Dear fellow Friend of the Petaluma River,

David Yearsley joyfully championed the Petaluma River as a priceless community resource.   In his honor, the board of Friends of the Petaluma River – which David founded in 2005 and nourished up to the day of his death in September – joined with the City of Petaluma in naming the historic barn on the McNear Peninsula the David Yearsley River Heritage Center. This marvelous structure is the living symbol of Friends’ commitment to the River and serves as the focal point for all of our activities.  Through the DYRHC, David’s legacy lives on.

With your help we will continue to establish the Petaluma River as the heart of our community by sharing in the beauty, wildlife and recreation opportunities our River and wetlands provide. Please join us in Celebrating and Conserving the Petaluma River today with a generous year-end contribution. Click HERE to donate now!

Celebrate and Conserve, the guiding principle of Friends, underscored our work in 2011.  Here are some of the highlights:

• Friends teamed up with the Rivertown Revival gang and brought the beauty and history of the River alive to 8000 participants.
• River Heritage Days centered around the historical vessels, Alma and Grace Quan, and the pioneering days of Petaluma; kids of all ages learned the lore of the River.
• Boating events from our Sunday morning small boat introduction to the prestigious Wine Country Rowing Classic brought in budding skippers and world class rowers.
• Our able and enthusiastic team of volunteers established the ever-expanding Small Boat Club, which meets every Sunday morning at the River Heritage Center to work on boats – all are welcome to stop by and join in.
• Friends’ two launches have taken scores of local dignitaries and family groups into the Petaluma marsh to see its wonders and strengthen their commitment to the River.
• Our annual fall Fandango was a huge success thanks to Friends like you.
• A $46,000 grant from CA Department of Fish & Game and NOAA Fisheries allowed us to expand Salmonid habitat and increase community awareness of the watershed. We are also pushing ahead with a California State Office of Grants proposal to create a Nature Education Facility at the DYRHC.
• Earlier this year we successfully removed major debris and hazardous waste at the River Clean Up with Sonoma County Sheriff’s Marine Unit and EPA support.
• We have increased our office staff to help with our growing organization.   Staff will work under the direction of the Board to coordinate activities, write grant proposals, and promote our goals.

We look forward to building on these accomplishments in 2012 by enhancing the community’s involvement in the David Yearsley River Heritage Center, expanding our cultural heritage programs, and increasing watershed restoration and River clean-up efforts.  And through our partnership with the Department of Fish & Game we will continue to educate the community with our nature awareness programs and River tours.

Your support for Friends of the Petaluma River will allow us to complete renovations on the River Heritage Center, increase our outreach and education programs and continue the process of restoring this wonderful natural resource for the entire community to enjoy.

Please contribute now to help ensure that David’s legacy lives on in the Petaluma River and Marsh. If you prefer not to contribute online please contact our staff at (707) 763-7756. See you on the river.

Sincerely,

Friends of the Petaluma River Board of Directors

The Importance of Access to Nature

David Yearsley River Heritage Center

Friends of the Petaluma River is honored to host a powerful weekend workshop with Jon Young and Paul Raphael at the David Yearsley River Heritage Center.  Teachings and stories will be shared around the fire on ways in which we can honor our significant transitions of life, both as individuals and as a community. The workshop will be facilitated by Jon Young and Paul Raphael, both of whom are dedicated to Community and Culture Repair.

This workshop was inspired by the community’s interest in learning more about the traditions and teachings behind the “Sacred Fire” that was held for David Yearsley at the River Heritage Center.  Many of the guests who attended “David’s Fire” were very touched by the way in which the fire brought the community together, held everyone, and provided the space and opportunity to grieve and honor David.

David was dedicated to bringing the teachings he learned from Jon Young, founder of The 8 Shields Institute,  to the Community here in Petaluma.  Some of those teachings include sharing tools for cultivating deep nature connection, community repair, and cultural repair.

If you are interested in this event and would like to learn more, please “click here”

To register, please “click here”

Please note: Friends of the Petaluma River participants receive a $45.00 discount, upon registration please enter “Friends” as the promotion code.

