Issue 310 A Publication of the Docent Council, Martin Griffin Preserve of Audubon Canyon Ranch © March 2019

The Marincello That Might Have Been Lydia Mendoza and her fellow hikers headed to the Marin Headlands for the January hike. Along the way, they heard the tale of what was to have been a large, planned community that nearly became a reality in 1965. In the windswept and wild valley sweeping down to Rodeo Beach one can find the remnants of a development plan for 30,000 people; a city slated to be called Marincello. Here is the story, courtesy of and with thanks to Doug Ferguson.

In 1965, Marin County approved a master plan for “Marincello,” a planned community of between 25,000 and 30,000 residents in the Marin Headlands west of Sausalito. Anticipating approval by a majority of the Board of Supervisors, the Marin IJ stated, in early November 1965: “It would be wishful thinking to dream forever of keeping these lands in their primeval state, especially under private ownership.”It took another five years and the determined opposition of dedicated citizens to prove that prophesy wrong. Dairying and the Forts Much of the Marin Headlands was still open after several generations of cattle grazing and dairying on the former Rancho Saucelito Mexican land grant. In 1850, the US government had purchased lands clustered around the Golden Gate for strategic defense of the Gateway. The Forts (Barry, Baker and Cronkhite) were installed and roads and artillery sites were built. Monterey pine and cypress trees(and later eucalyptus) were planted, and for many years the area was fenced off from the public. After World War 11 the forts were no longer needed for defense. Efforts were underway to transfer some of the federal lands to the state for parks and recreation. Set back from the Golden Gate and north of the forts, ranch lands were still in private hands. Standing above a broad 2,138- acre valley that descends to Rodeo Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean, East Coast developer Thomas Frouge said: “This is probably the most beautiful location in the US for a new community.” At a time when educated forecasts for the future (1980) population of Marin County ranged between 295,000 and 400,000 fueled by the new crop of ‘war babies’ coming into adulthood, the idea of this complete community in the Headlands was not as outrageous as it now seems. As a consequence, the plan —continues on page 14

A Look at What’s Inside

Change Is In the Nature Guides Are The Singing Wells A Wild And How Does It All The Not-So-Secret Air at MGP Busy! of the Samburu Wonderful Read Happen? Trainee Bring yourself Nature Guide Tribe Discover what Peer inside the Last but not least, a up to date on training begins on Prepare to be book has gripped a workings of the poignant peek at what’s been March 9. Read transported to a certain reader in Docent Council… training from happening about this and magical spot in the past months., and find a spot for another point of around ACR. more. Kenya. yourself. view. Page 9 Page 2 Page 3 Page 5 Page 10 Page 12

1 SEQUOIA CLUB Co-President’s Report By Mary Fitzpatrick

Welcome to 2019 and Winter at MGP.

Winter rains are filling our creeks and streams while mushrooms, luscious ferns, misty hillsides and brimming ponds are setting the stage for a splendid spring. Though Punxsutawney Phil and the Farmers Almanac disagreed on when, MGP will be ready! Trails are being cleared, classroom kits are being updated, the Curiosity Room has been reorganized, storage bins, supplies, and teaching aids are being readied. We’ll be hiking under blooming buckeyes before we know it!

Spring Hiking Season On March 19th we’ll welcome the first classes for 2019 spring hiking. 61 classes are scheduled for day hikes and there are 4 overnight sessions. To help us to hit the trails “running.” the School Program Committee is holding a “Kit and Trail” day on March 13th. It will be a fun day to brush up on trail techniques, review classroom materials and activities, and explore MGP with fellow docents.

Staffing Changes On January 15th over 70 docents, nature guides, staff, friends and family gathered for a potluck lunch to honor and say “good bye” to Yvonne Pierce, MGP’s land manager. Yvonne retired at the end of December after more than 25 dedicated years! It was quite a gathering and many people,,including Marty and Joyce Griffin, Skip Schwartz and Patti Blumin, shared stories about working with Yvonne, expressing their deep gratitude for all she did for them and ACR. Filling her shoes seems an impossible task but ACR is figuring out how best to do that. Stay tuned!.

In January we also welcomed Henry Inman as MGP’s new Resource Ecologist. Gwen tells us she’ll be tackling years of deferred maintenance while creating a land stewards program for MGP. No small tasks!

Docent Training New Docent Training is nearing the finish line with only 3 classes remaining and graduation scheduled for March 6th. Time flies! Under the amazing, tireless leadership of Susie Nelsen and Joan Fellers as well as the wonderful support of Natasha Lekach, it has been an in-depth, comprehensive 26 week program for 22 trainees. They will be a very welcome addition to the docent community!

In mid January, the trainees and many of their mentors visited Bouverie where Jen Potts and Jared Childress led tours across the preserve. It was humbling and inspiring to see how much the dedicated staff, volunteers and nature itself are doing to restore the lands, restart programs and support the Bouverie community since the 2017 fires.

