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ACR's Olema Marsh and Restoration of The AUDUBON CANYON RANCH Number 44 BULLETIN Spring 2009 ACR’s Olema Marsh and Restoration of the Giacomini Wetlands RESTORING THE NATURAL HYDROLOGY OF TOMALES BAY by John Kelly single, lightning fast strike and splash mudflats, ponds, creeks, and emergent vegetation. of an egret’s bill can cause a wealth of Wetland life thrived, structured and fueled by Giacomini potential prey to dart and hide, making complicated patterns of tidal inundation and A Wetlands them temporarily unavailable to other predators. irregular pulses of runoff from a watershed that restoration Herons and egrets often overcome this fact by covers much of Marin County. The extravagant area, looking hunting in groups: prey that are busy fleeing flow of energy and nutrients through the system northwest, with from one forager are more easily caught by sustained a magnificent richness of estuarine newly introduced another. Nonetheless, prey concentrations fade life—but one that we can currently only imagine. tidewater quickly, forcing egrets to search for new feeding flooding into the opportunities in the surrounding landscape. Loss of a wetland treasure project area. When an area of intensive human use is In the 1800s, settlers came to western Marin ACR’s Olema returned to nature, processes like this drive the County, where they built ranches and dairy farms Marsh and assembly and arrangement of plants and animals. on the productive coastal prairies and logged the Levee Road are As new life appears, it coalesces into patches Douglas-fir and redwood forests along Inverness visible in the that swell, subside, shift, and intermingle. Intri- Ridge and in other parts of the Tomales Bay water- foreground. cate patterns form, reflecting the complex and shed. To transport dairy products and lumber PHOTO AND dynamic conditions of our world. A dramatic to San Francisco, they developed roads and a COPYRIGHT: example of how such richness develops is now railroad along the eastern shoreline of Tomales ROBERT CAMPBELL emerging from the restoration of a large wetland > Please turn to TOMALES BAY, page 4 landscape in southern Tomales Bay. One key part of this story is ACR’s Olema Marsh. Herons, egrets, and other waterbirds once foraged across a vast and productive tidal marsh system at the headwaters of Tomales Bay. This huge wetland complex extended over a broad intertidal plain, from the mouth of Lagunitas Creek, southward toward Bear Valley, with edges mantled by an undulating blend of brackish and freshwater marshes. Within these boundaries, nature formed a maze of tidal sloughs, marshes, Page 2 Audubon Canyon Ranch From the Desks of Audubon Canyon BRYANT HICHWA, ACR BOARD PRESIDENT Ranch BOARD OF DIRECTORS & MAURICE A. “SKIP” SCHWARTZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OFFICERS Bryant Hichwa, President Andy Lafrenz, Dear Friends, Neighbors, Supporters, AUDUBON CANYON RANCH IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE Vice President Valerie Merrin & Volunteers of Audubon Canyon Ranch, ACQUISITION OF A FOURTH MAJOR SANCTUARY, Secretary DOUBLING ITS PROTECTED LAND HOLDINGS AND Bill Richardson We are living in an era of change, challenge Treasurer EXPANDING INTO NORTHERN SONOMA COUNTY and opportunities. At Audubon Canyon Ranch DIRECTORS Audubon Canyon Ranch has signed a col- Julie Allecta (ACR), we are approaching our 50th anniversary Tom Bradner laborative agreement with Jim and Shirley Modini André Brewster in 2012. Together and as a community, we are Dave Chenoweth to acquire the 1,725-acre Modini Ranch property Mary Ann Cobb proud of a strong shared history of environ- Suzie Coleman through a planned giving arrangement. ACR is Sam Dakin mental accomplishments, land preservation Leslie Flint and stewardship, hands-on education, and honored the Modinis have entrusted us to protect Jesse Grantham Christina Green conservation research. ACR’s volunteers and staff this special part of California’s natural heritage. Diane Jacobson Dan Murphy promote a responsible and respectful relationship The property is located in Sonoma County’s Ivan Obolensky Judy Prokupek between the individual and nature. Mayacamas Mountains near Healdsburg. ACR Paul Ruby Jane Sinclair The ACR community is united in these will conduct conservation-based scientific research April Starke Slakey and identify habitat protection opportunities, in Sue Stoddard values and our hopes for the earth and for future Lowell Sykes keeping with ACR’s mission to preserve the land Francis Toldi generations during a time of change. In the next Patrick Woodworth as a sanctuary for native plants and animals. Nancy Young year, ACR will experience: The property, which has been in EMERITUS DIRECTORS tɨFTJHOJëDBOUBDRVJTJUJPOPG Deborah Ablin the Modini Ingalls family since 1867, Richard B. Baird a pristine sanctuary in “This couldn’t be a Nancy