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Newsletter of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance Volume 17 Number 1 I Spring 2016

Ready to Pounce Acrylic painting by Shawn Gould I shawngould.com

Rescue Special Map Remembering at Insert Paul Danielson The Arroyo Seco Region

Protecting the Backcountry VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 17 Number 1 I SPRING 2016

VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH Newsletter of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance President’s Message The takeover of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Oregon by armed extremists is a wake-up call for all of us who value and respect our public lands PO Box 506 I Santa Cruz, 95061 and understand the important environmental (831) 423-3191 I ventanawild.org and societal benefits derived from our collective The mission of the ownership. Some may view the Oregon insurrection Ventana Wilderness Alliance as just another skirmish in the decades-old Sage- is to protect, preserve and restore the wilderness qualities and biodiversity brush Rebellion. But much evidence points to of the public lands within California’s an increasingly well funded and well organized northern Santa Lucia Mountains campaign to privatize our public lands for the benefit and Big Sur coast. of special economic interests. BOARD of DIRECTORS Tom Hopkins, President The real threat now is not a handful of delusional David Jacobs, CPA, Treasurer extremists like the Bundy family. Now the threat comes directly from the Cato Institute, the Maria Ferdin, Secretary American Legislative Exchange Council, and other Koch-funded entities gaining strategic Betsy MacGowan, Director-At-Large Al Budris, Director-At-Large influence in Western state legislatures and Congress. Political forces in Utah are at the fore Greg Meyer, Director-At-Large of the well oiled federal privatization movement, having passed legislation demanding that STAFF the federal government “return” its public lands to state control. Similar legislation has been Mike Splain, Executive Director introduced and is advancing in six other Western state legislatures. The Utah congressional Richard Popchak, Communications and delegation just introduced a bill that would transfer to the state’s law enforcement authority Development Director Bryce Winter, Youth in Wilderness on federal lands. Imagine how a Bundy-like siege of a National Forest would play out under a Program Manager law prohibiting federal enforcement in a county with a so-called “constitutional sheriff.” The Mike Heard, Stewardship Program Coordinator Bundistas would have their way ­­— the public and the environmental resources be damned. Sharol Sevilla, Trail Crew Leader The VWA was founded as an advocacy organization to “protect, preserve and restore” the Julie Anne Hopkins, Botanist/Biologist Betsy MacGowan, Trail Crew Chief public lands in the Ventana region. This very newsletter carries that intention loud and clear Steve Benoit, Lead Wilderness Ranger in its title – Ventana Wilderness Watch – as in, we will be ever-vigilant and keep our eyes on and Trail Crew Leader these public lands. We will act in their defense and for their betterment. And while we, who Maria Ferdin, Trail Crew Leader are fortunate enough to live and work and play in California’s treasured central coast, may NEWSLETTER PRODUCTION feel somewhat insulated from the public land insurrection playing out in the intermountain Editor: Richard Popchak Design: Lynn Piquett west, let’s be mindful that it can happen here. Printing: Community Printers, Santa Cruz Our best defense is ourselves and our personal commitment to “protect, preserve and Printed on 30% post-consumer waste restore” our cherished public lands, both locally and nationally. On the local level, the recycled paper with Agri-based inks. VWA is making a difference on behalf of Ventana region public lands, but fresh new blood ON THE COVER and energy is always needed. It is the volunteers, committee and board members, strategic Exploring the Iowa thinkers, visionaries, and the ever-needed donors and funders that make our work possible. countryside as a child, Shawn Gould Please let me know how you can help. Nationally, we need to remember that every vote sought out the counts. The “green” voters of California can have a positive effect by sending informed and solitude of quiet places where committed public land advocates to Sacramento and to Washington. nothing would intrude into the world of his imagination. Today he explores the West and beyond from his Northern California home but still feels like that little boy running through the fields of his imagination in Iowa. Shawn’s paintings are a blend of photorealism and tonalism. The result is everyday nature seen Tom Hopkins I [email protected] through the eyes of the artist, an illusion that challenges the viewer to suspend their disbelief 2 and free their own imagination. See more of his incredible work at shawngould.com. Take Action on Proposed LPNF Realignment I by Mike Splain The Back Story Besides preserving a world-class viewshed and a reservoir of It’s no secret that Los Padres National Forest (LPNF) has been central coast biodiversity, the District provides clean air, fresh severely underfunded for many years. Nowhere is the problem water, carbon sequestration and agricultural pollinators. And more evident than here in the Monterey Ranger District, where let’s not forget tourism. In an average California year, outdoor an ever-shrinking staff is expected to manage 313,000 acres of recreation generates 732,000 jobs and 85 billion dollars in heavily used public lands. At present, nearly half of the District’s consumer spending. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, Recreation and Wilderness positions are vacant. At this writing at least 59% of all Californians enjoyed the great outdoors last year we have no Wilderness Manager and our Recreation Officer and that doesn’t even include hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing. retired years ago. In the backcountry, “boots on the ground” are The figure is likely even higher in Monterey County, where millions almost entirely volunteers. Critical maintenance work that of visitors congregate at iconic landscapes like the Arroyo Seco volunteers can’t accomplish generally requires VWA-financed Gorge and Big Sur coast. Separated from the southern Los Padres contractors. As agency funding continues to diminish, we’re in by a mere 20 miles as the condor flies, the Monterey Ranger danger of losing the pack stock program that makes such third- District is nevertheless worlds apart. Take away experienced, party efforts even conceivable. localized management and this jewel of the central coast, our

