Happy Holidays from the Snow Goose Festival

A Christmas Card from Rex Burress

 RIVER WATCHER

A TREE GROWS FOR CHRISTMAS

Rex Burress

Since more "American Made" live Christmas trees from tree farms are being recommended instead of the foreign-made artificial trees, I’ve been thinking about some Christmas tree adventures I have known.

The authentic-looking plastic trees were not perfected in 1940 Missouri country days, nor was there many tree farms, and in northern MO country where I lived, neither were there conifers in the woodlands. The only greenery that would qualify was the Eastern Red Cedar, and a small grove of 50-foot trees grew on our farm next to Floyd’s Timber.

When snows were on the ground, I kept a bird feeding station under those cozy boughs as part of my Missouri Nature Knight membership mission. Near Christmas day, Dad would go down with me as I pulled my sled through the snow, burdened with hay and seeds. We were out to cut a cedar branch to fashion into a Christmas tree, greenery that I proudly sledded back to the house. Sometimes two or three decorated branches would fill a corner, sufficient for Santa to place gifts. We had no fireplace, but he got in someway!

My Grandfolks lived in the Black Oak community where there wasn’t even a cedar tree, so they cut a little pinoak that had some brown leaves still hanging on, and strung some popcorn in the branches.

In speaking of the green value connected to conifers and tree farms, and the aid to the atmosphere those spiny leaves provide, I’m not sure where the oxygen came from in those midwestern hardwood forests where leafless trees and gray timbers dominate the winter. Air was there as I’ve lived to tell about it! I think it is an Earth of sharing the planetary environment, with winds spreading things around. Planetary plants and animals have been spread around, too.

In later years when my children were in that prime Christmas age, our tree was usually a Douglas fir from the store, but one time when living in the Mayacama Mountains, we went to the dense forest along the east canyon wall, followed deer trails to the hilltop into a dense grove of baby firs, and chose one. It was a difficult decision, and when it came to cutting the nominee, that was difficult, too! There’s something in the tree-lover against cutting a live tree.

The day in the woods was a memorable pre-Christmas day, even though there was no snow on the ground, as depicted in a tree-cutting snow-scene oil painting I gave to the Oroville Chamber. In that White Sulphur Springs canyon near St. Helena, the winter woods was cozy-green, enhanced by Douglas firs, live oaks, madrone, and a shelf of redwoods–all evergreens that sheltered mushrooms, lichens, and moss. There was an ever-flowing hot springs, too, that made you wonder what was underground.

We sat in the silent circle of redwoods and ate our lunch, fantasying about dwarfs and fairies that surely must live there in paradise. We always entered the wooded wonderland-flat shelf under an arched bay tree, crossing our heads three times while saying "Zingo," a ritual that imaginatively increased our ability to see something special, and left by the same path, repeating the appeal that forgave us for cutting one of THEIR trees!

I suppose Fairyland Springs, the acre of chain ferns in the crater basin, the everlasting Red Treasure Creek, and the trail to Zingo Tree are still there–at least they are alive in my mind after 35 years since that foray in the forest! Some things live forever in legend, even though trees come and go in the natural cycles of life, leaving behind their woody remnants, either to enrich the soil...or grace a home.

"The woods are full of dead and dying trees, yet needed for their beauty

to complete the beauty of the living."

–John Muir

"A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he

plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit."

–D. Elton Trueblood

13th Annual Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Join us for our BIG YEAR at the 13th Annual Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway this coming January 26-29 in Chico, California. Register online today!

- Over 70 exciting field trips, including over 20 NEW excursions!

- Wide variety of informative indoor workshops & presentations

- Banquet featuring Keynote Speaker, Greg Miller, famed Big Year birder

- Pacific Flyway wildlife and habitat artwork featured at our Art Reception

- FREE EVENTS for all ages to enjoy...especially the kids!

Visit our website and register now for best availability.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and we'll see you in January!

The Snow Goose Festival Registration Team

www.snowgoosefestival.org

Sierra Club Donates Videos to Butte County Library

Sierra Club Yahi Group has donated a collection of video documentaries to the Butte county Library System.  The videos are listed by title in the catalogue and are available for free check out at all library branches in Chico, Oroville, Paradise, Gridley, Durham, and Biggs.  The Library web address  is www.buttecounty.net/bclibrary/.  Just click on catalogue - go to titles and select the title of interest.  If your local branch doesn't have an available copy, you can go online or call the branch to request the desired  DVD title be sent to you.

The videos in the collection are: 

Tapped How big business is working to privatize water throughout the world.

Flow More on the water industry and how corporations want to gain control of the earth’s fresh water.

The Eleventh Hour Created, produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio.Examines the state of the natural environment especially in relation to global warming.

Powerful What a sustainable energy-powered future may look like.

GASLAND The far reaching consequences to the environment and peoples lives made by the practice of fracking developed by Halliburton to retrieve natural gas.

Mother Caring for 7 Billion Why population growth still matters and what is hindering action to reduce it.

So come into any branch of the Butte County Library and check out a video or two.

Yahi Holiday Dinner

Saturday, December 10 - Yahi Holiday Dinner at Gooney Birds. Dinner tickets are 30$ each. We will have choice of Salmon, Chicken, Fettuccine, grilled vegetables, Rice, Garlic potatoes, two types of salad, non-alocholic drinks.
6-7, Drinks/Social, 7 PM Dinner/ Meeting.