For official flyer: HonoringTransitions

Friends of the Petaluma River invites community members to join us in a Memorial Celebration in honor of David Yearsley, which will be held on Sunday, October 23, from 1-4 PM, at the River Heritage Center on the McNear Peninsula.

There will be a short presentation which will include the City Proclamation renaming the facility The David Yearsley River Heritage Center in his honor, followed by a potluck lunch and open mike musical performances. Please bring some food to share, an instrument or a tale to tell.  We hope you will join us to honor and remember our founder in his own inimitable style.

For more information, please contact “Friends” at 763-7756, or by email at friends@friendsofthepetalumariver.org

David Yearsley
Marsh Man
February 2, 1946 – September 5, 2011

TESTIMONIALS:

David Yearsley:

You guided us through the backwaters of the Marsh.
You taught us that sharing the wonders of the River is an act of conservation.
You practiced a gospel of Yes!
You hunted and fished the River and listened to its rich silence.
You were a small kid messing around in boats and a big kid building them.
You filled the Livery Stable with music and joy.
You gloried in the mud.
You included us – Friends, board, community – in your vision, and we honor you.
You have passed the stewardship on to us.
May we be worthy.

~ Patrick Campbell for the Board of the Friends of the Petaluma River

I do indeed feel moved to contribute, because of David’s greatness, and in spite of my feeling of inadequacy to do justice to him and his remarkable life.  I think for me it boils down to some very basic things I’ll always treasure about David:

First, he was so positive and such a gentle soul.  I never heard David say a bad word about anyone (except the Redwood Landfill – which really isn’t a person, so it doesn’t count).  Just being around David took all of us to a higher level of humanity because you could tell he had no use for negativism or sniping, so around David you stuck to your better angels.  But it was more than that:  David genuinely saw the best in the people around him, and when someone sees you that way despite all your flaws, it has a way of making you better.

David was very focused and determined — potent qualities when you pair them with that positive/gentle stuff above.  It made him the kind of advocate that builds trust, friendship, and success over time.  Not big, flashy in-your-face victories, but steady incremental progress.  Because of the way he operated, there were no losers in David’s victories, so his circle of friends just kept expanding without adding any enemies.

I’m struck by the quality of the people David gathered around him in that circle of friends: talented, thoughtful, peaceful people who you just like to be around.  And by the larger community he built around his love for the river and the Petaluma Marsh and his vision of how they should be better understood, used, valued and embraced as unique public trust assets.

Last, David was spiritual.  I never discussed religion with him and I have no idea what particular faith or type of spiritualism he held, but there was something so calm and grounded in him that I know he must have spent a good deal of time reflecting, praying, or otherwise connecting with higher sources.

I count myself blessed to have had several long boat rides on the marsh with him; lots of big blue sky conversations about water and rivers; and a few unforgettable group music sessions at the River Heritage Center where David on his dobro contributed the soulful classic “Deep Elem Blues.” I will truly miss David and am so glad to be part of his circle of friends.

~ Jared  Huffman

David Yearsley was a wonderful friend, storyteller, musician, river guardian, craftsman, and community builder. He brought a deep spiritual and natural awareness to our landscape and our regional culture. David was an outdoorsman, a hunter, and a man of practical action- all infused with an artist’s sensibility.  His deep wisdom allowed him to speak softly while reaching down below the surface into our fundamental connections with life on earth and with each other.  His profound ecological vision helped him, and helped us, to re-connect the pieces of our fast paced lives and to settle into a rich appreciation of the Present we have all been given,  right here on the muddy banks of the Petaluma River- “the greatest slough on Earth”.

~ Scott Hess, Photographer

Just the thought was soothing, to have a perpetual four-day outdoor fire starting on David’s last day.  And to reinforce our warm thoughts of and experiences with David,  we circled the fire in the dark bringing up images of how David would have enjoyed the outdoor theme as he poked at the coals.

Always an unwritten fellowship between people who love wood and its working, and its contribution to new creation.  I appreciated David when we first met.  His enthusiasm for building things was elicited when I told about the original Petaluma cart.  ”Let’s build one” was David’s startling reply.  Let alone his frequent proposal to build a Petaluma version of the Alma.