Sequoia Program The Sequoia Program, under the enthusiastic leadership of Jeanette Carr, has scheduled several docent outings this year for pure fun and enjoyment! The first ones, a trip to the Oakland Museum on Jan 11th, and a tour of the Sausalito Bay Model on February 8th, were roaring successes. One upcoming outing is a guided bird walk to Rush Creek on April 5th. That has a $10 fee. Next on May 12th, Jeannette is planning a tour of the Sebastopol Butter Garden tour. Contact Jeanette Carr for specifics.

Nature Guides Our “sister” program, the Nature Guides starts a new training program on March 9th and there’s still time to sign on. If you know fellow nature lovers who might be interested, they can call 415-868-9244 ext 122 for more information. The program runs for 9 consecutive Saturdays.

ACR Strategic Plan The ACR Board’ adopted a new Strategic Plan on January 26, 2019 and on February 6th, Joan Turner emailed the plan overview to MPG docents. The plan covers 2019-2022 and is, she explained, “ the result of countless hours of work by staff and volunteers.” The plan is supported by information from interviews and surveys of a wide range of ACR’s internal and external stakeholders, including staff, volunteers and donors. In coming weeks, John Peterson and ACR staff will be targeting priorities for the first year implementation.

2 AUDUBON CANYON RANCH Nature Guide Update By Ellen Thomas, Nature Guide Council Vice President

Driving out to MGP early morning Saturday, February 9 for our monthly Volunteer Access Day (VAD), I couldn’t get the tune “... for the beauty of the Earth …” out of my head. With the recent rains, everything was gorgeous and green, the ferns were plumped up, the creeks were rushing, and the surroundings looked refreshed and renewed. Such good fortune for us to have access to all this land and ocean.

At both the January and February VAD we welcomed people who wanted to learn more about becoming a Nature Guide. The Preserve speaks for itself, the staff and volunteers are wonderful and warm (aren’t we!), and as a result, it looks like we’ll have a sizeable group of trainees starting the training on March 9th. When you read this, there may still be time for people to sign up if you know of anyone – email [email protected] or call 415-868-9244 x.122.

At the January 12th VAD the MGP Docents trainees were hiking the loop, as their originally scheduled hike in the fall was cancelled due to smoke from the horrendous fires in the north. Gratefully the 12th was a glorious day, and a handful of NGs and those interested in becoming a NG joined in. “The Zumie Trail was beautiful, especially in the area of the redwoods. Recent rains brought the moss, ferns, creeks, and fungi alive. We saw several kinds of mushrooms, including amanita, bolete, coral, and even a few chanterelles.” Elizabeth Terplan. From Michele Liapes: “It was a treat to walk the entire loop, which I almost never do. The standout for me continues to be that glorious stretch between Zumie's swing and the junction with the Griffin Trail, with all that deep redwood forest, abundant undergrowth, and rushing waters – to my mind, the best on a Preserve already abounding with other glorious habitat. Loved the rainy-weather banana slugs and lush outbursts of the different fern species (and it was great to have the opportunity to review and ID them all one more – I tend to forget so much from one year to the next). Looking forward to getting back, and availing myself of the splendid Zumie loop a little more often.” And Claire Seda, our wonderful Weekend Program Coordinator, shared: “It was fun to get to know the new docent trainee class. Highlights included getting to know the full loop trail, since we as Nature Guides so rarely head out on those longer trails together (that Zumie's Loop just keeps going up and up and up!!); fungus fungus fungus, including lots of gorgeous maroon-purple Russulas, sulfur mushrooms, coral fungus; early blooms including the Zigadine lily -- just starting out -- and the first milkmaid not far from the other side of the Sherrin bridge.” Doesn’t this make you itchy to get to the Preserve during the winter months? There’s one more VAD – Saturday March 9th!

On Tuesday January 15th MGP Docents hosted a farewell luncheon for Yvonne Pierce in recognition of the 26+ years of service as ACR’s Executive Administrator and MGP’s Preserve Manager. They graciously invited Nature Guides to join in on the festivities, and a beautiful egret pin was given to Yvonne from the Nature Guides. These egret pins have traditionally been presented to retiring or departing staff in recognition of the support they’ve provided to the Ranch/Nature Guides over the years, so it was only fitting that we give one to Yvonne. Thank you to Anna-Marie Bratton for coordinating those efforts!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! New Nature Guides Training – Saturdays 3/9-5/4. Arrive 9:30, class at 10am and typically ends at 2pm For those of us who want to partake of these trainings and refresh our knowledge and skills, please note there could be changes before the first class, so keep your eyes out for Claire’s emails. March 9: Introduction to Interpretation and Nature Guiding (Gwen Heistand, Claire Seda, Natasha Lekash) March 16: ACR History and Trails (Jude Stalker, Ellen Thomas, Gwen, Natasha, Claire) March 23: Biotic Communities – hike the Loop, class runs until 4pm (Gwen, Claire, Natasha) March 30: Bolinas Estuary – with Field Trip to the other side of lagoon (Gwen) (Bring shoes that can get muddy!)