Barbour is spread across a remote and scenic L. Martin Griffin, M.D., Sonoma County, Founder better match, knowing landscape with a rich blend of un- Jack Harper tɨFJNQBDUPGUIFFDPOPNZ Flora Maclise the caring and sensitive disturbed native habitats, including on ACR’s finances and our George Peyton, Jr. oak woodlands, pine forests, perennial Helen Pratt strategy to stay strong and environmental steward- grasslands, chaparral, serpentine ADVISORS come through this economic Tom Baty ship Jim and Shirley outcrops, riparian forests and wild Gordon Bennett crisis, and Leonard Blumin Modini have shown streams. It is home to abundant and Patti Blumin Noelle Bon tɨFPQQPSUVOJUZUPBQQPJOU diverse wildlife, including deer, black Stephen Colwell for their ranch, and the Hugh Cotter a new leader for ACR after bears, bobcats, mountain lions, Michelle Dench reputation ACR has Roberta Downey long-time Executive Director coyotes and nesting golden eagles. Phyllis Ellman for stewardship of its Binny Fischer Skip Schwartz transitions We are proud and grateful the James Gallagher, Ph.D. from his role as chief execu- Tony Gilbert properties.” Modinis have selected Audubon Carol Guerrero tive, stepping back from Robert Hahn –Jesse Grantham, biologist, Canyon Ranch as their partner in Jim Horan day-to-day operations. Joshua Levine US Fish & Wildlife Service, the preservation of their pristine Alan Margolis, M.D. property. The trust the Modinis Leslie R. Perry With these changes, we assure long-time friend of the Gerry Snedaker have placed in Audubon Canyon Betsy Stafford you that our values and yours are Modinis and new ACR Jean Starkweather aligned, and that ACR will Ranch underscores our strength as Brian Wittenkeller Board member. Robert Yanagida remain dedicated to its mission. an organization. Bulletin 44, Spring 2009 Page 3 STAFF Maurice A. ‘Skip’ Schwartz, Executive Director John Petersen, Associate Director EDUCATION, PHOTO: SKIP SCHWARTZ SKIP PHOTO: CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND HABITAT PROTECTION John Kelly, Ph.D., Director of Conservation Science & Habitat Protection Sherry Adams, Modini Ranch HPR Project Leader, BP Bob Baez, IMPACT OF THE ECONOMY ON FINANCES AND PROGRAMS ACR’S LONG-TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TRANSITION Helen Pratt Field Biologist Emiko Condeso, AND HOW ACR WILL WEATHER THE CRISIS FROM HIS ROLE, SEARCH BEGINS FOR NEW LEADER Biologist/GIS Specialist Dan Gluesenkamp, Ph.D., Director, Habitat Audubon Canyon Ranch is a strong organiza- After 34 years, Skip Schwartz will transition Protection & Restoration Gwen Heistand, tion and committed to our values. But like many from his role as Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Executive Resident Biologist, BLP/Co-Director of others, we are also challenged by this economy, Director. In January 2010, Skip will be stepping Education Claire Hutkins Seda, and we need your help. away from the day-to-day management of opera- Weekend Program Facilitator, BLP Thanks to the foresight of our founders and tions. Skip will continue in a part-time role with Hillary Saunders, HPR Project Leader, generous bequests and planned gifts from many ACR, working on projects as directed by ACR’s Marin Jeanne Wirka, supporters, ACR entered the downturn in a next Executive Director. He will continue to be Resident Biologist, BP/Co-Director of position of relative strength with endowment involved, working closely with the new ED. Education funds providing 50% of annual operating costs. ACR has planned very carefully for this change. PRESERVE STEWARDSHIP Bill Arthur, However, like many institutions, we have seen In order to prepare for Skip’s eventual retirement, Land Steward, BLP David Greene, the value of the endowment fund decline by a comprehensive transition plan was developed Land Steward, CGRC John Martin, 25% since July 1, 2008. We must plan for the several years ago. A Task Force comprised of Board Land Steward, BP Matej Seda, possibility of further declines. Staff and Board members and staff was created to manage the Maintenance Assistant, BLP are working to reduce expenses and seek new process and ensure a smooth transition of leadership. ADMINISTRATION Yvonne Pierce, funding to keep our future secure. We anticipate Audubon Canyon Ranch will extend our tra- Administrative Director/BLP Manager difficult sacrifices, and we are sharpening our dition of exceptional leadership and is beginning Suzanna Naramore, Administrative focus to ensure mission-critical needs are met. a search for the right person. You can help us find Assistant, BLP Leslie Sproul, ACR is committed to honoring our values ACR’s next Executive Director by reviewing the Receptionist/Office Assistant, BLP and preserving core programs without compro- job description at www.egret.org and sending it Nancy Trbovich, Administrative mising the integrity of
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