Endangered Species Day is May 19th!
|
|
May 19th is Endangered Species Day and 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In 1973 the bill was passed with almost unanimous bipartisan support to protect species in danger of extinction. Fifty years later, 55 species have recovered—including the bald eagles we regularly see along the Laguna de Santa Rosa! While bald eagles are no longer on the list, 1,678 animal and plant species are listed as threatened or endangered and 23 species have gone extinct. Clearly more work is needed!
Fifty-six of these federally-listed species are found in Sonoma County. In the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed well-known animal species such as the coho salmon, California tiger salamander, red-legged frog and the northern spotted owl are protected under the ESA, as well as plant species like the Pitkin marsh lily, Sebastopol meadowfoam and Vine Hill clarkia.
The Laguna Foundation does conservation and restoration work throughout the watershed to help save these rare and endangered species. We work directly with Sonoma sunshine, Burke’s goldfields and Sebastopol meadowfoam, collecting seed, growing them out in our nursery, and replanting them in places where we know they used to thrive. In other cases, we are working to protect the habitat of the last remaining populations in the field, including Pitkin marsh lily, white sedge and Vine Hill clarkia.
In addition to protecting the endangered species themselves, the ESA also protects their critical habitat. In this way the listed species can serve as flagship species, the protection of one species provides protection for the whole community of species that rely on that critical habitat. The four listed endangered vernal pool species provide protection to all the other vernal pool species on the Santa Rosa Plain, from frogs to pollinators. In the same way the protection of steelhead and coho salmon provides protection for riparian corridors along Copeland, Mark West and Santa Rosa Creeks. The work we do planting trees and other native species shades the creeks, providing the cool water that salmon and other native fish need to survive.
The Endangered Species Act is a critical tool that has shaped conservation and restoration work nationally and internationally. While success stories are still rare, we celebrate each on and strive to explain why these protections are so important as we inspire appreciation of all the species in the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed.
|
|
Join the Laguna Education Team — Become a Laguna Guide this Fall!
|
10 Hour Training Course begins Thursday, September 14, 2023
Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA
Help the Laguna Foundation's Community Education Program thrive! We offer a wide range of presentations, outings and workshops all year long to deepen our appreciation for the Laguna de Santa Rosa, connect with nature, and inspire a vibrant community dedicated to lifelong learning. These educational and outreach events are not possible without volunteer support!
At each event, Laguna Guides are needed to help with a variety of tasks including: engaging participants and sharing about the wonderful wetlands and wildlife of the Laguna, supporting event logistics like setting up tables and chairs and clean-up, directing parking, and taking merchandise sales, hosting information tables at other community events, and helping build enthusiasm and appreciation for the Laguna de Santa Rosa. Because guides are crticial to a successful event, they have the opportunity to attend the event for free.
2023 Training schedule (10-hour commitment):
- "Meet the Laguna Watershed" training on Thu, Sep 14, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
- Training inside Great Blue Heron Hall on Sat, Sep 23, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.
- Training outside at Irwin Creek on Sat, Sep 30, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Lunch is provided.
Training course fee covers your training binder, name tag, and t-shirt. If cost is a barrier, please email: volunteer@lagunafoundation.org. Upon completion of the training course, a minimum commitment of 3 volunteer hours each month is requested. Laguna Guides volunteer year-round, primarily on evenings and weekends. Guides are part of the Laguna Education Team and includes fun opportunities for continuing education, special outings and social events with fellow education volunteers. Pre-registration is requested by Sept. 1, so training supplies can be prepared in advance.
|
|
New Art Exhibit in Heron Hall
|
|
ʔay:a:kʰe čahnu (Our Language) by Nicole Jones
On display May 6 – August 31, 2023
Come view our new art exhibit by artist and illustrator, Nicole Jones, who is exhibiting her whimsical paintings of native flora and fauna paired with her native language in this new art exhibit, “ʔay:a:kʰe čahnu” on display at the Laguna Environmental Center, May 6 through August 31, 2023.
Artist Statement: My work is currently inspired by our local flora and fauna. I am inspired by my family and my Southern Pomo culture and language. I hope to inspire others to use their Native language. I work both digitally and with traditional materials, although this current body of work is mainly created digitally. I am currently completing my bachelor’s degree at Soa State University majoring in Early Childhood Studies and minoring in Native American Studies.
About the Artist: Nicole Jones is a Southern Pomo citizen of The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. Having her work in an art show has been Nicole's life-long dream. Having an art show at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation is especially significant because this is where her Southern Pomo and Coast Miwok relatives have lived since time immemorial. Her current work is based on her Southern Pomo culture and language.
Gallery Open by Appointment Only: Due to the multiple uses of Heron Hall, please schedule an appointment to see the exhibit during the week by contacting Maggie Hart.
|
|
Now Hiring Camp Tule Counselors
and Counselors-In-Training
|
|
Camp Tule is made great because of the spirt of the campers and the skill and expertise of the camp leadership team!
