Member Picnic and Birdathon in October
Here’s an opportunity for RRAS members to “meet and eat!” Many of you weren’t able to attend last February’s banquet and our monthly programs don’t allow much time for socializing. So whip up your favorite potluck item and come out to Freshwater Park on Sunday, October 13, starting at noon. This is also the culmination of the Annual Bird-a-Thon fundraising event. Click here for the Calendar and further details on both activities.
Mel McKinney, Barbara Kelly and Jim Clark met at the Conservation Committee meeting on August 16.
We discussed what we hoped would be positive step in getting the City of Eureka off the dime with the PALCO/Eureka Marsh project. The report submitted to the City Council states the Department of Public Works is “hopeful” that the project will be completed by the end of summer 2003.
True to the triad of Audubon principles of action, we will continue to educate the public about the value of this marsh to wildlife and what the city is doing to enhance it, use science (natural and political) to back up our action, and if need be use the law to protect the public trust.
Little else new was occurring due to the summer doldrums except the Biscuit Fire. We discussed the possibility of a move by industry to capitalize on the fires to promote cutting more timber.
Jim suggested that the committee consider expanding to non-geographical conservation issues. This type of conservation activity takes little time or effort, yet can influence large corporations if enough people participate. All it takes is awareness and maybe even saving some money in the long run. When you buy a product, consider its overall effect on the environment. Recycled content, simple packaging and non-wood alternatives are all things to consider.
I recently bought three replacement fence posts made from recycled automobile trim. An eight foot 4x4 weighs more than the wettest pressure treated (PT) wood post and they don’t rot, rust or leach toxic material. They cost more than the traditional PT post but have an expected life of 75 to 100 years. They also come in a 6x6” “barrier post” that weighs in at 150 pounds. I got them at the Mill Yard. I have also re-sided part of my house with exterior paneling made by the James Hardie Company that is made of concrete, ground sand and a small amount of cellulose fiber. Termites don’t like it and it doesn’t rot. Although probably not “tree free” it makes a tree go a long way.
Our next meeting will be at the Golden Harvest Cafe at noon on Friday September 20, 2002. Hope to see you there.
- Jim Clark
Next Board Meeting
Redwood Region Audubon Society welcomes the following new members and subscribers:
Arcata –
Valerie Eurs, Barbara Lane
Eureka – Diane Dubow,
Blake Earhart, Dauille Hichen, Helen Hui, Robert & Kathleen Hutchinson, Claire
Talmadge
Hydesville – William
Shapeero
Korbel – Sarah Colvig
Miranda – Margaret
Lewis
Petrolia – Ellen
Estabrook
Phillipsville – Jeff
Kocheran, Judy Stanfield
Trinidad
-- Stephanie Coughtry
We look forward to seeing you on field trips and at our monthly programs.