winter Dinner
December 8, 8:30am—2 pm, Sat. January 16, 9 am – 2 pm, &
Sat. February 13, 9 am – 2 pm:
Trail Work on the South Fork Trail (inclement weather cancels)
Please contact Elena DeLacy at 530.295.2190 to sign up or email
[email protected]
PROGRAM & HIKE LEADERS...THANK YOU!
I, too, have a bounty of people to thank for making fall 2009 the biggest quarter for public programs to date. We couldn’t do it without our wonderful hike and program leaders: Elizabeth Crouthamel (and goats), El Dorado Storytellers Guild, and Andie Thrams
all put on wonderful children programs for KDD (Kids’ Discovery Days).
We had Bob Griffis, Alan Ehrgott, Michael Dotson, Lauren Fety and Gail Zeigler leading our new trail preview hikes (great turnouts). John Robert Cornell, Sheila Toner, Angela and Tim Jackson (see bird count on same page), Keith Atwater, Jayah Paley, David
Rosen and Linda Abruzzini (with her llamas) all led wonderful nature walks which included the beautiful Sutter Buttes.
Some of our workshops included a live animal presentation by Sierra Wildlife Rescue,
fly tying and pine needle classes and a tick presentation and movie. All thanks to people like Judy Monestier, Karl Weiland, Jan Rose, and Mark Novak.
We also had another successful stargazing event with Starforge and had a bike ride and
geology tour by Tom Judy.
Thank you again for volunteering your time to educate others about the natural beauty
of our area and exposing people to the outdoors whenever possible.
If anyone has program ideas or wants to lead a hike or program, please contact
[email protected].
From ARC Bird Hike (10/3/2009)
Cronan Ranch Birds
Turkey Vulture
White-tailed Kite
Northern Harrier
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
California Quail
Mourning Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Lewis's Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Nothern Flicker
Black Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
Western Scrub-jay
American Crow
Violet-green Swallow
Oak Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Western Bluebird
American Robin
Phainopepla
Spotted Towhee
California Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Western Meadowlark
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Cedar Waxwing
By: Angela Jackson
page 14 The Current
Winter (December, January, February)
EDDIES… VOLUNTEERING IN FALL 2009
Lloma Alameda
Dave Allan
Lisa Allen
Jackie Allen
Alyssa Allen
David Allen
Olin Anderson
Kip Andert
Riley Andert
Brittney Andert
Michelle Andrew
Keith Atwater
Kevin Babb
Brad Bandak
Wendi Barba
Shay Barba
Juliana Bartel
Amanda Bateson
Michael Bean
Dawn Bean
Chris Belle
Ceci Berry
Kassandra Bigley
Linda Brewer
Danny Callaway
Greg Carlson
Patricia Case
Kyle Cerniglia
Sean Cerniglia
Kellie Cerniglia
Edith Chavez
Raul Chavez
Ardith Chavez
Catherine Ciofalo
Heather Coburn
Paul Cockrell
John-Robert Cornell
Molly Cromwell
Walter Cullop
Robert Cumbra
Karen Dale
John Dale
Ed Delano
Gina DeSantis
Lara Dietrich
Lisa Donchak
Elliot Drake-Maurer
Heather Dunham
Marilyn Dyer
Loyd Evans
Pam Evans
Mike Fedler
Beverly Fety
Allegra Fety
Griffon Fontana
Aaron Formsbee
Ray Frink
Frank Gallardo
Michael Gervais
Judith Gossett
Mark Graybill
Bob Griffis
Lindsey Gulyas
Jim Haagen-Smit