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3 AUDUBON CANYON RANCH Nature Guide Update Continued from previous page April 6: Wetlands and Watershed (Francine Austin, Gwen, Claire, Natasha) April 13: Animals, Big and Small: Trail Techniques (Alex Hettena, Gwen, Claire) April 20: Birds of MGP (Scott Jennings, Emi Condeso). Optional sleepover in Volunteer Canyon on 4/19 starting at 5pm April 27: Nuts and Bolts (Claire, Anita or Ralph from Bolinas Fire Department) May 4: Shadow Day and Graduation! The newly trained NGs will shadow NGs throughout this first day of the Public Season, followed by Graduation in Volunteer Canyon. (Anticipated schedule: Arrive 4pm; Ceremony 4:15; NG Meeting 4:45 **; Potluck and merriment 5:15. Make sure to come out to welcome in the new Nature Guides! ** It’s time to elect a new Nature Guide Board Representative. Watch for emails. Meanwhile, curious what the position entails? Log into egret.com. There’s a description in Nature Guide materials in the Nature Guide Leadership Protocols folder. We encourage you to let your interest be known by contacting Claire, the 3 Co-Presidents or myself. The new Board Rep will be voted on during our short NG meeting on 5/4. Volunteer Access Day: One more, on March 9th, 10am-4pm (volunteer hosts needed) Public Season at Martin Griffin Preserve: Saturdays 10am-4pm May 4th through July 27th and again this year, October 12th, 19th, 26th Nature Guide Meetings: May 4th, June 8th, July 27th in Volunteer Canyon, and likely on October 6th at Cypress Grove

In closing … “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Mary Oliver

Dreaming of spring and bids and buteflies? Check ot these upcoing Sequoa activities! Friday. April 5 Bids Unlimited Rush Creek Walk with Jack Gedney Friday, May 12 Sebastoo Butefly Gaden Tor

RSVP TO JEANETTE CARR 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE EVENT

4 THE HERON The Singing Wells of the Samburu Tribe by Karla Kelly

The Samburu people of northern Kenya live much the way they have for centuries. Closely related to the Maasai, the Samburu are a graceful and dignified people, adorned in elaborate bead necklaces, headpieces and earrings. Clothing is a simple wrap of bright traditional cloth.

In a wild and remote part of northern Kenya, the lives of this tribe of nomadic pastoralists revolve around tending to their cattle, goats and camels. They share the land with abundant forms of other life – elephants, baboons, giraffe, kudu, leopards, wild dogs and more.

In a recent and remarkable trip to this protected region we had the unique opportunity of experiencing the Samburu Singing Wells. During the dry season water becomes a central focus of survival, both for members of the tribe, their livestock and the regions’ wildlife.

During this season of scarcity each Samburu family relies on a well that they have established in a section of the dry river bed that crosses the landscape. Over the generations they have learned where to find the underground sources of water. Depending on the severity of the drought these wells can be dozens of feet deep. The young men of the tribe build steps in the walls of the wells to reach the water, and with buckets in hand, form a line within the well to pass the water up so that it can be deposited in the single wooden trough that is positioned at the top.

The men chant a beautiful, haunting, rhythmic song while they work, each unique to their specific family. The livestock are herded to the wells and in response to the songs begin to gather around their family’s well. Each animal has a name and it is called in turn to come for a drink. When done, each animal moves aside to make room for the next group. Cattle and goats are brought to the wells every 2 days, the camels less frequently. With large numbers of livestock in the river bed the scene is noisy with animal sounds (including clanging bells) but remarkably calm – no animals, although clearly thirsty, charge to the wells. Each knows where to wait patiently for its turn.

At night the wells are used by the area’s wildlife. The Samburu leave water in the troughs at the end of their day before departing to the safety of their villages where protection is provided by circular fences of piled dry thorn brush and spear carrying lookouts. The lives of these peoples, the landscape and the wildlife are deeply intertwined.

Because the Samburu believe that their souls will be stolen if a photograph is taken, I have no images of this remarkable and ancient scene. I certainly will never forget it. I am including a photograph of our Samburu guide who allowed photos. He shared with us unique experiences and a deep knowledge of the natural history of his homeland – the ultimate docent!

5 AUDUBON CANYON RANCH Training Committee Update MGP is fortunate to have an enthusiastic, dedicated group of new docent trainees this year! They have a great variety of backgrounds and experiences that will enrich our program and benefit the students visiting the preserve.

Hard as it is to believe, we are now approaching the halfway point of the training schedule. The presenters have been wonderful, and the trainees are very positive and excited about everything they have learned about spiders, newts, banana slugs, wood rats, and all of the other creatures that inhabit the preserve. The trainees have been shadowing docents on the trail and during school visits from the early days of the training. Thanks to all the docents who have welcomed trainees on their hikes and school visits. Many of the trainees and some of the training committee members are working on qualifying for their Cal Naturalist certification. Thanks to Gwen and Natasha for guiding them in this endeavor.

After a break for the holidays from December 13 to January 8, we will conclude our training classes on February 27. A festive graduation ceremony is being planned for March 3rd. We hope many of you will be there to welcome our new docents officially into the ACR family, enjoy the speaker, participate in the docent meeting, and partake in a delicious potluck lunch.