collective natural heritage, will inevitably be loved to death. An internal LPNF survey reveals an even more troubling issue – employees have no time to manage volunteers or apply for grants. What You Can Do In other words, agency staffers are too overloaded to make use Although no formal comment process is underway, there is an of the very tools that would lighten their load. You may want alternative to Forest Realignment. A few years ago Congressman to read that last sentence again. If it sounds ridiculously para- Sam Farr introduced a bill designating a Big Sur Management Unit doxical, that’s because it is. Keep in mind that LPNF consists of (BSMU) with a reasonable degree of budget autonomy. Please ask five Ranger Districts – Mount Pinos, Ojai, Santa Barbara, Santa the Congressman to reintroduce BSMU legislation right away. You Lucia and Monterey. Each District Office requires staffing, main- might consider mentioning: tenance, information technology and so on. Add to the mix a much 1. The Los Padres National Forest is too large and varied to be larger Supervisor’s Office, a radio dispatch station, and a Congress reduced to two Ranger Districts. Three Districts or (better yet) seemingly hell-bent on starving public lands out of existence. Management Units should be the absolute minimum. Realignment 2. The BSMU should be administered from within Monterey County. Of California’s 18 National Forests, only the Los Padres has more 3. The BSMU should be sufficiently funded to include a Wilderness than three Ranger Districts, so the most obvious way to “balance Manager, a Recreation Officer, a Volunteer Coordinator and a the books” is to reduce Districts. To this end LPNF has embarked robust pack stock program. ■ on a Forest realignment process. According to agency leadership, when the dust settles, we can expect a much leaner Los Padres Contact Sam Farr Today! with at most three Ranger Districts. US Congressman Sam Farr Why You Should Care 100 West Alisal Street Salinas, CA 93901 Consider that the Monterey Ranger District is 85% designated Electronic message: farr.house.gov wilderness and protects the headwaters of six major rivers.

Potential realignment of the Los Padres National Forest may limit the agency’s ability to properly manage our treasured landscapes. 3 Please write to Congressman Farr today. Photo donated by Kennan and Karen Ward ©2016 VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 17 Number 1 I SPRING 2016

Rescue at Sykes Camp I by Richard Popchak The importance of the VWA’s Volunteer Wilderness Ranger (VWR) fireman. They had completed a thorough assessment of Joey’s program was highlighted on February 20 of this year when a condition just prior to Franco’s arrival on the scene.