Cathy Haagen-Smit
Jim Hansen
Deanne Hansen
Michele Harris
Chris Herron
Greg Jahn
Hillary Jenkins
John Johnson
Monica Joy
Tom Judy
Sadie Keller
Michelle Kesch
Greg Kiefer
Eunice Kim
Joy Knight
Megan Kok
John Kosakausky
Teri Krulee
Natalie Krullee
Deborah Kruse
Scott Kruse
Amy Lautamo
Julie Leimbach
Deb Lewis
Walter Little
Jim Little
Meara Little
Toni Little
Joanne Liu
Yolanda Lusby
Mike Lyster
Tyana Maddock
Mary Maliff
Cindi Martimer
Bev Martin
Brandon Mason
Sherry Matranga
Peter Maurer
Thomas McCann
Lacey McCann
Jennifer McDowell
Jeanine McElwain
Diana Meyers
Chris Moffett
Judy Monestier
Cindi Mortimer
Melissa Mundy
Elizabeth Murphy
Andrew Muse-Fisher
Zeina Naim
Mark Novak
Noah Oglesby
Donna Orth
Kay Osborn
Jackie Patton
Caryn Peck
Stan Perez
Kim Petree
Irma Pizano
Cynthia Podsaidlo
Ben Porter
Krista Potta
Larry Potter
Joe Pratchard
David Putkey
Louis Rain
Michael Ranalli
Jim Rand
Bonnie Rand
Olivia Reed
Jose Reyes III
Miranda Ripperger
Edith Rocha De Chavez
Elizabeth Rocke
Jan Rose
Annah Rulon
Carol Saunders
Elke Schlosser
Robbette Schmit
Paula Schulz
Sara Schwartz Kendall
Nick Sherman
Chris Simonet
Ben Slankard
Julie Smith
Franchesca Soe
Kellie Spaulding
Joseph Speck
Serena Starks
Tim Steele
Herb Tanimoto
Dave Terry
Scott Vail
Chuck Van Dam
John Vatz
Kit Veerkamp
Bob Veerkamp
Matthew Walters
Karl Weiland
Virginia Wenslaff
Josh White
Sarah Wickman
Alexis Williams
Howard Williams
Dayna Williams
Jennifer Wilson
Alex Wolfgram
Peter Wong
David Zelinsky
Melodie Ziadeh
Lauren would like to
extend many thanks to
the volunteers that
worked with her during
her stay at ARC. She has
decided to move on to
BLM and pursue her
career in Biological
Sciences.
Best of luck Lauren!
page 15 The Current
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
THANK YOU, AMERICAN RIVER CONSERVANCY FALL SUPPORTERS!
Aadnesen Systems, Inc.
Alameda, Lloma
Allan, Dave
Anderson, Clifford
Anderson, M. Jean
Barrett-Branter, Judith
Barrow, Joan
Barrow Household
Batey Household
Baumgartner, Stephanie
Bean Household
Beauchamp Household
Bicycles Plus
Bitzer Household
Black Oak Animal Hospital
Blesso, Patricia A.
Boissevain, Al
Bolger, Katherine
Boyes Household
Bradshaw, Betsy
Brinkley, Jacquelyn
Brucia Household
Burleson Consulting
Bush Household
Byer, Beth
California Rice Commission
Cameto, Mija
Camp Lotus
Cantelow, Alice
Castro, Tom
Caswell, Karen
Chin, Rosie
Armstrong Household
Ciofalo, Catherine
Clif Bar Family Foundation
Clunn Household
Cockrell, Paul
Cockrell, Paul
Collins, Clint
Covington, Courtney
Cullop, Walter
Cullop, Walter
Cushman Household
Dahl, John
Dahms Household
DeAquino Household
DeAquino Household
DeLacy, Elena
Delacy Household
Delucehi, Fred
Denega Household
Doughman, Pam
Dotson Household
Dr. Alan Lubanes
Drakeley, Heather
Earney, Jason
Echo River Trips
Edwards, Dennis
Ehrgott Household
Ferroggiaro Household
Fety Household
Foster Household
Foster, Kenna
Friedrichs Household
Ghilotti, Sue
Ginney, Jim
Gorman, Steve
Greenhorn Dude Ranch
Gregoire, Marlane
Hall, Lorraine
Hanson Household
Harris Household
Hartnett Household
Kiefer Household
Walrond Household
Other Donors
Renewing Members
Herms Household
Wells, Mari
American River Music Festival Applebaum Household
Holmes, Richard
West Smith, John A.
