Over 24,800 acres protected since the Current 1989 Informational Newsletter for Fall 2018 (September-November) Conservancy

The Constancy of Change everywhere a breathtaking quantity and variety of By Alan Ehrgott butterflies. There must have been millions of butterflies in this valley; swallowtails, admirals, painted ladies, On June 13th I found myself bouncing wildly in checker spots, skippers, and blues. They swirled over ARC’s pick-up truck over a tortuous road leading from the blooming mountain whitethorn throughout the Chipmunk Ridge to Gray Horse Valley just west of the meadows and, oddly enough, formed countless crest. Gray Horse, at 6,200’elevation is a “puddles” on the road absorbing the minerals and salts magical, glacier-carved valley. The upper ramparts of of the rich and exposed mountain earth. the canyon are formed by vertical cliffs of dark brown, David and I reflected on the miracle of meta- columnar basalt reminiscent of Devil’s Post Pile. Below morphosis, the change in the actual state of the butter- these volcanic cliffs, polished fly from egg to larva to pupa granite bedrock gives way to chrysalis to adult. We reflect- forests of red and white fir and ed on the complete liquefac- stringer meadows of thick al- tion of the insect, turning the der. Lower still we find a animal into cellular soup broad valley of deep soil with before it became reconstituted thick forest, grassy meadows into an adult butterfly form. and a small river bespeckled We agreed that this is with nervously darting rain- why we need wilderness. We bow trout. At the mouth of would never find this number the valley, the sparkling water and density of butterflies in of Gray Horse Creek tumbles an urban or even rural subur- vertically, down-slope about ban setting. It was here in the

1,000 feet into Hell Hole Reser- View from Gray Horse Valley of , upper Sierra Nevada where voir, there to wait its fate as and Desolation Wilderness. butterfly species were Placer County’s domestic wa- matched to a myriad subset of ter supply. To the southeast in the distance rise the native flowering plants. What better animal than a snow-capped, 9,000’ peaks, in both Granite Chief and butterfly to demonstrate a reliance on radical physio- Desolation Wilderness. It was an impressive vista logical change, and with the constancy of a native food which completely softened the aches and pains of the supply, secure evolutionary success. harsh and boney road. As I contemplate that recent road trip I reflect On this trip I was joined by David Burns, a tal- on how often I com- IN THIS ISSUE ented geomorphologist, who had been hired by ARC to pare the life stages of a Feature Article 1-2 help decommission and restore about 50 miles of old single animal with the Prop 3 2 Conservation Update 3 logging road throughout our 10,000-acre purchase. But organizations we col- CalFire Grants Awarded 4 this trip was focused on restoring the road into Gray lectively create. Over The Butterfly Effect 5 Horse Valley to allow contractors an easier passage this the past 30 years, the Education Update /Camp Funnies 6 Wakamatsu 7-8 summer with equipment to restore 300 acres of American River Con- Program Calendar 9 extremely dense and mistreated forest. servancy has changed Hikes, Programs, Workshops 10-11 In reaching the bottom of the valley, we found a its physical form, its Volunteer Opportunities 12 Change & Transformation story 13 never-ending abundance of wildflowers, tall stocks of structure and charac- Eddies & Winter Dinner Invite 14 white Washington Lily, bright vermillion paintbrush, ter. Thank you supporters 15 and the deep purples of Lupine and Delphinium, and Continued on page 2... Become a Supporter 16 page 2 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.)

American River ...continued from page 1. Conservancy I hope it will continue to thrive as a conservation organization, not PO Box 562 afraid to experiment, take risks, and complete big and complicated 348 Hwy 49 projects. Coloma, CA 95613 For myself, I too must change. This year of 2018 will likely be (530) 621-1224 the last year I will serve as ARC’s Executive Director. It is time for Fax: (530) 621-4818 me to morph…to spend less time raising money and spend more Email: [email protected] time hiking the very trails that ARC built, exploring the spectacular Website: ARConservancy.org habitats, rivers, and forests our community has collectively protect- ARC Board of Directors ed. Scott Vail—President I was hired at age 37 to incorporate and grow a fledgling Kyle Pogue—Vice President ARC. It is now 30 years later and it’s time to turn the reins over to a Cathy Ciofalo — Treasurer younger person. The ARC Board has elected to hire its Stewardship Steve Clark — Secretary Director, Elena DeLacy as its new Executive Director. Elena will Fred Bernstein Carla Soracco Kay Osborn begin her tenure at age 37 Clint Collins Greg Carlson and I wish her at least 30

