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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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Make a Year End Gift Today!
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December 21, 2022
Dear Stewards,
A stubborn volunteer once said, “Can I fix climate change? Can I fix world peace? No. But I can pick up beer cans and keep this quarter mile of this river clean and it’s something.”
In 2022, Stewards and State Parks volunteers dedicated nearly 8,000 hours towards bettering our parks for the public and future generations. He might have a point, but when you get 197 passionate volunteers working together towards a shared mission you can make a world of difference.
Over the next week, we will be sharing stories of impact, inspiration, and plans for 2023. We will be requesting your financial support to help build our capacity and support our programs. You will not receive a paper mailing until early 2023 so I encourage you to make a gift online today, or send a check to Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods at: PO Box 2, Duncans Mills, CA 95430. Stay tuned. I look forward to sharing more!
 Sincerely yours,
Justin Lindenberg
Executive Director
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2022 Volunteer Celebration Recap
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Photo above: (clockwise) Suzanne Mayo receives and award for her work in Tidepood Education; guests admire award; Justin, Scotty, and Tim recognize Mark Anderson with a Trail Crew Champion Award; guests attending the award ceremony.
On December 3, 2022, Stewards held our annual volunteer appreciation event celebrating the special individuals that participate in our volunteer programs. Many were able to attend, but for those that missed it - thank you! You make the world a better place, nobly serve the public, and stimulate curiosity and learning for park visitors. Everyone at Stewards and California State Parks is inspired by the accomplishments you made possible in 2022:
- 59,000 people received information from our visitor centers docents
- 4,000 students and adults visited Armstrong Redwoods for a docent-led field trip or group tour
- Trail crew held 48 workdays totaling over 2,500 hours of park improvement
- 77 Seal Watch Shifts at Goat Rock, 38 Whale Watch Days at Bodega Head
- 13 Tidepool Field Trips, 900 Tidepool Students, 75 Seabird Shifts, 23 Pinniped Shifts
- 5 Pond Farm Tours
These are great numbers, but even more impressive is the people behind them. Volunteering is a gift of time, dedication, and passion. We thank you for your service and invite others to join us!
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Photo top: (clockwise) Executive Director Emeritus, Michele Luna; volunteers looking on at the award ceremony; Board Member and Outstanding New Volunteer awardee, Heather Rowe; Karin Gebbia receives and award for her work with Stewards Tidepool Program as a Roving Docent. Executive Director, Justin Lindenberg presents Hollis Bewley with a Lifetime Achievement Award in the form of a driftwood seabird sculpture. Awardees not pictured include Nina Lowery for Armstrong Redwoods Docent of the Year, Steve Beck for Tidepool Touch Table, Clara Else for Pinniped Monitoring, and Rich Eliason for Seabird Monitor.
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Pond Farm Artist in Residence
Accepting applications for 2023!
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The Pond Farm Artist in Residence Program offers artists a unique place to work at stay above Armstrong Redwoods in Guerneville, California. In 2023, we will accept an artist for each month from May through October 2023. Applications are now open and the application window closes on January 31st, 2023. If accepted, there is a fee of $500 for the month-long residency unless accepted for the Julia Terr Fellowship.
The Artist in Residence Program is administered by the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods in partnership with California State Parks. Much effort has gone into preserving Pond Farm and its legacy. We welcome artists of all types, across the disciplinary and interdisciplinary spectrum and people from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Unique perspectives and a rustic and rural living environment have always sparked new ideas and enhanced creativity. Our intention is to offer a space for the artist to be creative and productive.
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Become certified as a California Naturalist
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Registration is open now to become certified as a California Naturalist. Classes start February 16, 2023. Members of Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods save 20% off course fees! Click here to learn more.