Armstrong Household
Armstrong Household
Humphreys Household
Western States Trail Foundation Askew, Keith
Aron Household
Jonas Optometry
Widroe Household
Atwater, Keith
Batey Household
Jonas, Thomas
Williams, Howard
Cafe Mahjaic
Bean Household
KC Equipment
Wilson, Gail
California Department Of
Bush Household
Kiefer, Greg
Wood, Wendy
Forestry & Fire Protection
Campbell-Craven Household
Killebrew, Karen
Wu, Ellen
Carroll, Bryan
Clark, Connie
Kit Carson Lodge
Yamashiro, Tadao (Tad)
Collins, Clint
Clement Household
Kite III, Horace M
Zeigler, Gail
Coloma Club
Coate Household
Kite Household
Coloma Resort
Covington Household
Kruse Household
Courtyard Cafe'
Culian Household
Lee Household
Domitrovich, Debra
Daniels Household
Leffler Household
Donation Line, LLC
Devine Household
Leimbach, Julie
Earth Share of California
Estes Household
Levitsky, Susan
El Dorado Disposal
Evans, Steven
Lim, Derrick
Gossett, Judith
Evans Household
Lobue, Lu
Graham, Suzanne
Feagans Household
London Household
Ponderosa Resort
Foster Household
Maliff, Mary
Robinson, Katherine
Hanson, Victor
Manick Household
Schwartz Kendall, Sara
King Household
Matto Household
Smilkstein Household
Hodges Household
McDonald Household
Sierra Rizing Bakery
Jackson, Jane
McNitt Household
Starns, Jean
Kerr ,Janice
Melnicoe Household
Kruse Household
Miller, Richard
Wakamatsu Donors
Dohm Household
Mizuhara Household
Ando Household
Lux Household
Mizuhara, Teresa
Barros Household
McDonald Household
Mother Lode River Trips, Ltd.
Clement Household
Nevins, Marcile
O'Farrell, Susan
Hida, Susan
Oster, Linda
Orth, Donna
Iso, Julie
Pacers Placer
Osborn Household
Itogawa Household
Pence Household
Oster, Linda
Kochi, Fred
Petrofsky Household
Pacific Western Traders
Mikishima Household
Robinson Household
Parks Household
Murray, Lynn
Rountree Household
Paxton Day, Bob
Okuda, Takanori
Smart Household
Peet, Katy
Strom, Shizuko
Sorensen Household
Perry, Judy
Suyenaga, Sumiko
Wilkinson ,Randy
Pierroz, Bert
Tsuda, Hiroko
Wilson, Pat
Pilot Creek Ranch
Tsukamoto, Marielle
Pingle Household
Yokota, Mari
EE/NEST /CABY donors
Poinski Household
Quayle Household
Ken & Penny Humphreys
New Members
Rathbun, Dan
Bob Massad
REI
Barros Household
Rockwell, Ann
Gaddini Household
Rose Household
Freer Household
Rountree Household
Judd Household
RTS Computer Services
Lucas Household
Rulison Household
Rutherford, Katie
Sawyer-Scharf, Anne
THE AMERICAN RIVER CONSERVANCY IS LOCATED IN THE
Schambach, Karen
AMERICAN RIVER NATURE CENTER
Schardt Household
Scott Household
INSIDE THE MARSHALL GOLD DISCOVERY
Seckington, Kurt
Segerdell, John
STATE HISTORIC PARK
Seivert, Thomas
Shaw Household
AT 348 HWY. 49, COLOMA, CA
Shiro Household
SignChef, Inc.
