AUDUBON CANYON RANCH

Number 56 BULLETIN Spring 2015

IN THIS ISSUE THREE FACETS OF CONSERVATION ACROSS THE GENERATIONS HELEN PRATT’S LEGACY BIRDS GAIN SHORELINE NEW VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR PHOTOS, EVENTS AND MORE

Conservation in Action P  2 A C  R  Conservation in Action www.egret.org ACR’s Multifaceted Approach CARING FOR THE NATURAL WORLD by John Petersen Although philosophers over the ages conservation third grade and moving through have said it in many dierent ways, I crisis from all the senior years—preparing them to prefer the direct and profound wisdom three angles. address the known and unforeseen of Dr. Seuss. He once said, “Unless We create challenges that lie ahead. ese are the someone like you cares a whole awful change by people who will lead us into the future. lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s protecting ey will value wild spaces, conduct not.” unique and the research that will direct responsible ough not a real doctor, eodor valuable management of our land and ocean Seuss Geisel was a very wise man. resources, resources, respond to the impacts of John Petersen Unless we care enough about our providing the climate change, and nd the answers to natural world, for both its intrinsic best available science to aect public dicult environmental problems. value and its role in sustaining human policy and land use decisions, and For people who care about the communities, things won’t get better. teaching generations of inspired citizens natural world and want to see our cares. to make responsible environmental planet’s future built on conservation In fact we consistently put our choices. values, a science-based understanding, conservation mission above all else. By Whether we’re advising heronry and an educated appreciation, removing a house on our property to managers in Canada, working with Audubon Canyon Ranch provides the restore ecologically rich wetlands or national environmental educators synergy to create a better quality of life. temporarily closing our most popular on citizen science curriculum, or ank you for joining us in site to protect a historic heronry, ACR researching the eects of climate these eorts. What we do today will reliably chooses nature rst. Some change in San Francisco Bay, Audubon determine the quality of life for future people may think that these are hard Canyon Ranch sticks to the singularity generations. choices, and sometimes they are. of its mission. Or, in the words of the good doctor, “Only you can control your future.” But with a vision and leadership that Solutions for complex problems prioritizes taking the environmental We teach generations of John Petersen is high ground, our direction is clear. conservationists—starting with the ACR’s Executive Director e course for this year As we move through 2015 you will see Audubon Canyon Ranch expanding its inuence on conservation issues regionally and beyond. Our eorts will focus on high-impact projects both on and o our preserves. We recognize that critical conservation issues go beyond the borders of our sanctuaries and that global environmental health requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes conservation, education and science. Audubon Canyon Ranch is dierent because it approaches the B  56, S  2015 P  Conservation in Action Interactions and Inuence Across Generations THE ECOLOGY OF ACR by Theo Michaels Connecting the generations We don’t think about cross- generational interactions every day but they are a dynamic part of ACR’s culture. ese interactions are especially important in the face of our age- segregated society. Studies have shown that when dierent generations fail to interact their perceptions of one another become increasingly fearful. is can lead to Bouverie Stewards pull invasive plants at Toms Point on emotional distress, intolerance and even In the half-light of winter’s evening I reexamine the principles from which your a loss of self-worth. Without the ability sit on my porch, wrapped tightly in my actions are derived. Most of all, it will to imagine a space and time beyond our coat and scarf, gazing toward Sonoma challenge you to know your own heart and own, the notion of community begins Mountain. I know the silhouette of expand your de nition and expectations of to erode. its ridgeline intimately, as would any community. If this sounds like something In the intersection of these social creature that makes its home there. you would like to do, please contact me. constructs is ACR. Just as our protected For the past four years I have While this may not be verbatim, lands are dynamic spaces for ecosystem observed the west side of this mountain it does not matter. I read between the conductivity and conservation, these from my home in Petaluma, and from lines, and this is exactly what it said to spaces serve to promote healthy and my place of work at Bouverie Preserve. me. thriving cross-generational interactions. I have also known what the mountain e lure of Audubon Canyon Ranch A personal perspective holds on its eastern side—a spot on its We are all drawn to ACR because As someone who has been deeply spine that I can see from both places. of its mission to protect nature through touched by these interactions at ACR, I It helps connect the two halves of my land preservation, nature education can speak to their power. I nd myself heart, which lie in the valleys on either and conservation science. We seek to in the midst of these exchanges on side of the mountain. fulll these tenets through programs Monday mornings when I meet with Four years ago I received an email such as our stewardship activities, the Bouverie Stewards to explain the without solicitation or previous docent trainings and science-based restoration task of the day. knowledge of its coming. e note land management decisions. While Whereas our elders are often pushed from Jeanne Wirka, ACR’s director of these contributions are observed and to the periphery of society where stewardship, read: documented, there is a particular their wisdom cannot be utilized and I would like to invite you to join element of ACR’s identity that often their potential contributions lie mute, our team at Audubon Canyon Ranch. I goes unnoticed. this is not true at ACR. Together the can assure you it will be a life-changing I have seen it in the children who Stewards collectively hold the history experience, providing you with new cheer and wave to the docents as if they of the restoration projects at Bouverie skills and opportunities. It will inspire were rock stars, as their school bus pulls Preserve. I have relied on this history innovative ways to think about the story of away. I have witnessed it in the twinkle many times as we repair irrigation the land and develop your understanding of our conservation science director systems and hunt for dwindling patches of the planet. You will be called upon to John Kelly’s eyes as he fondly recalls of yellow star thistle. ercely toss yourself into the unknown and stories of biologist Helen Pratt. continues on page 4 P  4 A C  R  Conservation in Action www.egret.org continued from page 3 And while we often think of our Last year our Stewards elders as keepers