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Nature Center Challenges
Gov Signs Pkwy Plan Bill
Farm Stand every Saturday
Parkway Bike Trail

Saddle Up, It’s Time To Hit The Old Bike Trail

By John Bernier
ARNHA Publication Committee member

Measure A allocates $1,000,000 annually to Parkway
The American River Parkway bike riders should award an “A” to the Sacramento County voters who previously voted overwhelmingly to approve Measure A, which allocates a million dollars annually for Parkway operation, maintenance and improvement for the next 30 years.

This particular section of Measure A restricts these funds for use on the Parkway—for repair and improvement of the bike trail, as well as additional ranger patrols. (Needless to say, ARNHA was a strong supporter of Measure A.) Since these projects are scheduled to start anytime now, cyclists should be on the alert for detours at various locations on the Parkway.
Harrington Area Trail
First on the list of 2010 projects are the Harrington Area Trail repairs, which are already underway and are should be completed sometime in February. This project includes approximately a half-mile portion of the main trail from Harrington Way, upstream, that will be repaired and receive an overlay. The levee spur trail from River Walk Way and the Harrington Access parking lot connector spur will also receive repairs and be repaved.

Upper River Trail
Also scheduled to begin soon is the repair of the Upper River Trail, which will be stripped. Some trees roots will be removed, and trail cracking and buckling will be repaired. This phase of the improvement plan is near the William B. Pond Area. Currently, this project is in the bidding process.

Lower Sunrise Mall picnic area 
Expected to start in March or April is the project to install a newly prefabricated restroom building at the Lower Sunrise Picnic Area. In addition, plans also call for the installation of a concrete walkway around the building and a bike rack and new drinking fountain added to the existing asphalt path. In this case, work should begin when the current review of the plans is completed.

Retainer wall near Hazel Fish Hatchery 
Scheduled to begin in March or April is 450 linear feet of dry-stacked boulder retaining walls, downstream from the Hazel Fish Hatchery. The function of the walls will be to push cobble piles off the trail and make room for decomposed granite shoulders. This plan also calls for the removal of about seven trees in order to make room for the new walls. The loss of the trees will be mitigated. Minor grading along the shoulder will smooth and level the area to make room for the decomposed granite shoulders. These plans are complete and under review by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Chain link fence at Mile 16.5 
Coming a little later in the year, probably late spring or early summer, a project to remove about one-forth mile of a chain link fence at Mile 16.5. The dead trees and shrubs within the fence line also will be removed. All other trees will be preserved to the greatest extent as per arborists’ recommendations. however, these plans are currently under environmental and arborist review.

Old Fair Oaks Bridge
Scheduled to get underway in late spring is the resurfacing for the Old Fair Oaks Bridge. This repair will include the installation of a bridge deck to prevent boards from coming loose.

Bannister & Watt-to-Howe Trails
Extensive repairs for the Bannister Trail and the Watt-to-Howe Trail are scheduled to begin in the late summer, and like the other trail projects, both are under environmental review and arborist evaluation. Such an undertaking entails cutting roots that are bucking the trails and removing dead and/or hazardous trees. After the roots are cut, the existing trails will be repaved. And then there will be the grinding of existing asphalt, removing cut roots, and backfilling. Among other repairs to the trails, will be the installation of decomposed granite shoulders.

Ethan Way Levee Spur Trail  
Repairs planned for the Ethan Way Levee Spur Trail are expected to get underway in late summer, with a game plan calling for grinding and replacing the existing connector trail, from the top of the levee, down to the main trail. And like the other trail projects, decomposed granite will be added to the existing shoulders, as well as minor drainage improvements.

Last 2010 project—El Manto picnic area 
In the late fall, the last project of the year is scheduled for completion. A new, prefabricated restroom building will be installed at the El Manto picnic area. In addition to the restroom, plans call for the installation of a 4-foot concrete walkway around the facility, a bike rack and a new drinking fountain. These plans are currently under environmental review.

Visit the Measure A Website
January 17, 2010




New Challenges Ahead for Nature Center
 

Climbing a Mountain during a Landslide

  Open letter to ARNHA: from Marilee Flannery, Director Effie Yeaw Nature Center

Looking back through past copies of ARNHA’s Acorn publications I can find many references to threats to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center’s funding beginning in the 1990’s.  Each of those issues explained that unless funding was found many of the Effie Yeaw Nature Center’s most popular programs would be lost.

Fortunately, in each case last minute funding was found to save the Nature Center’s programs.

This year a last-minute rescue through found funds has not and is not expected to materialize. The recession has hurt the County’s sales tax and property tax revenue as well as eliminated any special funds from development fees. 