What a team you have made to foster the amenities of Petaluma and its river.  A constant advocate for exposing people to the Petaluma River and its complex of marshes, David’s enthusiasm spilled over to a persistent drumbeat to put the River Heritage Center on Petaluma’s McNear Peninsula.

From legislators to city council person, David practiced his persuasion.  The many friends and advocates expressed their appreciation and fondness for David at the Lakeville riverside gathering and, despite his illness, he participated with his last public presentation, to the admiration of all.

David understood the importance of music to bring people together and its combining with enthusiasm, innovation, and love of place has finally put the River in the consciousness of Petaluma citizens.

Not many Davids in the world, we truly miss his presence.

~ Bill Kortum

Benefiting Friends of the Petaluma River and the River Heritage Center; featuring a delectable multi-course dinner by Stephanie Rastetter of Water Street Bistro, Petaluma Gap wines and foods, and the vintage sounds of the Rivereens.

Click the image to the left to download the flyer or contact Elizabeth Howland for more information – via email at Elizabeth [at] FriendsofthePetalumaRiver.org or by phone at 707-763-7756.

Spring has finally sprung in Petaluma and things are happening on the River. Take advantage of the fine weather and join us one of the several activities listed below.
Captain Dave Yearsley

River Tour season has begun

Friends has scheduled a new season of River tours. We will again be offering our very popular Friday Evening Wine and Cheese Eco Cruises.

Learn about the River’s history and resources from Captain Dave Yearsley.
Departing from the Petaluma Turning Basin Cavanaugh Landing Park docks -150 Weller St. – (between Washington and D St.)

In addition our boats are available for charters.
Charters available $200 – 250 hr. for up to 12 people
Plan a River trip for your family, business, or club.
• River history trips
• Party cruises
• Bird watching tours
• Lunch or dinner trips to downtown Petaluma

For information call us at 763-7756 or download our flyer for details about our 2011 River Tours schedule.

The River Heritage Center’s Small Boat Club is growing

Every Sunday morning a group of 10 – 16 River aficionados meet at the River Heritage Center to work on boats, offer boat rides, and share stories about boating adventures. They invite anyone with similar interests to join them.

Some photos from the Small Boat Club gatherings:

Dolphin Charters offering river tours in May

Dolphin Charters is offering their popular “3 hr. tours” of the Petaluma River. They still have on tour happening, on May 16. Call or write for more information or to make reservations: 510-527-9622 or e-mail them at trips@dolphincharters.

Junk barge and river debris going away:

The Sonoma County Sheriff Department’s Marine unit, In conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Petaluma Police Dept. have begun planning efforts to clean up major debris and hazardous waste along the Petaluma River from the Hwy 37 bridge to downtown Petaluma. One of the most visible hazards they will be removing is an abandoned barge loaded with trash in McNear Channel opposite the River Heritage Center. Work is due to begin in May of this year. Removing this potentially dangerous eyesore, as well as numerous sunken boats and other toxic waste will be a big boon to the Petaluma River and its users.

Cheers; Capt. Dave Yearsley

Ca. State Office of Grants pays a site visit to the Petaluma River Heritage:

On Feb. 3rd. Karen Simms, a project officer of the Ca. Office of Grants and Local Services met with Petaluma’s Ron DeNicola, Jan Mandrell, and Dave Yearsley at the Petaluma River Heritage Center to see the site and review plans for our State grant proposal to create a Nature Education Facility there. The visit went very well and Ms. Simms seemed very impressed with the location and existing facilities. This step is a good indication our $3.8 Mil. grant application is still moving forward. The Prop 84 funded program is very competitive and taking longer than anticipated, but we look forward to learning more near the end of March.

Friends wins $46.000 grant from Calif. DFG & NOAA Fisheries:

Good news came last week that our grant application for expanding our Petaluma Watershed Salmonid Habitat Enhancement and Outreach Program was approved for the term: 5 /01/2011/to 4/30/2012. It will build on the work we began last year from a $10,000 grant through The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Under the new grant Friends of the Petaluma River will work to improve fish passage for Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, educate a broad spectrum of stakeholders, and increase community awareness and concern for the habitats and stewardship of these resources in the Petaluma River, marsh and watershed.

