Friends of Sausal Creek's February 2022 Newsletter

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2

Arctostaphylos pallida in bloom.

A thriving pallid manzanita seedling—an outcome of years of FOSC efforts to restore the endangered species

Photo by Kate Berlin.

Friends of Sausal Creek is a volunteer-based, community organization. We appreciate your support of our education, monitoring, and restoration programs in the

Sausal Creek Watershed.

DONATE

Upcoming Event - State of the Watershed

Global Issues, Local Responses

FEATURING:

Wendy Tokuda - Moderator -

Veteran Bay Area journalist and FOSC volunteer

Matteo Garbelotto, Ph.D. - Director U.C. Berkeley Forest Pathology and Mycology Laboratory; Statewide U.C. Forest Pathology Extension Specialist

Sasha Berleman, Ph.D. - Director of Fire Forward

Eddie Dunbar - President and Founder of Insect Sciences Museum of California

Dee Rosario - President of the Board, East Bay Regional Park District

Join Friends of Sausal Creek for a conversation with four experts in the fields of trees, fire, insects, and park use/accessibility. They'll speak to environmental trends and the impact of climate change on local watersheds.

Please RSVP via Zoom registration:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsfumrqj8qE9A5Xp7tv0vb2Y1v1R7mDHGy

Explore the Watershed

Rare Plants on Serpentinite

Let’s talk about serpentinite—colloquially, serpentine—which refers to the types of minerals that make up serpentinite rock. Our watershed hosts a zone of this cool greenish-greyish rock with a scaly texture similar to a snake, and we want to bring awareness to the important role it plays in California’s unique ecological diversity.

Click here to read the full article

Kudos Corner

Martin Luther King, Jr. Week of Service Volunteers

What an incredible turnout for MLK Jr. Day of Service at Shepherd Canyon Park, Jingletown Native Plant Garden, and Bridgeview Trailhead Pollinator Garden! Many thanks to site leaders Mike Petouhoff, Jill McLennan, Cynthia Elliot, and Kathleen Harris who hosted nearly 100 total volunteers in planting, weeding, and litter removal activities. We were excited to see many young people getting involved—shout out to Bishop O'Dowd girls soccer team, multiple Scout troops, as well as multigenerational families volunteering together on this significant day of reflection and community building.

Friend of the Month

Dylan Nixon-Helms

Dylan Nixon-Helms works as a civil engineer and project manager. In 2021 he volunteered his talent and expertise by managing an extensive fencing project at Fern Ravine and also partnered with Bob Roat, an environmental engineer, to remove fencing at the eroding El Centro trailhead after the heavy winter rains. Here’s a bit about Dylan and how he got involved with FOSC.

Dylan was out on a run at Joaquin Miller Park when he saw an Eagle Scout candidate and his father constructing a fence. He had always wanted to volunteer, and with transit and trail design as a personal passion, this seemed like a natural fit. Dylan stopped to ask how to get involved and was connected with FOSC Restoration and Nursery Manager, Jay Cassianni.

When asked about his favorite place or activity in the watershed, Dylan responded, “Anywhere there are redwoods. Honestly. I love those trees. I run in the park a few times a week and couldn't be happier with where my uncoordinated feet take me, no matter what the trail.” This feeling of awe originated with his first trip to a California redwood forest in his teens, when he promised himself he’d live by those majestic trees one day.

As a volunteer, Dylan has also helped out by giving scouts feedback on materials and design for fencing projects in the watershed. “It is a dynamic process, and my favorite part is helping the Eagle Scouts navigate everything and learn along the way. Another plus is being able to bring in a local and sustainably focused small business to source the lumber."

The year 2022 has more projects in store for Dylan as he’s finishing up some fencing, and then moving on to install a footbridge. Dylan does have a yearning for warmer climates and has his eyes set on moving south to San Diego before the year is out, but he looks forward to helping out with more watershed projects in the meantime and is excited for what the year will bring.

Thank you, Dylan, for all you do. See you out on those trails!

If you would like to nominate a Friend of the Month, contact education@sausalcreek.org.

Join Our Team

We're Hiring!

Join our team as

Restoration and Nursery Manager!

FOSC is seeking a Restoration and Nursery Manager to maintain and expand FOSC’s ongoing watershed restoration efforts and to manage the FOSC Native Plant Nursery in Joaquin Miller Park.

Application deadline: February 10, 2022

Pay: $25-$27/hour depending on experience

Hours: Full-time (35-40 hours per week)

How to Apply: Please email a PDF cover letter and resume to jobs@sausalcreek.org

View the Full Position Description Here

Arts in the Watershed

Call for submissions

Share with us your watershed artistry! Arts in the Watershed is a community sourced journal of creative arts and experimentation inspired by our local natural environment. Open to artists of all ages working in any medium. Show us what inspires you or share your process. We kick it off with our intern Kate's love of cyanotype as she creates sun prints with plants. Click here to read more and see her work.

Submit Yours Here

FOSC 25th Anniversary T-Shirts Are Still Available

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Consider a gift of our 25th Anniversary T-Shirts to your loved ones. The "Mali" is modeled below by FOSC member and enthusiast Barbara Phillips. Here is what Barbara has to say about her shirt: "I'm fussy about how a shirt feels and fits. This cotton tee is so soft, and the generous neckline is an added feature. I wear mine both for hiking and for yoga and it's completely comfortable. Also, it's really beautiful!”

FOSC member and former Board President Carl Kohnert, modeling the “Staple” crewneck says, “These shirts are really a nice look and value.” And his grandsons, Chase and Tobias Wyer, are proud wearers as well!

The Mali and Staple—both in 100% cotton—are still available in several adult and junior sizes. Visit our web store now to order!

Event Calendar

View the FOSC Events Calendar for details

To keep our community safe, please come prepared to wear a mask and social distance.

Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Drop-In Hours

*RSVP Required* for groups of four or more

Wednesdays in February 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 12 and 26, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Friends of Sausal Creek Native Plant Nursery

Pollinator Garden Workday

*RSVP Required*

Sunday, February 6 and 20, at 9 a.m.

Bridgeview Pollinator Garden

Marj Saunders Park Cleanup

*RSVP Required*

Monday, February 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Marj Saunders Park, Chelton Drive and Ascot Drive

FOSC Board of Directors Meeting

*RSVP Required*

Wednesday, February 9, 7-9 p.m.

Via Zoom

Restoration Workday in Dimond Canyon

*RSVP Required* for groups of four or more

Saturday, February 12, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Meet at the Scout Hut in Dimond Park

Oak Tree Rescue

*RSVP Required*

Sunday, February 13 and 27, at 9 a.m.

Bridgeview Pollinator Garden

State of the Watershed 2022

*RSVP Required*

Wednesday, February 16, 7-8:30 p.m.

Via Zoom

Restoration Workday in Joaquin Miller Park

*RSVP Required* for groups of four or more

Saturday, February 26, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Corner of Skyline Blvd and Joaquin Miller Road. Parking near the Dunn Trail

Jingletown Native Plant Garden Workday

*RSVP Required* for groups of four or more

Saturday, February 26, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Corner of Ford and Peterson Streets in Okaland

Beaconsfield Canyon Restoration Workday

*RSVP Required* for groups of four or more

Saturday, February 26, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Beaconsfield Canyon, Montclair

Sausal Creek Trail Stewardship Crew

*RSVP Required* for groups of four or more

Sunday, February 27, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Location TBD

We need volunteers in the watershed now more than ever!

Join us for one of our many workdays this February.

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.