VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH ventanawild.org

Newsletter of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance Volume 15 Number 1 I Spring 2014

Vicente Canyon, Big Sur Copyright 2002 by Tom Killion I tomkillion.com

Archaeological Site Special Map Insert USFS National Stewardship Silver Peak Trail Network Volunteer of the Year Mike Heard

Protecting the Big Sur Backcountry VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 15 Number 1 I SPRING 2014

Ventana Wilderness Watch Newsletter of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance Executive Director’s Message The Wilderness Act turns 50 this year, so let’s take a look back at the circumstances that set the stage for President Johnson to sign this critical piece of legislation, with a focus on our local public lands. The US Census Bureau announced the end of the frontier in 1890, but it wasn’t until 1904 PO Box 506 I Santa Cruz, California 95061 (831) 423-3191 I ventanawild.org that the General Land Office retired approximately 340,000 acres in the The mission of the northern Santa Lucia Range from the Ventana Wilderness Alliance advancing tide of “Manifest Destiny.” Two is to protect, preserve and restore the years later, President Roosevelt created the wilderness qualities and biodiversity Monterey Forest Reserve, soon to be the of the public lands within California’s Monterey National Forest. For management northern Santa Lucia Mountains reasons the Monterey Forest was eventually and Big Sur coast. incorporated into the Santa Barbara Board of Directors National Forest, which was renamed the Tom Hopkins, President Los Padres in 1936. Dennis Palm, Vice President It’s important to understand that the David Jacobs, CPA, Treasurer Forest Service’s founding mission was not Al Budris, Secretary conservation in the modern sense. The Betsy MacGowan, Director-At-Large agency’s inclusion in the Department of Maria Ferdin, Director-At-Large Agriculture was no accident. Rangers David Knapp, Director-At-Large were seen as overseers of a storehouse Staff of natural resources to be exploited in perpetuity. Fortunately, a few insiders Mike Splain, Executive Director had the foresight to understand what was Richard Popchak, Communications and Development Director at stake and began recommending that Stacey Iverson, Youth in Wilderness particular swaths of Forest lands be left as nature made them. We all owe a grand debt to Program Manager folks like Arthur Carhart, Aldo Leopold and Bob Marshall, whose efforts led to the “L-20” Bryce Winter, Youth in Wilderness Regulations and subsequent “U” Regulations, which granted administrative protection to Field Manager “Primitive Areas.” Greg Meyer, Youth in Wilderness Director Julie Anne Hopkins, Botanist/Biologist For example, under the L-20 Regulations, 45,000 acres of the northern Monterey National Betsy MacGowan, Trail Crew Chief Forest were protected as the Ventana Primitive Area in 1931. An important addition soon Steve Benoit, Lead Wilderness Ranger expanded the area by nearly 11,000 acres, and by 1937 the spectacular headwaters of the and Trail Crew Leader Little Sur, Big Sur, Carmel and Arroyo Seco Rivers were administratively withdrawn from Mike Heard, Trail Crew Leader development. But many conservationists questioned the long-term security of such “protections.” Just as the Chief Forester had preserved lands with the stroke of a pen, Newsletter Production so could a successor easily undo the designation. Editor: Richard Popchak Design: Lynn Piquett Motivated by this realization and battle-weary from a constant defensive campaign for Printing: Community Printers, Santa Cruz rapidly diminishing wildlands, national groups like The Wilderness Society began forging a more concrete framework for permanent protections. In 1956, the Society’s Director, Printed on 100% post consumer waste recycled paper with Agri-based inks. Howard Zahniser, presented the US Congress with a first draft of the Wilderness Act. Zahniser’s original intention was for the Executive Branch to hold designation authority; but after 8 years, 18 Congressional hearings, and 66 drafts, he settled on a bill that literally On the Cover required an act of Congress to permanently protect wilderness. Initially considered a

