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Aspire Triumph students had a ball hiking and removing ehrharta at Fern Ravine
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Remember how wildly successful FOSC's mid-year appeal was the past three years through East Bay Gives? Unfortunately East Bay Gives is not returning this year. We need your help!
Our goal is to raise $20,000 between Earth Day and Mother's Day. For a limited time, we have a dollar-for-dollar match up to $5,000. To have your gift matched ...
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Serving our Mother Earth
While it's hard for some of us to believe that Earth Day will be 48 years old this Saturday, it's true! Local support for the environment has never been more important. And it's never been so easy to get involved.
We have work days across
the watershed, from the top of the creek all the way down to its mouth at the bay. Check out our
event calendar
at the end of the newsletter or on our website for times and locations, or visit the city's
Earth Day web page
.
If you want to bring out a group to volunteer on a FOSC workday, please contact the site leader referenced on the online calendar. All volunteers under 18 must bring
City of Oakland and FOSC waivers signed by their parent or guardian.
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The Lusty Month of May
We are taking our environmental education outdoors this May--there will be no indoor meeting at Dimond Library on the usual third Wednesday. Treat yourself to a bird walk in Dimond Park and Dimond Canyon led by FOSC's bird monitoring team. Birders of all experience levels are welcome! RSVP to Jess Beebe to reserve your spot.
Community Bird Walk
Meet at Dimond Park Scout Hut
Saturday, May 12, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
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Workshop Offered for New Pallids Crew Members
We are
starting our fourth year of restoration work at the Chabot Space and Science Center to help save the endangered pallid manzanita (Arctostaphylos pallida) from becoming extinct. Last year we started the Pallids Crew, a dedicated group of volunteers committed to helping on the monthly workdays--the second Saturday of each month, 9 a.m.-noon. We have some slots open on the team, and we have an exciting training opportunity for new crew members.
We will kick off the Pallids Crew season with a volunteer training workshop on Friday, April 27.
This workshop,
presented in partnership with
Golden Hour Restoration Institute
,
will begin with background on this endemic species and an overview of current threats to the pallid manzanitas. Volunteers will then receive training in
Phytophthora prevention protocols and
monitoring techniques that they will use throughout the season, followed by some hands-on surveying practice in the field. You don't have to attend this training to join the crew, but it is a great opportunity to learn from pallid manzanita expert Lech Naumovich.
To join the team and to receive details on the workshop, please contact Erin Todd at
[email protected]
or (510) 325-9006
.
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More on Pallid Manzanitas ...
The East Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society is hosting a presentation by Botanist Michele Hammond of East Bay Regional Park District.
Protecting Arctostaphylos pallida, the East Bay's Endangered Endemic Manzanita
Orinda Public Library, Garden Room
26 Orinda Way, Orinda
Wednesday, April 25, 7:30 p.m.
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Explore the Watershed
A Lungless Land Dweller
Common name:
Yellow-eyed ensatina
Scientific name:
Ensatina eschscholtzii xanthoptica
One of the most secretive yet distinctive salamanders found within the Sausal Creek Watershed is the yellow-eyed ensatina. Whether during the summer-dry or winter-cold seasons, this salamander prefers to reside within rotting moist logs, burrows made by other animals, or under large rocks or tree bark within heavily-shaded redwood forest, oak woodland, chaparral, or grassland habitat. But when it emerges, its striking yellow upper eye patch, embedded within an otherwise black iris, is unmistakable. Its overall body coloration is typically orange to orange-brown, reminiscent of the California newt (
Taricha torosa
).
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Staffing Update: Hellos and Goodbyes
We are excited to introduce you to our new staff, Education and Outreach Coordinator Nicki Alexander and Executive Director Anna Marie Schmidt. Nicki and Anna Marie are fabulous professionals who will bring new insights, strengths, and energy to our programs.