For information and reservations, contact David McKinney 530- 566-1500
  or daviddryfly@comcast.net. 

Trails / Bikeway Plan

The Shasta College just opened another portion of the Trails connecting schools and points of interest around the city.  The Sacramento River Discovery Center's Thursday evening program on October 20th at 7 pm will feature Tom Orr of Shasta College, Scott Timboe of City of Red Bluff Planning, Randy Jero of Mendocino National Forest and Adam Hansen of Tehama County transportation in a discussion of where we are with the trails/bikeway plan and how can we as individuals and groups complete this project started so many years ago. Come bring your ideas.

 

The second part of this presentation will take place at the Thursday Evening Meeting on November 17th at the Farm Bureau building at 275 Sale Lane.

 

For more information about the Sacramento River Discovery Center please call Bobie at 527-1196 or e-mail her at bhughe1@tehamaed.org.  The Center is located at 1000 Sale Lane and features a demonstration garden with native and drought tolerant plants- currently the fall plants are in bloom.  The SRDC Plant Sale will be held November 5th from 9 am to 1 pm in the SRDC parking lot.

Bobie Hughes

A Sacramento River Float Trip

Saturday, November 5, 2011

The Sacramento River Preservation Trust (Trust) and Associated Students Adventure Outings (AO) are co-sponsoring a Sacramento River float on Saturday.  The float will cover 9 miles of the Sacramento River between Jellys Ferry and Bend just north of Red Bluff.  It will be an all day event from 8:00 am to approximately 5 pm. Before embarking Kelly Williams, Natural Area Manager for the Bureau of Land Management, will give a brief talk about the area.

Fall is a perfect time to experience this incredibly scenic stretch of river! Framed by rimrock canyon walls, this part of the Sacramento River is unknown to many due to its remoteness. Wildlife is abundant, with many migratory animals moving through the area at this time of the year. A number of raptor species are especially prevalent, including bald eagles and various members of the hawk family. This entire section of river is recognized by governmental agencies at both the state and federal level as having outstanding scenic, cultural, ecological and outdoor recreation values.  In short, this is a great place to spend a day on the River.

River guides, whitewater rafts and lifejackets are provided by AO.  Participants will start in Chico, meeting at the AO Equipment Warehouse.  Participants are asked to bring their own lunch.  The cost per person is $55 for Trust members and $65 for non-members, with TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED from Chico and back.  Due to AO requirements, only those adults (18 years of age and over) may register.

These trips will fill up quickly, and there is a limited amount of space. Please call the Trust to make a reservation and/or to learn more:  (530) 345-1865; email liz@sacrivertrust.org or visit our website at www.sacrivertrust.org.

Liz Gardner

Sacramento River Preservation Trust

P.O. Box 5366

Chico, CA 95927

P)530.345.1865

F) 530.899.5105

www.sacrivertrust.org

liz@sacrivertrust.org

The San Francisco Mime Troupe

The San Francisco Mime Troupe at the historic Nevada Theater on Thursday, September 8 and Friday, September 9.

Paul Emery Presents For Immediate Release Contact: paulemerymusic@yahoo.com

           

The San Francisco Mime Troupe At the historical Nevada Theatre  401 Broad Sreet in Nevada City. Two Shows: September 8 & September 9      Serving up theatre, comedy, music and political satire  In a thought provoking and extraordinary fun show.    2012 - The Musical

TICKETS: All seats $20 - general admission  Live music will be playing   7:00 - 7:30 pm on both nights. Tickets available at:         Yabobo - 530-478-9114         Briar Patch - 530-272-5333         The Book Seller - 530-272-2131         Cherry Records - 530-823-2147         Brown Paper Tickets - 800-838-3006         Online at www.paulemerymusic.com For more information:                   (530) 478-1974   paulemerymusic@yahoo.com  www.paulemerymusic.com

ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO MIME TROUPE  The annual performance of the San Francisco Mime Troupe has become a tradition in Nevada County which started  around 1990 with a performance in Pioneer Park.  Since then they have performed at the Miners Foundry, Center for the Arts, North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center  and Gold Run School before settling in top their current home, the Historic Nevada Theatre.  A typical season for the Troupe includes performing in public parks in the the San Francisco Bay Area and theaters throughout California.  "It's like the circus coming to town." says Paul Emery who has been producing the show since 2000.  " Every year they arrive with a truckload of staging and costumes and we meet them with a crew of volunteers and transform wherever they are performing into a Mime Troupe stage.  The show is always new and the music is fantastic.  The Nevada Theatre is a great venue for them with great sound and seating.

5th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival

5^th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival

Friday, September 16, 2011

Sierra Nevada Brewery Big Room

Fifth Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Films to Change Your World is a benefit for Friends of Butte Creek.

The evening will begin with live music & entertainment by Gordy Ohlinger, "The Mark Twain of the banjo world". He was recently featured in the PBS show, America's Banjo: A Musical History. His music is a "humorous mix of history and American popular songs, 1800 to 1940". Gordy has formed a trio of multi-talented and local musicians who will share their wonderful sounds of swing, blue grass, and Americana.

The Sierra Nevada Brewerey's buffet menu will include delicious food chosen from Chico's Certified Farmers' Market. The evening will also have a fabulous silent auction with many of these items donated by local artisans, as well as a free drawing.

Six films will be shown - ranging in length from 4 min., to 45 min. All films have been aptly selected from the South Yuba River Citizen's League very own Wild & Scenic Film Festival shown in January 2011.

