Week 17 Activity Digest: Weekly suggestions from Napa RCD's Education & Outreach Team

Helping you care for our land, water, soil, and wildlife

Napa RCD Weekly Activity Digest - 17th Edition

Greetings from Napa RCD!

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” - Norman Maclean

Beat the heat and spend some time along the Napa River and its tributaries this summer! This week’s digest focuses on one of our most unique resources, the Napa River . Home to endangered species such as Chinook salmon, California freshwater shrimp, and the Ridgway’s Rail, the Napa River historically supported some of the greatest runs of steelhead trout in the Bay Area.

Head over to the interactive map at NapaOutdoors.org from Napa County Regional Parks & Open Space District to find locations where the public may access the River.

Tag us on social media @NapaRCD and #WILDnapa, or email Education@NapaRCD.org.

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Many thanks to the following education and outreach activity sponsors for their support: NOAA, County of Napa, Napa County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program, City of Napa, the Watershed Information and Conservation Council, and Friends of the Napa River.

Activities to do on the Napa River

Become a Stream Detective with this 4th - 8th grade activity from the BEETLES project and Lawrence Hall of Science.

Snap photos, and pick up and report any litter you find on the CleanSwell app.

Submit river-themed artwork to the River Otter Ecology Project’s Online Water Art & Poetry Contest. They have categories for all ages and experience.

Give Your Car a River-Approved Wash!

Did you know that washing cars on pavement can result in harmful soaps and brake dust polluting creeks and rivers? If everyone in Napa washed their car on pavement...that would not be great news for our Napa River!

Luckily, there are ways you can keep your car AND our river clean! Check out Napa RCD's Clean Water Car Wash program if you need tips for safely diverting your car wash water away from storm drains.

Nature Journal Challenge

Odorless, tasteless, and technically colorless - how does one draw water anyway? Check out this tutorial for drawing water with John Muir Laws.

Once you’ve got that down, try brushing water over your penstrokes for a watercolor effect!

There's Still Time to Join the Oak Crew!

The Oak Crew is a group of youth volunteers (14-25) who will work with Napa RCD staff to take care of young oak plantings on multiple days in July and August. Work will primarily consist of weeding around and applying mulch to young oaks to keep weeds at bay and ensure success of as many plantings as possible.

Find more information about the Oak Crew here.

If you are interested in volunteering, RSVP to one or more days here . Questions?Contact Ashley at Ashley@NapaRCD.org or 707-690-3117.

Weekly Nature Nugget

This week's nature nugget is the heart of Napa County: the Napa River!

At over 50 miles long, the Napa River makes it way through many different landscape types and land use areas of the county before it starts mixing with the salty water of the San Pablo Bay.

You can learn more about the Napa River and its resources from the Friends of the Napa River and the Watershed Information & Conservation Council .

Help support RCD Programs - Donate Today!

Napa County Resource Conservation District | 707-252-4189 | NapaRCD.org