We are very excited about the possibilities this grant presents It will allow collaboration with other conservation and watershed groups, as well as creating informative displays, and presentations to take to classrooms and community groups; spreading word about the Petaluma’s often underappreciated and threatened Salmonid resources. It will also help fund work by our new grant administrator and program assistant Carolyn Dixon.

The groundwork for these grants began back in 2007 as we helped Ca. DFG with a watershed wide habitat survey. The results of that survey were presented to the public at our very successful “Salmonid Forum” in April of 2008.

Most of this work has been the result of the fabulous vision and support of Gail Seymour; Sr. Environmental Scientist, Supervisor for Fisheries & Watershed Restoration CA Dept of Fish and Game Bay Delta Region. We are extremely grateful to Gail and her colleagues at Ca. DFG. for their continued advocacy for the Petaluma Watershed’s resources and choosing to partner with Friends of the Petaluma River to inform the public about our Watershed’s Salmonid populations and improve conditions for them.

Pontoon boat donated to Friends fleet:

Recently Ernestine Campbell and family contacted Friends about donating their longtime family owned 20’ Kayot Pontoon boat to Friends. Although having been stored for several years, and in rough shape, the craft sparked our interest as a platform to run fishing and other outdoor oriented programs and for use in transporting passengers during River clean-ups & other events.

Small Craft group forming at the RHC:

As Water Rat said to Mole, in Wind in the Willows; “There is nothing – half so much worth doing – as simply messing about in boats”. I agree wholeheartedly, and in order to promote this wonderful activity on the Petaluma River, and make it more readily available to youngsters, seniors and families of our area Friends of the Petaluma is planning to hold a few informational and organizational meetings to see what kind of interest there might be.

Initial activities will focus on repairing and putting to use several small craft that have been donated to the River Heritage Center. Other possibilities for future activities are boat building & outings etc.

Initial Small Craft Club gatherings:
Outreach meeting
Sun Mar. 6th: 10 AM – 12 PM
Petaluma River Heritage Center
6 Copeland St. Petaluma.

Pancake Breakfast – work & play day
Sun. March 13th 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Whether or not you have a small boat or are just interested in learning more about them please come to one of our initial meetings and bring your ideas, friends and family. For more information and to sign up or help contact – david [at] friendofthepetalumariver.org.

Visit our Flickr site to see all of our action packed photos online.

Petaluma River Access Open house a huge success:

Over 200 people attended this remarkable event at the Petaluma Community Center on Jan 11th that was the product of planning by by a coalition of river related organizations, and businesses assembled with the help of a grant from the National Park Service (NPS) to the City of Petaluma. It featured displays and information on projects that would help the city to realize the goals of its 1996 River Enhancement plan and create greater access to the River for recreational boaters, hikers and everyone who wants to enjoy the unique attributes of Petaluma’s most prominent natural resource. Thanks go to the PRAP team assembled by th NPS and all participants for an excellent community event. For more about the evenings activities visit our Flickr site and this article on Petaluma Patch.

Dutra Asphalt Plant approval challenged in court:

A lawsuit citing discrepancies in the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and violations of the Brown act (due process for the public) has been filed in Sonoma County superior court with the City of Petaluma and a coalition of environmental groups as plaintiffs. For more background see the Argus Courier of 1/20/ 2011. To learn more and to support the lawsuit against the Dutra decision visit the Save Shollenberger website.

Carolyn Dixon to join Friends staff and Lucy Kenyon departs:

We are delighted that Carolyn Dixon of Santa Rosa has agreed to join Friends as a part time consultant to assist us in planning nature education programs, grant administration and grant writing. Carolyn, who is a long time resident of Sonoma County is also a nature educator with bilingual skills in Spanish. she has degrees in Environmental studies and Natural resources from Sonoma State Univ. We look forward to expanding our community outreach and nature education programs with Carolyn’s help.