Included in the evening’s line-up is: The Incident at Tower 37 and is just one of the six films chosen for this year’s Festival. Although animated, this fable about water and how we use it is timely with parallels to the North State.

The Incident at Tower 37

In the middle of a dry, desolate landscape stands Tower 37 siphoning every last drop of water from a once pristine lake. Day in and day out the station's lone steward monitors the tower's activities, never realizing that Tower 37 is slowly destroying an entire ecosystem. Best Animation, Humboldt FF; Best in Show, Motion FF; Best Animated Short Film, Sonoma Intl Film Festival.

Friends of Butte Creek works to raise awareness and to provide protection for the future of the “Last Best Run of Spring Chinook Salmon in California”.

The festival doors open at 5pm, Friday, September 16^th at the Sierra Nevada Big Room.  Buy your tickets at Pure Skin,
136 W. 3rd St. in downtown Chico or online at www.buttecreek.org .

Advance / Door Film & Buffet Ticket Prices:

Films Only: Advance Adult $15 / $20 Door                    Film & Buffet: Advance Adult $30 / $35 Door

Films Only: Advance Youth $8 / $12 Door                     Film & Buffet: Advance Youth $22 / $28 Door

For more information please visit: www.buttecreek.org 

Contact: Pamela Posey

530.893.0360

Pamela@buttecreek.org

26th Annual California Indian Conference October 27-30, 2011

http://rce.csuchico.edu/conferences/2011-california-indian-conference/

The California Indian Conference is an annual event for the exchange of perspectives and knowledge concerning the first peoples of the place now known as California, past to present.

The California Indian Conference (CIC), inaugurated at UC Berkeley in 1985, is committed to the sharing and exchange of knowledge, scholarship, and issues of importance related to California Indians, past to present. The conference also supports the promotion of excellence in collaborative, multidisciplinary, cutting-edge scholarship in Native American Studies, anthropology, history, social and environmental sciences, and other disciplines.
The CIC brings together California Indians, academics, tribal scholars, educators, and students with representatives of public agencies and institutions, tribal communities and organizations, and the general public.  Anyone interested in California Indians past to present is encouraged to attend this landmark conference.

For more information, visit:  http://rce.csuchico.edu/conferences/2011-california-indian-conference/

Save Our State Parks: Don't Let Our State Parks Become Just a Memory

Earlier this afternoon, CSPF launched a Weekend of Action campaign:  “Don’t Let Our State Parks Become Just a Memory”.  During this holiday weekend, we will be asking park users to visit our website and help us gather a collection of state park memories and photographs that we will be delivering to legislators during a Save Our State Parks event in June (look for more information about this event next week!).

 We would greatly appreciate your help in getting information about this weekend of action out to your members and partners.  We are hoping to be able to deliver a powerful message to policymakers- and the more participation from park users the better!

 You can access the weekend of action at http://www.calparks.org/takeaction/sosweekend/memories/  .

Please help us gather as many “memories” as possible by forwarding this link to your networks and sharing via social media!

 Sincerely,

Linsey Fredenburg-Humes
Grassroots Manager
California State Parks Foundation
ph. 916-442-2119
fax 916-442-2809
www.calparks.org

SOS Campaign

The Save Our State Parks (SOS) Campaign is a statewide, grassroots campaign to keep California’s magnificent state parks open. In partnership with organizations, businesses, local governments, and individuals around the state, the California State Parks Foundation is leading SOS Campaign activities and generating awareness and action about these unacceptable budget proposals.

Coming Clean: No Species Is an Island

from:  Coming Clean:  the blog of Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune
May 20, 2011

For several years now, the U.S. Senate has proclaimed the third Friday in May to be Endangered Species Day. This year, the day has extra significance. The Endangered Species Act (the only thing standing between countless species and extinction) has come under unprecedented attack.

That attack is happening in spite of broad public support for protecting species -- a recent poll found that 84 percent of Americans are in favor of the Endangered Species Act. And we've got good reasons for feeling that way. Of course there's the obvious moral principle that animals and plants shouldn't be consigned to oblivion for no reason other than human carelessness or callousness. But it's more than that. To paraphrase John Donne, "No species is an island." Humans, too, depend on biodiversity and the richness of the web of life. Aldo Leopold, compared the loss of species to "throwing away, one-by-one, the engine parts of an airplane while flying."

What's more, the airplane's facing some serious turbulence. All living things -- including humans -- face new and daunting challenges in a world where the climate has been disrupted. Habitats are shifting and pressures on species are increasing. You can't preserve that web of life without also protecting the places it lives. We might think we're protecting habitat for this or that creature -- but in truth we're doing it for all living things, not least ourselves. That's the basis for the Sierra Club's Resilient Habitats campaign, which is working to protect places where plants, animals, and people can survive and thrive.

So, basically, we need a strong Endangered Species Act now more than ever. Unfortunately, that's not the way things have been headed lately, and the reasons are political.

The Fish and Wildlife Service requested $24.6 million for its endangered species listing program in 2012. In federal budget terms, that's a blip in the balance sheet. The FWS knows perfectly well that it's not enough money to do even the work that's required by law -- a huge backlog of species are waiting to be evaluated for protection -- but no one's willing to ask for enough to really get the job done. "Not politically feasible."

Even more troubling was this year's injection of politics directly into the Endangered Species Act when Congress approved a budget that, at the last minute, removed gray wolves in the Northern Rockies from the Endangered Species List in every state except Wyoming. Never before have politicians interfered to decide the fate of a particular species -- giving a thumbs-down like a Roman emperor at the Coliseum.