Tom Killion is a long- legislative setback, time has shown us that this provision has its advantages. The bill passed time supporter of the both houses of Congress and was signed into law by President Johnson on September 3, 1964. VWA. His image of Ventana Double Cone We’ll reflect on what’s happened since in the next issue. In the meantime, enjoy this is the centerpiece of our logo. Tom has installment of Ventana Wilderness Watch. And as you read about the amazing work dedicated been producing volunteers are accomplishing in our beloved Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness areas, Japanese-style block prints of the Big Sur coast and mountains since the don’t forget that crucial act of Congress that has so successfully kept these places wild. late 1970’s, depicting scenes where he has spent many days hiking, camping and sketching. His Big Sur Happy Spring! prints, along with poetry and journals of Big Sur, will be included in his forthcoming book, California’s Wild Edge: The Coast in Prints and Poetry, to be published 2 by Heyday Books in 2015. Please visit tomkillion.com to see a variety of his Big Sur images. Mike Splain I Executive Director Archaeological Site Stewardship I Protecting the Past The Ventana Wilderness Alliance sponsored a Partners in Preservation-Archaeological Site Steward program training on April 5 and 6, 2014. The purpose was to train volunteers to monitor existing sites in the National Forests and report signs of degrada- tion from human, animal and weather abuse so that steps can be taken to preserve them. Twenty-five candidate volunteers received one day of classroom training at the USFS Monterey Ranger District facility in King City and one day of fieldwork at the Milpitas Special Interest Area. The training was conducted by the Society for California Archaeology-California Archaeological Site Steward Program (CASSP). Key learning points included: n a discussion of CASSP and what it takes to be a site steward n an overview of the Monterey Ranger District’s prehistory and natural resources n Native American perspectives n a review of the Archaeological Resource Protection Act and other pertinent legislation n discussions and small group role-playing exercises for interacting with the public in the field n planning of site steward assignments We would like to thank the volunteers and their efforts to help preserve the myriad cultural and natural resources of the Big Sur backcountry. ■

Site Steward Tom Little Bear Nason playing the ceremonial bear A site steward tracing a point onto the Site Record. flute in a cave at the Milpitas Special Interest Area.

3 2014 training participants VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 15 Number 1 I SPRING 2014

Students from Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop enjoy a snack atop a rock at the Indians. Students from Cal Poly SLO take a break from tread work on a YiW Stewardship outing on the Kirk Creek Trail.

“When in nature, I can feel at peace.” – a Rancho Cielo student

The VWA’s Youth in Wilderness (YiW) program continues to provide much needed opportunities for local young people to experience the beauty and wonder of­ our public wildlands. Juan and Luis of Rancho Cielo Youth Campus enjoy the cool flowing waters of the Little Sur River. Please join VWA members and the A student from Greenfield Environmental following major funders Science Workshop ponders a giant Coulter in supporting the pine cone. Youth in Wilderness program in 2014:

Arkay Foundation Barnet Segal Charitable Trust Foundation for Youth Investment

Monterey Peninsula Foundation Youth Fund Save the Redwoods League

A student from Greenfield Environmental Science Workshop scopes a bird at Santa Lucia Please call 831-423-3191 Memorial Park. to learn more about 4 how you can support Rancho Cielo students enjoying tea time at Jackson Camp along the Little Sur. this program. Teaching Visitors to Tread Lightly Since 2010, the VWA’s Volunteer Wilderness Rangers have patrolled the Big Sur backcountry. Their purpose is to make visitor contacts and impart fire safety and Leave No Trace information. Rangers also perform other critical tasks such as campsite cleanup, fire ring removal and, sadly, trash removal. We are tremendously thankful for the work of these dedicated volunteers. Realizing that boots on the ground in the backcountry are not enough, the Rangers have led an effort to create resources for visitors to review BEFORE they head out to increasingly popular Sykes Camp on the Pine Ridge Trail. The first resource created was a dedicated Sykes web page at ventanawild.org. You can find it in the “Planning a Trip” section on our homepage. For many visitors, Sykes Camp is their first wilderness experience. The information at the Sykes page helps novice backpackers to properly plan their trip and to practice Leave No Trace principles in the backcountry. More recently, we have created a map and brochure that echoes the information at ventanawild.org. Available as a download at the Sykes page and as a handout at Big Sur Station, this map and brochure helps visitors to plan and enjoy a safe trip. More importantly, it educates visitors about the impacts of overuse and encourages people to consider alternate destinations in the Ventana region. This valuable resource was made possible by a grant from the National Forest Foundation and Patagonia Santa Cruz Outlet. Thanks to a grant secured from the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance, the VWA will design a trailhead kiosk this summer featuring a map of the Ventana region and the aforementioned Leave No Trace and interpretive information. The kiosk will also include language commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act and highlight volunteer stewardship opportunities on the Forest. VWA will enlist local youth to install the kiosk at the Pine Ridge trailhead in Big Sur, gateway to the Wild and Scenic Big Sur River, and the most heavily used trail on the Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest. ■

