What’s new on the “Petaloo”

Has it only been a month since the last Tidings? It seems like a year. Actually the Dec. issue was last year. There is a lot of new news to share;
so let’s get going…

What people are saying:

We love to get messages from our supporters and we have had some wonderful responses to the December newsletter and Friends activities. Here are a few:

Looks like you’ve been up to great things!!! — Sue Brown – Novato

What a great newsletter! It’s great to see your growth. — Caitlin Cornwall – Sonoma

Really fine job on this recent newsletter, too. It’s a crowning achievement to the year’s efforts. —Andrew Packard

Glad to see the Friends are active and growing. It’s been fun tracking that part of the river action. —Scott Hess

Beautiful!! If I ever run into you and you have a Celebrate and Conserve sticker I would like to buy one. —Veronica Jacobi

I have found the river to be transformative in mind and body. There are days I just itch to be out there on it now. Rowing is so strengthening for my back, and it has really changed how I view living in Petaluma. I feel much more connected to the Bay Area through the river and the tides. It’s difficult to explain, but my orientation has changed. Petaluma is no longer a city with water in the middle; it’s a city with lots of points to the river and bay for play and exploration. —Tiffany Renée

Conservation concerns:

1. Trouble in the Marsh; PCB contamination at the radio shack

Old communications Bldg.		Damaged transformers

Sometime this fall vandals struck the old communications building in the middle of Petaluma Marsh. Looking for scrap copper they knocked down a cyclone fence housing old transformers and opened some up on the site.

Such transformers traditionally used PCB laden oil as a coolant. Ray Thompson of Petaluma Paddlers alerted me to this situation and I contacted the Dept of Fish and Game who own the property. DFG investigated and confirmed that there is PCB contamination, but at a lower level than they had feared. They are currently seeking a toxics contractor to cleanup the site.

2. Trouble at the landfill: slumping levees cause emergency repairs

steam shovel doing berm repairs		emergency levee repairs

More trouble at the Redwood Landfill. Seems their Levee recently subsided at the area of the leachate pond, near the fill tower, due to berm repairs. According to Jessica Jones, their new District Mgr., this event happened Mon 12/18. I noticed the activity and took these pictures Fri 12/22. They are now driving in sheet piling to stabilize and repair the levee. “You know how unpredictable Bay Mud is” she said in a phone conversation this morning. Mrs. Jones and I met previously at a joint presentation for John Shribbs Environmental Science class. According to her no waste escaped into San Antonio Creek during this event.

This incident should be a warning of what could happen if the dump expands.

3. Spartina trouble on the river:
The Petaluma Argus Courier reports that Investigators with the Spartina Project have confirmed the samples they took on their initial investigation are indeed the invasive Spartina hybrid. Read the story by reporter Corey Young.

The Spartina Project has contacted “Friends” to help with further investigations. A Day long boat trip with key biologists and agency people is planned for Feb 2^nd.
Ingrid Hogle of the Spartina Project writes:

“Thanks to everyone for coordinating schedules for a day-long Petaluma boat trip hosted by Friends of the Petaluma River. I am attaching a map of the areas where we have identified non-native Spartina along the river. Our intention is to do a reconnaissance-level survey to get a good idea of the extent of:

(1) potential habitat for invasive Spartina. This survey will give us an idea of the extent of the area which needs to be surveyed later in the year, and the extent of the area which could potentially be included in a site-specific control plan.

(2) potential habitat for endangered California clapper rails. All of our monitoring and control efforts must be tailored to accommodate any breeding populations of California clapper rails, as specified in our program’s Biological Opinion.

I look forward to seeing you all on Friday, February 2. We will be meeting at either Port Sonoma or Petaluma, and making a 1-way trip to the other, and shuttling back to our starting location at the end of the day. Details on meeting time & location to follow.

OK, enough bad news. Time now for some good news…

SF Bay Flyway Festival:

The annual Flyway Festival is returning to Mare Is. in Vallejo Feb 2-4^th.

This is a wonderful indoor/outdoor affair that caters to the whole family. They have nature exhibits, outings, and children’s activities, plus its Free!

Check out the action at: http://www.sfbayflywayfestival.com/

Friends will be hosting a table there on Sat. Feb 3^rd. Stop by and say hi!

Successful year end appeal:

Friends had a wonderful response to our year end appeal, receiving some very sizable donations and many smaller ones; in all they totaled nearly $4000. We are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed!