The Endangered Species Act works because it relies on sound, science-based management -- free from political interference. That's common sense, which is why 92 percent of Americans polled agree that decisions about wildlife management should be made by scientists, not politicians. That politics intruded anyway is tragic for the wolves and a serious blow to the integrity of one of our bedrock environmental laws.

Enough doom and gloom, though. For today, let's take a moment to celebrate the Endangered Species Act for its many successes during the past four decades. Here's to the bald eagle, whooping cranes, gray whales, grizzly bears, and other species that have made gains or even recovered. My wish for Endangered Species Day is that the thousands of species that are still waiting for protection will have similar success before it's too late.

And for the rest of the year: Let's work to ensure that the Endangered Species Act itself survives as well.

What do you think? Please let us know by commenting at: http://sierraclub.typepad.com/michaelbrune/2011/05/endangered-species-day.html

Youth at SRDC Watershed Celebration

Saturday May 14th the Sacramento River Discovery Center “Celebrate the River” event from 9 am to 1 pm under “the old oak tree” in the Discovery Garden there will be more things for kids to do this year.  The Boy Scouts will start the event with a flag ceremony and after that it will be “their” time.  The Tehama County sheriff office will have a k-9 unit for people to meet and will also be sharing some boating safety tips.  The Red Bluff Fire department will have an engine for the young to climb on and learn the importance of preventing fires.  There will be an animal petting area where young people can come eye to eye with animals with very soft fur.  There will be visits from Frank & Frances Fish, Smokey Bear and maybe even something with real wings and feathers . There will also be information on the Summer Camps program being led by Zach Whitten again this year. So you can see that there a great many free activities designed to let the young have fun while still learning.  

The adults will also have opportunities to learn and have fun.  The Red Bluff Art Association will have a display and some local crafters will tables.  There will be a variety of food offered by the High School Interns, the Twilford family and Girl Scouts. New this year from 11 am to 1 pm will be tasting of wine-cheese and other adult items.  There will be a Silent Auction table with items to bid on for home and garden.  The Greenhouse will be open and the interns will be selling native and drought tolerant plants for only $5 a pot.

There will be lots to see an do for the whole family Saturday May 14^h at the Mendocino National Forest’s Red Bluff Recreation Area located at 1000 Sale Lane.  For more information about the activities you can call 527-1196 Tuesday through Saturday 11 am to 4 pm, or e-mail ccramer@tehama.k12.ca.us or check the website www.srdc.tehama.k12.ca.us. 

Photo Caption: The Celebration of the River on Saturday May 14^th will be extra special for the young.

Bobie Hughes
Volunteer Public Relations Coordinator
Sacramento River Discovery Center
1000 Sale Lane
Red Bluff, CA 96080
530-527-1196bhughe1@tehama.k12.ca.us or bobie@clearwire.net
www.srdc.tehama.k12.ca.us

Sacramento River Preservation Trust & Adventure Outings Present:

A Mother’s Day Sacramento River Float

Jellys Ferry to Bend

Sunday, May 8, 2011

8am – 6pm

The Sacramento River Preservation Trust (Trust) and Associated Students Adventure Outings (AO) are co-sponsoring a Mother’s Day Sacramento River float on Sunday, May 8, 2011.  The float will cover 9 miles of the Sacramento River between Jellys Ferry and Bend just north of Red Bluff.  It will be an all-day event from 8am to approximately 6pm.

Mother’s Day is the perfect way to experience this incredibly scenic stretch of river! Framed by rimrock canyon walls, this part of the Sacramento River is unknown to many due to its remoteness, with Lassen Peak and Mount Shasta often visible during the float. Spring is also the time of year when wildlife is abundant, with many migratory species moving through the area - even the highly elusive bobcat has been spotted along the river bank. Raptor species are especially prevalent, including bald eagles and various members of the hawk family, and the presence of salmon swimming upstream is not uncommon. This entire section of river is nationally recognized by local and federal governmental agencies as having outstanding scenic, cultural, ecological and outdoor recreation values.  Do not miss this rare opportunity to spend your Mother’s Day on the Sac!

River guides, whitewater rafts and lifejackets are provided by AO.  Participants will start in Chico, meeting at the AO Equipment Warehouse.  Participants are asked to bring their own lunch.  The cost per person is $45 for Trust members and $55 for non-members, with round trip  transportation provided from Chico.  Due to AO guidelines, only adults (18 and over) are allowed to participate.

Space is limited and this special event will fill up quickly. Please call the Trust office soon to make a reservation or to learn more:  (530) 345-1865; email liz@sacrivertrust.org or visit our website at www.sacrivertrust.org.

Liz Gardner

Sacramento River Preservation Trust

P.O. Box 5366

Chico, CA 95927

530-345-1865

liz@sacrivertrust.org

www.sacrivertrust.org

Sacramento River Preservation Trust

Sutter Buttes - Peace Valley Hike

Saturday, May 7, 2011

8am-3pm

  

On Saturday, May 7, the Sacramento River Preservation Trust, in cooperation with California State Parks, is offering a guided hike into the Sutter Buttes - Peace Valley area with Park Ranger Zack Chambers.

Peace Valley is one of California’s newest state parks and is nestled within the ever-fascinating Sutter Buttes. While hiking with Ranger Chambers, we will learn about the valley’s cultural history including a visit to an old homestead and various Native American sites. As we continue to traverse this nearly undisturbed area we will be exposed to examples of some of the geological processes that make up this unique formation.

