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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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September 30, 2022
Dear Stewards,
I am pleased to share that our team is growing! Earlier this week we welcomed Lindsey Welchel as Stewards' Volunteer Service Member. Lindsey was born in Iceland and arrived in California from Georgia. She is an AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project volunteer - a program hosted by the Napa County Office of Education to help increase the capacity and effectiveness of volunteer programs. She will be working with many of our volunteer programs to recruit and support volunteers. Please join me in welcoming Lindsey! She can be reached at lindsey@stewardscr.org.
In other news, thanks to the hard work and persistence of the Volunteer Trail Crew, Stewards Staff, and State Park Staff we have reopened one of the loveliest picnic areas in the park (photo above). Head to the back of Armstrong Redwoods and across the Fife Creek bridge to enjoy a picnic in an area renovated through collaborative partnership.
We have been busy this month! Read on to learn more.
 Sincerely yours,
Justin Lindenberg
Executive Director
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Sonoma County Pomo Dancers Ocean Dance
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On September 17, 2022, Stewards hosted an "Ocean Dance" on the bluffs near Shell Beach in Sonoma Coast State Park. Organized by Joe Salinas, the Sonoma County Pomo Dancers were joined by Round Valley Feather Dancers (Pomo) and dancers from the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. We thank them for the many prayers and blessings they brought to the coast. We also thank Jack at the Progressive Tribal Alliance for sponsoring the event! -- Photo above courtesy of Dan Russell
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Late Summer's Grassy Fields
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In early September, one of our favorite contributing photographers, Austin Parnow, captured the warmth of these late summer grasses, and the cool of the afternoon sky, in this lovely image from Red Hill Trail in Jenner. Check out the map. You can learn more about the native grasses of Sonoma Coutny by clicking here.
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Photos by Bob: (above) Anna Gil, Bonnie Wilson, Dianne Hales, Sylvia Hunt; (below) A few onlookers watch as Bonnie fills out data forms.
Last day of the season. We came, we saw, we counted, we said farewell.
This morning Bonnie, Anna, Sylvia, Dianne, and I enjoyed a misty but virtually windless day at Bodega Head West. It was the last count of the season at this site. We were treated to a cornucopia of sights as numerous squadrons of Brown Pelicans, 40 Cormorants, 2 Wandering Tatters, and a Pigeon Guillemot were seen flying by. Marine sightings included 10 Cormorants, 4 harbor seals, and 3 California Sea Lions near the main and surrounding rocks. However the highlight of the day was the sighting by Sylvia of 2 Marbled Murrelets in the open ocean, which are not often seen.
Though sparse in number the Brown Pelicans seemed to be playing "king of the mountain" as they were perched along the highest peak and ridge of the main rock. As we sat down to tabulate the numbers two Western Gulls lounged nearby as if to bid us farewell for the season.
-- Bob, Bonnie, Anna, Sylvia, and Dianne
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September 14, 2022 - At Armstrong Redwoods, Board Member and docent Heather Rowe led the inaugural group of "Woofs Under the Redwoods!" Heather guided a small group of dogs and their guardians along the road to tour some of the park’s sights, sounds, and scents of a forest floor teeming with life.
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September 21, 2022 - At Red Hill/Pomo Canyon, the Stewards Volunteer Trail Crew takes a moment to enjoy their lunch, fresh baked cookies by Flora, and soak in the views. Photos by Mark Anderson, Trail Crew and Trail Patrol Volunteer, and photographer for Stewards.
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Eight Volunteers reported in at Willow Creek on a bright sunny day. Six headed up the Pomo Canyon Trail from the Pomo Canyon Campground armed with brush blades on there weedeaters. Their mission was to knock back the Coyote Brush along the Red Hill Trail between the East Pomo/Red Hill Junction and the Red Hill Junction. They hiked in their equipment over a half mile then cleared the next half mile of trail. The trail now has a 6 to 8 foot fire break. Two of joined Jason Eaton for a project scoping mission in Bodega Dunes. Some much needed trail clearing and sign mending in the Bodega Dunes Trail system.