of the past, the joined the Junipers at Toms Stewards also help us understand Point, an ACR property on our futures. ey give feedback on Tomales Bay, to help with restoration techniques and help us the beach grass removal prioritize restoration tasks. project. Toms Point lies at the Listening across the generations intersection of water and wind and the meeting of tectonic For all of their wisdom and hard plates. In other words, it is a work, the Stewards are also spirited place of movement, where past and mischievous. ey are not a two- and present collide. So it makes dimensional picture, stoic and fragile. Photo by Bob Alwitt sense that it would also be the To the contrary, as I listen across the Junipers learning in the field at Bouverie Preserve gathering place of generations. generational divide, I hear the way each interactions help us explore and As I watched the Stewards and of them has adapted and changed, I understand who we are and who we the Junipers work side by side, the hear the complex dimensionality they want to be in our community. In our elders showing the youngsters dierent have experienced throughout their attempts to address the problems of a techniques, the students were eager to lifetimes. fragmented landscape, we are asked to learn and demonstrate that they could What I have learned in working look at the fragmentation of ourselves. keep up with the work. with the Stewards is that if we are to It is this rebuilding of the landscape In an age-segregated society both have a compassionate and informed through community that generational of these generations are subjected future then we must integrate cross- fragmentation will also subside. to stereotypes. To be an elder is to generational interactions into our daily I look upon the spot where disappear, to become intangible and lives. Bouverie Preserve trails called Yellow without purpose. is makes the Sometimes I wonder if the divide Brick Road and Woodland Trail meet, prospect of aging joyless and daunting between our generations is somehow and I see a multitude of generations. to younger generations. connected to the fragmentation of the e rings in the large trunk of the coast In turn, our youth may be landscape. With land development live oak tell passersby it has been there stereotyped as technology driven and comes the displacement of vegetation, long before the junction. lacking respect for tradition and face- mammals and even soils. But it can also e Madrones that sit in the shade to-face interactions. result in the displacement of people, and drip line of the oak will one day But the interactions surrounding their stories and their culture. outgrow it and become the overstory. our workday broke down these For that reason, ACR’s conservation e thick layer of leaf litter that is prejudices. e actions by both groups eorts not only help to reinstate worked by the soil microorganisms will showed that self-growth is a process ecosystem function and conductivity, become soil. ere is a word for these not bound by time. Indeed, lifelong but in the process facilitate cross- generations, these interactions: ecology. learning is a choice, rather than generational connections. At ACR, we are a part of this something that ends with school or ecology. And in the same way that the Stewards leading Junipers must subside with the responsibilities land endures because of its ability to For the past several summers I have of adulthood. utilize the generations of vegetation, had the opportunity to work with Healing the divide insects, mammals and soils, so too will ACR’s Juniper program. It allows high As we sat up on the sunny blu our cross-generational interactions help school students to interact and support at the end of the workday, one thing sustain and enrich us. each other in their science explorations. became clear: cross-generational Theo Michaels is ACR’s Resource Ecologist at Bouverie Preserve B  56, S  2015 P  Conservation in Action Role Model, Researcher and Benefactor THE TRIPLE LEGACY OF HELEN PRATT by Phil Murphy e late Helen Pratt left a legacy— about the nesting to her family, her fellow naturalists and behaviors of herons Audubon Canyon Ranch—well before and egrets.” her formal bequest to ACR arrived. Author of Herons Known for three decades of and Egrets of Audubon observation of Great Herons, Great Canyon Ranch and Egrets and Snowy Egrets at ACR’s several scientic Martin Grin Preserve, Helen left a papers on bird ecology, legacy of love for the natural world to Helen’s observations her children and two granddaughters. informed research Carrying on the family tradition leading to the ban of DDT. “We both chose to go into Her master’s degree science as a profession,” says Helen’s from UC Berkeley was granddaughter, Darcie Larson of in child psychology, Seattle, citing herself and her sister but Helen spent 30+ Sandy Johnson, a physician’s assistant. years in the eld as “I feel like I continue my an ACR volunteer, grandmother’s work in my job every an astonishing legacy day,” says Darcie, who is a manager John Kelly with Helen Pratt of service. “She did for the Seattle Aquarium in marine who visits ACR’s Martin Grin not have formal training, but was conservation outreach. Preserve.” incredibly curious and intelligent,” says Calling Helen a “citizen scientist,” As a member of ACR’s Clerin Darcie, “and seemed to nd her true Darcie adds, “My rst passion was Zumwalt Legacy Circle, Helen’s nal calling in doing the heron and egret whales and dolphins, but I nd that legacy was a sizable gift to Audubon work at Audubon Canyon Ranch.” I’m more and more interested in birds. Canyon Ranch in her estate plan. It feels like my grandmother’s love of A lasting passion and contribution Crowning her long years of service, birds is in my DNA.” John describes her impact as Helen’s bequest will continue to sustain Helen’s groundbreaking research a volunteer: “Helen became an a cause that was close to her heart. outstanding naturalist who showed ACR Director of Conservation ACR is grateful to Helen and her ACR how connecting with nature can Science John Kelly describes Helen’s family for their ongoing support. be the key to lifelong learning. She scientic legacy: “Her research Phil Murphy is ACR’s placed the natural history of herons established much of what is known planned giving consultant and egrets within reach of everyone Clerin Zumwalt Legacy Circle ACR Membership ACR’s Clerin Zumwalt Legacy Circle honors supporters who have Audubon Canyon Ranch members and included Audubon Canyon Ranch in their estate plans at any corporate sponsors think globally and act amount. For more information, contact the ACR Development locally through ACR’s land preservation, Team at [email protected]. We welcome your questions. nature-based education and conservation ACR is in strict accord with the ethical guidelines of the National Planned science programs. Please join today, and Giving Committee. together we will protect wildlands in Marin and Sonoma counties. Call 415.868.9244 or visit www.egret.org to join. P  6 A C  R  Conservation in Action www.egret.org “When I’m gone, this place is going to the birds!” HELEN MCLAREN & ACR GIVE BACK SOME INVERNESS SHORELINESonoma County