This hike is mostly off-trail, is of moderate difficulty and does include some short strenuous climbs. Depending on the weather, very shallow water crossings might occur. Sturdy walking shoes or boots are strongly recommended. The hike is roughly 3 miles round trip. Participants must be in good hiking shape. Advance reservations are required, with a requested donation of $25 for Trust members and $35 for non-members.

Space is limited. For reservations and questions please contact the Sacramento River Preservation Trust at (530) 345.1865, email Liz at liz@sacrivertrust.org or visit www.sacrivertrust.org .

Cave Bear Comes to Paradise Gem and Mineral Club Annual Show

Paradise, CA – The Paradise Gem and Mineral Club will host their 57th Annual Show for public enjoyment and education. All members of the public are welcome and admission is free for children and young adults who are 16 and under. The Paradise Gem and Mineral is the oldest Gem Club in Butte County and this is the longest running show in an eight county area.
This year the Show will feature an Ice Age Mammal exhibit courtesy of Applegate Lapidary. The Mammal exhibit will include an outstanding 8 foot 4 inch standing cave bear fossil, a woolly rhinoceros head with an intact two foot horn, and the leg bone and lower jaw of a mammoth, all from the Ural Mountains and Rhine River region of Europe. The fossils are 50 to 70 thousand years old and are in excellent condition. Don’t miss this rare exhibit.

The Show will have many other educational and youth activities, mineral exhibits, a raffle, silent rock auctions, fluorescent mineral display, and demonstrating lapidary specialists in silver smithing, faceting, stone carving, and other lapidary methods. The Show also hosts many of the finest rock and mineral dealers in the North State, Oregon and Nevada. The dealers provide a wide array of products and supplies; including books, specimen minerals, rare rocks, fossils, crystals, beads, finished jewelry, polished stones, jewelry making supplies and lapidary equipment, and more. Additionally for the ‘gold bugs’ there will be metal detecting equipment and gold panning. The profit from the raffle is earmarked for both local scholarships and community education in mineralogy and lapidary.

The Show will only be held for two days this year, on Saturday, April 9th from 10AM to 5PM and on Sunday, April 10th from 10AM to 4PM. The location will be the same as last year, at the Elks Lodge, 6309 Clark Road, Paradise, CA 95967. For more information visit our Club’s website at http://ParadiseGem.com , or contact Show Chair, Manuel Garcia at mmpg@earthlink.net or 530-877-7324. Or come to one of our 2nd or 4th Thursday night activity and pot luck meetings in Paradise to learn about membership, our field trips, and our lending library.

Oak woodland habitat restoration tree planting along Rattlesnake Trail Sat. April 16

Sat April 16 meet at 10 am at the North Forebay Aquatic Center, Garden Drive exit west from Hwy 70 (first exit southbound into Oroville).

Bring lunch, water, boots, gloves. Tools and materials provided. Cancelled if more than 50% chance of rain.

There will be a short walk up the hill and the park naturalist will talk about the area and provide context for the work we need your help with.

Questions? 846-1435 Jim Dempsey. Jim can be reached on April 16 at cell. 990-2448.

Help restore wildlife habitat at the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, North Forebay by planting native trees – Thank You for your help!

Thank you!

Jim Dempsey
Environmental Scientist
California Department of Parks and Recreation, Northern Buttes District
400 Glen Drive, Oroville, California 95966
jdempsey@parks.ca.gov
office 530-538-2240
fax 530-538-2244 attn:JimD

California State Parks Mission

To provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

Riparian habitat restoration planting Sat. Apr. 9

Sat Apr 9 meet at 10 am at the Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area campground entry kiosk, about 20 minutes drive north from Chico, 4 miles east of Corning, east side adjacent to the County Park at the Sacramento River.

Bring lunch, water, boots, gloves. Tools and materials provided. Canceled if high winds or more than 50% chance of rain.

We will carpool as a group (no independent access via a private easement) in higher clearance or 4WD vehicles into the Natural Preserve, then walk into the planting site about ½ mile. The park naturalist will talk about the area and provide context for the work we need your help with. Anticipated exit from the Natural Preserve about 3 pm.

Questions? 846-1435 Jim Dempsey. Jim can be reached on April 9 at cell. 990-2448.

Help restore wildlife habitat at the Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area, Natural Preserve by planting native plants – Thank You for your help!
 
Jim Dempsey

Environmental Scientist
California Department of Parks and Recreation, Northern Buttes District
400 Glen Drive, Oroville, California 95966
jdempsey@parks.ca.gov
office 530-538-2240
fax 530-538-2244 attn:JimD
California State Parks Mission

To provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

WILDFLOWER WEEKEND (April 2-3)

The WILDFLOWER WEEKEND (April 2-3) is coming to Feather Falls Casino put on by California Garden Clubs. There will be speakers, armchair tours, and a morning and afternoon guided tour of Table Mtn lead by our own Alan Mendoza.

Yahi Group has been asked to table and we will have our display panel in the vendor area Friday 3-6PM, Sat 8-6PM and Sun 830 - 2PM. I am looking for volunteers to assist at the booth selling our hiking books and answering questions about the club.

2 or 4 hour volunteer slots would be nice so you can enjoy the other great lectures on "Creating a Butterfly Habitat", "The Art and Architecture of Seeds", Wildflowers of the Sutter Buttes", "Using CA Native Plants in the Garden, and other interesting lectures. I'll set up the booth on Friday take it down on Sunday.