Finally, Susie and I would like to thank our hardworking, dedicated training committee members, without whom this training would not be possible. Thanks for being mentors, coordinators, cheerleaders, snack-bringers, raffle providers, and for all the other tasks that you take on so willingly. What a group!

Joan and Susie

Spring 2019 School Program News & Notes By Ann Howard

Leaf buds are swelling, daffodils are in bloom and the Spring hiking season is right around the corner. There are 61 classes scheduled for hikes at the Preserve!

We hope to see you at Kit & Trail Day on Wednesday, March 13 at MGP, Picher Canyon.

There are a few housekeeping items that we all need to remember. If you are unable to fulfill your scheduled hike or classroom visit, it is your responsibility to find a replacement. Volunteer Hub has a list of docents willing to substitute and a list of docents willing to hike at the last minute is being developed. Please don’t leave other docents in the lurch without finding a substitute.

Class Chairs and Assistant Chairs are responsible for making sure that hiking docents know what needs to be done when the class arrives at the Preserve. We are developing a checklist of docents’ hiking day tasks, to be available on Kit & Trail Day.

Debbie Piattelli reports that 100 kids from the New Arrivals program visited MGP last hiking season and additional visits are planned for Fall 2019. Debbie and Natasha are working on a training for docents interested in working with these great kids.

Happy Hiking!

Ann Howard and Joan Turner, School Program Committee Co-Chairs

6 THE HERON Joyce’s Corner: by Joyce Griffin Out of the driest earth an oasis of nature’s glory can rise. We recently had the privilege of joining Cicely Muldoon, NPS Superintendent, Sarah Allen, Science Program Lead, Pacific West Region at National Park Service, and other NPS officials, who honored Marty Griffin for his legacy of Audubon Canyon Ranch that saved West Marin and the California coast from Los Angelesation, with a trip to Drake’s Beach to see the huge elephant seals who’ve found a new home there—or, perhaps returning to a former home they recall is theirs. During Trump's shutdown the National Parks were either closed or abandoned as workers were told to stay home with no pay. Our park officials led by PRNS Superintendent Cicely Muldoon, acted to protect seals even during the shutdown. These actions were extraordinary and behind the scenes since the park was “open” and seals unprotected until rangers stepped up immediately. Elephant seals cavorting nearby saw the beauty of vacant sands and cushy ice plant and one by one hauled out to rest during this calving season. The alpha male took his position and pregnant females followed finding sweet warm calm with no human disturbance. One by one baby seals were born until a colony of more than 190 parents and babies occupy this glorious place. In case you are not aware, I’d like you to know about an amazing resourceful book: Sarah Allen PhD, lead author of the definitive, Field Guide to Marine Mammals of the Pacific Coast (California Natural History Guides 2011, UC Press). Ask for it at your library or local bookstore, and if they don’t have it, they can order it. It’s a treasure to read and study. Sarah introduced us to NPS intern, Marjorie Cox, who comes several times a week to count and record the seals and their pups, and notes the colony is growing fast. We observed an uncomfortable pregnant mom’s first labor contractions, but by the time we left she had not yet given birth. Huge trunks of seal-logs lay contentedly across cushy ice plant asleep in the sun. Reminds me of our Stanford trip to Antarctica to trace the route of Shackleton, where we visited the grave of Shackleton in the Grytviken Cemetery. We walked along a slushy snowy path with a ditch along side. There stretched 18’ in the ditch was a handsome-ish elephant seal cozy and comfortable filling the space. One of our group chose to give it his boot as he walked past. The seal rose and delivered a huge sling of stinky snot to his face and body front. Unforgettable. A lesson about deep respect and resiliency for all animals. Like our Gwen, the park personnel exude passion for what they do and it's contagious. Sarah teaches grad students about the need for human resiliency and tolerance for other species to enjoy nature as we do, allowing them space and place in our ever growing natural world. Drakes Beach belongs to Elephant Seals now, as the baby seals grow and return to the place where they were born to have their offspring generation after generation. Out of a vacant beach an oasis of nature’s glory can rise.

7 AUDUBON CANYON RANCH Headlands Hike a Hit

Hiker Jeanette Carr submitted her ode to the January hike, accompanied by two photos of the intrepid group.

Jack Helsper what a leader

He got us up high, he raised the bar

We walked to the top (would it ever appear?) And then to a perfect picnic spot

Then Doug Ferguson, a smart fellow Told tales of a near disaster- Marincello If not for his team and their pro bono mode There would be lakes, estates, industry and roads.

Let’s hear it for the individual, each and every one of us Whose knowledge, wisdom, strength and fortitude Will bring balance and light to our earth.

And from Lydia: the hiking dates for this spring are March 25, April 22, and May 27. Anyone interested in participating on the hikes should contact Lydia at [email protected].

Happy trails! Hikers enjoy the Marin Headlands sans the blight that would have been Marincello.