by John Kelly, Ph.D. Dillon Beach

As you approach the village of combined with introduced layers of Toms Point Inverness, CA, near upland ll, narrowed the estuarine edge Walker Creek Delta National Seashore, the spectacular for numerous shoreline homes. Despite Livermore Marsh tidal marshes and sloughs of southern these changes, intermittent sections of Cypress Grove Research Center Tomales Bay are close at hand. Ducks, transitional habitat persist along the Tomales Bay egrets, shorebirds, rails and raccoons— upland boundary of the marsh. Tibbetts even river otters and Bald Eagles— Tomales Bay SP Saving valuable shoreline Inverness move about emergent marshland Near Inverness, close to where Shields Marsh immediately near the road. the broad tidelands open to the bay, Point Reyes Station Several small streams drain the steep Olema Marsh a generous land donation by Helen slopes of Inverness Ridge, forming Point McLaren has presented Audubon Reyes National tributary brackish marshes and ponds Seashore Canyon Ranch with a rare opportunity: to nourish the western edge of the McLaren restorationkes B site on Tomales Bay 0 2 D4ra ay to give back to nature a previously Miles estuary. e busy aairs of a zillion developed section of shoreline. of the bay, the tidal delta of Walker tiny mud and marsh creatures pack this So, we are reestablishing native Creek and Livermore Marsh at ACR’s landscape with life. I always appreciate vegetation and promoting the natural Cypress Grove Research Center in the occasional glimpses of the marsh interplay of runo and tides to enhance Marshall. and shoreline along this route to and sustain the richness of the wetland Helen McLaren’s inspiration Inverness, and especially enjoy the edge. One of ACR’s earlier acquisitions sense of following the margin of this In addition, Audubon Canyon was near the mouth of Papermill expansive and thriving wetland. Ranch owns and manages numerous Slough in Inverness. Forty-ve years However, much is shielded from shoreline properties around Tomales ago, William Page Shields contacted view. Long ago, the construction of Bay. ese include the Toms Point ACR Founder Marty Grin with an low levees and drainage channels, headland and marsh at the north end oer to help fund eorts to prevent diking of the vast tidelands on the delta of Lagunitas Creek (north of the Giacomini Wetlands) in southern Tomales Bay. e oer came just before 500 acres of this marsh were saved by the State of , establishing the Tomales Bay Ecological Reserve (TBER). e funds provided by Mr. Shields were subsequently used to establish ACR’s Shields Marsh, a four-acre preserve adjacent to the TBER. Helen McLaren, the neighboring resident, was so inspired by this and ACR’s other conservation work that she decided to give her two acres of waterfront Looking east from the McLaren property across Tomales Bay property “to the birds.” B  56, S  2015 P   Conservation in Action

INVERNESS SHORELINE, cont’d part 1 of a 2-part series Now we’re excited to expand the of runo and tides, protection of the Inverness shoreline which circulate through by restoring the McLaren property an array of transitional to its natural condition, removing all wetland habitats. Dense evidence of human use. thickets of arroyo willow Not a typical wetland restoration lead into a willow swamp. A brackish marsh marked In addition to restoring habitat by a thick vein of cattails values and promoting the natural ows outward toward ow of water through the McLaren the bay, blending into property, we are removing the house, a secondary tidal sloughs. nearby building, the driveway, the layer Tributary tide of ll beneath the building site and all channels lined with gas, electric, water and septic systems sticky gumweed intersect Gordon Sherman Photo Library of ACR Photo by Len Blumin, on the property. the lower pickleweed Greater yellowlegs frequent the shores of Tomales Bay A grove of acacias and other non- and saltgrass marsh. Higher portions adaptive shifting of the wetlands with native trees draped with tangles of non- of this lower marsh support two rare increasing sea level. native holly, English ivy and wisteria plant species: Point Reyes bird’s beak Because the future extent of will be replaced with native riparian (Chloropyron maritimum ssp. palustre) many coastal wetlands is limited by vegetation—primarily red alder trees, and Humboldt owl’s clover (Castilleja hardened edges associated with human augmented by arroyo willows planted ambigua ssp. humboldtiensis). development, conservation eorts must from cuttings collected onsite. Papermill Slough, the bayside prioritize the protection of sites such e soft, pale light of the restored boundary of the property, is a primary as the McLaren property. Here, the red alder canopy will fall over a newly artery for tidal circulation in the elevational gradient is large enough to restored, multilayered understory western half of the larger wetland sustain an interwoven mix of peripheral of native shrubs, such as California landscape. e slough connects wetland habitats as sea levels rise. coeeberry, blackberry and poison oak, intermittent patches of intertidal and a carpet of stinging nettle, meadow Ongoing stewardship cordgrass favored by rails, common barley, miner’s lettuce, and other native e recovery of native vegetation yellowthroats and song sparrows. A riparian ground cover. on the McLaren site will continue network of brackish and tidal ponds Revegetation is expected to enhance gradually for several years, and ACR along its length is frequented by the associated fauna of ground and will provide ongoing oversight. Initial greater yellowlegs, dabbling ducks and foliage insects and other invertebrates, restoration work will be completed in dowitchers. improving the foraging conditions about a year. During alternate phases of the tidal for wintering and nesting songbirds. We encourage you to visit Shields cycle, the slough provides open-water In addition, we are targeting the Marsh in Inverness to see this beautiful feeding areas for hungry waterbirds elimination of invasive, herbaceous part of Tomales Bay. Like ACR’s other and exposed mudats for foraging plant pests such as periwinkle and properties in the area, the protection of shorebirds. forget-me-not. the McLaren property helps to enhance e McLaren restoration will not the overall health of the bay. Key benets of the restoration only enhance shoreline habitat for the John P. Kelly, Ph.D., Restored conditions on the property birds, but by expanding the width of is ACR’s Director of will incorporate the uninterrupted ow transitional shoreline, it will facilitate Conservation Science

