The American River Natural History Association (ARNHA), a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1981 to support educational and interpretive activities in the American River Parkway in cooperation with the Sacramento County's Effie Yeaw Nature Center. In July, 2010, ARNHA was chosen by the County to take over operations and funding of the Effie Yeaw Nature Center and the 77-acre Preserve that surrounds it. We are committed to continuing the excellent, award-winning Nature Center programs that introduce thousands of school children each year to the beauty and diversity of the American River Parkway. Herevisitors of all ages learn the importance of conserving and protecting our most precious natural resource. We partnered with the American River Parkway Foundation and Save the American River Associationand other stakeholders to create the American River Parkway Coalition. The coalition reacts to projected budget shortfalls threatening Parkway closure, and looks for ways to educate and involve Parkway users in the ongoing quest for short and long-term funding.
Mission Statement:
The American River Natural History Association and the Effie Yeaw Nature Center are dedicated to bringing awareness of the beauty and diversity of the natural world to children, families, and the community through education initiatives that foster appreciation, enjoyment, and stewardship of the unique natural and cultural resources of the Sacramento region.
David is a community planner
who, with his wife Connie, an ecologist, has operated a land and environmental
planning firm in the Sacramento region for over 30 years.He is a graduate in City and Regional
Planning at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and the School of Architecture and Urban
Planning, UCLA.David grew up in
Carmichael and spent many summer days on the American River near the present
ENYC.A Garfield Elementary School
class trip to the river around 1957 (perhaps led by Effie Yeaw) is a strong
memory that contributed to his affinity for the natural environment.His career in community
planning has convinced him of the critical importance of environmental
education that fosters an awareness and appreciation for nature in an urban
setting as well as getting kids outside and moving.
Members at Large Bud Banker Noah Baygell Linda Thomas Larry Washington Greg Voelm
Associate Members
Paula Baldi Dick Barbar Katie Baygell Lisa Burke Bill Dillinger Carol Doersch Cindy Dunning Beth Etgen Kathy Fleming Bud Getty Carole Girard Peter Hayes Lou Heinrich Mia Hershiser Christopher Jensen Georgia Jones Molly Keller Bruce Kennedy Ed Littrell Stephanie Monzon Lia Robertson Kip Skidmore George Smith Connie Wade Betsy Weiland Lynn White Lee Wilner Roberta Wilner
When Sacramento
County chose ARNHA to operate the Effie Yeaw Nature Center effective July, 2010, the ARNHA Board of Directors created an Advisory Committee to focus on
all aspects of funding and managing the Nature Center and the accompanying 77 acre
Preserve.
The Advisory Committee will report to the ARNHA Board which will act on the
Committee’s findings.
Advisory Committe Members
Noah Baygell Carol Doersch Lou Heinrich Greg Voelm David Wade Betsy Weiland Liz Williamson
ARNHA's Board of Directors carries out the organization's business through its officers and committees. Committees: ARNHA's financial affairs are supported by a finance committee, a professional bookkeeper and various experts on insurance and investments who volunteer their time. ARNHA is a financially secure organization enjoying broad community support. Other important committees include: publications, membership and special events. Meetings: The board meets monthly on the second Wednesday of each month at 4:00 P.M. at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center.
The Executive Committee meets monthly; other committees meet as needed to carry out their responsibilities.
ARNHA is a membership organization. The membership elects the 15 member volunteer board of directors to two-year terms, electing half of the directors each year. Members of the board elect the officers for one-year terms.
bringing people to nature and nature to people for over 30 years