8 THE HERON A Wild and Wonderful Read by Phoebe Tanner I was recently asked to recommend a good natural history book for The Heron readers. For those of you who are in the 2019 docent class or part of the training committee, my recommendation will come as no surprise. Ann Triguerio and I run the raffle at the end of each training session and we have raffled off at least three copies of The Wild Trees, which is my current favorite.

There is a bit of a story as to how I came to love the book. In November, my friend Julie and I took the VW van on a north coast trip to Humboldt State Park which is home of the largest remaining stand of Coastal Redwoods. We walked around the standing trees and the equally impressive fallen trees feeling the life of the forest coming and going. The trails were soft and damp under our feet. It is a place where people are moved outside themselves and find a version of magic. Julie wrote and I sketched. In the evenings we wandered with despair among the massive stumps in the campground. Our site was situated in a meadow full of the bodies of felled redwoods, cleared decades a go for an apple orchard. We gave thanks to the early Save the Redwoods League members who fought to preserve what remains. We took strength from their persistence.

It was not until several weeks later that Julie handed me The Wild Trees which she had picked up in the Park Visitor Center and a new world opened up for me. To start with The Wild Trees is not a new book. It was written 2007 so you may have read it and have it on your bookshelf. The author is Richard Preston, who is a writer for The New Yorker, and he did an article on the redwood canopy for the magazine which he later turned into the book.

Preston starts The Wild Trees with the tale of the arduous journey of finding the giants. He follows the off-the-grid lives of those who become obsessed with finding the tallest trees, some of whom search and never climb. This alone is a fascinating story. But Preston goes on and he follows the work of scientists Steve Sillett and Marie Antoine, who are among the first canopy climbers. They embark on a journey harkening back to the 19th century into a world completely unknown. As we learn how they perfect their climbing ascents and make their fantastic discoveries, we readers find ourselves in a love story. Steve proposes marriage high in the sky with the ground out of sight.

Together Sillett and Antoine take us through discoveries that forever change our understanding of life in the tops of the ancient redwoods. One mind-boggling observation is that growth does not slow down when the trees become giants. In fact, the rate of growth increases in the canopy in these ancient trees. Another revelation is that the main trunk often dies in the canopy and the tree sends out multiple new leaders many of which grow off of horizontal limbs. Picture a redwood candelabra in the sky! How this is possible, I leave this to you, Steve Sillett, Marie Antoine, and Richard Preston to unravel the fantastic secrets of this unexplored ecosystem. You will be in amazing company.

9 THE HERON How Does It All Happen?? by Jeni Jackson

All the great things that keep we MGP Docent volunteers trained, informed, engaged, encouraged, stimulated, educated and effective? It all happens due to MGP Docent Council board committees. Many, many volunteers on these various committees, working behind the scenes, putting in countless hours, to create the excellent nature education programs and materials we offer school children, the exciting speakers we hear, the fun events we attend and more. To keep our success going we always need new ideas and new volunteer energy. There are fourteen committees and one pilot program listed below, along with the names of the current chair(s) and a brief synopsis of the work each does. Please look over the list and see if there are any committees you might be interested in joining.

Advanced Docent Training Committee – Jeanette Membership Committee – Gail Berger Carr This committee collects and tracks dues payments Advanced Docent Training (ADT) occurs every two from MGP docents. Dues are paid by cash or check years, alternating with New Docent Training. ADT in person at the Annual Meeting, or by mail to the is a series of six weekly classes is held starting the Chair’s address, or via PayPal through the website. second week of January. Class content may be Membership provides any changes in docent related to School Program activities or other topics information to the Preserve Manager and the of interest to the docent community. Webmaster, as well as recognizing volunteer service at the Annual Meeting. Docent Continuing Education – Ann Howard The Docent Continuing Education Chair leads Nominating Committee – Beverlee Johnson efforts to assist all docents to retain and expand The Nominating Committee recruits docents to fill their knowledge and skills to carry out the School positions as Docent Council Officers and renders a Program, both in the classroom and on the trail. report on nominees for officers for election at the Additional Continuing Education classes using Annual Meeting. The Nominating Committee is docents with special talents, professional educators, composed of four Active, Associate, or Sustaining or other experts are also organized. Members, one of whom will serve as chair. Two of its members are selected by the Docent Council The Heron Newsletter Committee – Mary Lee Board and two, including at least one graduate of Bronzo, Gayle Cahill, Karla Kelly, Laurie Riley the most recent training class, are elected at the The purpose of the newsletter is to provide Docents Annual Meeting. The Co-Presidents may ask the and Nature Guides a means of keeping up to date Nominating Committee for assistance in recruiting with and remaining interested in the happenings at chairs for Standing Committees MGP specifically and ACR generally. The Committee currently prints four issues of The Overnight School Program Committee – Patti Heron, per fiscal year. The newsletter comes out in Blumin, Sharon Dado hardcopy and is posted online. The Overnight School Program Committee is responsible for implementing this program which Kit & Trail Committee – Patty Blanton (K), Susie brings underserved 4th and 5th grade classes to Nelsen (T) MGP for an immersive nature experience over Kit Section (K) -- Inventory and repair kit materials several days. This includes extensive planning and for the School Program and coordinate with Kit logistics, as well as scheduling of MGP Docents to Keepers prior to each season. take on various aspects of each day’s activities. This Trail Section (T) -- Inventory and repair trail committee has developed its own manual and materials for Preserve visits: Binoculars, scopes, requisite materials to enhance this unique outdoor books and pond materials, etc. experience. Long Range Planning Committee – Joan Turner — continued on next page The Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) develops a five-year plan for the Martin Griffin Preserve (MGP) Docent Council which defines the vision for the MGP School Program. It is essential for the Plan to be compatible with the ACR Strategic Plan.