Rich Lawton
Stewards Volunteer Trail Crew Coordinator
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Nine brave volunteers showed up in well above normal temperatures to work on the Hunters Camp Road. Our plans were to weed whack parts of Hunters Camp Road, clear a few trees plus weed whack the Creekside and the Creekside Connectors Trails. Hunters Camp Road needed more attention than originally reported, so we quickly adjusted our plans. We ended up weed whacking about 1.5 miles and clearing over a dozen trees overhanging the road. Hunters Camp Road can now be safely navigated with a Fire Truck. -- Rich Lawton, Volunteer Trail Crew Coordinator
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Photos: (top) -Clearing the first tree. Jim O'Donnell, Bob Ahders, Keith Flood, Aaron Schuster (normally drives a 47 foot motor rescue boat for the Coast Guard) and Tim Meyers shoulder. (middle) -Bob Ahders getting ready to reach for a tall branch. Ended up extending the pole saw another six feet. (bottom) -Keith and Tim almost done, still cannot get a pick up truck under. -Never fear, Bob Ahders, Jim O'Donnell and Arron Schuster pitch in to help clear the final cuts. -Tim Meyer and Keith Flood sizing up three tangled trees. Kind of like pick up sticks and jenga all in one package.
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Would you like to meet new friends and hike breathtaking ridges? Join Stewards Volunteer Trail Crew! It's easy to do! Telephone 707-869-9177 or email stewards@stewardscr.org, and we will be happy to get you all the info you need to start right away!
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Seal Watch End of Season Celebration
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September 24, 2022 - Volunteers, friends, and founders gathered for a delicious potluck at Goat Rock Beach to officially close out the Seal Watch season. Thank you to everyone that joined and supported Seal Watch this year!
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Trail Patrol with Jeannette Dothee
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I escaped the 97 degree heat at home today by roving the Sonoma Coast! It was fabulous- 68 degrees and gorgeous. Lots of people out there but not too crowded.
-- Jeannette Dothée, Volunteer Trail Patol and photographer with Stewards.
Do you love hiking along the Sonoma Coast? Become a Trail Patrol Volunteer with Stewards. Contact stewards@stewardscr.org or telephone 707-869-9177 for more information.
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Trail Patrol with Mark Anderson
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Back from Minnesota... and Africa, Trail Crew and Trail Patrol volunteer, and photographer, Mark Anderson, recently hiked the Sonoma Coast Kortum Trail. "The weather was beautiful with temps at 100 not far inland." Mark's park tip of the day: "Even on a busy holiday, one can escape the crowds. The further one gets from the parking lots, the more peace and quiet you’ll find."
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Do you love hiking along the Sonoma Coast? Become a Trail Patrol Volunteer with Stewards, and notify us when you encounter trails that need attendance, downed trees or unsafe bridges or fences. Help us keep our parks safe for everyone! You can even apply your volunteer hours to get your free park pass. Contact stewards@stewardscr.org or telephone 707-869-9177 for more information.
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Please remember to sign in here to record your hours on Better Impact, so the state parks can keep track of your progress towards your pass. If you need a State Parks name tag and patch, please email alice@stewardscr.org to have them ready for you.
- Volunteer 24 hours or more to receive an annual free Day Use Pass for all State Parks in the Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District
- Volunteer 200 hours or more to receive an annual free Day Use Pass for all California State Parks
Need help entering your hours in the Better Impact database? Contact Alice!
Volunteer Better Impact Guides for tracking Volunteer Hours:
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Last Pond Farm Tour of the Summer
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September 25, 2022 - Pond Farm Docents Charlotte Chavez and Natalie Robb-Wilder led an enthusiastic tour of Pond Farm Pottery. Visitors learned about the dreams and challenges of Marguerite Wildenhain, the first woman master potter to graduate from the Bauhaus. Pond Farm was Marguerite’s home, school and studio for over 30 years and she taught hundreds of her students in the traditions of the Bauhaus.
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