There is still time to apply for camp counselor jobs and counselor-in-training volunteer positions. If you know a responsible, energetic teen or young adult who also loves nature, send them our way! Camp Counselors must be at least 16 years or older to work at Camp Tule. Counselors-in-Training can volunteer at camp if they are 13-15 years old. Both of these positions are great ways to build leadership skills and are pathways to careers in the environmental or teaching fields. Camp Tule staff training starts on June 20 which is coming right up! Deadlines to apply for counselor jobs is Sunday, May 21st, and for Counselors-in-Training positions is Monday, May 29th.
|
|
Volunteer Spotlight - Linda Widdifield
|
|
How long have you been volunteering with the Laguna Foundation? Twelve years! I started in 2011.
How did you get started volunteering here at the Laguna Foundation? On a Laguna rookery walk. I was so amazed to see different birds nesting in the same trees. After the walk, I put my name on the sign-up sheet. Then after I retired, I signed up for Learning Laguna. Growing up on the East Side of Sonoma County. I didn't have a clue what a special place the Laguna is.
What motivates you to give back to the community with the Laguna Foundation? Being outdoors with good people. I also love Learning Laguna and getting children excited about nature. Especially after COVID isolation, I feel children, and I know for myself, it is so important to have fresh air, dig in the soil, and likeminded fellowship.
What's your favorite thing about volunteering with the Laguna Foundation? Favorite thing is hard! I started in Learning Laguna which keeps me going but I also love native plant gardening on the first Friday of the month. And now there is the wonderful greenhouse where I have learned a lot about caring for baby plants.
What would you say to someone who's thinking of volunteering for the Laguna Foundation? Go for it!!! You will be with great people and learn so much about the wonders of a wetland and the wildlife it promotes.
|
|
Learning Laguna in Full Swing at The Uplands
|
|
New docent training wrapped up on April 17, and now we have 13 more teachers in the Learning Laguna program! Congratulations and appreciations to Ariella Ben-David, Anne Preciado, Bonnie Rains, Larry Dellard, Robert Brent, Bridget McKenna, Ellin Beer, Judy Witwicki, Katherine Foster, Silvana Ferrerira, Craig Palmer, Stephanie Blumenthal and Joan Schwan. They each got to work right upon graduation, joining our experienced docents in the classrooms and out at the Laguna Uplands for special field trips. The site is stunning with incredible watershed views, lots of bird nesting activity, red-shoulder hawks flying low overhead, and the squishy soil of the Laguna for the children to experience for themselves. Engaging activities, spring rain showers, big puffy clouds, and young trees leafing out all combine for meaningful learning experiences for the kids and joyful days for the docents, no matter the length of time they’ve been teaching in the program.
This spring Learning Laguna is reaching 13 classes at 4 schools in the Laguna watershed. We are also setting up Heron Hall as a Learning Laguna classroom so a group of homeschool students can participate, too. This spring alone more than 325 students will learn about the environment we share in the Laguna watershed.
Thanks to the Dr. Jack and Francine C. Levin Fund who partners with us on the restoration and ongoing care of the Laguna Uplands, and to Sonoma County Ag+Open for ensuring the preservation of the site and helping provide Learning Laguna as a free community service to the schools.
|
|
Twined Juncus Basket Workshop
With Charlie Kennard
Saturday, May 20, 2023. 9:30am – 3:30pm
Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Rd. Santa Rosa, CA, 95401
Spend a day working with your hands in the peaceful setting at the Laguna Environmental Center. Using a rush (Juncus effusus) commonly found in Bay Area freshwater wetlands, we will make close- or open-twined baskets. Patterns can be introduced by varying the weave, or crossing warps. Experienced students may make an Italian-style curd-draining basket, and even use it the same day! Participants must bring: scissors, water bowl, spray bottle, small diagonal wire clippers... and lunch.
It All Begins in the Nest
Online program with David Lukas
Friday, May 26, 2023. 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Location: Webinar
In the fourth and final part of a four-part series of talks on bird biology, naturalist David Lukas will introduce us to bird nests and eggs. This might be the most important time of the year for birds, yet so much of this exuberant activity remains hidden from view. Consider this your peek into the tender moments and care that go into making carefully crafted nests and rearing eggs that turn into the hungry chicks and feisty nestlings you’ll be noticing all spring.
Coloring Spring at the Laguna
Workshop with Nina Antze
Saturday, May 27, 2023. 10:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Rd. Santa Rosa, CA, 95401
Spring is the time of new beginnings. Come explore and draw the beautiful plants of the spring at the Laguna and take your newfound skills to your favorite flowers from your own garden! We will explore a variety of colored pencil techniques and learn how to blend, burnish and create new colors while incorporating the techniques of botanical drawing. We will focus on drawing, and color application. All levels are welcome!
Phone Photography Workshop
With Susan & Neil Silverman
Saturday, June 3, 2023. 8:00am – 3:00pm
Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Rd. Santa Rosa, CA, 95401
What inspires you to take a picture? Is it natural beauty; a bizarre moment; a quirky expression; an adorable child; your dog at the beach? No matter what sparks your motivation to “click”, your photographs represent what is significant in your life. And while we don’t all have the $5000 camera we feel we deserve, we always have our phones, with their own amazing cameras, on or around us!
|
|
Visit the Laguna Environmental Center
|
|
The Laguna Environmental Center remains open by appointment to see the gallery and grounds during the weekdays. Come see our new Art Exhibit, ʔay:a:kʰe čahnu (Our Language) featuring the work of Nicole Jones by contacting Maggie Hart. We hope to see you soon!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|