backpacker was seriously injured and needed to be rescued Despite the presence of trained, radio-equipped rangers on site, from Sykes Camp. Joey Yee of Daly City was enjoying a first-time all did not go well. The helicopter pilot initially attempted to make backpacking adventure with a group of friends from the Bay Area. the rescue at Barlow Flat Camp, not at Sykes Camp. This delayed An accomplished runner and in excellent physical condition, Joey the extraction. It also created a learning opportunity. The work excused herself from the group to explore on her own for a bit and has already begun to improve the processes necessary to ensure with one miss-step fell 20 feet face-first from a cliff. that rangers, dispatchers and first responders are communicating Noticing that Joey had been gone for some time, her friends found at the highest level. her on the ground and in shock. Her injuries were serious. In Ultimately, through the hard work and coordination of many peo- addition to lacerations to her face and a severely sprained ankle, ple and agencies, Joey was airlifted out of Sykes by helicopter to there was concern that Joey had possibly suffered internal Coast Ridge Road and then to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas. injuries. Two of Joey’s friends took off for help. With little to no Since then she has received treatment at several other hospitals cell coverage in the Ventana, the surest connection to the outside and care facilities. She suffered an L4 vertebrae compression world was ten miles away at . fracture which required surgery. Her physical therapy is intense Meanwhile, Volunteer Wilderness Rangers Lynn Moncher, Sharol and she makes progress each day climbing stairs with the help of Sevilla, Franco Guzman and Bryce Winter were performing routine leg braces and a walker. She awaits her customized braces so that trail maintenance while on patrol near Barlow Flat Camp. It is she can continue her recovery at home. We wish her the best. here that they were informed by Joey’s friends that there was a This incident demonstrates the value of having well trained and seriously injured person at Sykes Camp (over two miles away). equipped people in the backcountry. Not only do the Volunteer All VWRs are provided with extensive training, including Wilder- Wilderness Rangers engage with visitors to impart Leave No Trace ness First Aid (WFA) certification which is renewed every two and fire safety information. They also clean up campsites and pick years. Rangers are also trained in the use of US Forest Service up toilet paper and garbage. And in this case, they assisted in the radios and are required to utilize one to go into and out of service rescue of a seriously injured visitor. with USFS dispatch on each patrol. We’d like to thank Lynn, Sharol, Franco and Bryce (and all the VWR’s) Lynn and Franco took the lead in radio communications with for volunteering their time to provide dispatch. They conveyed the reported condition of the victim and this essential public service. And provided the exact GPS coordinates of her location. Dispatch thanks to the VWA members and determined that a helicopter rescue was necessary. Meanwhile, funders who enable the program. ■ Franco took off for Sykes Camp to lend his Wilderness First Responder (WFR) expertise. WFR is an advanced certification that provides the tools to make critical medical and evacuation Joey is “braced” for her recovery. Go to applesandappas.wordpress.com/ decisions in remote locations. Fortunately for Joey, the many to follow her progress. visitors at Sykes Camp that day included a doctor and a former

