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Every donation matters. Support our volunteer and education programs, preservation of ancient forests, and restoration of the natural and cultural resources that help make park visits cherished memories.
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April 22, 2022
Dear Stewards,
Last weekend we held space for the Sonoma County Pomo Dancers as they offered a Spring Dance ceremony in the Redwood Forest Theater. Their songs, movements, and prayers reverberated through our hearts, the old-growth redwoods surrounding us, and beyond. This was a first of its kind event for Stewards and we look forward to more!
This week I had the pleasure of spending two nights on zoom observing Capstone Project presentations from our spring UC California Naturalist course cohort. It was a sublime experience. Students shared their journeys, passions, and interests developed during the course in an emotional and thought provoking way.
One presentation reflected on a question explored during the course, "What gives you hope?" His answer, "you do," referring to his cohort. This was a clear thread through all the presentations. If you are interested in slowing down to connect more deeply with nature and yourself, I invite you to take the next course with our esteemed instructors (and community cultivators), David Berman and Meghan Walla-Murphy. I was so filled with hope during the presentations I committed to taking the next course!
 Gratefully yours,
Justin Lindenberg
Executive Director
P.S. Happy Earth Day!
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Whale of a Day!
We had a great day today [last weekend] at Bodega Head with nearby whales that milled about for hours and hours, from 9AM to 2:30PM, when we left. Unusual for a north-bound migration. The show was so good we didn't want to leave.
There were two right in front of us and two between Mussel Point and Horseshoe Cove, mostly off the Cove. Early on, one large blow made us believe they were Humpback, but it veered off towards the horizon and disappeared. Close to the end of the shift, a mother and calf, very stealth, snorkeled along, and not snuggled up close together as they usually are! They were moving north and not sticking around. It was a whale of a day with lots of visitors especially after lunch! -- Norma Jellison
Question: Do Gray Whales breach? We said not so much with adults during migration, although we do see it from time to time, and in the mating lagoons we see lots of breaching! We do sometimes see calves breach off The Head. Photo above: From Dana Point by Captain Dave's Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari.
Join Whale Watch at Bodega Head on Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM-2PM.
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Sonoma County Pomo Dancers
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Photos courtesy of Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods
(taken by Leslie Carrow, Communications and Fundraising Coordinator)
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A Spring Blessing
Sonoma County Pomo Dancers were at the Forest Theater in Armstrong Redwoods on Saturday, April 16th for their Spring Dance, to bless the forest, the people, and the planet. A few hundred people arrived to attend this special event. "This was really great," said Joe Salias, singer and drummer with the Sonoma Pomo Dancers, "We loved meeting everyone, and breaking bread afterwards. We hope to do this again soon... on the coast!"
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Photo above: Bill prepares for a day of seabird watching. All photos by Mary Killian
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A good and beautiful day at Gull Rock.
Our timing was good this morning, perhaps you could say lucky. As we set up on the chilly bluff by 8:30AM, the overhead skies were pretty clear, but a thick inland fog was sneaking over the hills toward the coast. By 9:30 AM it was cloudy but warmer, and visibility remained good. Then just as I was returning the gear at the Salmon Creek Ranger Station at 10AM-ish, there was a good dropping of rain.
The Common Murre were doing a fair amount of head-bobbing* today. At times large groups seemed to be head-bobbing in unison. We did not notice any obvious causes of disturbance.
Other fun moments: The Spotted Towhee greeting us as we arrived, singing his heart out from his look-out. The male Northern Harrier chasing off the Common Raven as we were departing. The Bright Yellow of a male American Goldfinch has been seen now 2 weeks in a row.
Here are the numbers:
Gull Rock: Common Murre 3865; Western Gull 19; Canada Goose 1.
Surrounding rocks: Common Murre 120; Western Gull 8; Brandt’s Cormorant 40; Pelagic Cormorant. 2; Peregrin Falcon 1; Pigeon Guillemot (3 in the water); Black Oystercatcher 2.
Surrounding Area: Northern Harrier 1 male; Common Raven 1.
