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Hello conservation community,


We've been having a grey ending to winter, but, as our Water Conservation Video Contest title implies- Our Future's So Bright, We're Gonna Need Shade (trees). 😎 We're looking forward to the sunny days of spring, and getting out on the land with all of you! We've got lots of opportunities to get involved coming up, both with Napa RCD and with a whole bunch of our amazing partners. Take a look at what's happening, and we'll see you soon!


Until next time,

Napa RCD

This Month's News


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Program Spotlight

  • Wins for Weed Management


News & Announcements

  • February Rainfall Summary
  • Welcome, Moe!
  • Fire Resources Fair March 16
  • Save the Date: Earth Day Napa!
  • UCCE Water Conservation Workshop April 12

In Case You Missed It

  • Our Future's So Bright, We're Gonna Need Shade (Trees)
  • CNPS Native Plant Sale- April 6-7
  • Spring Trails Challenge
  • GSA Releases Map of Napa Valley Groundwater Monitoring Network


Upcoming Programs

  • See below for details
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Wins for Weed Management:

Partnerships and Volunteers Make Magic Happen

Napa RCD has spent the last 3 years working on building partnerships, interest, and capacity in the world of Napa county invasive weed management.


With funding from the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Napa County Ag Commissioner's Office, we have been working with the Napa County Flood Control District, City of Napa Parks and Rec, City of American Canyon Parks and Rec, and the Napa Land Trust to coordinate volunteer events and uplift partner events to accomplish this important work.


But why do we do it??


Invasive plants are those that have been brought to the area from parts of the world with a similar climate to what we have here in Napa- a Mediterranean climate. This means they are good at taking advantage of what water our winters have to offer, and when that water is available they REALLY take advantage of it. So much so, that they often outcompete our native plants for the limited resource. These plants grow fast, crowding and shading out some of the smaller, slower-growing plants that have evolved to thrive here over thousands of years.


Once these invasive plants are removed, the native plant seed bank in the soil has the chance to breathe and take advantage of resources. With repeated visits to the same spots, our native plants will eventually become well-established and will be able to once again thrive.


Right now, our main focus is on a few key species: French broom, Himalayan blackberry, oblong-leaf spurge, English ivy, and yellow star thistle. There are many different invasive plants that affect the lands managed by our partners, but those are some of the biggest ones, and the ones volunteers are able to have a direct impact on.


What's been happening in Napa County?


Invasive plant removal projects have been happening for decades here in Napa. The Flood Control District has worked very hard to get rid of the majority of the Arundo along the mainstem of the Napa River, and the Land Trust has worked for over a decade to remove invasive plants like French broom from their preserves. The City of Napa Parks and Rec has also recently launched a fun project working on English Ivy along the Napa River Trail.


Over the past three years, we've all been working together to help advertise each others' volunteer and educational opportunities, share tools and expertise, and build a reliable volunteer base.


So far, we've worked with over 150 amazing volunteers at a number of parks and open spaces throughout the County, including Westwood Hills Park, Newell Open Space Preserve, The Cove, and along the Napa River floodplain right in downtown Napa.


How can you get involved?


We're so glad you asked! We've got an event coming up this Saturday in Napa, Sunday in Angwin with Napa Land Trust, and next Saturday with the City of Napa at Westwood Hills Park.


For more information about upcoming volunteer opportunities, please contact Ashley@NapaRCD.org

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News & Announcements

February Rainfall Summary


Stay tuned for the February Rainfall Summary from Paul!

Welcome to Napa RCD, Moe!


We are excited to welcome our newest addition to the Napa RCD team, Monique Byro, into her role as a Community Engagement Project Manager!


Monique's previous work history has centered on uplifting underrepresented voices in the natural and cultural resources field.


Prior to joining our team, Monique's experiences included volunteer and youth program coordination, bilingual strategic communications and marketing , policy creation, DEI centered training facilitation, and partnership building for the National Park Service.


She is a member of the National Parks Conservation Association's Next Generation Council, which brings together young changemakers who explore effective methods of engaging youth in national park advocacy and protection. Monique has a B.A in English Literature and Mass Communications from the University of Florida. She is excited to grow Napa RCD's community reach and hopes to strengthen collaborative processes between people and their natural surroundings. Monique grew up in Miami, Florida and enjoys birding, camping, gardening, and playing the bass. 