4 Joey was airlifted from Sykes to this location on the Coast Ridge Road. Here she was “re-packaged” for transport inside the ship to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas. Photo: Steve Benoit Improving Access in the by Richard Popchak In October 2014 the Ventana Wilderness Alliance received a conservation grant of $185,000 from Sean and Alexandra Parker and Neraida LLC for a four-year project to restore and maintain trails in the lovely Silver Peak Wilderness. Work began in earnest in the spring of 2015 when the Cruikshank Trail from Highway 1 to Upper Cruikshank Camp was restored to pack stock standards. Also, the Buckeye Trail from Upper Cruikshank Camp to Villa Creek Camp was restored to hiker/pedestrian standards. This effort was supplemented by a matching grant from the National Forest Foundation (NFF). The VWA contracted American Conservation Experience (ACE) crews to accomplish this work. This project is being led by VWA Stewardship Program View up the coast from “Buckshank Ridge.” Coordinator Mike Heard, well known throughout the region for his award-winning efforts in the network. Station and the Soda Springs trailhead. That effort provides a head start This year Parker conservation grant funds, again supplemented on work that was originally scheduled for the next phase of the project. by a matching grant from the NFF, were committed to finance The VWA would like to thank the Parkers, Neraida LLC and the four ACE crew hitches. The objective was to restore the Buckeye National Forest Foundation for providing the funding for this Trail from Upper Cruikshank Camp to Buckeye Camp to pack project. We also would like to thank the ACE crews, led by Trevor stock standards. In January 2016, ACE crews, supported by pack Willits, for their excellent work in trying El Niño conditions. Their stock, started work from Upper Cruikshank Camp. Despite the efforts would have been infinitely more difficult without the pack loss of some work days owing to inclement weather, the crews support provided by volunteers Rick Jacobsen, Bill Blue and Duke got to Buckeye Camp by the end of the third hitch. Now ahead Krenkel and by USFS fire personnel Luke Krenkel, Corey Finneman of schedule, the fourth hitch was devoted to repairing minor and Eric Harris. “We were really fortunate to get so much work damage caused by the pack stock and to brushing out the done despite the El Niño storms,” said Mike Heard. “The crews did Buckeye Trail and Soda Springs Trail between Salmon Creek a good job of focusing on the task at hand and the packers really went the distance to support us.” Looking ahead, six ACE crew hitches will be deployed on this project during each of the next three years, assuming that the VWA continues to be awarded matching funds by the NFF. The following work is planned: October 2016 – June 2017: Complete work on the Soda Springs Trail and on the Buckeye Trail between Salmon Creek Station and Buckeye Camp, and restore the Salmon Creek Trail from Highway 1 to Spruce Creek Camp. October 2017 – June 2018: Complete work on the Salmon Creek Trail from Spruce Creek Camp to the South Coast Ridge Road.

October 2018 – September 2019: Complete work on the Cruikshank Trail from the Buckeye Trail junction to the South Coast Ridge Road. If grant funds remain after all of the work listed above is completed, then the project will be expanded to include portions of the Spruce Creek Trail from the junction with the Salmon Creek Trail to Dutra/ Three Peaks Trail and the Buckeye Trail between Villa Creek Camp and Alder Creek Camp. Do yourself a favor and get out on the trails of the Silver Peak Wilderness. With the improving trail conditions, one can better focus on the beauty, biodiversity and solitude to be found on these amazing public lands. ■

The trail between Cruikshank and Buckeye Camps connects hikers with a variety of plant communities. 5 VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 17 Number 1 I SPRING 2016