10 AUDUBND CANYONE RANCHNCH

How Does It All Happen?? continued from previous page Docent Recruitment Committee - TBD Special Education Program Committee – Susan The purpose is to work closely with ACR Moritz, Diana Jorgensen Communications staff to recruit School Program The Special Education Program gives ambulatory docents. Review and update recruitment strategy, Special Day Class students who have mild to materials and timeline. Work with the Director of moderate challenges an outdoor experience in Education, the Communications Manager and the nature. The student materials are adapted from our Education Specialist to implement recruitment general education program. We're looking for strategy. Participate in community outreach docents who can help us expand the program and activities: Reach out to local publications and reach more Special Day Class students. organizations to publicize the program, organize MGP Docent Training Committee – Susie Nelsen, distribution of flyers and brochures. Conduct Joan Fellers Orientation sessions for interested applicants. These The Training Committee plans and coordinates efforts are usually in partnership with the Training training of new MGP School Program Docents in Committee. consultation with the ACR Director of Education School Program Committee – Ann Howard, Joan and the Education Specialist. The Training Turner Committee is responsible for planning and Reviews, evaluates, researches, develops and implementing the 23-week training of new Docents distributes educational materials and activities as every two years, from September to March, they relate to teaching schoolchildren in the alternating with Bouverie Preserve. classroom and at the Preserve. Distributes and/or Web & Media Volunteer – TBD manages School Program Docent Manuals, Teacher The Web & Media Volunteer maintains sections for Packets, Teacher Feedback Forms and the Docent MGP Docents, as well as for Nature Guides and Chair Comment Notebook. Plans and sponsors Bouverie Docents on the ACR website, egret.org. Docent reviews, such as Kit and Trail Day, before This person also maintains the volunteer listservs both the Fall and Spring seasons, other workshops (strictly private group listings within ACR) and and Teacher Field Days, as needed; and contributes performs other communication duties. occasional articles to The Heron newsletter. New Arrivals Pilot Program – Debbie Piattelli Sequoia Docent Enrichment Committee – Jeanette This program reaches out to children who have recently Carr entered this country and face challenges as they seek to Sequoia arranges extracurricular activities to retain learn a new language, culture, and subject matter. Among docents and to provide them with opportunities to other things, the program aims to make the preserve come enjoy the unique qualities of the docent community. alive for children who are not fluent in English. The Chair also finds and makes arrangements to have a speaker at the Semi-Annual and Annual Docent Council Meetings.

February storms have brought MGP rushing waters beneath Clem Miller. In Garden Club Canyon, the skeleton of a deer lies beneath the redwoods —something spring hikers will be fascinated to see and touch.

11 THE HERON The Joys of Being A Not-So-Secret Trainee by Natasha Lekach

Wearing my NPS uniform, I found the seemingly only place for a ranger to hide, my car. I wasn’t supposed to use my cell phone in front of the public and I didn’t want any co-workers to hear me discussing a potential new position that would cause me to leave Yosemite early. I crawled into my Honda and called up Julia Clothier to discuss an interesting position at the Martin Griffin Preserve which I ultimately accepted. That awkward, hushed call now feels like eons away, but it was actually only seven months ago. As many of you know, this position didn’t start off at a slow pace. On my second week, along with 24 budding trainees, I stepped into a new and exciting world - one of decadent snacks, dedicated individuals and oodles of new information. Though I was staff, helping to facilitate the training experience, I felt like a trainee. While much of the natural history was familiar, most of the training information was completely new to me. However, I quickly learned who I could go to with questions and for advice - sometimes it was staff, but a lot of the time it was one of the fabulous members of the training committee. Now, all of us a sudden we are at week 23 of the training. On week one, I thought, “Wow, 24 weeks of training - that is a very long time!” Boy, was I wrong. The past 23 weeks sped by and I now find myself questioning where they went. While I’ve loved teaching classes and learning new information myself, the element I’ve loved the most has been watching the relationships grow: the formation of carpools, before class sleepovers and capstone project partners. However, these relationships haven’t just been inter-personal. For many, the deepened connection between oneself and the land is the strongest relationship that has formed over the last seven months. I can see it through the questions people ask, the desire to hike after class or come out on the weekends and through the excitement to learn more. With each step towards graduation, we get closer to the hiking season. The relationship between the land and oneself will ultimately be passed off to the students. While learning about pollen tubes or amplexus, we are always reminded, how can we translate this to the students? How will this knowledge be useful on the trail? This is the application of our class, the use of all those long hours spent together. I know many of the trainees are nervous about fledging from the nest, but just remember: though I won’t be leading groups, I will be on the sideline cheering for all of the trainees, the individuals I started with on this new journey.