P  8 A C  R  Conservation in Action www.egret.org

Introducing New between people, ethnic communities Volunteer Coordinator and our environment. I want to help eliminate barriers to nature that many IRMA CUEVAS JOINS people experience. I believe that ACR STAFF volunteering at ACR is a gateway to nature and provides opportunities for We are honored to use this space— individuals to establish a relationship traditionally reserved for highlighting with the natural world. ACR volunteers—to introduce and hear ACR’s incredible volunteer from Irma Cuevas, our newest member of community is what drew me to the the Education Team. organization. Audubon Canyon In Irma’s words Ranch is fortunate to have a dedicated, I came to Audubon Canyon Ranch knowledgeable and adept community to continue my work as a bridge of volunteers. Many of our volunteers Irma Cuevas

THANK YOU, ACR VOLUNTEERS! Audubon Canyon Ranch salutes the hundreds of individuals listed below for their dedication to ACR and for generously donating time and energy as Docents, Ranch Guides, Ranch Hosts, Field Biologists, Citizen Scientists, Stewards, Work Day Volunteers, Directors, Emeritus Directors and Advisors. You are the backbone of this organization. For all you do, we thank you!

Joselyn Abarca Molly Basset Mary Lee Bronzo George Clyde Leslie K. Doughty Dennis Fujita Leigh Hall Josy Ingersoll Mary Abbott Bob Battgin Hedda Brorstrom Peter S. Coates Wendy Doughty Pamela Gach Madelon Halpern Charlotte Irvine Deborah Ablin Katy Baty Bill Broughan Mary Ann Cobb Kayla Douglas Patricia Gaither Lauren Hammack Hector Iturbe Sarah Abramson Tom Baty Stephen Brown Neil Cohen Roberta Downey Tom Gaman Steven M. Edith Jackson Nancy Abreu Matthew Janet Bruno Edris Cole Betty Drake Lucia Garay Hammerich Jenifer G. Jackson Ken Ackerman Baumann Brianne Brussee Suzie Coleman Richard Drechsler Thomas Gare Don Hanahan Margit Jacob Robert Ahders Barbara Beck Linda Buck Joan Collignon Cedric Duhalde Laurie Gaynor Lillian Hanahan Jennifer Jacobs Joan Ann Albers Kassian Becnel Susan Bundschu Hugo Condeso Alice Dunning Daniel George Deyea Harper Joli Jacobs Jonquille Albin Gordon Beebe Carol Burns Jhonen Condeso Susan Durham Marjorie Gibbs Jack F. Harper Diane Jacobson Bonnie Alexander Leslie Bellis Joe Burns Suzanne Conrad Bob A. Dyer Tony Gilbert Linda Harrington Joy Jamgochian Julie Allecta Douglas C. Phil Burton Ben Cook Betsy Eckstein Jan Gilman Roger Harshaw Iain Jamieson Jane A. Allen Bender Kathy Burwell Doug Cook Robert Eggert Mary Gleim Will Haymaker Scott Jarvis Jason Allen Gordon Bennett Dennis Buss Mickey Cooke Irene G. Ehret Susan Glowacki Audrey Hazen Bobbie Jenkins Judy K. Allen Ron Berchin Kate Bystrowski Patti Cooke Peter Ehrlich Karen Goetz David Heller Charlotte Jenkins Kathy Allen Peter Bergen James Cacciatore Judith Corning Will Elder Roberta Gold Hugh Helm Michelle Jensen Linda Allen Gail Berger Denise Cadman Bob Cox David Elliott Warren Gold Ellie Hermann Beverlee Johnson Sarah Allen Jacob Berger Gayle Cahill Patti Craves Nancy Elsner Linda Goldman Andrea Hernandez Lorraine Johnson Linda Alwitt Steve Berger Carol Campbell Sylvia Crawford Bill English Thomas Goldman Earl Herr Sue Johnson Robert Alwitt Jim Berkland Cathleen Cannon Amelie Creekmore Janeann Erickson William Gordon Logan Heyerly Marlene Jordan Carolyn Anderson Mary Bicknell Linda Cantel Brodick Cronin Arlene Esaki Sidney Grace Bryant Hichwa Diana Jorgensen Constance Louise Bielfelt Heather Carey Leslie Curchack Jules Evens Jesse Grantham Diane Hichwa Linda Josephs Anderson Sherman Bielfelt Karen Carey Ciara Curley Marjorie Everidge Daphne Graves Adrienne Nayleia Juarez Janica Anderson Bobbi