DISCLAIMER: This map is not intended for route finding or travel. Trail conditions change constantly. VWA assumes no liability for the usage of this map. VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 17 Number 1 I SPRING 2016 The Many Benefits of Getting Young People Outdoors by Richard Popchak If you are reading this article, it probably means that you get it. Diversity I Look at the audience at a VWA or Sierra Club event. And by that I mean that you understand the importance of time Then look at the latest demographic data for California. The spent in nature and the value of our public wildlands. Many of you conservation community historically has been the realm of not only get it, but you have to have it, meaning that you periodically Caucasians. The continued protection of our public wildlands will need to immerse yourself in the wilds of the northern Santa Lucia be the responsibility of an American people that will be largely Mountains. You understand the many benefits that come with the Latino, Asian and Black. YiW helps to bridge this gap by making experience. Now imagine if you are a young person living in the area Wilderness culturally relevant to the next generation of Californians. and you don’t even know about the Big Sur backcountry. Or maybe Mentorship People who care enough to introduce underserved you are aware of this special place but you don’t have the means, I youth to the outdoors tend to be amazing mentors. YiW Program knowledge or inclination to explore it. That is where the VWA’s Youth Manager Bryce Winter and Lead Instructor Franco Guzman, along in Wilderness (YiW) program comes in. with teachers like Christian Lamonea, Jake Glazier, Jose Sanchez As time goes by, we better understand the benefits associated with and Brian King model the way as outstanding mentors in the outdoor outdoor exploration. Yet for many young people today, access is classroom. Their positivity, knowledge of traditional camping skills limited, especially for underserved kids in urban areas like Salinas and ability to relate with young people is inspirational. When and Seaside and rural areas like Big Sur. The Youth in Wilderness participants understand that the adults in the group truly care for program connects local students to their public wildlands, where them, they carry that beneficial effect with them for years to come. they develop an appreciation for nature, learn camping skills and As you can imagine, there are many other benefits to getting young gain a commitment to conservation. Let’s take a look at some of the people outdoors. Hopefully you will be out on the trail sometime benefits of the Youth in Wilderness program: soon. If you happen to come across young people enjoying our Healthy Habits I Okay, this might be a given. It is nearly impos- public lands, ask them how they came to appreciate nature. Ask sible to walk the Ventana without some form of strenuous hiking. them what benefits they get from being outside. Don’t be surprised Beyond the exercise, participants learn about proper nutrition, the to find that they get it. Thank you for supporting the VWA and the importance of hydration and appropriate backcountry sanitation. Youth in Wilderness program. ■ Life Skills I With adventure comes risk, yet the wilderness experience endows the young explorer with skills that make life less MANY THANKS intimidating and more productive. We’re talking about character to the following major funders for supporting the traits like courage and resiliency and competencies like decision Youth in Wilderness program during the period making, organization and teamwork. 1/1/2015 through 3/31/2016: Digital Detox I It’s not just kids these days. Most of us could Alexander P. Saxton Trust One do a better job of limiting our exposure to technology. How did Arkay Foundation Community Foundation for Monterey County we end up spending just 30 minutes outside and over seven hours Paul and Margaret Danielson indoors in front of a screen each day? The benefits of time spent in The Dean Witter Foundation nature and away from technology are powerful. YiW participants Fernandez Pave the Way Foundation learn to unplug and enjoy time outside on a regular basis. Tom and Julie Anne Hopkins Monterey Peninsula Foundation Norcross Foundation Rancho Cielo Inc. Save the Redwoods League The North Face Explore Fund

In March, students from Carmel Middle School enjoyed a three-day, two-night backpack expedition from China Camp to Big Sur Station.

8 Remembering Paul Danielson I by Jack Glendening Editor’s Note: The VWA community lost a dear friend when Paul Paul was a positive, kind, caring person. One fond memory is a bush- Danielson passed away on March 1, 2016. Our thoughts are with whack we did to find a waterfall I’d seen from afar. We were both the Danielson family at this time. We asked Paul’s friend and gassed before the last leg, which left the overgrown firebreak we’d hiking companion Jack Glendening to share a few memories of followed. But I was set on glimpsing the falls, so I pushed downslope his explorations of the Ventana with Paul. while he waited above. On returning, I lost my way and found myself pinned in dense brush, befuddled and lacking the energy to push I don’t remember how Paul and I connected for our first hike back through it. But Paul saw I was in trouble and sallied down to guide in 2009. But after some getting-to-know-each-other contretemps, me back up. At that time he seemed an angel we found we were both inquisitive about the Ventana and had a sent from heaven. ■ passion for exploring new places. This led to us sharing nearly 60 hikes together over the next six years. Paul had already been exploring the Ventana for many years, first hiking all its trails, then going off-trail to locate “lost camps.” These were places used by hikers, hunters and fishermen back in the day when the US Forest Service maintained the trails. Having served on the board as well as the VWA board, Paul worked hard to create and preserve public lands and helped expand wilderness areas in the Ventana. His knowledge of the backcountry was both wide and deep. As many of you know, Paul loved to talk so he shared his knowledge and stories during our drives to and from trailheads. His generosity helped me pass along that knowledge via my on-line trailmap (bigsurtrailmap.net/). Paul was a people-oriented person and interviewed many old-time residents to learn their stories — so he especially delighted in showing me old home- steads with their decaying but still recognizable artifacts, or perhaps a still-fruiting orchard tree.

Paul enjoying the view above the Arroyo Seco Gorge. He will be dearly missed.

