Greetings <<First Name>>,
I'm back! My return to work from maternity leave seems like only yesterday. It's hard to believe it has already been 10-weeks. I want to thank you all personally for your continued support as we approach our year end, and take an opportunity to tell you more about what we have been up to, and how to remain engaged with us.
Throughout August and September EAC has been working diligently on programs to advance our mission to protect and sustain the unique lands, waters, and biodiversity of West Marin. Today, I am happy to provide an update on some of those programs including our protections for nesting birds, sea-level rise planning, and our work in the coastal sediment management working group.
The change of the season signals more than a change in the weather. It also tells us EAC's fall and winter events are here! Piper on the Ridge is tonight. This event features bagpiper Dan McNear, plus we have welcomed some new special guests including park ranger and master of ceremonies, Mia Monroe, award-winning storyteller and artist, Ane Carla Rovetta, and naturalist, Todd Plummer.
Next week, our annual roadside clean up Litter Bugs Me starts on Monday, October 9th and runs through October 14th. The event closes on October 14th with EAC's Clean Up Day, a trash weigh in, and celebratory BBQ at Point Reyes National Seashore's Bear Valley Picnic Area for all volunteer groups.
I hope to see you at one of our events in the coming weeks. If you have any questions about our programs please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your continued support of EAC, you make our work possible. 
In gratitude,
Morgan Patton
Executive Director
P.S. More program updates coming soon in our winter newsletter, which will expand on these updates and feature news on Tomales Bay, the Tomales Dunes, the Marin County Local Coastal Program, climate change initiatives, and ranching in Point Reyes National Seashore.
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Wildlife Protection
Bird Protections Take Flight!
EAC is making progress on our bird nesting protection work! Thank you to everyone that has already signed our bird nesting protection petition. Your action is making a difference!
On September 13th, Supervisor Dennis Rodoni convened an information gathering stakeholder meeting to improve bird nesting protections and policies. EAC again met with Supervisor Rodoni and his aide Rhonda Kutter on October 5th to continue discussions around the importance of ensuring that county agencies have adequate best management practices in place. EAC would like to see practices put into place that include adjustments to work timing to avoid the nesting season, bird surveying conducted by a qualified biologist, training, public transparency, and accountability.
Marin County provides a unique and diverse habitat for birdlife, and requires strong protections in the face of climate change, habitat loss, human disturbance, and pesticides. Join us in banding together for the birds, sign our petition for protections today!
Learn More:
Press Release | Sept 13, 2017
EAC's full March 2017 comment letter in partnership with Audubon Canyon Ranch and Point Blue Conservation Science.
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Climate Change
Bolinas North End Project
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EAC attended the the Bolinas Lagoon Advisory Committee (BLAC) meeting on September 29th to discuss the Bolinas North End Project. The project goals are to alleviate chronic flooding of Marin County and State roadways and improve traffic safety, improve the function of Lewis and Wilkins Creek, enhance riparian and wetland habitats, and allow for future expansion of Bolinas Lagoon as sea level rises.
Marin County Parks presented information on the project and recommended the BLAC support moving forward with Phase I. Phase I of the project will include floodplain connectivity restoration for Lewis Gulch Creek, development of Olema-Bolinas Road and Highway One bridges, reconfiguration of the Bolinas Wye, and removal of the crossover road.
The BLAC moved to support the long-range vision for the North End Project, accepted the Bolinas Lagoon North-End Report, and will recommend the Marin County Open Space District move forward on Phase I of the project.
Coastal issues and climate change are key program areas for our work, and EAC will continue to follow this project and keep our members updated on the release of a draft environmental impact report that will include comprehensive details about the project.
Learn More:
BLAC website
Bolinas North End Project
Conceptual Design Report
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Coastal Protection
Coastal Sediment Management
Working Group
Since March 2017, EAC has been part of a Coastal Sediment Management Working Group organized by the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. This working group was established to develop a coastal sediment management plan for Marin and Sonoma counties, which will become part of a regional state plan.
EAC has been able to provide the valuable perspective of an environmental nonprofit in West Marin, making sure that coastal resources are addressed and providing input about priority sites, as part of the recommendations. The last Coastal Sediment Management working group meeting was held October 2nd. Next month, the recommendations from the working group will be provided to the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.
We rounded out the October 2nd meeting with a trip to see a living shoreline in San Rafael, one of the many proposed sediment management strategies.
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