We are also sad to report that Lucy Kenyon our part time office assistant who was funded by the Federal program Experience Works for the last 2 years has left Friends and moved on to other opportunities. Lucy’s able administrative help and wonderful communication assistance will be sorely missed. She has agreed to continue maintaining the River Heritage Center website www.PetalumaRHC which she crated for Friends.

Visit our Flickr site to see all of our action packed photos online.

Oil spill on the River:

Ch. 2's Janet Katsuyama reporting on the oil spill

On Labor Day morning Sept. 6 2010 a spill of 200 – 400 gal. of heavy oil was released into the River by an East Bay company that was demolishing an old tug boat in McNear Channel. Immediate response by the Petaluma Fire Dept. and follow-up actions by the Ca. Dept. of Fish and Game’s Oil Spill Response unit helped to contain the spill and resulted in relatively little damage to wildlife. Effects of the spill on the River’s vegetation, fish and sediment have yet to be determined. An investigation of the spill’s cause and effects will be undertaken by the DFG and any citations or penalties will follow. It was not clear how the perpetrator gained access to the Pomeroy property, where they have been doing demolition of watercraft all summer.

Brian Swedberg points out an oil sheen along the shore of McNear Channe

Upon learning about the incident Friends took immediate action by surveying the River on land and by boat with the help of Port Sonoma harbor master and Friend’s advisor Brian Swedberg. We alerted the DFG response team about lingering hot spots in McNear Channel. The spill also brought regional attention to the River. We were contacted and interviewed by KTVU Ch 2’s Janet Katsuyama, who did a great job of reporting on the story over a period of several days following the incident.

The Argus Courier also published a story and posted photos of the event. For photos of Friends spill related activities, visit our Flickr site.

Help the River on Coastal Cleanup / Estuary Day:

Join us on Sept. 25 for a River and Creek clean-up sponsored by the So. Sonoma County Resource Conservation District (RCD). This is an excellent way to become a solution to pollution and help the River heal in the aftermath of the recent oil spill. Form a team or come alone and help get debris out of the upper Petaluma before it is disbursed by fall storms. Sept. 25th is also national Estuary Day and since the Petaluma River is an estuary for most of its length we will honor that fact and bring attention to the important role estuaries play in cleansing tidewater and nurturing wildlife. To learn more about tidal estuaries visit www.estuaries.gov.

Location: Meet at Friends of the Petaluma River’s office, 260H North Water Street for cleanup assignments

Time: 8:30am – Noon

Contact: Jason Sweeney, So. Sonoma County Resource Conservation District, 794-1242, ext. 126. (If interested, contact Jason to coordinate your own neighborhood cleanup event site.)

Email: events@sscrcd.org

Note: Preferred registration method: Please go to the SSCRCD website to sign up on their mailing list. Once on the mailing list registration page, check the box to be added to the Petaluma Fall Trash Cleanup Event list. Otherwise, email at events@sscrcd.org.

Read more about this event and download the flyer.

Friends assists RCD with upper River inspection:

Survey team (from L): Susan Hayden, Wendy Gjestland, and Jason Sweeney

On Sept. 8th the So. Sonoma Co Resource Conservation District watershed coordinator Jason Sweeney led a trip to the upper reaches of the Petaluma to inspect for foliage that might block fish passage and/or promote flooding. Friends assisted by providing canoes and guidance. The RCD has been working to clear brush from the River’s upper reaches. Photos of the outing can be found at our Flickr site.

Big doings on the Petaloo: Exciting upcoming events:

5th Annual Wine Country Rowing Classic
Come Watch Rowers Race! Free to the public.
Sunday, October 3rd – 9 am-2 pm
Along the River @ Petaluma Marina; 781 Baywood Dr.

Since 1983, Petaluma has been home to the North Bay Rowing Club (NBRC), a friendly group of human-powered boaters who also compete around the Bay Area and beyond. Since 2006, NBRC has hosted the Wine Country Rowing Classic on the first Sunday in October. WCRC is a US Rowing Association event that each year has attracted larger and larger groups of athletes. Nearly 600 competed last year. NBRC is making a concerted effort to get the larger community involved too–as spectators!