An example of Leave No Trace information in the Sykes map and brochure.

5 VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 15 Number 1 I SPRING 2014 VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 15 Number 1 I SPRING 2014

Special Places of the Santa Lucias I The Milpitas Special Interest Area (part 1) by Mike Splain Morning breaks over Escondido Camp and dew persists in the adjacent meadow as the sun slowly makes its way over the extensive buttresses of Santa Lucia (aka Junipero Serra) Peak to the east. We begin the day with a sip of fine spring water near the Lost Valley Trailhead but soon turn our attention southeast. Despite a paucity of early rainfall and the certainty of an extreme summer ahead, spring is definitely underway and as we continue our journey along Indians Road, the rebirth it has prompted is a feast for the senses.

Less rain means fewer annual wildflowers, but hardy perennials are happy to fill in. Take for instance the showy flannel bush (Fremontodendron californicum) that occasionally emerges from the chaparral above the road. The 2008 Indians Wildland Fire burned much of the visible shrublands but seems to have actually encouraged this lovely species, which reproduces both with abundant seeds and new growth sprouting from its root crown.

There’s an aroma about and a closer look at the road cut reveals the delightful inflorescences of creeping sage (Salvia sonomensis), a favorite meal for indigenous bees. California is home to some 1,600 bee species, most of which are “solitary,” meaning they lack the queen-centered colonial structure typical of introduced Eurasian honeybees. Most of our native bees inhabit underground tunnels and are especially ubiquitous when they cluster during spring nesting. They aren’t aggressive and rarely sting, but watch your step and you’ll be treated to a fascinating show as these essential pollinators go about their affairs, descending and emerging from tiny tunnels in the road bed. Soon we enter the riparian zone and encounter conifers inter- spersed with the more characteristic willow, alder and cottonwood. The most obvious is incense-cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), with

A fire-scarred valley oak stands watch over the Milpitas SIA. its drooping foliage and distinct redwood-like bark. Not actually a cedar at all, this cypress relative occurs throughout California’s mountain ranges but is somewhat uncommon in the Santa Lucia. Another species, this one endemic to our mountains, makes a few appearances nearby. With its thin bark, narrow profile and upright cones, Santa Lucia fir (Abies bracteata) is a true fir with minimal tolerance for fire. Its presence here is likely due to a sheltered microclimate with perennial water. Many botanists consider both of these conifers relicts from the cooler, moister climates of California’s distant past. After crossing Roosevelt Creek, we quickly enter the spectacular Milpitas Special Interest Area (SIA). The SIA was granted this designation in observance of its outstanding cultural and biologi- cal resources. Native American sacred sites and historic structures abound and spring is the perfect time to experience its vast wild- flower meadows, sprawling oak savannahs, and abundant wildlife. There’s far too much to explore to go any further, so until next time, we make camp… ■