Bird Phillip Carlsen Pam D’Angelo Nancy Falk Jim Gray Hickman Linda B. Judd Kai Anderson Gay Bishop Joyce Carlson Sharon Dado Mark Farmer Johann Grayson John Hickman Gail Kabat Nina Antze Bonnie Blackaller Rich Carlson Miles Dafrato Janel Feierabend Christina Green Joanne Hickox Chip Kaplove Janis Arendt Amy Blackstone Susan Carney Kit Daine Joan Fellers Leslie Greenwood Dylan Highland Judy Kaplove Thelma L. Arlom Patty Blanton Annie Caro Cheryl Dajczak Jane L. Ferguson Joyce Griffin Leilani Highland Chris Kasman Paula Asterlind Laura Blatt Kate Carolan Sam Dakin Virginia Fifield L. Martin Griffin Howard Higley Mara Kauffman Robert Aston Diane Bloom Jeanette Carr Frank Dane Binny Fischer Jim Griffiths Pat Hildreth David Kavanaugh Francine Austin Mary Blume Kathy Carroll Justine Daniel Ruth Fisk Ann Gronvold Vicky Hill Joanne Kazimi Grace Austin Billie Blumenthal Ann Cassidy Marty Davis Peggy Fledderjohn Daniel Grubb Anne Hillsley Patric Kearns John Aycock Leonard Blumin Joanna Castaneda Cheri L. Kathleen Fletcher Sophia Grubb John Hirten Carole Kelleher Lauren Ayers Patti Blumin Rudy Castillo Degenhardt Mary Anne Flett Marjorie Maddie Hobart Karla Kelly Sawyer Backman Ellen Blustein Linda Castrone Larry DeGrassi Leslie L. Flint Guggenhime Marjorie Cole Kenkel- Richard B. Baird Janet Bosshard David Chalk Jody Deike Sam Flood Brian Gully Hollinger Danly Cathy Baker Donna Boyd May Chen Mary DeJesus Anthony Chlele Gummer Jim Horan Miriam Keown Justin Baker Cynthia Boyer Dave Chenoweth Al DeMartini Flugrad-Haley Brenda Gunn Virginia Pamela Kerr Ted Bakkila Robin Bradford Daphne Chimas Andy Deseran Christine Fontaine Clare Hagen Hotz-Steenhoven Diana King Sharon Bale Tom Bradner Albert Chin Barbara Deutsch Jobina Forder Pamela Hagen Ann Howard Emma King Nancy Barbour Ellen Brantley Donna Chinlund Katie Dineen Catherine E. Fox Julie Hahn Lisa Hug Hailey King Jackson L. Barker Anna-Marie Dulce Chocooj Beverley Diplock Inge Fraser Robert E. Hahn Eugene Hunn Anni Klose Carole Barlas Bratton Judy Clark Kevin Dixon Andrea Freeman Linn Hakala Claire Hunter Bhavani Kludt Judy Barrie André Brewster Kyla Clark Nancy Dolphin Alice Friedemann Alyssa Hall Laura Hutkins Jocelyn Knight Paul Bartlome William Bridges Linda Clark Cia Donahue Ruth Friedman Elizabeth L. Hall Sam Hutkins Marilyn V. Knight Patricia Barton Jayne Brogan Sara Clegg Fairfax Donovan Miriam Frye Karlene Hall Lynda Hutton Karen Knudtsen B  56, S  2015 P   Conservation in Action have been with ACR since the My goals are to help recruit and share their insight and experience. organization’s inception in the 1960s new volunteers, retain the amazing Let’s work together to carry out ACR’s and ’70s! volunteers we have, recognize our mission. Our longtime volunteers have volunteers and inspire pride in their As a land conservation and nature a rich and deep perspective on our work. education organization, we already organization, an insight that comes I would like to support new and attract individuals who are dedicated from many seasons of experience. seasoned volunteers in perpetuating to the protection of our environment. I I am humbled by ACR volunteers’ a love of nature and by providing look forward to bringing in new nature dedication and desire to oer their time opportunities within ACR’s varied and enthusiasts. And I thank Audubon and expertise to make ACR an amazing vast education programs. Canyon Ranch and its volunteers for organization. Share your insight with me providing me with the opportunity And I am here to help! to continue my eorts to work as a I welcome and encourage volunteers bridge—and not a barrier—to nature. to contact me ([email protected])