Monique has already started representing Napa RCD at events out and about, so please be sure to give her a warm welcome!

Napa County Fire Resources Fair March 16


The Napa Valley Grapegrowers, the Napa Valley Vintners, Napa FireWise, and CAL FIRE-Napa County Fire, are hosting a Fire Resources Fair on Saturday, March 16, 10am – 2pm at the Napa Valley Expo. The Fair aims to educate the community about fire preparedness. We look forward to seeing you there! No RSVP necessary.

Learn More

Save the Date: Earth Day Napa is April 20!


Napa RCD is excited to once again be part of Earth Day Napa, working to coordinate the Earth Day Napa Community Cleanup as well as supporting the coordination of the Earth Day Napa Festival!


This year is the 20th Anniversary of the Earth Day Napa Community Cleanup! WooHoo! We can't wait to get out and about with you, picking up trash and learning about our local waste systems. We are also so excited to announce the return of the on-the-water cleanup with Enjoy Napa Valley. Along with 6 cleanup sites on land, Enjoy Napa Valley will be welcoming a limited number of participants to use their kayaks to paddle along the Napa River downtown and pick up trash that isn't accessible from land.


Earth Day Napa Community Cleanup: 9-11:30am

Earth Day Napa Festival: 11am-4pm

Learn More about the Cleanup
Learn More about the Festival

Sudden Oak Death BioBlitz Set for May 4


Napa’s 2023 SOD Blitz will be on Saturday May 4, 9-11am. The packet pick-up location will be the Napa County Ag Commissioners Office front porch, 1710 Soscol Avenue. A volunteer will be there to greet you and provide instruction.


Participants are asked to collect bay laurel leaf samples at any locations they choose and return the completed packets to the pick-up location as late as Monday morning, May 6.

Learn More/View Flyer

UCCE Water Conservation Workshop


Our friends at UC Extension are offering a Water Conservation Workshop! This workshop focuses on water conservation, and it is composed of two parts: groundwater recharge and irrigation techniques, like dry farming. This is a great event for people interested in hearing more about water conservation in an agricultural setting from folks at the Cooperative Extension and UC Davis!

Register Here
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In Case You Missed It

The Future's So Bright, We're Gonna Need Shade (TREES!)


It's time for the annual Water Conservation Video Contest! This year's theme? Our urban trees!


Urban trees provide us with vital environmental, economic, and health benefits. In our warming and drought-prone climate, it is important to care for these shade-providing plants in a climate-smart way. Water conservation around our communities, schools, and homes is important, but because trees are often large and established, they can be overlooked as a plant that needs extra care and water during dry seasons. 


How can we best care for our neighborhood trees, with water conservation in mind, so they can care for us into the future?


Learn about prizes, rules, and suggestions at the link below!


And check out previous winners at our YouTube Page!

Learn More

Spring Trails Challenge Starts March 23!


Spring is almost here and that means it’s time for the Spring Trails Challenge to help everyone Go Outside and Play and enjoy our parks. It’s the perfect time of year for exploration here in Napa County with wildflower blooms, green hillsides, and clear days for outstanding views.

Learn More

CNPS Napa Valley Chapter Spring Plant Sale


The Napa Valley Chapter of the California Native Plant Society is offering free entry at Skyline Park for their spring native plant sale on April 6 & 7. They will have over 1,000 native plants, handpicked for their water-wise resilience and beauty. Engage with experts, ask questions, and get started creating a vibrant, eco- and pollinator-friendly garden.

Learn More

Map of Napa Valley Groundwater Monitoring Network


The Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) has published a new interactive web map containing data collected from key monitoring sites across the Napa Valley Subbasin. The Napa County Groundwater Web Map displays and disseminates data to the public on current groundwater conditions across the Subbasin and County.

View the Map
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Upcoming Programs

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Volunteer - Napa River Restoration Day

March 16 | 9am-12pm

Learn More

Volunteer - Earth Day Napa Community Cleanup

April 20 | 9-11:30am

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