Thank you, Dennis and DBK I Happy trails, gentlemen! After many years of service, Dennis Palm and David Knapp have Dave Knapp (aka DBK) is also a resident of San Luis Obispo County, decided to make room for new blood on the VWA Board of Directors. living in Nipomo. The organization’s first Trail Crew Chief, Dave has Both men made indelible contributions to the organization and served on the board since 2008. It was Mr. Knapp who took the VWA’s their leadership, wisdom and dedication will be greatly missed. fledgling volunteer Trail Crew and turned it into the productive and fun-loving posse that we know today. Dave Dennis, a resident of Paso Robles, introduced the concept of the Saturday joined the board in 2004 and has served Night Potluck and many a tired volunteer as Vice President since 2008. A cabin gathered around his communal fondue owner at the Indians, Dennis led the pot after a day of clearing trail. Dave was effort to implement the Milpitas Special one of the first Trail Crew members to get Interest Area management plan. He was his crosscut saw certification and he also instrumental in the re-invigoration inspired many others to do the same. of the Archaeological Site Stewardship As an Operating Systems Analyst at Cal program. Dennis was the VWA liaison Dennis Palm Dave Knapp Poly SLO, Dave lends his considerable with the Partners in Preservation technical acumen to the organization and has always been counted program to ensure that 25 volunteers were trained in the on to help us solve problems. processes to protect the myriad cultural resources in the Ventana region. We will miss Dennis’s keen sense of humor and thought- Please join us in thanking Dennis and Dave for their many years of provoking questions and we look forward to seeing him and his dedicated service to the organization. Their leadership will be charming wife Ollie at Gatherings and at the Indians. missed but we know we’ll see them around. ■ VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 17 Number 1 I SPRING 2016