Some folks were even inspired to begin making monthly contributions.

Tiffany Renée, and Jaimey Walking Bear, who already volunteer substantial time and services to Friends, had this to say:

“Jaimey and I love being involved in community projects, lending our hands and hearts; giving our time and talents where we can. But we have seen how start up organizations are vulnerable in the beginning as they try to meet monthly operating budgets and go beyond to do the work—the mission—to achieve their purpose.

Being on a budget can make one-time annual donating a challenge. By giving a small monthly amount we can provide a consistent stream for “Friends” so we know our efforts will take hold. We are already seeing a great return on our investment as the River is experiencing a renaissance in Petaluma. We encourage other “Friends” to try the monthly giving; and PayPal makes it so easy to do!”
— Tiffany Renée and Jaimey Walking Bear

You too can help provide a consistent flow for Friends. Become a monthly supporter

We hope to see you on the water and in the community
Dave Yearsley – Friends of the Petaluma River

Celebrate & Conserve

Oct. 2005 - First “Tidings” e-mailed announcing the end of the Petaluma Riverkeeper program and the intention to form a new “Friends of the Petaluma River” organization.

Nov. 11 – The Argus publishes an article on the transition.

Winter 05 – 06 - Advisors meet to decide the direction and set goals for the new organization. Celebrate & Conserveis chosen as a motto. Initial donations recd. to start Friends.

Feb 27 – Our first public function; a presentation by respected environmental artist Patricia Johanson; celebrating the book “Art & Survival”; about her work in Petaluma and around the world. Hosted by the Sheraton.

Feb. 28 – We receive our first grant; $2000 from the No. Ca. Environmental Grassroots Fund, for general support.

Mar. 3 - “Tidings” officially begins electronic posting as monthly newsletter. A goal of 100 “charter” members set.

Mar. 31 - We announce the launch of a wonderful website www.FriendsofthePetalumaRiver.org, built by volunteers.

April 06 – Our beautiful brochure and bookmarks are printed; just in time for an Earth Day table at Whole Foods and for our “Boat Float” in the Butter & Eggs parade.

May 06 – The fundraising “Sunset/Full Moon River Cruise” donated by Dolphin Tours is a smashing success. Our story is told in the SF Chronicle on May 25^th with a full page article by Paul McHugh and photos by Scott Hess.

We began working with small boat rowers, sailors, and paddlers to create a Small Craft Center for Petaluma.

May 19 – The first “Nautical Mass” is staged on a rainy Fri. evening. It proves to be a “splashing success”; prompting regular 3^rd Friday flotillas throughout the summer.

June 06 – Friends holds a family “Mess About in Boats” on Jun. 18^th and it proves to be a big hit, especially with the kids, who find that messing about in the mud is fun too.

July 06 – Our first public meeting is held in PRBO’s new community/conference room. Our dream of a floating headquarters is announced and a $10,000 challenge grant is offered by 2 key supporters! We have until Labor Day to meet this match.

A beautiful 30 x 36 river map and 2 sided water proof paddle map are published by Friends for public purchase.

We also begin offering an attractive line of “River Wear”; including fleece vests, hats, and windbreaker jackets.

The Redwood Landfill expansion issue makes the papers as the Press Democrat quotes Friends director David Yearsley and credits local environmental pressure as successful.

July 27 – Friends hosts State Assembly candidate Jared Huffman for a river tour and lunch with other river activists downtown. He offers help in pursuing a River Parkway for Petaluma. Other projects are also discussed.

Aug. 06 – We began work with the Sequoia Paddle Club and consultant Susan Starbird to collaborate on a regional water trail grant that will go to the Coastal Conservancy to develop a comprehensive study of potential access sites.

The deadline for the special “Challenge Grant” is extended to Sept. 18^th. We are getting closer to reaching our goal of $10,000.

Friends receives the full time use of a 21’ Mako power boat from Baykeeper to support our work.

Sept. 06 – We exceed our Challenge grant goal on the final day with a flurry of last minute donations!

We have a great day with Friends display at the Petaluma Progressive festival, gaining over 2 dozen new members and fulfilling our first year goal of 100 Charter Members.

Oct. 06 – Our educational horizons expand as we begin working with the “Petaluma River Rangers”; and after school enrichment program from McNear School organized by member Darcy Aston.

Oct 20^th – Friends celebrates our first year with a festive event! First edition of “Milestones and Memories” printed.