As a GrizzlyCorps Fellow at Napa RCD this year, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects. Over the last few months, one of these projects was assisting with monitoring Napa RCD’s Rotary Screw Trap (RST). 

Most of my work with Napa RCD this year has been centered around forestry, so it was interesting to zoom out a little bit and look at other work Napa RCD is doing to measure and improve watershed health. Aside from seeing lots of Chinook salmon and a few steelhead trout, I saw all kinds of other interesting creatures (native and non-native) including crawfish, toads, lampreys, sunfish, Sacramento suckers - the list goes on!

The Napa River is a beautiful place to spend an hour or two every morning, and I feel lucky to have been part of this project. There is so much life and activity just below the surface of the water, and it's so exciting to see even a small snapshot of it.

Read the rest of Gabe's article, including an update on what was seen this year, at the Napa RCD website.

Farewell, Spring Interns!

This semester's Teen Conservation Interns, Solis Anguiano and Xiara Diaz, worked together to plan, advertise, and lead two invasive plant management workdays and coordinate a very large site for the Earth Day Napa Community Cleanup.

Solis and Xiara concluded their internships last week. Before they left, we asked them to share some highlights of working with Napa RCD:

"Participating in volunteer events that benefit our community and environment is something that we will definitely be doing in the future. We are both interested in pursuing a career where conservation will play a big role."

Read their full story at the Napa RCD website!

Meet Your Neighbors! PBA Meetings Scheduled

Join University of California Cooperative Extension and Napa RCD for a series of Prescribed Burn Association (PBA) community meetings. Learn more about PBAs and talk with other community members interested in starting one in Napa County.

Community Meeting #2- June 28, 5:30-7pm

Join Virtual Zoom Meeting HERE: https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=40881

Community Meeting #3- July 20, 5:30-7pm

Seavey Vineyard, St Helena. Details to Come.

Community Meeting #4- July/August, 5:30-7pm

Berryessa Area. Details to Come.

Huichica Creek Vineyard Request for Ideas

The Napa County Resource Conservation District (Napa RCD) is excited to announce a Request for Ideas for using its Huichica Creek Vineyard (HCV) in Los Carneros AVA in Napa County. Historically, HCV has been used by Napa RCD to demonstrate and promote cutting-edge research on vineyard soil health and sustainable farming practices that demonstrate how to coexist and enhance the natural environment. We are now looking for partners to help shape the property’s future.

We invite individuals, for-profit businesses, and non-profit organizations to submit proposals that meet one or more of the following objectives:

1. Increase appreciation and understanding within the winegrape industry of how to coexist with and enhance the natural environment.
2. Demonstrate the feasibility and value of diversified agriculture in the Napa Valley in the face of increasing climate-related soil salinity and drought.
3. Engage the community to increase understanding of ecological resilience, watershed function, sustainable agricultural practices, etc.

Proposals are due Friday, June 30, 2023, at 6 P.M.

More information about the Request for Ideas is available on our website.

North Coast Soil Hub Schedules Third "Clear as Mud" Workshop

The journey through the mud continues as we join our friends at the North Coast Soil Hub for a series of workshops designed for ag professionals. This time around, join the North Coast Soil Hub for a virtual, in-depth discussion about biochar and its potential as a soil amendment on working lands. 

Pairing up for Pollinator Week!

Celebrate our small but mighty pollinators during Pollinator Week at the Carolyn Parr Nature Center. Napa RCD will be joining Carolyn Parr staff on Wednesday, June 21, 10:30am - 3:30pm. Come check out this local gem and bring the family for some kid-friendly pollinator activities!

Celebrating Pollinator Week at Carolyn Parr Nature Center

June 21| 10:30am - 3:30pm

PBA Community Meeting 2

June 28 | 5:30pm - 7pm

Clear as Mud: Biochar

July 13 | 10am - 12pm