Checkout this weekend Conference on April 2 & 3 at www.norcalwildflowers.org with speaker names and bios, schedule of events, tours, wildflower photos, prices, and more!
Please call me at 533-2357 or email me if you can volunteer, to provide you with volunteer conference name tags. I am sorry about the short notice but I just heard about the conference last Friday.

I hope to see you there, Dave Garcia

Conservation Report for April 1, 2011 Yahi Ex. Com

1) I continue to attend lengthy but very interesting meetings of the Chico Water Coalition (CWC). At the last meeting, one of the major local developers (named Zeke Lunder) of a very useful website explained it, his concerns about getting funding to keep the sight up to date, and making it increasingly lay user-friendly. A major focus is Watershed Protection and Restoration. Go to Sacriverorg, where one can see many different layers, zoomed photos, etc,. in this GPS mapping of the entire Sacramento Watershed from Oregon to the Delta.

ACTION ITEM: Our group should write the CA Secretary of Natural Resources about our environmental concerns, especially regarding WATER issues. (The next water CWC meeting will focus on ways we can educate the public to prepare for the next Water Bond vote.)

2) 3/20/11 MLC Conservation and Executive Committee Meetings: a few points that might interest the Yahi leadership:

ACTION ITEM: We are one of two MLC groups that has not sought what we are owed financially: We should be requesting reimbursement for those portions of our newsletter that would be covered by C3 funds. The money comes form National.

ACTION ITEM: The MLC Political committee chair, Andy Sawyer (VERY dedicated), is looking for volunteers from each group --whom Andy could notify when environmental legislation comes up . (Frequency of volunteer efforts in our area would be small given the leanings of our representatives.)"Andy Sawyer" andysawyer@aol.com

+Forest biomass is a source of controversy within the club, e.g., MLC's Forest Legacy Group has a position, but SC-California is very split on issue. There are different ideas re what to do with the forest biomass including; use small wood for products, remove all by burning it, chip and scatter, etc. In order to help reach our goal of truly healthy forests for the long-term: if we go for removal through burning in short term, the EPA might push back due to carbon emissions. Concerns about how to pay for it, too. MLC will have a position, while being especially attentive to our concern that large trees not be removed.

+Climate Action plans of several cities were discussed, including my making brief remarks about Chico's plan & its limitations, e.g, more housing and highways allowed in General Plan would negate much of the supposed big efforts to clean our air. The city of Davis has what-sounds-like a truly great plan which was developed bottom-up ,i.e., by grassroots efforts, and not top-down. (One can find cities' climate plans on the web.)

+The Club's Resilient Habitats campaign is concerned about logging companies getting carbon credits. Defenders of Wildlife is especially active with this.

+The U.S. House GOP, e.g., McClintock, is trying to roll back crucial environmental regulations, including Wild and Scenic River designations, allowing more dams, etc. Sierra Club is unaccustomed to fighting for this on the national level; thus club needs people to lobby in D.C. Moreover, longtime attempts by SC and others to develop a huge national park around Lake Berryessa are threatened now.

+Terry Davis will look into vernal pools issue, e.g., should we be considering wider regional perspectives in Habitat Conservation Plans (part of our counties' General Plans), and not just preservation of local vernal pools?

3.  As you know from my email, I sent a letter to the City of Chico about air quality issues in the General Plan. I also attended the Planning Commission meeting and presented that letter aloud at the beginning of the meeting.

4.  I am always glad to find out about the activism of other Yahi leaders, e.g., Dave Garcia's presentation of a film about fracking at the Grange, and his efforts to get younger people involved in the club! Moreover, John Hollister volunteered to attend Chico City Manager Dave Burkland's quarterly environmental meetings at City Hall next week (March 31). Please share with us what you learn through your activism.

Grace Maria Marvin

PLAN B: MOBILIZING TO SAVE CIVILIZATION

Premieres on PBS stations March 30, 2011, 10 p.m. EST.  (Check local listings)

The Journey to Planet Earth series continues with a special program, hosted by Matt Damon, which features Lester Brown, environmental visionary and author of “Plan B.” This documentary delivers a clear and unflinching message – either confront the realities of climate change or suffer the consequences of lost civilizations and failed political states.

Brown, together with other notable scholars and scientists, including Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman, Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, former Governor and Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, provides a glimpse into a new and emerging economy based upon renewable resources as well as strategies to avoid the growing threat of global warming.
Follow Journey to Planet Earth: JTPE/PBS JTPE on Facebook JTPE on Twitter JTPE on YouTube

Sacramento River Spring Full Moon Float

Sacramento River Preservation Trust & AS Adventure Outings Present:

A Sacramento River Spring Full Moon Float
Monday, April 18, 2011

The Sacramento River Preservation Trust (Trust) and Associated Students Adventure Outings (AO) are co-sponsoring a Sacramento River full moon float on Monday, April 18, 2011. The float will cover a short stretch of the Sacramento River just outside of Chico, near Hamilton City. We will float downstream to Scotty’s Landing, stopping for dinner on one of the sandbars in between as the moon rises over the river. This event will be a late afternoon into evening activity starting at 5:30pm and ending at approximately 10:00pm.
This is a great opportunity to observe this scenic stretch of the River. Nocturnal species will likely make their presence known as we gently float under the fading light of a beautiful spring day! Binoculars are recommended, as bats, bank swallows, river otter and an amazing mix of other migratory and resident wildlife are often seen this time of day.
River guides, boating equipment (whitewater rafts and lifejackets) are provided by AO. Participants will start in Chico. Transportation is provided, with a trip cost of $30 for Trust members, or $40 per person for non- members. Participants are encouraged to bring their own dinner and/or snacks and water. Due to A O requirements, only adults (18 and over) are allowed.