8 Creeping sage along the margins of Indians Road. Volunteer Spotlight I Mike Heard

Recently, Los Padres National Forest officials announced that the US Forest Service has selected longtime Monterey Ranger District and Ventana Wilderness Alliance volunteer Mike Heard as the national Volunteer of the Year. For nearly 15 years, Mike has been instrumental in repairing and maintaining remote wilderness trails over- grown by brush or damaged by fires, erosion and debris slides. He plays a valuable role coordinating and leading extensive on-the-ground trail work in the Cone Peak area of the Ventana Wilderness. Over the last two years alone, Mike volunteered nearly 3,700 hours of his time to project work in the wilderness. We are very proud of Mike’s accomplishments. Let’s learn a bit more about him. First off, please tell us a little about yourself and your family. Where were you born and raised? Q: I was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1954. My parents were both Oklahoma natives. My father, a WWII veteran, was running a contract drilling company with the help of my mother, who had been a schoolteacher. In 1960, by which time I had been joined by a brother and a sister, my father’s company went bankrupt and he took a job with Texaco in Colombia. Over the next several years my father’s work took the family to Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Scotland and Connecticut, and our family was joined by another brother, 17 years my junior. Please tell us about your education and career. Q: I earned a BA in physics from Wesleyan University, a BS and MS in electrical engineering at Columbia, an Engineer degree in electrical engineering from USC, and an MS in physics from UCLA. I have worked as an electrical engineer, a system engineer, and a programmer for several aerospace and communications companies, most recently for Honeywell International. How did you first come to be involved with the VWA? Q: My introduction to the Monterey Ranger District was a hike up to the Cone Peak Lookout in 1984. By the early 1990’s it became a personal tradition to hike the Cone Peak Loop every year. This kept getting harder and harder to do, and in 1998 I made an unsuccessful attempt to volunteer with the Forest Service. A couple of years later a web search turned up a new organization called the Ventana Wilderness Alliance that had a volunteer trail crew and I was able to tie in with some of the founders on a work trip to Goat Camp. What are some of your key takeaways from your six years plus managing the Cone Peak Trails Project? Q: I guess that the first one is how many moving parts any project like this has. It takes a lot of people other than the project manager to make it work: the other volunteers, the fundraisers, the donors, the supervisors and crew members on the hired trail crews, and the Forest Service staff. I want to thank all of those folks and to apologize to anyone I’ve forgotten to mention. A second key takeaway is that some of the unplanned side effects may well be the greatest achievement of any project like this one. At Vicente Flat Camp I recently encountered two volunteers from an American Conservation Experience crew that I worked with in 2011. They told me that I had made their experience, and that of many other ACE volunteers, something that they will remember for the rest of their lives. What is it that attracts you to these mountains? Q: The Cone Peak area has got to be one of the coolest places in the world. You can go hiking through ecosystems that vary from the Sierra-like north face of Cone Peak to oak woodlands, grassland, redwood groves along the creeks, chaparral, and coastal scrub, with amazing ocean views on the way. This diversity is one of the reasons why the area has been designated as the Cone Peak Gradient Research Natural Area. It’s been a great privilege to have spent the majority of my time there over the last several years. ■

Mike Heard (far right) celebrating the completion of the Cone Peak loop at Goat Camp with ACE Crew members and VWA volunteers. 9 VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 15 Number 1 I SPRING 2014 Essential to the Mission: Our Members and Funders