Gary Kohlhaas Conor Mahoney Angela Morgan Jenna Parsons Diana Rhoten Syanne Siler Farhad Taleghani Cara Wasden Lexi Koontz Michael Mahoney Janet Morgan Lois E. Patton Bill Richardson Judd Simmons Nahal Taleghani Richard Wasson Paul Koski Nevin Mahoney Susan Moritz Tony Paz Alysha Risch Rebecca Simon Mark Tarpey- Marilyn Watkins Barbara Kosnar Charlie Malicay Ian Morrison Katherine Pearson Ann Romer Meg Simonds Schwed Kathleen Watson Harriet L. Kostic Ron Mallory Paul Moschetti Emily Pellish Stan Roodman Jean Simpson Ann Taylor Eric Watterud Carol Kuelper Aidan Manousos Joe Mueller Brittany Penoli Jordan Rosado Dolly Simunovich Eric Thistle Lynn Webster Pat LaBerge Alan J. Margolis Gerald Mugele Genevieve Perdue Gail Ross Jane Sinclair Ellen Thomas Paul Webster Norah J. Laffan Meg Marriott Kathy Mugele Jay Peretz Glenda Ross Paul Skaj Ryan Thomas Judy Weiner Andrew Lafrenz Bob Martin Dan Murphy Lali Perez Andrew Roth Una Skelly Les Thompson Arlene Weis Diane Lafrenz Charlotte Martin Kathleen Murphy Leslie R. Perry Ella Roth Christina Sloop Sue Thompson Christopher Amy LaGoy Jean Martin Lynne Myers Matthew Perry Barbara Rothkrug Elliott Smeds Billie Thrower Welch Joan Lamphier Blanca Martinez Karen J. Nagel Louis Petak Paul J. Ruby Austin Smith Mona Tieche Grace Wellington Brett Lane Brayan Martinez James Nead Murray Peterson Marge Rudell Joe Smith Francis Toldi Jane Wellington Dennis Lang Citaly Martinez Kim Neal Ray Peterson Diana Ruiz Patricia Smith Gwen Toney Bill Wells Freida Larson Marilyn Maslin Susan Nelsen Margaret Petrie DeAnn Rushall Stephen Smith Katy Tracy Martha Wessitsh Dakota Lawhorn Susan Maxwell Leonard Nelson Catherine Petru Ellen Sabine Jan Gerrett Mike Tracy Malory Wheatley Edgar G. Alicia Mayorga Riva Nelson George S. Peyton Alex Safford Snedaker Sara Tracy Mildie Whedon Lehmann Jennifer Susan Nestor Dominique Maryla Salt John Somers Amy Trainer Jim White Lamar Leland McCaffrey Mary Neuer Lee Peytraud Martha Salzman Karen Sommer Kayla Trbovich Dave Whitridge Dick Lemon Pat McCaffrey Wally Neville Marcia Phipps Dianne Samples Noellene Sommer Quan Trinh Jane Wicklund Stephanie Lennox Grace McCaull Birkin Newell Debbie Piattelli Stacey Samuels Amy Southwick Millie Tripp Alan Wight Colleen Leof Laurel McCaull Ben Nguyen Bill Pierce Marilyn Sanders Barbara Spangler Lizzie Trout Adele Wikner Robin Leong Mark My-Lynn Nguyen Alison Pimentel Max Sandwina Sachi Spaulding Nancy Trude Julia Wilkinson Keith Lester McCaustland Ramona Marcy Pinetti Diana Sanson Linda Spence Louise Trudeau Don Williams Peter V. Leveque Rita McClain Nicholson Ann Piper Tyler Sarter Robert Spofford Mary Anne Matthew Williams Jackie Lewis David McConnell Kenneth E. Richard Plant Hunter Savok Sue Spofford Turbeville Cathy Willis Seela Lewis Melinda Niehoff Ashley Poggio Richard Schiller Jean An Sprague Joan Turner Peter Willmott Michele Liapes McCutcheon Brenden Norris Sarah Pola Ken Schneider Betsy Stafford Jim Ueda Kathy Wilson Nancy Lilly Emma McEnhill Bill Northcoast Julia Pollock Craig Schorr Jude Stalker Julie Vader Ken Wilson Marcus Lipton Chris McHale Lane Norton Erica Posner Theresa Schulz Shelby Stansfield Keaton Vail Linda Wilson Patricia List Carolyn McKenna Grace Noyes James Post Thea Schurer April Starke Slakey Vernon Vale Peter Wilson Nadja Lita Helen McKenna Susan Nuernberg Leah Post John Schwonke Jean Starkweather Jan Valente Skylar Wilson Pattie Litton Ridley Tilly Nylin Katherine Prescott Maria Scott Liz Sterns Joshua Valentino David Alberto Lobato Jordyn McLean Patricia O’Brien Judy Prokupek Claire H. Seda Laurel Stevenson Henning Van Wimpfheimer Ruth Lombard Ricardo Mendez Devon O’Meara Penny Proteau Matej Seda Susan Stoddard Deusen-Jensen Suzi Winquist Bert Lombino Sarahi Mendez Haylie O’Neal Lauri Puchall Lindsey Segbers Serena Stoepler Gerrit Van Sickle Barbara Winter Carolyn Lydia Mendoza Ivan Obolensky Logan Puntous Victoria Seher Julie Stokstad Barbara Jean Mike Witkowski Longstreth Valerie Merrin Rebecca Olsen Maris Purvins Lee Seidner Robert Stokstad Veronda Colin Wolford John Longstreth Peter Metropulos Joanne Olsson Peter Pyle Brianna Settle Michelle Stone Natalia Vicino Carol L. Wood Simon Lowings Jenny Michaels Alan Ordonez- Orion Qualls Charlotte Sally Stone Sylvia Victor Patrick Susan Luber Patrick Michaels Fernandez Barbara Ramsey Seymour Kandice Strako Bud Vieira Woodworth Anthony Lucchesi Bill Millard Carol Orme Betsy Randolph Kevin Seymour Emilie Strauss Claudia Vieira Sherry Wright Alex Lutzow Macell Millard Maria Oros Reyes Richard Randolph Mary Seymour Morgan Streeter Sasha Vitomski Cindy Young Ramon Lutzow Audrey Miller Jessica Orr Devii Rao Wendy Shackwitz Susan Strong Diane Voorhoeve Karen Young John Lynch Skye Miller Trent Orr Raymond Rapp Robin Sharp Khara Strum Gregory Vose Nancy Young Maureen Lynch Austin Missner Donna Ortega Renee Rausin Cade Sheets Tina Styles Zac Wagner Peter Young Janet Lynn Jan Moffet Alec Ost Greg Raynor Linda Sheppard Lisa Summers Shawna Walker Sarah Zainfeld Nancy Jim Moir Laura Owens Joan Regan Natalie Shieh Twyla Rose Susan Walker Ingrid MacDonald Corinne Monahan Cari Paganini Jeanne Reggio Mary Lynne Summers Ann Walsh Zimmerman Barbara Madick Steve Monroe Sheelagh Jeff Reichel Shimek Jeanne Sutter Owen Walsh Suzanne Michael Magatelli Anne Pampanin Linda Reichel Richard B. Shipps Lowell Sykes Tom Walsh Zimmerman Art Magill Montgomery Robert J. Parker Margot Reisner Julie Shoffner- Kate Symonds Chris Ward Jill Zumwalt Lyn Magill Sienna Moreno Robert W. Parks Tom Reynolds McGee Mark Szydio Patricia Warren Loretta Zweig P  10 A C  R  Conservation in Action www.egret.org