Mary and Bill
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Photo above by Mark Anderson
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On April 13, 2022 -- We got a lot done! We split up into groups and managed to weed whack the entire grounds of Pond Farm. We also carried in fencing material and fenced off the intersection of the lower East Ridge Trail where it meets the (temporarily closed) Waterfall Trail. One group worked on the gutters on the Volunteer Center and cleared growth around it.
Then, on April 20, 2022, ahead of an incoming storm, four of us, in the blustery weather, went to the Red Hill/Pomo Canyon Trail intersection to brush and weed whack the trail. Bob went up further with the electric chainsaw to remove a tree, and I hiked up to the top of Red Hill to clear a short but nasty stretch of blackberry bushes, stinging nettles and poison oak. We barely managed to get everything on our to-do list done ahead of the approaching storm!
Cheers! Mark
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We usually work Wednesdays, and sometimes weekends!
Volunteer for days that are best for you!
No skills? No problem! Ask about training, or, just start with what you know!
Join the trail crew today and learn a new skill!
Hike the most beautiful scenery in Sonoma County!
Call Paul at 707-326-5535
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Photo above by Mark Anderson
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Photo above by Mike Witkowski
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Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival
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Join us on Saturday, April 30th and Sunday, May 1st, 2022 at the Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival at Westside Park. Loads of food, music and fun! Stop by Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods' booth to meet our terrific volunteers! For more info, visit Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival.
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Community Health and Engagement Fair
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On May 7, 2022, from 1PM to 4PM, join Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods in the celebration of the renewal of Guerneville School's Historical Garden. Come and and participate in the promotion of health, well-being and sustainability. There will be activities, food, music, prizes, booths, and giveaways! Directions: From downtown Guerneville, take Armstrong Woods Road, turn left onto Laughlin, then turn left on the 2nd Marys Lane which will take you into the school.
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Sonoma Coast Wildflower Hike
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On Sunday, May 22, 2022 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, join naturalist Laura Morgan for a Wildflower Hike on the Sonoma Coast. Park in the lot just south of Shell Beach, meet at Carlevaro Way. The hike will go 3 miles north to Blind Beach. Participants can hike as far as they feel comfortable. And families with kids are welcome (no charge for kids under 13). Hikers would need to bring fluids and bag lunches. Significant rain would cancel. (Round trip, approximately 5 miles).
Click here to register!
Cost: $20 includes materials/ $16 for members of Stewards
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Volunteer! Latest News and Updates
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WE NEED volunteers at our Visitor Centers, and Seal Watch
The Armstrong and Jenner Visitor's Centers need volunteers. We also need Seal Watch volunteers to help us talk with the public about the Goat Rock colony, and inform them about the importance of staying back 150 feet. This is a fun and easy opportunity to help visitors enjoy the natural beauty of Armstrong and the Sonoma Coast. Volunteers are needed for 3 hour shifts. We will train you on everything you need to know. Whether you can do a weekly, monthly or occasional shift, we would love to have you join us! Best of all, the hours quickly add up towards a day use parks pass. Telephone 707-869-9177 x3 or email stewards@stewardscr.org for more information.
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There is a new requirement for long-term California State Parks volunteers, completing the Bear in Mind Equal Employment Opportunity Training. An eLearning Module is available on the database to complete this training: Bear in Mind - The Fundamentals of Awareness.
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Become a Community Scientist
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Volunteer to monitor for Viola anduca, the main food source for the
endangered Myrtle's Silverspot butterfly.
This spring through early summer we need hikers to record observation of the Viola anduca flower, a main food source for the endangered Myrtle's Silverspot Buttterfly. This is an amazing opportunity to become a community scientist, hike areas that are visually breathtaking, and participate in a very important project. You will be asked to download and use the Calflora app to help you identify and record observations. To sign up, contact Chris Heintzelman with California State Parks at Chris.Heintzelman@parks.ca.gov or 707-865-3173. To view a presentation on this project, visit Stewards website.
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Marine Protected Area Online Training
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Learn Online!
Find out more about California's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); three regional deep dives alone the North Coast, Central Coast and South Coast, and an included a compliance guide for educators. Take the course
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