Nature Center faces weekday closure


Click image to see" Wish List"

Beginning of 2009-10 budget crisis

We began working on the budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year April of 2009.  From that date forward, the budget constantly changed; and every time we found a plan to deal with a cut to the budget, we got news that another cut was on the way.  It’s like trying to climb a mountain during a landslide.

The Effie Yeaw Nature Center will not receive any funds from the County of Sacramento’s General Fund. This is the fund that pays for the Sheriff, Child Protective Services, Human Assistance, etc. The entire Park’s Department’s share of county funding dropped so low that only Park’s maintenance and operations are funded. 

Some good news 

Since there is no funding from the county’s general fund, we looked for other funding.  For this 2009-10 fiscal year our biggest funders are from the Solid Waste Authority and the Oak Tree Preservation Fund.  Together these sponsors will contribute a total of $387,000.  For these funds, staff will be adding more oak tree education to the tours and vacation Fun Days classes.  Students are also planting lots of valley oak acorns in the preserve and more oak tree saplings are to be caged to prevent them from being consumed by the deer.

That’s the good news, but the unfortunate news is this funding is for one time only and will not be available next year. 

Critical funding sources

Another important group of sponsors are: Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District – SRCSD, Fish & Game Propagation Fund, County of Sacramento Water Quality – Stormwater District, Environmental Management District (EMD), Bureau of Reclamation and the Water Forum.  Together they are sponsoring us for $97,500.  The funding from these sources is dependent upon the Effie Yeaw Nature Center teaching environmental education with an emphasis on pollution prevention, protecting the watershed, water conservation and the water cycle. We do this in our many programs and Fun Days vacation camps.

The revenue we are to bring in from school and other programs this year is $100,000.  Now that we have fewer staff and have to cut programs, raising this revenue will be difficult.  Nevertheless we will book as many programs as we can staff.  We depend greatly on volunteers.

Last but certainly not least is the $70,000 to 100,000 from the American River Natural History Association we hope to receive this year.  The higher amount is dependent on how many people contribute to ARNHA in support of the Effie Yeaw Nature Center.

Not enough to ward off staff cuts

With all this revenue and the special grants the Nature Center receives it will still be cutting hours of operation, staffing, free programs and much more. The highest expenditure the Nature Center has is staffing; other costs are associated with operating two buildings, the 77-acre preserve and overhead (money back to the County).  The EYNC’s funding cuts have resulted in the reduction of the permanent staff by one position—our Education Director. It also cut the funding for the seasonal and intermittent staff by 50% which reduces the number of programs we can do.

Cutting the staff means fewer revenue earning programs which leads to more cuts in staffing unless this lost revenue can be replenished from another funding source.

What is the Nature Center losing with the 50% drop in funding for staff naturalists?

The following programs have been reduced or eliminated:

  • Gibson Ranch Living History Program is eliminated
  • Free weekend programs reduced by 70%
  • EYNC closed two afternoons a week in the fall and may be closed up to five days a week in the winter (except for tours and Maidu programs).
  • Elimination of birthday parties (we don’t have enough staff to present the party program)
  • Elimination of winter Fun Days youth programs during holiday vacation
  • Reduction in ability to provide environment-based educational games that are taught in the big playing field across from the Nature Center.  These games were provided to schools that had to bring several classes on a fieldtrip due to fewer and more costly busses for fieldtrips. 
  • Reduction in number of school programs.

Nature Center may have to close weekdays

We are looking into the possibility of closing to the public on weekdays (except holidays and school vacation days) beginning the first week of December through February (three months) to save staff costs. This will be publicized before implemented.

One of the most troubling aspects of closing to the public is that we will not have a staff Naturalist available to monitor the 77-acre Nature Study Area, or deal immediately with reported problems.  The 500 – 900+ people who use the Preserve on weekdays will not have access the Nature Center restrooms, store or exhibits.

During the months we will not be open and not have a Naturalist on Duty, we foresee many problems such as those that occur in the five other Nature Study Areas within the American River Parkway (ARP).  We have been fortunate that our Nature Study Area has had volunteers and staff located on site daily to tend and protect it.

Our Nature Study Area is designated as a California State Watchable Wildlife site.  See www.cawatchablewildlife.org

So what are we doing to rescue the Nature Center from closure during weekdays and elimination of popular programs? 

We are trying many reductions in operating costs such as:

  • Using volunteers wherever possible.  Volunteers must still be screened fingerprinted, given safety training, supervised and provided with the ongoing resources they need to do their jobs.  Without our 200 active volunteers per year we couldn’t operate the EYNC as well as we have since 1976.  Our volunteers will always and have always been needed.
  • Returned one of the vehicles leased from the County’s motor pool.  We will be doing fewer programs in the classrooms and think we can get by with one vehicle.
  • Kept the air conditioner off in the assembly building nearly all summer saving a couple thousand dollars.
  • Moved our donation box close to the front door with a sign noting that we have free admission but need donations in order to stay open.  Donations have doubled since this began.
  • Stepping up fundraising efforts and grant writing through ARNHA.