The Wine Country Rowing Classic begins and ends at the Petaluma Marina (Sheraton), but it’s Shollenberger Park that gives WCRC one of the best viewing environments on the West Coast. Bring a bike or a pair of walking shoes, come down to the Marina or the entrance to Shollenberger and walk along the river, watching Juniors, Collegiate and Masters crews and scullers compete for medals and a team trophy! Food (paella and the fare of the Marina Bean) and face painting will be available in the Marina parking lot, as well as event T-shirts, rowing-related jewelry hand-crafted out of vintage rowing medals and antique beads, and NBRC’s “classic rowing rooster” T-shirts and other rowing attire. Everyone is welcome to this celebration of our beloved slough as a community resource.

For more information, visit the events page of northbayrowing.org or contact Maggie Hohle at maggietext@comcast.net or 707-658-1365. Families welcome!

Petaluma River Heritage Days; October 8-10

Alma arrives in Petaluma for River Heritage Day 2009

The historic scow schooner Alma & replica shrimp junk Grace will extend their visit to Petaluma this year and offer special programs to school children and the public. On Thu. Oct 8th the boats will be located at the Petaluma Marina to offer school groups cruises and shore-side displays. The cultural history and commercial uses of the River will be featured as well as exhibits describing some of the aquatic resources of S.F. Bay.

Grace Quan in the Petaluma turning basin

Friends of the Petaluma River will be hosting River Heritage Day on Oct. 9th. We invite our members and the community to join us for day and evening events and activities in the downtown turning basin and at the Petaluma River Heritage Center. The 2 historic boats will be open to the public and Friends will be working with the museum staff to build a classic “tule splitter” duck boat at Cavanaugh Landing Park.

Classic "tule splitter"

Beautiful handcrafted boats from the Traditional Small Craft Assn. and the Maritime Museum’s collection will be present at the festivities and may offer rides. On Sunday Oct. 10th the Alma will offer a public sail from the Marina 12:30 – 3:30. The cost is $40 for adults, $30 for seniors (62+), $20 for children 6-15, under 6 is free. Advanced reservations are suggested and credit cards can be accepted. Contact Mariah Gardner at the Maritime National Park Association; (415) 292-6664.

Fall River tours on the Delphinus:

The Delphinus

Friend’s River tours are now fully booked for 2010 but you can still get out for a wonderful River cruise. The folks at Dolphin Charters are returning to Petaluma on the weekends of Oct. 16 –17 & 30 –31 and offering both morning and afternoon trips aboard the beautiful Delphinus. For more information and reservations contact them at: 510-527-9622 or Dolphin Charters’ website or pick up the Sept. issue of the Petaluma Post – a free monthly reader.

Friends in the community:

Friends of the Petaluma River was recently awarded a $10,000 performance grant through the Pacific States Marine fisheries Commission and Ca. Dept. of Fish and Game for Petaluma Watershed Salmonid Habitat Enhancement and Outreach. As part of this grant we will undertake activities to educate a broad spectrum of stakeholders and increase community awareness and concern for the habitats and stewardship of Steelhead Trout and Chinook Salmon in the Petaluma River, Marsh, and Watershed. Look for our displays in The River Heritage Center and at various community events. We will also be giving boat tours to stakeholders and decision makers to sites of interest and initiating habitat enhancement projects.

Visit us at the Petaluma Farmer’s Market Sat. Oct. 2nd 1-5PM where we will be joining the Two Rock 4-H Club for 4-H National Youth Science Day. As part of 4-H2O their members will be giving demonstrations about the effects of CO2 on the aquatic environment. Click for more information.

Dates to remember:

Sept. 25th:
Estuary Day River Clean-up – 8:30 to 12 – Friend’s Hq.; 260 H N. Water St.
Oct. 2nd:
Petaluma Farmer’s Mkt. 1 – 5 for 4-H – 4-H2O Walnut Park 4th & D St. Petaluma
Oct. 3rd:
Wine Country Classic 9am – 2pm rowing event- Petaluma Marina Shollenberger Park
Oct. 9th:
Petaluma River Heritage Day – All day – Downtown turning basin and RHC
Oct. 17-18 & 30-31:
Dolphin Charter River Tours – Sat. & Sun. morning and afternoon

Visit our Flickr site to see all of our action packed photos online.