The VWA is 15 years old! Some of you have been part of the organization from Day 1. Others joined just recently. No matter, we all share a deep love and appreciation for wilderness, especially the wildlands of the northern Santa Lucia. Thanks to each and every one of you for your enduring support! Together we are making a difference. ■ Foundations Catherine Braden Sonia Deetz Ginger Harmon Chris Lorenc Kim Pisor Catherine Steele Arkay Foundation David Braden Tom Deetz Steven Harper Debi Lorenc Jim Plourd Brian Steen Barnet Segal Charitable Trust Christopher Brady Bruce Delgado Annchen Harris Jolene Loving Jessica Pollatsek Bobby Steger Community Foundation Jeanette Brandlin Arthur Delibert David Harris Keith Loving Mary Pommerich Kim Chi Steger for Monterey County John Brandlin Susan Denny Morgan Harris Pamela Lowry Nancy Popchak Annette Steiner Community Foundation Eric Brazil Liliana Diaz Daniel Hartmann Erik Lundgren Richard Popchak Joyce Stevens of Santa Cruz County Mary Jo Brazil Alan Dickman Annie Harworth Steve Lustgarden Jim Preston James Stiefel Fernandez Pave The Way Foundation Savanna Brinker Peggy Dilfer Kim Hastings Betsy MacGowan Elizabeth Proctor Richard Stover Foundation for Youth Investment Todd Brockman Charles Dixon Richard Havenik Laurie Magarian Mike Pruitt Meredith Stricker Monterey Peninsula Foundation Linda Brodman Jon Doelma Michael Hawk Salem Magarian Elizabeth Quinn Abigail Stryker National Forest Foundation Bill Brooks Steve Dorrance Mike Heard Kate Magditch John Radford Morgan Stryker Patterson Family Foundation Bonnie Brooks Mary Duan Matthew Heath Shalyn Magditch Joe Radoslovich Carol Stuart Rose Foundation Brad Bryce Robert Dunn Slim Heilpern Abhi Mandela Darcey Rambach Deidre Sullivan Save the Redwoods League Austin Buck Andres Durstenfeld Gero Heine Larry Manes Whit Rambach Matthew Sundt Sierra Club SF Bay Chapter Alfred Budris Peter Duveneck Alexander Henson John Marcroft Spencer Rand Bernice Swartley - Back Pack Section Debbie Bulger Tim Eastman Esperanza Hernandez Margaret Marcroft Joanne Ratcliffe Melissa Swedberg James Burden Philip Easton John Hickey Mark Readdie Adarsh Ravivarma Robert Swedberg Tides Foundation Mark Burden Robert Echols Dale Hillard Jan Marx Clive Rayne Adrian Taron Businesses Sue Burden-Dickman Tom Edell Steven Hillyard Steven Marx Kathryn Rayne Amy Taron Chiorini, Hunt & Jacobs Donald Burnett Don Edwards David Hirsch Mark Maslow Jeff Redwood Anna Taugher Down Works Linda Burnett Benny Ehlers Charles Hoffman Patricia Matejcek Stephanie Reed Katsuaki Terasawa Great Expeditions Jan Burns Marc Eldridge Breta Holgers Mary Ann Matthews Tim Reed Antony Tersol Johnson, Fantl & Kennifer Richard Burton Michael Elliott Mark Holman Randy May Bruce Merchant Donna Thomas Jonathan Wolf Wilderness Nancy Callahan Phineas Ellis Roxane Holman Ronald Maysenhalder Sandra Reel Peter Thomas Illustration Jim Campbell Twylla Erickson Heidi Hopkin Bob McCay Gabriel Regalbuto Sue Thomas Juniper Ridge Lynda Campbell Peggy Estrada JulieAnne Hopkins Victoria McCay Alison Reitz Cole Thompson Mariquita Farm Rick Campbell Keith Evans Tom Hopkins Andrew McClelland David Reneau Stephen Thompson New Camaldoli Hermitage Tricia Campbell Meg Evans Carla Horne Julie McConnell Katie Reneker Daniel Tichenor Otter B Books George Campion Steven Evans Phil Horne Susan McDonald Crystelle Reola Megan Tolbert Patagonia Michael Campos Jim Fairchild Warren Howser Mickey McGuire Julianne Rhodes Francis Toldi Scudder Roofing Sun Don Canestro Daria Farnsworth Susan Hubbard George McInnis Neil Richman Tony Tollner Energy Systems Miranda Canestro Jamshid Faryar Patty Hughes David McMillan Richard Riedl Brian Tomasini Torras Leasing Company Roger Cannon Arno Featherstone Walter Hughes Cece McNeil Chris Rife Cameron Torgenrud Ventana Editions Publishing Anne Canright Gary Felsman Boon Hughey Stan Mellin Christian Rindermann Breck Tostevin David Canright Maria Ferdin William Hyman Bruce Mendenhall Susan Rindermann Sara Townsend Individuals Peter Carley Becky Fewel Tary Beth Hypes Ed Mercurio James Ringland Chuck Tremper Ted Ackley Stuart Carlson Michael Finch Stacey Iverson Ted Merrill Eugene Rizzo Mary Trotter Fran Adamson Diane Carr Alisa Fineman David Jacobs James Merz Maya Rizzo Hillary Trout Frank Adamson Steve Carr Denise Fischer Robert Jaramillo Barbara Metz David Roberts Paul David Tuff Anne Alderson Gabrielle Carroll Meade Fischer Aengus Jeffers Glen Metz Elliott Robinson John Ueberrhein Mark Alderson Sean Carroll Bruce Flatow Lindsay Jeffers Ted Meyenberg Gary Rue Robinson Ellen Uhler Ann Allen Michael Casey Michele Flom Dru Jensen Greg Meyer Matthew Robinson Steve Underwood Pauline Allen John Castagna Patrick Foley Laura Jensen Christine Miller Bill Rodgers Susie Unseld Robert Allen Mary Castagna James Foran Gordon Johnson