We Welcome Your Articles by Mary Lee Bronzo

Calling all Heron readers! This is your newsletter and the Heron Communications Committee invites you to submit articles that would inform, entertain, or inspire our MGP Docent and Ranch Guide communities. We will not edit your articles for style, grammar or content but please follow these guidelines:

* Articles should be 300 to 500 words in length and submitted to Karla, Mary Lee or Laurie.

* Images or photos should be included as attachments, not embedded in the article.

* Content should be free of political statement and/or promotion of a product or service.

We look for ward to hearing from you.

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12 THE HERON Potato Leek Soup

This is an easy, satisfying soup for cold, rainy days. For a crowd you’ll need the full recipe, but it can easily be made for two, using 1 leek and 2-3 small potatoes. You can also add spring greens to make it “greener.” Just add spinach, Swiss chard, collards or other mild greens at the end and let them wilt before blending.

Ingredients: • 3 large leeks (about 3 cups after chopping) • 2 Tbsp butter and/or olive oil • 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option. I use Better Than Boullion, a broth in a jar you can get at Whole Foods or Costco) • 2 lbs potatoes (Yukon Golds are creamiest), diced into 1/2 inch pieces • 1 teaspoon sea salt, less or more to taste • 1 or 2 sprigs of fresh thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme • 1 bay leaf • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley • Dash of cayenne pepper • White or black pepper to taste

Method: Cut root end off leeks. Clean leeks by first slicing lengthwise and running them under water to clean off any dirt in the upper part of the leaf. Then chop them crosswise up to the end part until it gets tough. Discard ends of leaves. In a large pot, sauté leeks until soft. Add potatoes, herbs of choice and broth. Simmer until potatoes are soft. Blend with immersion blender until the consistency you prefer. (I like it with a little texture.) Garnish with parsley. For variety serve with a dollop of yogurt or crème fraiche, or some grated Parmesan cheese… Enjoy. —Art and recipe by Laurie Riley

13 THE HERON The Marincello That Might Have Been continued from page 1 received remarkably diverse support from community leaders, both conservative and liberal newspapers, and even from many conservationists who believed that the concentration of development would relieve development pressure on other important open areas that could now be preserved. Battles Before the Planning Commission Not everyone agreed, however. During the first half of 1965, the principal Marincello battles were fought before the County Planning Commission. Two Marin Conservation League (MCL) board members, including Mary Summers, a former County Planning Director, represented the League at public meetings concerning Marincello plans. Most opposition focused not on whether there should be any development at all, but on the proposed density of the plan. The City of Sausalito resolved not to allow Spencer Avenue or Wolfback Ridge to be widened as access routes to serve Marin cello. Concerns were expressed over access through a future State Park. Local residents on Wolfback Ridge and in Sausalito conducted informal tours into the site for Sierra Club and many others from around the Bay Photo courtesy of Creative Commons Area came to protest the plan. By March 1965, the MCL Board was ready to go on record as opposing the plans “as presented.” Its reasons: residential density was too high, high rise buildings would be out of character with other developments in Marin County, the community would set a precedent for other undeveloped areas in the county, the community could not be as self-contained as promised, traffic would cause congestion on the Golden Gate Bridge, and finally, tax benefits claimed by the developer were not realistic. Mrs. Summers had no objection to rezoning the land to Planned Community, but she also recognized that the Marincello land had been included in a proposed Headlands State Park, and that is where it properly belonged. Ultimately, the Planning Commission forced the developers to scale back from 5..9 dwelling units per acre to 3.5 units, in effect reducing the community to closer to 20,000 than the 30,000 population first envisioned. The County Planning Commission Chair called it a “cancerous growth on the face of Marin” and resigned. It Only Takes Three Votes – and the Aftermath Just one year from the date of Frouge’s introduction of the plan, the Board of Supervisiors, on a three-two vote, approved the Marincello Master Plan with a few minor adjustments. Protestors, including MCL, considered a referendum on the plan and were told by Douglas Maloney, County Counsel, that the the Master Plan was not subject to a referendum (the California Supreme Court later ruled that it was). Undeterred, MCL gathered some 6,000 signatures protesting the Master Plan and filed informal petitions. But these were brushed aside. Subsequently, after a “precise development plan” was approved, petitions with over 6,700 signatures again called for a referendum on the plan. For various reasons, the Marin County Clerk rejected these petitions, and this became the subject of a later lawsuit. Some conservationists seemed relieved to have it “out of their hair.” Beyond contributing to a protest ad placed in the Marin IJ and discussing a recall move with others, MCL did not take further political action. They did, however, send letters to Supervisors Peter Behr and Byron Leydecker thanking them for their leadership in opposing the plan, and to William Gnoss, Ernest Kettenhofen, and Thomas Storer expressing “complete disappointment “ with their approval. Lawyers Step In More aggressive – and more effective – legal action was taken by others. First, local attorneys Robert Conn and Richard Breiner challenged the approval process by filing two lawsuits, the first to have a referendum on the Master Plan, i.e., to bring it to a vote of the people, and a second to overthrow the zoning process because it had been done illegally. Conn and Breiner were forced to resign over allegations of conflict of interest, and Robert Praetzel and Martin Rosen were substituted in their place. Over a period of five years,

14 SEQUOIA CLUB The Marincello That Might Have Been continued from previous page

the referendum lawsuit was tried by Praetzel and Rosen, with the Court ruing against them. Douglas Ferguson joined the team and handled the appeal, where the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of the County and Gulf Oil. Finally, Praetzel, in 1970, was successful in appeal.