We’re reexamining the way we do programs and trying to find ways to cut costs.  Unfortunately, we’ve had to raise the fees for our educational programs to help offset the costs.  We’re constantly searching for grants to support the Urban Nature Project – a scholarship program that pays for schools that can’t afford our program fees.

Since its opening in 1976 the Effie Yeaw Nature Center has grown from a small neighborhood nature center to a nature center of regional importance. We are in sight of the summit.  With the current economic crisis causing this landslide we must decide if, with ARNHA’s help, we can wait out the adversity then continue to the summit. 

We must also ask ourselves if experiencing wildness or nature is essential to the growth and development of our youth.  Is it essential to the well being of adults, mothers, fathers and seniors? If the answer is “yes,” then we need to work together to keep the preserve protected and the educational programs available to our community.

How can you help?

If you would like to support the Nature Center, there are several possibilities: 

  • Donate—change, cash, checks, credit cards.  You may donate to Effie Yeaw Nature Center through the American River Natural History Association or through the County of Sacramento.  You will probably hear us asking for donations and see our donation boxes more prominently displayed. 
  • Renew your ARNHA membership level at a higher level. 
  • Buy a Parks Annual Pass for $50 that will gain you entrance into any of the County Parks for 12 months. 
  • Participate in any of the fundraisers that we will be organizing, hosting, or publicizing to raise money for the Center.  You, your friends, and family can host a fundraiser to benefit the Nature Center. 
  • Give gifts of ARNHA memberships, Park Passes, or buy environmental gifts from our Discovery Shop. 
  • You can write or call the County of Sacramento Supervisors to encourage them to support the Effie Yeaw Nature Center.  You can also share this with friends, co-workers and family to rally their support for the Nature Center. 

Only with your help, can we continue to offer meaningful and fun environmental and cultural history programs to the families of Sacramento.  





Governor Signs Parkway Plan Bill
 
By Bill Dillinger
ARNHA Associate Board Member
Retired Public Information Officer


The  Governor signed the American River Parkway Plan bill, ending the long approval process.  And the plan takes effect immediately, so projects dependent on it can move forward at once, according to Leighann Moffitt, principal planner in the county planning department.

 
Credit is due to Assemblyman Dave Jones, who introduced the bill and saw it through the legislative process, and to Leslie McFadden, the County's legislative advocate, notes Moffitt, as well as to many people who participated in the approval process.
November 5, 2009



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Parkway Farm Stand open Saturdays
 
Article and Photos by Guy Galante,
Soil Born Educational Director
 
 
American River Ranch
Farm stand now open Saturdays year round
The American River Ranch farm stand on the Parkway is now open Saturdays year round from 8:30 AM and 2:30 PM. 

The farm stand is located at 2140 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. (Click for Google map)  We encourage you to bike or walk to the Ranch and to bring your own shopping bags.
 
A Soil Born Farms' Project
The newest Sacramento region Soil Born Farms project, the Ranch opened in May 2008.  Soil Born is currently farming 5 of their 25 leased acres on historically farmed land at the American River Ranch.  The food is distributed to community members, local restaurants and farm stands around the Sacramento area. 

Soil Born Farms' Mission
Soil Born's mission is to create an urban agriculture and education project empowering youth and adults to discover and participate in a local food system that encourages healthy living, nurtures the environment and grows a sustainable community. The mission is achieved by focusing on four main goals: local organic food production and distribution, community education, food access for all, and reconnecting with the land.

It all began in 2000
Co-founders Shawn Harrison and Marco Franciosa started their Soil Born farm on Hurley Way in 2000 to tap into the growing public concern about the environment, obesity, fuel costs and food prices, and the surging movement to find healthy, affordable food closeby.  In 2003 it became a non-profit project, and now they assist other individual farmers and groups in setting up farm stands.  Click here for more information about Soil Born Urban Farms.


Sun Flowers at American River Ranch
Volunteer Opportunities

Every Saturday is volunteer day here at the ranch. Weeding, planting, harvesting, building projects, and making new friends are the main activities.

Volunteers may check in anytime between 9 and 10 a.m. and are encouraged to bring a pot luck food item. Volunteers enjoy lunch together at 12:30. If volunteers do not bring a potluck item, the staff respectfully asks that they make a small donation towards lunch items that are prepared by other volunteer chefs and staff.


 
Learn more about the American River Ranch Stand:
http://www.soilborn.org/am_river_ranch.html

      
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Bringing People to Nature and Nature to People for over 25 years