Gordon Miller Rogelio Rodriguez Vicky Unseld Spike Alper David Casterson Sandy Ford William Johnston John Miller David Rogers Ruth Updegraff Carl Anderson Cameron Chabre Michael Foster Gabriel Jones Akim Mimoun Tanja Roos Lois Van Buren David Anderson Mark Chaffey Paul Foster Paul Jones Jazz Mimoun Marc Rothmeyer Keith Vandevere Gene Anderson Cynthia Chaplin Samuel Foster Tamara Jones Lynn Moncher Rosemary Rovick Richard Veum Susan Anderson Max Chaplin James Franks Kelsey Jordahl Judith Montgomery Brian Rowlett Cindy Vizza Niklas Andersson Deborah Chirco-Mac- Alan French Gene Kafka Richard Montgomery Michele Rowlett Paul Vizza Mark Anicetti Donald Calvin French Robert Kafka Andrea Moore Steve Rubin Einar Vollset Matteo Anicetti Yvon Chouinard Letty French Janet Kamiya Mik Moore Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts Brady Vriens Feynner Arias Carl Christensen Gernot Friederich Kathy Kardos Nancy Moore Joshua Rude Adam Wachtel Robert Armstrong Nicole Chupka Charles Gagarin John Kasik Pam Morgan Adam Rumack David Wachtel Jesse Arnold Alan Church Kimmy Gal Renee Kasik Virginia Morgan-Scott Jon Sagen Elissa Wagner Virginia Arnone Dawn Church Mary Gale Susan Kauffman James Morris Diane Salmon Phil Wagner Sandra Aspacio-Flores Eileen Clark-Nagaoka Lisa Gardner Lawrence Keller Ryan Morris William Salmon Jeannine Wahl Marlene Attell Michael Closson Francesca Garibaldi James Kelley Carla Moss Parker Santiago Lisa Wallender Molly Attell Mark Cohen Diana Garneau Bill Keye Eric Moss Jeffrey Schaffer John Walton Steve Attell Alex Cole Paul Garneau Vivian Key-Foster Caroline Moyer Craig Schieding Priscilla Walton Richard Averett Stephen Collier Guilbert Gates Tom Killion David Moyer Bill Schoenbart Thomas Ward Cecelia Azhderian David Collins Dan Gearhart Sue Kirkpatrick Hans-Georg Mueller Robert Schuh Diana Waycott Joel Baker Andy Cominos Perry Gershkow William Kirkpatrick Richard Mueller Laura Schulkind William Waycott Wylie Barnett Mary Cominos Jack Glendening Mary Ellen Klee Gary Nagaoka Robert Schumacker Nathaniel Weaver Nola Barnick Christopher Connery Sam Goldeen Diane Klein Joseph Narvaez Anne Schwartz-Delibert Gordon Wheeler Wally Barnick Mark Conover Marie Goulet Richard Klein Holly Naylor Celia Scott Margie Whitnah Richard Baumann Willis Costello George Gowman Tamara Klein Nicole Nedeff Dougald Scott Alan Whittemore Doug Beck David Courrejou Stephen Graner David Knapp David Nelson Peter Scott David Wikander Rich Becker Susan Courrejou Dick Graybill George Koenig Jack Nelson Pauline Seales Beverly Williams Leif Behrmann Carol Courtney Lyn Graybill Jacob Koff Thomas Neu Jacqueline Sedgwick Derek Williams Edward Bennett Karla Cravens Matthew Greenfield Carol Kolsky Dylan Neubauer Bert Semtner Gordon Williams Beth Benoit Tom Cravens Carol Greenstreet Martin Kolsky Jeanette Nicely Sharol Sevilla Michael Williams Steve Benoit Elizabeth Creek Arlen Grossman Catherine Kordich Douglas Nienhuis Melody Sharp Mike Williams Carol Bernthal Robert Creek Jacqueline Grubelnik Ellen Korstanje Mardi Niles Alice Shumate Peter Williams Simon Bertrang Sheilah Cummings Paul Grunland Robert Korstanje David Norris Burkhard Siedhoff Scott Wilson Len Beyea Kate Cunningham David Gubernick Darlene Koster David Ohanesian Vince Silva Lynnelle Wing Ann Binns Mary Cunov Rob Gularte Brook Kraeger Edward Olmstead Jan Simek Bryce Winter Mary Blackler John Curl Susie Gularte Patricia Kronlund Viviene Orgel Mary Simek Tracy Wood Philipp Bleek Lisa Curnett Gerhard Hahne Vernon Kuska Karen Orso Art Simon Karen Woodward Marguerite Blum Michael Curnett Barbara Hake Katherine Lauster Irene Osterbrock Gary Sims Reid Woodward Dan Blunk Catherine Farrant Vinzenz Hake William Lauster Dennis Palm Mary Skipwith Darby Worth Terri Boales John Dalessio Marilyn Halberg Amy Lauterbach Ollie Palm Peter Smalley Harry Wyeth Kathleen Bonner Rita Dalessio Bob Hale Barbara Lebeck Chris Panetta Henry Smith Karen Wyeth Michael Boone Margaret Danielson Heidi Hall Jean LeBlanc Elizabeth Panetta Laurel Smith Vern Yadon Bert Boothroyd Paul Danielson Jim Hamari Benjamin Legg Robert Parks Tim Smith Robert Yang Karen Boothroyd Bonnie Dankert David Hamerslough Jeffrey Lehr Larry Parrish William Soskin Rei Yoshinobu Larry Born Susanna Danner Michelle Hamerslough Brian LeNeve Gary Patton Bob Spier Ann Young Alicia Borowski Peter Darrah Robert Hanley Carol LeNeve John Pearse Terry Spitz Carol Young Jeanne Boss Raziel Davison Lindsay Hanna Jonathan Libby Vicki Pearse Michael Splain James Yurchenco 10 Wayne Boss June Dawson Penny Hanna Kirsten Liske Marian Penn George Saint Clair Marsha Zelus Celia Bosworth Bob Dawson Rebecca Hanna Mary Anne Lloyd George Pepper Lee Staley Bradley Zeve ■ James Bouknight Alexandra De La Vega Carl Hansen Skip Lloyd Regina Pettus Ann Stanislawsky Youth in Wilderness