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Kind Tide on Friday, December 23
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If you've been wondering what sea levels will look like as the climate changes, head to the Sonoma Coast during a king tide. After the king tide (the highest tide of the year), you will see a corresponding low tide. Head to the coast on Friday, December 23, 2022. A super low tide is forecasted from 3PM to 5PM. Grab your coat and camera, and explore the tidepools and creatures that live there. Explore on your own, or join Stewards docents and friends at Shell Beach by clicking here to RSVP! Parking is limited. Please plan accordingly.
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First Day Walks at Armstrong Redwoods
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Recent mushroom growth photo by Stewards staff, Rachel Hallaway,
Field Operations Assistant Manager.
Join us at Armstrong Redwoods in Guerneville on Sunday, January 1st for First Day Walks! Docent-guided walks will depart from the Visitor Center at 10AM, 11AM, 12PM and 1PM. Start the new year with stellar volunteer docents excited to share their knowledge of and passion for the redwood ecosystem! All ages invited with a total walking distance of 1.5 miles on flat terrain. To find out more and to RSVP click here.
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Trail Crew Holiday Potluck
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The end of year Trail Crew Celebration pot lunch was held at the Stewards Volunteer Office in Armstrong Redwoods on December 14, 2022. Photo above: Trail Crew Coordinator, Rich Lawton, left, presented Scott Lawyer, Field Operations Manager, with a Certificate of Appreciation from all trail crew members recognizing his valuable service with the trail crew. Congratulations Scotty!
Pot Luck Lunch was a great success with lots of warm food, hospitality and friendship. To-date Trail Crew has worked 49 Wednesday with one more scheduled on December 28th. Total person days worked stands at 487 x 6 hours per day equals 2,922 hours for Trail Crew. This does not include all the days Volunteers have come in on the weekends and other non scheduled days. Several thank yous were given from Stewards Staff and State Parks for all the assistance and effort the Trail Crew Volunteers have contributed. It is much appreciated. In the end Trail Crew presented Scott Lawyer with a first ever Certificate of Appreciation for all the hard work he has put into assisting, accommodating the Stewards Volunteer Trail Crew. Once again his leadership and enthusiasm kept us going. THANK YOU SCOTTY!
Rich Lawton
Stewards Volunteer Trail Crew Coordinator
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Approximately 20 trail crew members, Stewards staff and state park officials attended the end of year luncheon.
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Upcoming Events and Classes
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Explore and Observe Tidepools After the King Tides 2022 Friday, December 23, 2022, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Observing the King Tides 2022 Friday, December 23, 2022, 9:00 am - 9:30 am
Mushroom Hike in the Redwoods Friday, January 6, 2023, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Armstrong Redwoods Professional Development for Classroom Teachers Saturday, January 21, 2023, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Explore and Observe Tidepools After the King Tides 2023 Saturday, January 21, 2023, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Observing the King Tides 2023 Saturday, January 21, 2023, 9:00 am - 9:30 am
Tidepool Volunteer Training and Field Visit Saturday, February 18, 2023, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Seabird Monitoring Volunteer Training Thursday, March 2, 2023, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Sonoma Coast Volunteer Training Saturday, March 4, 2023, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Armstrong Redwoods Docent Training - March Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Forest Visions: Acrylic Painting Demonstration with Jennifer Laurel Keller Saturday, March 18, 2023, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Stunning Seascapes: Acrylic Painting Demonstration with Jennifer Laurel Keller Saturday, March 25, 2023, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
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Record Your 2022 Volunteer Hours by Jan. 13th
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1. Please remember to sign in here to record your hours on Better Impact so Stewards and State Parks can keep track of your progress towards volunteer benefits.
- 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
2. If you need help reporting your hours and/or a State Parks name tag and patch, please email Lindsey@stewardscr.org.
Need help entering your hours and don't know how to use the Better Impact database? Contact Lindsey to receive a form that can be used for "one-time" volunteering of hours. Lindsey@stewardscr.org.
During the annual volunteer celebration we unveiled new volunteer benefits for 10 and 75 hours of volunteer service. Volunteers that have reached these milestones and enter hours before Jan. 13th will receive these benefits!
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