All Members Invited to Fall Picnic
Here's an opportunity for RRAS members and their families to “meet and eat!” Whip up your favorite potluck item and come out to Freshwater Park on Sunday, October 5, starting at noon.
RRAS will provide beverages, place settings, and a cake. A grill will be available for those desiring to cook. We plan to eat around 1 p.m., then spend the afternoon enjoying a beautiful fall day. There's a large grassy area, so bring your frisbee, etc. Volleyball is also an option.
The event will be held in the “Reserved Area” of Freshwater Park. From Myrtle Avenue/Old Arcata Road, turn at the 3 Corners Store onto Freshwater Road. The park is 3 miles ahead on the righthand side. Tell the attendant that you are attending the Audubon picnic, to avoid paying an entry fee. The reserved area is to the right, across the bridge, at the end of the road. Electrical outlets and a cold water sink are available in a gazebo cook area.
Member Forum Discussion Highlights
Following the May program, members were given free reign to praise, critique, and comment on RRAS activities. Following are some suggestions:
Include post-trip reports in the Sandpiper for particularly interesting field trips (e.g., joint CNPS trip to Alderpoint).
Sponsor quarterly potlucks.
Distribute nametags at monthly meetings. (Louise Bacon-Ogden offered to be greeter.) Allow 10 minutes at the start of each meeting for attendees to talk about bird sightings or relay other interesting information.
Designate a volunteer coordinator and make a list of projects that need help.
For Birdathon, collect pledges from the general public. Follow up by providing a journal of birds seen. Team experienced birders with beginners. Use the money raised to educate children.
Garden Tour Tickets Now on Sale!
The inaugural Wildlife & Native Plant Garden Tour showcase 9 gardens -- from downtown Eureka to Westhaven -- plus Freshwater Farms -- that have been specifically designed to attract wildlife or that feature native species.
The Tour will be held Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The North Coast Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is partnering with Redwood Region Audubon Society to give you entry into these wonderful backyard habitats. The cost for a ticket to all 10 locations is only $15. (Plus each ticket contains a coupon for 10% savings at Freshwater Farms and Strictly for the Birds!)
See the linked article for details on the gardens to be visited and other places to purchase tickets!
Thanks to Fundraising Appeal Donors
Over 40 members responded to our May fundraising letter, generously donating $1580 to support RRAS conservation and education programs. The board would also like to thank California Audubon for underwriting half the cost of the mailing.
Godwit Café fattens festival-goers and RRAS!
RRAS raised $625 from food sales at the Godwit Café during April’s Godwit Days. Volunteers C.J. Ralph and Lina Carro flank master chef Troy Leopardo.
Conservation Committee Report - June 19
By Jim Clark
The Conservation Committee met at noon on June 19, 2003 at the golden Harvest Cafe in Arcata. Jan Andersen, Jim Clark, Hal Genger, Mel McKinney and Sue Leskiw attended. With the Humboldt Watershed Council (HWC) meeting Pat Higgins and Greg Smith also took part.
Pat and Greg requested that RRAS co-sponsor a public seminar on the Simpson Habitat Conservation Plan. According to Pat, Simpson Timber’s HCP, if followed, would not provide a sustained yield of quality timber and would inflict damage to watersheds. Pat also pointed out the closing of the Simpson mill in Fort Bragg, Mendocino County as evidence of Simpson’s cut and get out strategy.
The seminar is tentatively scheduled for September 27 at a yet to be announced Venue.
Mel reported that the approval portion of the freshwater pond portion of the Eureka Marsh restoration will be resolved in two weeks. It will either be approved as an existing project or possibly be changed to salt marsh restoration.
Jim Clark reported on the meeting with County Planning Director Kirk Girard regarding the residentially developable parcels available and partly funded by the Humboldt County Realtors and Northern California Builders. Mr. Girard said that a pilot study indicated that current estimates of land availability were over-estimated by 25% to 50% because of various constraints. Kirk also stated that cohesive and detailed input is needed from the environmental community.
We need at least one volunteer to be a liaison between the Conservation Committee and a group of environmental organizations representatives that are working on the County General Plan Amendment. Call or e-mail Jim Clark. And check out www.helphumboldtplan.org. Lets get Redwood Region Audubon Society on the list of participating organizations!
A list of conservation issues has been sent out to conservation committee members and the RRAS board of directors to prioritize increase awareness of the variety of issues that we need to address. This will be an ongoing project.
Next meeting will be at Noon on Thursday, July 17, at the Golden Harvest Cafe in Arcata.
Marsh Cleanup a Huge Success!
Fifty-two bags of trash – plus 2 bike frames, 5 sleeping bags, 5 carpets, 3 blankets, and a pillow – were collected during the April 26 cleanup at the Eureka Marsh. The event was organized by Pablo Herrera and Melvin McKinney (below). Thanks go to garbage collectors Danielle Creedon, Greg Frankfurter, Maggy Herbelin, Anne Hubbard, Sue Leskiw, Sandra Lingle, Xandra Manns, Pat McNerney, Gretchen O’Brien, Chet Ogan, Jeanne Pendergast, and David Ploss.
Redwood Region Audubon Society welcomes the following new members and subscribers:
Arcata –
Barney Bartelle, Kaye Humphry
Eureka –
Michael & Joan Watanabe
McKinleyville – Jay Peterson, Todd Tennyson
We look forward to seeing you on field trips and at our monthly programs.