Martin Grin Preserve ACR biologists continue to PUTTING NATURE FIRST: monitor nesting activity at Martin Grin Preserve, as well as activity PICHER CANYON AND elsewhere in and HISTORIC HERONRY throughout the northern San TEMPORARILY CLOSED Francisco Bay Area. At the Bolinas heronry, the number of nesting ACR is committed to protecting the Great Egrets increased in 2014. A Taste for Conservation natural resources of its properties using is year, Great Blue Herons are 2015 science-based management. In an eort already in the initial stages of Celebrating the ACR Preserves to promote reestablishment of the breeding. More about the heronry heron and egret nesting colony that was is available at www.egret.org/ Sunday, May 17th, 2015 abandoned by the birds after 60 years, thebirds. Benefitting the conservation, ACR will continue closure of Martin preservation and education programs Open for Exploration: of Audubon Canyon Ranch Grin Preserve’s Picher Canyon during Volunteer Canyon Sponsorship opportunities available the 2015 nesting season. is decision was based on 20 In keeping with ACR’s pledge Please visit www.egret.org for more information years of regional Great Egret nesting to provide nature experiences, Volunteer Canyon will be open for data, which shows that abandoned special learning opportunities. See the public access. Available for exploring colonies in areas with very low levels Calendar of Events for days and times. for the rst time in decades, the canyon of human activity are more likely to ACR’s Education Programs for is adjacent to the temporarily closed be recolonized. e studies also show students also continue in Volunteer Picher Canyon. ACR is excited to give that although the nesting birds could Canyon, with no interruption to our community access to this special return at any time, the chance of nature-based learning. recolonization persists for several years. coastal Marin landscape and oer

Audubon Canyon Ranch FOUNDER Leslie Flint Mark Tarpey-Schwed Bryant Hichwa ACR ADVISORS Betsy Stafford Robert Hahn Vice President David Kavanaugh April Starke Slakey L. Martin Griffin, M.D. Tom Baty Jack Harper Diana Ruiz Amy LaGoy Stephen Smith Emeritus Director Gordon Bennett Flora Maclise Secretary Maureen Lynch Francis Toldi EMERITUS Suzie Coleman Dan Murphy Bill Richardson Helen McKenna Barbara Winter DIRECTORS Peter Ehrlich George Peyton, Jr. Treasurer Joe Mueller Patrick Woodworth Tony Gilbert Deborah Ablin Paul Ruby Directors Ivan Obolensky Nancy Young Joyce Griffin Richard B. Baird Jean Starkweather Barbara Ramsey Amy Blackstone Jim Horan Nancy Barbour Sue Stoddard Jude Stalker Anna-Marie Bratton Andy Lafrenz Len Blumin Lowell Sykes BOARD OF André Brewster Alan Margolis, M.D. Patti Blumin Joan Turner DIRECTORS Sam Dakin Valerie Merrin Roberta Downey Karen Young Jesse Grantham Leslie R. Perry Binny Fischer Judy Prokupek President Gerry Snedaker

STAFF Jennifer Newman Education, Sherry Adams David Self Barbara Wechsberg, John Petersen Annual Fund and Conservation Science Biologist & Preserve Naturalist, MMP Cashier/Receptionist, Executive Director Communications Officer and Stewardship Manager, MMP Scout Wise MGP Erika Obedzinski Anne Burnett Emiko Condeso Education Programs Administrative Assistant, Finance and Development and Ecologist/GIS Specialist Assistant CGRC Development Director of Education & Communications Outreach Irma Cuevas Administration Preserve Stewardship Scott Artis Assistant John Kelly, Ph.D. Volunteer Coordinator Director of Development Stephen Pozsgai Gwen Heistand Yvonne Pierce David Greene Director of Conservation Executive Administrator/ Land Steward, CGRC & Communications Controller Science Resident Biologist, MGP Trisha Fontan Theo Michaels MGP Manager John Martin Jeanne Wirka Leslie Melendy Land Steward, BP Resource Development Director of Stewardship Resource Ecologist, BP Manager Sarah Millus Receptionist/ Tomas Ruiz Helen Pratt Field Biologist Office Assistant, MGP Land Steward, MMP Jennifer Potts Nancy Trbovich Steve Trivelpiece Resource Ecologist, BP BP Manager Land Steward, MGP

Martin Griffin Preserve (MGP)• Bouverie Preserve (BP) • Cypress Grove Research Center (CGRC) • Modini Mayacamas Preserves (MMP) ACR Calendar of Events Spring 2015