Marincello Boulevard and the Birth of a National Park In the meantime ground was broken and construction began on Marincello Boulevard. For many years, impressive gateposts marked the entry in Tennessee Valley to a road that climbed into the hills to the west – to an empty valley! Construction work stopped in 1967, in part due to the pending law suits. The delay may have “saved” the Headlands. Frouge and his backer at Gulf had a falling-out. As lawyers continued their work, local opponents doubled their efforts to bring people to the site to see its beauty for themselves. Local opinion began to shift against the project. Frouge died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1969. In November 1970, a state appellate court found that the plan had failed to follow the law in the zoning approval process and therefore must be submitted all over again (Praetzel’s appeal). The Board of Supervisors withdrew their support for the project the following day. By then a viable alternative to Marincello was coming into view, and within two years, a national park around the Golden Gate would be authorized. In 1972, Huey Johnson, western director of The Nature Conservancy, met with Gulf Oil representatives and negotiated purchase of the Marincello site for $6.5 million and turned this major piece of land over to the National Park Service for the burgeoning Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In an oral interview several years later, Marty Rosen recalled that The Nature Conservancy viewed the site of Marincello as a “recreation area,” not a significant ecosystem, so had not been entirely happy over the deal. Huey responded: “It’s important that lands where we live and work, as well as over yonder be respected and protected.” And that led to the creation of Trust for Public Lands in 1972, another story.

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"1 AUDUBON CANYON RANCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Date Day Time Event For Info/to sign up

March 2019

6 Wed 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. MGP Docent Semi-Annual Meeting and Docent Graduation

9 Sat 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Nature Guide Training: Introduction to Interpretation and Nature Guiding

9 Sat 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MGP Volunteer Access Day Hosts needed

13 Wed 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Kit & Trail Day

16 Sat 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Nature Guide Training: ACR History & Trails

19 Tues 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. MGP Spring Hiking Season Begins

23 Sat 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Nature Guide Training: Biotic Community

25 Mon Hiking Group Outing Email [email protected]

30 Sat 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Nature Guide Training: Bolinas Estuary

April 2019

5 Fri 10:00 a.m. Sequoia Outing: Birds Unlimited Rush Creek RSVP to Jeanette Carr by Walk — $10 fee March 29

6 Sat 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Nature Guide Training: Wetlands & Watershed

13 Sat 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Nature Guide Training: Animals, Big & Small

20 Sat 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Nature Guide Training: Birds of MGP

12 Sat 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Volunteer Access Day at MGP

22 Mon Hiking Group Outing Email [email protected]

27 Sat 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Nature Guide Training: Nuts & Bolts

May 2019

4 Sat 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MGP Public Season Begins;* New Nature Guides Shadow NG’s

4 Sat 4:00 p.m -Potluck’s End Nature Guide Graduation

12 Fri Sequoia Outing: Sebastopol Butterly Garden RSVP to Jeanette Carr by Tour May 5

27 Mon Hiking Group Outing Email [email protected]

* During the spring and summer, MGP is open to the public every Saturday through and including July 27, 2019.

LOOKING AHEAD: The MGP Annual Meeting will be on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

16 SEQUOIA CLUB MGP Docent Council Committees 2018-2019

Officers Sequoia Docent Enrichment: Jeanette Carr Co-Presidents: Beki Simon & Mary Fitzpatrick Membership: Gail Berger Secretary: Ann Trigueiro Heron Newsletter: Mary Lee Bronzo, Gayle Cahill, Treasurer: Eric Watterud Karla Kelly, Laurie Riley Nominating Committee: Beverlee Johnson School Program Committee Osher Volunteer Center: Leslie Doughty Program Development and Evaluation: Outreach and Recruitment: TBD Ann Howard, Joan Turner Library: Anne Montgomery Overnight Program: Patti Blumin, Sharon Dado Publicity: Peter Young Scheduling: Natasha Lekach and Staff New Class Representative: TBD Kit and Trail: Patty Blanton (Kit); Susie Nelson Heron Mailing: Lois Patton (Trail) Webmaster: TBD Docent Education and Activities New Docent Training: Joan Fellers. Susie Nelsen Advanced Docent Training: Jeanette Carr Nature Guide Co-Presidents: Eileen Shanahan, James Docent Continuing Education: Ann Howard and Peterson, Troy Cameron Staff Long Range Planning: Joan Turner

☞ Next Heron Deadline: May 15, 2019