We Can’t Thank You Enough: Our 2015 Members and Funders INDIVIDUALS Pat Clark-Gray Paul & Diana Garneau Jeff Keimer Lynn Moncher Adam Rumack Ximena Waissbluth Stuart Abel Eileen Clark-Nagaoka & Dan Gearhart Lawrence Keller Richard & Stacy Salimando Philip Walker Pamela Ackley Gary Nagaoka Margot Gerritsen Karen Kelly Judith Montgomery William & Diane Salmon Danielle Walker Jeanne & Michael Adams Joshua Cohen Gina Gianfala Kerry Kerry Andrea Moore John Salvo Larry Walker Fran & Frank Adamson Laura Cohen Ginger Gilliam Bill Keye Ryan Morris Jim Sandor Annette Walker Robert & Donna Adamson Mary Cominos John Glendening Tom Killion James Morris Parker Santiago Lisa Wallender Mark Alderson & Andy Cominos Sarah Glommen Lois Kimple Carla & Eric Moss Kylie Scales Kymm Ann Wallin Anne Secker Anna Conlen Kimberly Gordon William Kirkpatrick Judith Mostyn Jeffrey Schaffer John & Priscilla Walton Ramie Allard Gina Marie Contolini Stephen Graner Alex Kjellgren Caroline & David Moyer Craig Schieding Scott Waltz Ruth Alota Jenna Contuchio Stacey & Tony Grant Mary Ellen Klee Hans-Georg Mueller Daniel & Betty Schlothan Thomas Ward Gene Anderson Willis Costello Dick & Lyn Graybill Evelyn Klein Richard Mueller Bill Schoenbart Kennan & Karen Ward David & Susan Anderson David & Susan Courrejou Matthew Greenfield Denise Klein Marjorie Munson Robert Schuh Lisa Wartinger Niklas Andersson Catrina Coyle Jacquelyn Griffith Gregg Knapp Susan Nash Jenice Schultheis Pat Watson Robert Armstrong Paul Crafts & Ben Grimmig David Knight Holly Naylor Robert Schumacker Anthony Watson Jesse Arnold Bonita Zisla Crafts Arlen Grossman George & Diane Koenig Nicole Nedeff Dougald Scott & Senaka Weerasekara Steven Arnwine Tom & Karla Cravens Jacqueline Grubelnik Jacob Koff Thomas Neu Virginia Morgan-Scott Rosemary Wells Mary Asher Robert Creek Ed Grumbine Carol & Martin Kolsky Than Nguyen Peter & Celia Scott Andrew Werner Michael Atkinson Martha Crewe Paul Grunland Catherine Kordich Jeanette Nicely Pauline Seales Dorothy Whitmore Marlene Attell Christine Crozier Derek Gurney Ellen & Robert Korstanje Kerry Nickols Jacqueline & Alan L. 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Jacobs Susan McDonald-Brodey Tim Reed Mark Trabing Backpack Section George Campion Ellen Fitzgerald Murtha Annette Jankosky Mickey McGuire Jennifer Reents Chuck Tremper & Tassajara Zen Mountain Michael Campos Timothy Flanagan Lindsay Jeffers George McInnis James Reese Sue Thomas Center Miranda & Don Canestro Bruce Flatow Brennen Jensen Karla McIntyre Elizabeth Rehm Mary Trotter Roger Cannon Paul Fleischman Laura & Dru Jensen David McMillan Alison Reitz Dennis Tunstall FOUNDATIONS Anne & David Canright Sandra Flores Daniel Jensen & Karen Medalen John Rethke Johnathon Turner Alexander P. Saxton Trust Erin Carey Patrick Foley Carolyn Donlin Frank Menagh Ellen Reyes Ellen Uhler Arkay Foundation John Carey John Font Brian Jerlow Christian Mendelsohn Julianne Rhodes Ruth Updegraff Community Foundation Peter Carley James Foran Verna Jigour Shelley Mercadal Angela Richman Lois Van Buren for Monterey County Stuart Carlson Ruben Ford Gordon Johnson Ed Mercurio Richard Riedl Nanine Van Draanen Community Foundation Elizabeth Carpenter Sam Foster Cedar Johnson Ted Merrill Judith Riley William Van Vechten of Santa Cruz County Steve & Diane Carr Michael Foster & Monica Johnson Ted Meyenberg Brandon Roberts Keith Vandevere Fenton Family Gift Fund Sean Carroll Vivian Key-Foster Gordon Jones Grover Meyrose Gary Robinson Michele Vanhentenryck Fernandez Pave The Way Carol Carson Natasha Fraley Paul Jones William Michael Elliott Robinson Mary Ann Vasconcellos Foundation Lise Carter James Franks Kelsey Jordahl & Catherine Milazzo Bill Rodgers Richard Veum Monterey Peninsula Michael Casey Linda Franzen Alice Shumate Anne Marie Miller Rosemary Rovick Richard Vittitow Foundation Cameron Chabre Maya Freedman Joseph Jordan Christine Miller Brian & Michele Rowlett Michael Vizza National Environmental Mark Chaffey & Heidi Hall Calvin French Glenn Joy John G. Miller Steve Rubin Paul & Cindy Vizza Education Foundation Max & Cynthia Chaplin Alan French Karen Judkins Andrew Miller Florence Rubinger Einar Vollset National Forest Foundation 10 Clair Cheer Gernot Friederich Alicia Julian Jenny Miller Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts David & Rosann Wachtel Patterson Family Foundation Yvon Chouinard Mary Gale Robert Kafka David Miller Joshua Rude Adam Wachtel Tides Foundation ■ Carl Christensen Karina Garcia Janet Kamiya Mark Moehling Lupita Ruiz-Jones R. Wagner Enjoy Tax Benefits with a Charitable Distribution from Your IRA If you are 70 ½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA isa great way to support the VWA. This charitable gift option was made permanent by the IRS in 2015. Contributing from your IRA to the VWA is an easy way to reduce your tax burden and make a significant gift to protect the public wildlands of the northern Santa Lucias. Each year, the IRS requires those 70 ½ years of age or older to withdraw a required minimum distribution from their IRA, and pay income tax on the distribution. Gifts made from your IRA (up to $100,000 per year) are not subject to income tax and qualify toward your required minimum distribution which can be a significant tax benefit. Best of all, it is easy. Simply contact your IRA administrator to learn how you can further the work of the VWA while getting a break from the IRS. While unrestricted gifts are best, you can request that your IRA gift be used for a specific VWA program such as Trail Crew, Youth in Wilderness or Volunteer Wilderness Rangers. You can also direct your gift to the Ventana Trails Forever Fund or the Youth in Wilderness Fund at the Community Foundation for Monterey County. There is also a Youth in Wilderness Fund at the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County in need of additional capital. You cannot receive any goods or services in order for an IRA gift to qualify for tax-free treatment. But you will have the satisfaction of knowing your generosity is instrumental in the protection of the enduring resource that is Wilderness. ■

