Thursday, April 28, 2011
A Mother’s Day Sacramento River Float
A Mother’s Day Sacramento River Float
Jellys Ferry to Bend
Sutter Buttes - Peace Valley Hike
Sutter Buttes - Peace Valley Hike
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Cave Bear Comes to Paradise Gem and Mineral Club Annual Show
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.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Oak woodland habitat restoration tree planting along Rattlesnake Trail Sat. April 16
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
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.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
WILDFLOWER WEEKEND (April 2-3)
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
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
Thursday, March 24, 2011
PLAN B: MOBILIZING TO SAVE CIVILIZATION
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
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/
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sutter Buttes, Valley View Hike
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.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Urgent: Take Action to Prevent Harmful Cuts to Family Planning Around the World
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
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)
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/
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Bioneers Video Series 2011
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
Friday, February 11, 2011
Wetlands Oxidation Ponds Grand Opening!
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.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, December 7, 2009
Learn-In and Vigil for A Real Deal in Copenhagen
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sierra Club Action: your email needed PLEASE
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Sierra Club
85 Second St.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Chico State's 2009 Sustainability Conference
- Students are free! Includes all university, college, and community college students, and K-12 students with a valid student ID card or with a registered faculty member
- Faculty/Staff: $25.00 per person
- General Audience: $25.00 per person
- Speakers/Moderators: Free, pre-registration required to validate status
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Dave Garcia Named Top-Preforming Leader
All 300+ Sierra Club trips are led by volunteers.You can see the entire article in the Sierra Magazine, July/August 2009, page 25.