This trip will fill up quickly, and there is a limited amount of space, so call the Trust soon at (530) 345-1865 or visit our website at www.sacrivertrust.org.

Liz Gardner, Sacramento River Preservation Trust
P.O. Box 5366
Chico, CA 9592
530-345-1865
liz@sacrivertrust.org
http://www.sacrivertrust.org/

Sutter Buttes, Valley View Hike

Contact person: Liz Gardner  (530) 345-1865 or liz@sacrivertrust.org
The Sacramento River Preservation Trust presents:
A Sutter Buttes, Valley View Hike
Saturday, April 9, 2011, 8:30am to 3:30pm

Experience a rare opportunity to enter a land “seen by all, but visited by few” on Sacramento River Preservation Trust’s twice a year hike into the Sutter Buttes on Saturday, April 9. On this six-hour, slowly paced outing we circumnavigate Cat Rock, a volcanic dome split in half, rising 500 feet above Peace Valley, an interior basin on the Buttes’ northern perimeter. The leader is Daniel Barth from the Yuba Historical Society, who will start the tour with a visit to a 1,500-year old Native American encampment and then to a refreshing waterfall tucked away in a bay tree grove. From there our group hikes up to a prominent rock outcrop for a brief geology talk. Next we hike upwards to Cat Rock’s shoulder to take in Peace Valley below while observing turkey vultures circling overhead and swallows busily constructing mud nests on Cat Rock’s sheer walls. After this we will ascend for a view high above the Sacramento Valley where we will take in an expansive panorama of Mount Shasta & Lassen Peak, Bald Rock and Oroville Dam and the Yuba River country.

With the wet spring expect to see impressive displays of various wildflowers including Larkspur, Paint Brush, Clarkia, Dutchman Pipe and more.

This hike is approximately 3 miles in length with 700-foot elevation gain. Be sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes, bring hat, water and lunch and other clothing appropriate to the weather condition. Price is $30 for Trust members, $40 non-members. For those 17 years of age or younger: $10 members & $15 non-members.

For reservations and hike details please contact Liz Gardner liz@sacrivertrust.org or 530-345-1865.

Urgent: Take Action to Prevent Harmful Cuts to Family Planning Around the World

(received from:  Grace marvin)

Last Friday, House Republicans proposed a FY2011 Continuing Resolution that would result in huge cuts to international voluntary family planning programs around the world. The proposed budget would eliminate funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as well as reimpose the Global Gag Rule, thus cutting off funding to clinics and healthcare centers around the world that provide women with comprehensive reproductive health services and access to contraception. The proposal would even cut funding for domestic programs that ensure access to family planning for low-income women and young people.


The ability to plan the timing and spacing of one's children is not only a human right, but also has positive ramifications for women, communities, and our planet. When women have access to family planning services, they tend to have smaller, healthier, better-educated families, and are better able to participate in sustainable resource management within communities. When children are healthier and families are healthier, our earth is healthier. In a year when the world's population is slated to hit 7 billion people, we can not afford to cut off contraceptive access and voluntary family planning services to women anywhere.

Ensuring access to voluntary family planning is the best way to slow population growth, while at the same time empowering women and improving community and environmental health. Call or write your decision makers TODAY and encourage them to reject these devastating funding cuts. To speak with your representative in Washington, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. If you do not know your representative's name, provide your zip code and you will be transferred to their office.

Thank you for taking action to prevent this harmful resolution. Women around the world - and our planet - will thank you.
 
from:  Sierra Club Pop News
408 C Street

NE Washington DC 20002
population@sierraclub.org

EPA looks at Delta stressors

(received from Grace Marvin)
U.S. EPA LAUNCHES EFFORT TO ANALYZE STRESSORS ON THE DELTA


This week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will begin an investigation of the pollutants harming the water quality of the Bay Delta ecosystem. The review will focus on several broad areas, including agricultural pesticides, pharmaceutical, discharge from waste treatment facilities, salinity and other chemicals that make their way into the fragile estuary.

The EPA effort, called an "advance notice of proposed rulemaking," comes in response to a 2009 directive by the Obama administration to do more on Delta problems. Much to the chagrin of some stakeholder groups, the EPA does not intend to coordinate this effort as a subset of the Bay Delta Conversation Plan (BDCP); rather, it will be a complementary scientific-analysis of the stressors to water quality harming the Delta ecosystem. Speaking to the importance of this report, Jared Blumenfeld, EPA regional administrator, stated "This, for the first time, tries to look holistically and say, 'What should be done that isn't being done, and are there things EPA should do that we're not.'

from: PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE
1107 9th Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone (916) 444-8726 • Fax (916) 448-1789

pclmail@pcl.org • http://www.pcl.org/ • http://www.pclfoundation.org/

CEQA under attack (again)

(received from Grace Marvin)
The Planning and Conservation League

PCL INSIDER: News from the Capitol
NEW CEQA BILL AIMS TO HIJACK THE PUBLIC’S VOICE AND PLACE OUR COMMUNITIES AT RISK

Yesterday, Senator Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres) introduced Senate Bill 241, a bill designed to revoke judicial oversight of the environmental review process for 25 new development and transportation projects each year for five years. These 125 projects would receive a free pass to violate California’s premier environmental law – the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) – by sidestepping the judicial review process designed to ensure developers are accountable for the impacts and the required mitigation of their projects. This would also mean Californians would be unnecessarily exposed to environmental and health impacts and be denied the opportunity to have a say in the future of their communities.

