Celebrating our Second Year: Oct 2006 – Oct. 2007

It is with pride and appreciation we complete our second year of Celebrating and Conserving the Petaluma River. The pride comes from knowing that our efforts have brought increased awareness and direct improvements to the river. The appreciation is for all of the people and organizations who have made our achievements possible; through donations and volunteer efforts. With your continued help we hope to make our next year even better.

Save the Bay tour leaders “talkin’ marsh” with paddler

Index of activities:

A. News and information:

13 issues of our Tidings e-newsletter were produced including:
64 separate articles with 74 color pictures.
4 alerts sent for unusual incidents or special events
6 major news articles in which Friends was featured including:

• 2 segments on KPIX TV Ch. 5
• 1 feature column in the SF Chronicle Sports by Paul McHugh
• 3 articles in local papers Petaluma Argus Courier and Petaluma Post

B. Boat tours and community presentations:

52 boat tours and river trips taken with:

• 91 elected officials, agency staff, community leaders, and “Friends”
• 12 or more presentations given to classrooms, groups, and decision makers
• 1 paddle tour given in conjunction with “Save the Bay”

C. Community Events:

4 major community events organized or co-organized including:

• The Mayors’ Boat Ride
• The Petaluma River Marathon / ∏ Marathon
• Day on the Water boating access & training event
• Nautical Mass events

7 public events were participated in or tabled at including:

• Butter & Eggs Parade
• Petaluma River Clean up
• “Step It Up” climate change awareness rally
• Taste of Petaluma water taxi
• Great Petaluma Marsh Art Show at SRJC
• Petaluma Progressive Festival
• Petaluma Business Expo

D. Grants and awards:

• Ca. Coastal Conservancy grant for Spartina eradication; up to $50,000
• No. Ca. Grassroots Fund Spring 2007; grant award of $5,000
• Wildlife Forever Marching grant award; ($1,500 matched 11/07 = $3,000)
• Whole Foods selection as 5% Day recipient (recd. over $2,700)

Mayor’s Boat Ride	Petaluma River Rangers

Environmental Actions and Community Collaborations:

2/06— Damaging and un-permitted grading and Levee work on land owned by the Dry Creek Pomo’s was investigated and stopped with the aid of Friends. This led to organizing a coalition of concerned citizens and a workshop on Tribal process by Co. Supervisor Mike Kerns.

4/06— “Step-It-Up action day led by the Sierra Club sparks a rally and march in Downtown Petaluma drawing attention to the threat of rising sea levels due to global warming. Friends helps with organization, display materials and signs.

5/06— Friends participates in the annual River Clean up; working with the River Cleanup Committee to provide volunteers, funding, and on the water leadership.

6/06— “Day on the Water”. In collaboration with Petaluma Small Craft Center Coalition (PSC3) Friends provides a selection of traditional small craft and river information to over 100 participants.

Summer/06— Working with the Dept. of Fish and Game, Friends assists Ameri Corps. members in surveying habitat on 5 Petaluma Creeks for Salmonids.

8/06— Friends organized and hosted “The Mayor’s Boat Ride” in conjunction with PSC3 to bring attention to needed water access amenities. Over 80 non-motorized watercraft and 160 people participated in this first of its kind event.

8/06— Friends aided SRJC librarian Karen Peterson in assembling “The Great Petaluma Marsh” art show; highlighted the importance of Petaluma’s River and wetlands in the eyes of many visitors who were unfamiliar with their beauty.

9/14/06— After months of planning by Friend’s Spartina Team volunteers, and intensive coordination with the Invasive Spartina Project, all identified stands of the hybrid were sprayed by a contractor with specially selected herbicides to stop their spread & reproduction.

10/06— Worked with the Petaluma Schools enrichment program “River Rangers” and assisted Darcy Aston by providing information about the River’s special resources. The program was capped by a boat ride on the river.

11/06— Invasive Spartina hybrid discovered in Petaluma Watershed. “Friends”
takes an active part in leading survey tours, and pursuing a grant to help identify infestations and eradicate them before they spread further.

12/06— Failing levees at the Redwood Landfill, near the leachate ponds, are photographed and reported as threats to the river as emergency repairs are made.

12/06— PCB contamination in the Petaluma Marsh due to vandalism is reported to Ca. Dept. of Fish Game by “Friends” sparking an emergency cleanup.

Help “Friends” sail into the future

A Vision for the Future:

Friends wants to focus attention on what we see as our most important projects & programs, things that we do well. I believe that these are providing access, information, and conservation programs; in keeping with our motto “Celebrate & Conserve”!

Our vision for the future is focused on creating a “River Heritage Center”; a place to:

• Provide written information, visual displays, data archives, and public presentations about the river’s natural resources and cultural history.

• Promote river access opportunities and produce income through;

• River tours and boat rentals

• Recreational and stewardship activities

• Heritage related seminars and programs

• Pursue conservation efforts that will protect and improve the river’s vitality

To realize this vision, we need help:

 

We need cooperation – from elected officials, public agencies, and non-profit groups that care about the Petaluma River’s well being.
We need volunteers - to handle tasks and responsibilities; providing their expertise to add capacity to our infrastructure and helping to move important projects forward.
We need monetary support (most of all!) - Contributions from people who care about the Petaluma River; its wild inhabitants, natural resources, and cultural heritage. They provide the nutrients that keep our grassroots organization alive. We are currently undernourished, lacking the funds to pay for staff and necessary equipment.

You can make a difference in the vitality of our organization.
If you and your family want to learn about the wonders of the Petaluma River.
If you value river oriented recreation, education, and conservation programs.
If you want to leave a positive river legacy for future generations.

Support Friends of the Petaluma River! Help make the vision a reality. Please make a generous year end contribution. Do it online or by mail.

Warmest wishes for the holidays from everyone at “Friends”
We hope to see you on the water and in the community in 2008

Dave Yearsley – Friends of the Petaluma River

Celebrate & Conserve

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