Cheers; Capt. Dave Yearsley

Rivertown Revival coming to River Heritage Center July 24:

You won’t want to miss this exciting new River event to be held on the grounds of the River Heritage Center. It will be an afternoon of fun for people of all ages with art boat races, costumed characters, colorful displays and exotic merchandise; all presented in an old-time carnival atmosphere. Entry is free and costumes are encouraged. Proceeds will go to benefit Friends of the Petaluma River. To learn more about the Rivertown Revival visit their website.

Entries are still needed for the art boat races. If you and your friends want to join the fun and create a non-motorized art-boat download a registration form from the Revival website. Friends has a few watercraft that could be borrowed by aspiring entrants. If you are interested contact David Yearsley.

River Tours a big hit:

Join us on a River Tour this Summer!

Friends Friday night wine and cheese Eco-cruises have been a big hit so far this summer. The tours not only highlight the River’s historic corridor but take passengers out to special places in the Petaluma wetlands so passengers can learn the secrets of the Marsh. Most of the tours have been fully booked but a few spots are still available in late July. August, September and newly added October dates are all still available, so check our web sites for the schedule and make your reservations now. Make a reservation (New! Now taking online payments) today.

Friends welcomes two new members to Board of Directors and bids adieux to two departing Board Members

J.T. Wick

Mike Simpson

At their annual meeting in June Friend’s Board of Directors added two new members. It was with great joy that the organization welcomed Mike Simpson and J. T. Wick to the Board. Mike, who is the Principal at Two Rock School and formerly the Principal at Petaluma High, has been an active Friends supporter and long time volunteer. He helped to organize our “Fishing Fair” in 2008, has participated in many River Clean-ups, and is playing an active role in restoring our cabins in the marsh. J.T. has been directly involved with the River as the Project Manager for Port Sonoma. He has been very active in the Petaluma community as a member on several advisory boards and committees including Petaluma Peoples Services, Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce and the Petaluma River Access Partners.
Friends is very fortunate to have these gentlemen join the Board and we look forward to their leadership and enthusiasm. Friends Board of Directors officially bid adieux to two of our founding Members. Grant Davis, current Director of the Sonoma Co. Water Agency, and Dr. John Shribbs, a science teacher at Casa Grande High, left the board after nearly five years of service. They both helped to guide friends into existence and their talents will be missed. We also thank Gant and John for their years of valuable assistance as Board members. Fortunately they will still be involved with Friends. As members of our newly created Advisory Council they will join 19 other community leaders and Friends supporters in an advisory role.

Friends Advisory Council installed:

Delphinus

With our new administrative year Friends formed a new Advisory Council. Comprised of former Board members and community leaders the Advisory Council members have all demonstrated a keen interest in the River and have agreed to assist Friends in our endeavors. The members were invited to meet for the first time aboard the Delphinus for an introductory River cruise in May. A list of the Advisors is now posted on the homepage of our website and pictures from the cruise are available on the Friends Flickr page.

Get ready to Fandango

Click for Fandango information

On August 21st. Friends will host our second edition of the “Moonlight Fandango” at the Rockin’ H Ranch. This gala fundraising event was a smash hit last year and everyone who attended raved about it. This year’s event promises to be even better. There will be fine art and fantastic trips available at both live and silent auctions. A “bounty of the watershed” hors d’oeuvres bar with wine tasting along the River, and a sit down dinner in the ranch’s spacious airplane hanger afterward that will feature several courses of delicious locally harvested food. Live music for the reception and after dinner dancing will be provided by the Rivereens, a wonderful local band that plays gypsy jazz, blues, and old-timey music. The event sold out last year and is sure to do so again, so if you don’t want to miss the fun get your tickets now by contacting Elizabeth[at]FriendsofthePetalumariver.org.

Visit our Flickr site to see all of our action packed photos online