Britting Household
THE NATURE CENTER & BOOK STORE
Simpson, Claudia
Smith, Austin
ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FRIDAY THRU
Smith Household
Solar Cooker International
MONDAY FROM 11 AM-3 PM. OUR
Swickard, Janie
T&M Electric
OFFICES ARE OPEN TO VOLUNTEERS AND
Thiese, Brent
SUPPORTERS MONDAY THRU FRIDAY
Toner, Sheila
Tributary Whitewater Tours
FROM 8 AM-4 PM AND WEEKENDS FROM
Utberg, Jeff
Vail Household
11 AM-3 PM. WE CAN BE REACHED BY
Waksdal, Scott
NOTICE: NEW WINTER HOURS
ARTC/Starthistle Ball
Donors:
PHONE AT
(530) 621-1224 OR ONLINE AT www.arconservancy.org.
page 16 The Current
Winter (December, January, February) 2009-10
WHAT DOES SUSTAINABILITY’S FOOTPRINT LOOK LIKE?
LIKE SOMEONE’S BEEN WALKING SOFTLY.
NOURISH THE LEGACY THROUGH MEMBERSHIP
I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THE AMERICAN RIVER CONSERVANCY’S VISION OF TOMORROW.
MEMBERSHIP LEVEL:
NAME
$
$
$
$
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE, ZIP
PHONE #
EMAIL
$
$
ADDRESS
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___ OTHER
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250
100
50
35
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SIGNATURE
Your membership gifts to ARC are tax deductible.
Please make your check payable to the AMERICAN RIVER CONSERVANCY
348 Highway 49  PO Box 562  Coloma, CA 95613  (530) 621-1224
THE AMERICAN RIVER CONSERVANCY AND NATURE CENTER PROVIDE NATURAL HISTORY INTERPRETIVE SERVICES TO
THE MARSHALL GOLD DISCOVERY STATE HISTORIC PARK, COLOMA, CA
American River Conservancy
P.O. Box 562
Coloma, CA 95613
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PROGRAM CALENDAR
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DECEMBER 2009
Thursday the 3rd
5:30—8:30 pm
Winter Dinner
Tuesday the 8th
6:30—8 pm
Grey Water is My Friend
Wednesday the 9th
9 am—3 pm
Euchre Bar Trail-Hike
Thursday the 10th
7:30—9:30 pm
Welcome to the Winter Sky
Saturday the 12th
9 am—4 pm
Raku Salmon Clay Ocarina Workshop
Sat & Sun 12th & 13th 11 am—3 pm
KDD-Candle Making
JANUARY 2010
Saturday the 2nd
9 am—12 pm
American River Canyon-Hike
Sunday the 3rd
8 am—4 pm
Delta Field Trip
Friday the 8th
6—7:30 pm
Eco-Poetry-Water Reading/Discussion
Saturday the 9th
9—11 am
A Talk on the Wild Side-Mushrooms
Tuesday the 12th
6:30—8 pm
The Story of the Grand Canyon
Wednesday the 13th 9 am—4 pm
Stevens Trail-Hike
Friday the 15th
6:30—7:30 pm
Forever Wild
Thursday the 21st
10—11:30 am
Home School Thursday
Saturday the 23rd 11 am—12:30 pm KDD-Through Endangered Eyes
FEBRUARY 2010
Thursday the 4th
6—7:30 pm
They Call the Wind Mariah
Saturday the 6th
8:30 am—4 pm
Nature, Culture, and History-Delta tour
Wednesday the 10th 9 am—4 pm
China Wall-Snowshoe hike
Wednesday the 10th
6:30—8pm
Venture to Alaska
Thursday the 18th
10—11:30 am
Home School Thursday
Friday the 19th
6:30—8 pm
Placerville Paths
Sunday the 21st
1—3 pm
KDD-Amphibians
Saturday the 6th
TBA
MARCH 2010
Snowshoe hike