Fund Established We are pleased to report that long-time VWA members Tom and Supports the VWA Julie Anne Hopkins have established an endowed fund at the Community Foundation for Monterey County to support the Youth We would like to thank the law firm of Johnson, Fantl and Kennifer in Wilderness program. Tom and Julie LLP for supporting the VWA at the Business Benefactor member- Anne established the fund with an ship level. JF&K attorneys offer substantial expertise in the devel- initial gift of $25,000. It is now open to opment of plans for the transfer of wealth, during life and at death, all donors who want to add permanent in a manner designed to respect and implement the client’s personal support for the program. objectives while also addressing federal and state transfer tax issues. Tom Hopkins puts it this way, “If we “There are many reasons we need to protect wilderness,” says JF&K are going to be successful in preserv- attorney Nick Fantl. “Wilderness protects the watersheds that ing Wilderness, we need to teach more provide clean drinking water for Monterey County. Wilderness young people how Wilderness benefits filters and cleans the air we breathe. Many animals we love call both humans and wildlife. For those wilderness their home. We value the work of the Ventana Wilderness of us committed to teaching future Alliance to protect this spectacular and enduring resource.” generations the value of Wilderness,

the Youth in Wilderness Program is a The VWA welcomes other businesses in the community to become great investment.” members of our Business Council. Demonstrate to the community that protecting our public wildlands is important to you and your Please support this fund by making customers not just today, but for generations to come. Please call your donation at the Community Tom and Julie Anne Hopkins 831-423-3191 for more information. ■ Foundation for Monterey County (831-375-9712), or by donating directly to the VWA (831-423-3191). ■