Jill Flaningham Miller left FOSC in early March. In Jill's way, she didn't want to have a big goodbye shindig. Jill stepped in to help FOSC out in a pinch on field trips in January 2017, then filled the gaps again by expanding her role to include our restoration program when Restoration and Nursery Manager Michelle Krieg moved on a year ago. With her background as a high school teacher, Jill took the environmental education program to new heights--creating engaging curriculum, leading fantastic field trips, and documenting everything so that Nicki has a detailed game plan to follow. Thank you, Jill, for pouring your heart and soul into the organization you long served as a volunteer. We miss you, but we will enjoy seeing you again at the big work days.
Outgoing Executive Director Kimra McAfee isn't gone yet, so keep your eye out for details on our annual Meet and Greet Potluck to say your goodbyes ... and hellos. Anna Marie will be starting full-time in early May, and Nicki becomes available full-time in late May after wrapping up her Master's at UC Berkeley.
We are sad to announce one more transition as Erin Todd prepares to return to Michigan in June. We wish we weren't losing you, Erin! FOSCers--
Please help us complete our team by passing on the job announcement.
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Thank you to Safeway in Montclair for providing snacks for March's broom pull volunteers in Shepherd Canyon. Applause to Wendy Tokuda for leading this community workday effort. Thank you also to Wendy as well as to volunteers from Student Conservation Association for bashing broom this past weekend in Joaquin Miller Park.
We so appreciate La Farine in Dimond District for continuing to donate goodies for our bimonthly meetings!
Speaking of
Stan Dodson (La Farine's manager), another feather in his cap: The chicane at the Palos Colorados Trailhead at the end of Joaquin Miller Court is complete! This wooden barrier is meant to deter bicyclists from entering this single-track trail--one of the most beautiful trails in the watershed but quite scary when a hiker encounters a bicyclist. We appreciate all of our bicycling Friends who refrain from pedaling on the couple of trails in Joaquin Miller Park that are closed to bicycles due to safety concerns.
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Event Calendar
Bridgeview Trail
(2nd Sundays)
Sun., May 13, 9-11 a.m.
Bridgeview Trailhead Pollinator Garden
(1st & 3rd Sundays)
Sun., May 6 & 20, 9-11 a.m.
Dimond Park Native Plant Demonstration Garden
(1st Saturdays)
Sat., May 5, 10 a.m.-noon
Marj Saunders Park
(1st Mondays)
Mon., May 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
PALLIDS CREW
Chabot Space & Science Center
Monitoring Training on
Fri., April 27, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
TRAIL CREW
Bridgeview Trailhead
Sat., April 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
NURSERY WORKDAYS
FOSC Native Plant Nursery
Joaquin Miller Park
Sat., April 28, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
J
oin the Seed Hike Google Group
here
Meet at Dimond Park Scout Hut
Sat., May 12, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
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EARTH DAY EVENTS
Sat. April 21
9 a.m.-noon
Beaconsfield Canyon
Dimond Park and Canyon
8:45 a.m.-noon
Fruitvale Bridge Park
9 a.m.-noon
Jingletown Arts & Business Community
9 a.m.-noon
Marj Saunders Park
9 a.m.-noon
Wood Park
10 a.m.-noon
SUDDEN OAK DEATH EAST BAY BLITZ
Berkeley Training
Sat., April 28, 10 a.m.
Orinda Training
Sat., April 28, 1 p.m.
*Save the Date*
ALAMEDA COUNTY WATERSHED CONFLUENCE
The Oakland Scottish Rite Center
Wed., Oct. 17, all day
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Get Involved
Our mission is to restore, maintain, and protect the Sausal Creek Watershed. We educate future generations, involve the community in local environmental stewardship, and collaborate with agencies and other nonprofits to have a positive impact on the local ecosystem.
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FOSC needs your support --
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Contact:
Erin Todd
Restoration & Nursery Manager
510-325-9006
Nicki Alexander
Education & Outreach Coordinator
510-853-3533
Kimra McAfee
Executive Director (outgoing)
510-501-3672
Anna Marie Schmidt
Executive Director (incoming)
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Photo Credits: Stan Dodson, Pete Klosterman, Jill Flaningam Miller, Brian Peterson, Mark Rauzon, Erin Todd, Wendy Tokuda
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