2015 Annual Report 2015 was a strong year for the VWA. The Annual Appeal campaign has become a significant source of critical funding for programs and overhead, second only to grants. Stewardship and advocacy programs were delivered with maximum efficiency and minimal expense. Thank you for your ongoing support of our organization. When you donate, we see that as the ultimate indication of trust and we take that trust very seriously. For every dollar raised in 2015, nearly 92 cents went to programs on the ground. ■

PROGRAM EXPENSES $350,000 2015 PERCENT EXPENDITURES OF TOTAL $300,000 Stewardship $317,092 72.2% $250,000 Advocacy $86,082 19.6% Fundraising $18,312 4.2% $200,000 Management $17,618 4.0% & Governance $150,000 TOTAL $439,104 100.0% $100,000 $50,000 SUPPORT AND REVENUE $0 2015 PERCENT Stewardship Advocacy Fundraising Management CONTRIBUTIONS OF TOTAL & Governance Grants $412,967 73.4% Annual Appeal $67,656 12.0% Gifts & Membership $46,015 8.2% Event Income $20,690 3.7% n Grants Endowment $12,812 2.3% Annual Appeal Distributions n Interest Income $2,700 0.5% n Gifts & Memberships TOTAL $562,840 100.0% n Event Income YEAR-END BALANCE SHEET n Endowment Distributions Cash $485,788 Reserve Fund $21,749 n Interest Income TOTAL $507,537 11 NON PROFIT ORG Post Office Box 506 I Santa Cruz, CA 95061 US POSTAGE PAID SANTA CRUZ, CA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED PERMIT NO. 150 EVENTS May 1 Take It Outside Salinas aka Vamos Afuera Natividad Creek Park, Salinas

facebook.com/tioc.salinas/ May 24 - 29 VWA Trail Crew Ventana Double Cone Trail Lone Pine Camp I 6 Days/5 Nights RSVP at: meetup.com/Ventana- Wilderness-Alliance-Meetup/ June 11 VWA Annual Gathering Toro Park, Salinas RSVP to [email protected]

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Business Students Analyze VWA with Capstone Project Last September, Jana Nason, then a senior business student at California State University, Monterey Bay, approached the VWA and asked if her “Capstone” team could adopt the VWA as a business client. All CSUMB students must complete a Capstone project in order to graduate. These projects put into practice the research skills and team-work tactics that students gained from their academic efforts. The purpose of the project was to analyze an organization from a strategic management and operations perspective and offer recommendations based on that analysis. VWA enthusiastically embraced this opportunity and gave the team full access to every aspect of the organization. You may recognize the Nason name. Jana is of heritage and the 8th generation of her family to call the Big Sur coast and Santa Lucia Mountains home. The Capstone team also included Josie Lisk (niece of a former backcountry ranger), Miranda Aguilar, Amanda Waymire and Stirling Gerbic-Forsyth. Last December, VWA representatives attended the team’s presentation on campus at CSUMB’s Capstone Festival. Their presentation was outstanding and certainly one of the best of the day. VWA received a copy of their comprehensive strategic analysis of our work. We will benefit from its many recommendations regarding brand awareness, organizational structure, partnership opportunities and program management. We are very thankful to the Capstone team for selecting the VWA for their project. All five members of the team have graduated and we wish them the best. We are fortunate as they will advocate for public wildlands and their continued protection for years to come. ■

The Capstone Crew from left to right: Stirling Gerbic-Forsyth, Amanda Waymire, Josie Lisk, VWA board member Al Budris, Jana Nason and Miranda Aguilar.