2013 Annual Report In February of this year, we shared the organization’s financial data with our supporters. Included in the mailing were programmatic high- lights of 2013. We are very proud of the VWA’s accomplishments and remarkable efficiency. Of every dollar contributed, 90 cents went directly to programs on the ground, less than 6 cents supported fundraising, and less than 5 cents supported management and governance. We feel that this is an ideal financial profile reflecting a high level of professionalism in each and every VWA staffer, board member, and volunteer. ■

Program Expenses $180,000 2013 Percent Expenditures OF Total $160,000 Advocacy $61,207 23% $140,000 Stewardship $179,527 67% $120,000 Fundraising $14,803 5.5% $100,000 Management $12,274 4.5% $80,000 & Governance $60,000 TOTAL $267,811 100% $40,000 Support and Revenue $20,000 $0 2013 Percent Advocacy Stewardship Fundraising Management Contributions OF Total & Governance Grants $197,586 78% Gifts & Membership $45,782 18% Ventana Trails $8,936 4% Forever Endowment Interest Income $243 0% n Grants TOTAL $252,547 100% n Gifts & Memberships Year-End Balance Sheet n VTF Income Cash $116,204 n Interest Income Reserve Fund $21,661 TOTAL $137,865 11 NON PROFIT ORG Post Office Box 506 US POSTAGE PAID Santa Cruz, CA 95061 SANTA CRUZ, CA PERMIT NO. 150

Address Service Requested EVENTS June 14 VWA Annual Gathering Toro Park, Salinas RSVP to [email protected] September 13 Wild & Scenic Film Festival Golden State Theatre, Monterey September 27 National Public Lands Day Details TBA October 4 Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation Fall Festival Details TBA

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Celebrating 50 Years of Wilderness On September 3, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Wilderness Act into law, establishing the National Wilderness Preservation System and setting aside 9.1 million acres of wildlands for the use and benefit of the American people. Over the past fifty years Congress sha added over 100 million acres to this unique land preservation system, including the Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness areas so dear to all of us. In celebration of the Wilderness Act’s 50th birthday, the VWA has planned a series of events throughout 2014. The VWA’s Annual Gathering at Toro Park in Salinas (June 14) will include a talk by author and wilderness scholar Doug Scott plus special guests and plenty of surprises. Our third annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival at the Golden State Theatre in Monterey (September 13) will feature films about wild things and wild places and ways we can all get involved in their protection. A panel discussion entitled Jeffers and Wilderness at the Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation Fall Festival in Carmel (October 4) will examine the inspirational qualities of wilderness through the lens of the California poet’s most insightful works.

Wilderness conservation is everybody’s business, so please spread the word and join us at these exciting events. For more information, contact us at [email protected]. ■