Unfortunately, this new attack on CEQA is not surprising. Previously rejected bad CEQA bills have a way of resurrecting themselves during budget negotiations and new legislative sessions. Whether it be a special exemption for Wal-Mart, or other big-box stores, or a massive football stadium in downtown Los Angeles, or granting a state agency the authority to hand-pick 125 project exemptions, there is a reason these projects do not want to be held accountable. Without CEQA protections, local residents would have no means to prevent the development of new toxic power plants, waste incinerators, or loud, traffic stopping football stadiums near their schools and neighborhoods.

To join the coalition of over the effort of a coalition over 150 (and growing!) environmental and justice groups, housing advocates, businesses and community leaders, and receive the latest CEQA news, please e-mail PCL’s Jena Price.

from:  PLANNING AND CONSERVATION LEAGUE
1107 9th Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone (916) 444-8726 • Fax (916) 448-1789

pclmail@pcl.org • http://www.pcl.org/ • http://www.pclfoundation.org/

Bioneers Video Series 2011

(received from Susan Wooldridge)
Presented by the Chico Women's Club - http://www.chicowomensclub.net/

Join us at the Club House on February 10, 17 & 24, 2011 for the 2010 Bioneers Conference 3-part video series from 7-9 PM. Voices from the leading edge of the environmental movement on the big screen. Suggested donation $2-5 (Students free). For local information, please call 530-345-5560. A few words from local organizers are here. Visit http://www.bioneers.org/ for information on the upcoming 2011 Bioneers Conference.

• Thursday, February 10, 7:00 PM: Local Food Economies
  Gary Hirshberg, CEO Stoneyfield Organic Yogurt: From 7 Cows to Values-Based Profitability; Peter Warshall, Dreaming New Mexico Project: Communities Redesigning Foodsheds; Judy Wicks, Local Food Pioneer/Restaurateur: Local Living Economies: Green, Fair and Fun
• Thursday, February 17, 7:00 PM: Navigating Our Future
  John Warner, Green Chemist: How a Creator of New Molecules Went Green; Elizabeth Kapu'uwailani Lindsey, Anthropologist: Navigating by Indigenous, Ecological Wisdom; Video short: Four Years Go!; Kenny Ausubel, Co-Founder Bioneers: The Shift is About to Hit the Fan; Discussion led by Rosemary Quinn
• Thursday, February 24, 7:00 PM: Ramp It Up! Strategic Organizing
  Andy Lipkis, Founder L.A.'s TreePeople: Urban Oases: Vibrant Communities/Living Ecosystems; Mary Gonzales, Gamaliel Foundation: Finding Your Inner Agitator/Trainer/Strategist; John Francis, PhD/PlanetWalker: 22 Years of Walking, 17 Years of Silence

Wetlands Oxidation Ponds Grand Opening!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Phil Johnson
570-7139
ptjptj@gmail.com

Wetlands Oxidation Ponds Grand Opening!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
10AM – 1PM

Come enjoy a supreme wildlife habitat area. In Chico!

The City of Chico has a recently re-engineered its wetlands/oxidation pond area. The Altacal Audubon Society and the Sacramento River Preservation Trust would like to invite you to celebrate this wonderful improvement for wildlife. The grand opening and dedication is on Saturday, February 19 from 10am to 1pm.

Altacal Audubon President Scott Huber says: “Chico’s wildlife refuge is within reach of our downtown. We used to have to travel to get a glimpse of the incredible diversity of bird species that are now thriving within our City limits.” When asked about the relationship of the ponds to the wastewater plant, located adjacent to the ponds, Scott continued, “The wildlife habitat is so well integrated you might not know the plant was there.” The ponds and surrounding trees are home to Great Horned Owls, Snowy Egrets, ducks, geese, turtle and much more - all have a renewed and expanded area in which to thrive and share.

The 32 acres of ponds (located at 4827 River Road) has seen veteran birders come for 40 years; its recent expansion and re-design’s main objective is to invite the public to experience the abundance of waterfowl for both education and recreation. The ponds have been re-vegetated with native plants that are typically found in original Sacramento Valley wetlands. New to the ponds is a bird blind, various water depths to attract a wider variety of shorebirds, waders and water birds. Loafing islands have been placed where waterfowl can socialize and nest with a reduced risk of predation. An easily accessed and expanded parking area includes an approved Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accessibility trail going right up to the ponds.

From 10am to1pm, guided walks will commence every half hour and will be led by Altacal-Audubon President, Scott Huber and Altacal member, Phil Johnson. The morning festivities include a visit from Marilynn Gamette and her Bidwell wildlife rehabilitated owl, Checkers.

At 12:00PM there will be a Wetlands Oxidation Ponds dedication.

The ponds are located at 4827 River Road, 3.5 mile out W. 5th Street (toward the river) and behind the the Water Pollution Control Plant.

The hours of operation for the wetlands oxidation ponds are daily: 7am to 7pm, October thru March. Starting in April and through September, hours will expand from 7am to 9pm daily.