GET INVOLVED EXPLORE More detail onthesenature isavailable atwww.egret.org. exploration opportunities fee, butdonationsappreciated by alocal naturalist. Learnmore atwww.egret.org/calendar orcontactACR Resource Ecologist David Self [email protected]. No RSVPor Explore terrainofACR’s therugged newest nature sanctuaries,nearHealdsburg. Join anaturalhistory, orbirdwatching hikeguided localhistory Nature Hikes Modini Mayacamas Preserves egret.org or415.868.9244ext.110 strenuous. Bring lunchandwater. Classsize islimited.$25perseminar, discountformembersatSponsor-level orabove. Registration required: rsvp@ Geared totheadultamateurnaturalist,thisseminarincludestimeinclassroom andaone-tothree-mile hike.Mildly tomoderately Saturday ~March 28,2015:9:30a.m.–2:00p.m.—Wildowers withJeanne Wirka Backyard Naturalist Series date: [email protected] or415.868.9244ext.110.Donations appreciated ofthis500-acre Reservationsrequired preserve. Experience thebeautyandrichnaturalhistory andacceptedonemonthbefore eachrespective hike Saturdays ~April 4,May 2,May 9,2015:9:30a.m.–1:30p.m. NatureGuided Walks includingDocentLearn aboutvolunteer opportunities, Training, whichbeginsinSeptember 2015.No RSVPnecessary, donationsappreciated and anature activityattheeducationcenter. Join ACR staandvolunteers anddiscover thehills,habitatsandhiddentreasures ofthe500-acre Bouverie Preserve. Enjoy adocent-guidedhike Guided hikesbegin at10:00a.m.,noon,2:00p.m. Two Saturdays ~March 14,2015:10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.&June 20,2015:10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Open House Bouverie Preserve www.marinaudubon.org toreserve online. $28 peradult,$12children 12andunder. Mail your checkpayableto:Marin Audubon Society, 141Oak Avenue, San Anselmo, CA94960orvisit May 7.Carpooling strongly AnneCowperthwaite at415.453.2216forinformation. encouraged!CallMary Food andfuninthemagnicentmeadow of Volunteer Canyon. Proceeds benetACR andMarin Audubon Society. Space islimited.RSVPby Sunday ~May 10,2015:11:00a.m.-3:00p.m. Volunteer Canyon Mother’s Day Picnic Directions: www.egret.org/directions_martin_grin Donations appreciated July 18&19,2015Life ontheLagoon:Exploring theConnectionsbetween Grin Martin Preserve andBolinasLagoon June 13&14,2015Exploring Nature andaChangingClimate May 23&24,2015 Birds andBeyond: Exploring theDiversity Grin ofMartin Preserve’s Volunteer Canyon April 11&12,2015 Exploring andOrienting to the Wonders Grin ofMartin Preserve’s Volunteer Canyon 10:00 a.m.–3:00p.m.:Guided hikesat10:00a.m.,noonand2:00p.m. Guided Nature Walks andLearning Stations Volunteer Canyon Martin Gri n Preserve tour ofACR’s nearHealdsburg. newestproperty Not amember?Become aPatron today, andjoinusfor thismembers-onlyevent! By invitation only. ACR atthePatron membersandsupporters level orabove are invited tojoinPreserve Biologist Adams Sherry forarare VIP Saturday ~March 28,2015~11:30a.m.–2:30p.m. Members Hike Modini Mayacamas Preserves Cuevas [email protected] Canyons. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Irma management projects inthepreserve’s Four Help withecologicalrestoration andresource ursdays ~9:00a.m.–noon Martin Gri n Preserve ACR Habitat Protection &Restoration Stewards RSVP to Volunteer Coordinator Irma Cuevas [email protected] April 15&25,2015,May 13&16,2015,June 10, 13&24,2015,July 8,11&22,2015,August 5,8&12,2015 Docent Recruitment Hikes -10:30a.m.12:30p.m. docent andlearnmore about volunteering. Training inSeptember. starts Bouverie Docents inspire alove ofnature inthechildren theyteach.Join us!CometoaRecruitment Day...take ahikewithanexperienced Docent Training Bouverie Preserve Potts [email protected] the project. Call 707.935.8417ore-mailJen work, whilelearningabouttheecologybehind assists withhabitatprotection andrestoration land throughout theyear. isdedicatedcrew Bouverie Stewards work intimatelywiththe Mondays ~8:30a.m.–noon Bouverie Preserve [email protected] Contact Dave Self at707.431.8184or time, andlearnaboutthepreserve. and more. We work together, have agood collect seedsforrestoration, maintaintrails invasive plantsandprepare restoration sites, e Modini Mayacamas Stewards remove 10:00 a.m.–3:00p.m. 1st Saturdays and3rd ursdays ~ Modini Mayacamas Preserves A C  R  NONPROFIT  S   H   O U.S. POSTAGE S  B , CA  PAID 415.868.9244 SAN RAFAEL, CA PERMIT NO. 2 www.egret.org [email protected]

Our Mission Audubon Canyon Ranch protects nature through land preservation, nature education and conservation science.

VISIT US

To visit these preserves, see the Calendar of Events inside Bouverie Preserve Woodlands in the Valley of the Moon Martin Griffin Preserve Sweeping Coastal Views in Modini Mayacamas Preserves Wilderness in the Mayacamas Mountains

By appointment only Cypress Grove Research Center Call 415.663.8203 to schedule

SAVE THE DATE Annual ACR Appreciation Picnic Volunteer Canyon, Martin Grin Preserve Saturday ~ September 12, 2015, 11:30 a.m. By invitation only Audubon Canyon Ranch welcomes its supporters—volunteers, members (Sponsor level+) and donors ($250+ annual gift)—as we thank you for your support of our programs and preserves. Not a Sponsor-level member or supporter? Visit www.egret.org to make a donation today!

e Audubon Canyon Ranch Bulletin is published twice yearly as a benet to our Conservation in Action members, supporters and volunteers. Managing Editor Jennifer Newman Edited by Bonnie Ayers Namkung Designed by Renaissance Graphic Design Front and back cover photos by Bob Alwitt (see article related to Bob’s photos on page 3) Artwork on page 10 by student participants of ACR’s Education Programs Unless otherwise indicated, photos are property of ACR.  2015 Audubon Canyon Ranch

Printed locally with vegetable oil-based inks, using recycled paper and ber from a sustainable and responsibly managed forest.