Staff years of conservation suc- Alan Ehrgott cess. We are both biologists Executive Director by training and I know that Elena DeLacy we share the same values Stewardship Director and commitment to protect- Autumn Gronborg ing the ecological, financial, Forest Restoration Coordinator and social health of our com- Julie Andert munity. Public Outreach & Office Manager I want to thank you Melissa Lobach all for your support along Campaign and Communications Manager Sue Robbins the way. It has at times been Nature Center Docent a tortuous road, but I cannot Marie Imler think of a more supportive Bookkeeper community to work with Kelly Croffoot and I thank you all from the Chili Bar Manager bottom of my heart for your Taylor Faye Benedict Photo of Alan (right) with his brother John (left) as they advice, humor, volunteer- hike the length of Baja California in 1975. Note the cele- AmeriCorps Stewardship ism, and financial support brated and mythical boojum trees (Fouquiera columnaris), & Outreach Coordinator a member of the Ocotillo Family, in the bacround. Picture along the way. I hope to see Parker Flickinger taken in the Sierra San Borja. Alan is looking forward to rekindling his backpacking exploits upon retirement. AmeriCorps Education Coordinator you on the trail.

On the statewide November ballot this fall you will be faced with Proposition 3, a water bond that funds watershed and water supply projects across the state, and we urge you to vote YES! Proposition 3 includes nearly $4 billion in conservation funding and would provide much-needed funding to advance a plethora of both the state’s natural resource objectives and our own goals for restoring the South fork of the American River and the Cosumnes River. With a changing climate, more intense droughts, and increased demand on the state’s water resources, Proposition 3 ensures that we not only care for our water as a supply issue, but invest in the health of the watersheds and ecosystems. Help us advance the American River Conservancy’s goals by spreading the word to vote YES ON 3 in November. For more information or to contact the campaign please visit their website, www.waterbond.org and follow them on twitter @CAWaterBond.— Matteo Crow page 3 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.)

Land Conservation Update

This update will focus on ARC’s efforts to protect the Cosumnes River, one of the last undammed rivers on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. There are no significant dams on the North, Middle, South, or Main Forks of the Cosumnes River and it serves as a rare model of a free-flowing river. One of the goals of ARC is to protect this 80-mile reach of free-flowing river from its headwaters in the Eldorado National Forest downstream to its confluence with the Mokelumne River. Along this reach is an assemblage of native fish that include steelhead, winter run Chinook salmon, and rainbow trout. There is also an extensive wildlife corridor along the river that extends from the Sacramento Valley to alpine meadows at 7,200’ elevation. Over the past ten years, ARC has completed the purchase of thirteen properties fronting the Cosumnes River, protecting 7,000 acres of riparian habitat supporting native fish, bald eagles, song birds, bear and mountain lion. We can now report substantial progress in the creation of a new Wildlife Area (WA), the first in El Dorado County, made up of two large ranches fronting the Main Fork of the Cosumnes River:

El Dorado Ranch ARC hopes to complete the Phase #3 acquisition of 1,018 acres of blue oak woodland and riparian habitat in September, 2018. This acquisition would create a 3,157-acre protected landscape just west of Highway 49 and fronting the Main Fork of the Cosumnes River. ARC has secured a contract to purchase this property at the state- approved, appraised value of $4,680,000. In the last few months ARC has negotiated a $500,000 reduction in the purchase price by the Sell- er, purchase grants of $500,000 from the California Wildlife Founda- tion, and $850,000 from the State Resources Agency. ARC expects approvals of a $63,500 grant from El Dorado County to be awarded August 28th and another $2.5 million grant from the Wildlife Conser- vation Board to be awarded August 30th. ARC has raised $28,281 in private donations. Altogether this totals $4,441,781 or 95% of all purchase funding needed. ARC still needs $238,219 or 5% of the purchase funding to be raised before escrow can close. In August ARC will initiate a challenge campaign to raise this last 5% of the purchase funding required. Please consider a donation to help ARC complete the purchase and protection of this magnificent river-front landscape. Continued on page 4...

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Continued from page 3… Ervin Ranch ARC has secured a contract to purchase the 1,737 acre Ervin Ranch fronting the main stem of the Cosumnes River just east of the Sacramento/El Dorado County line. This ranch provides a ¾-mile of river frontage and reproductive habitat for steelhead and winter-run Chinook salmon. ARC has submitted a $1 million grant to the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Fund administered by the State Natural Resources Agency and expects to secure additional grants for the balance of the purchase price from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State Wildlife Conservation Board. Together, the El Dorado Ranch and the Ervin Ranch acquisitions would make up an initial 4,894-acre wildlife area to be managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the protection of special status species including: the state and federally threatened Chinook salmon, the California-threatened central valley steelhead, the state-endangered bald eagle, the state threatened red-legged frog, and other rare species including the foothill yellow legged frog and northwestern pond turtle. The American River Conservancy is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary. It has completed 83 conservation projects protecting 25,000 acres of native fisheries, endangered species habitat, and recreational lands within the upper American and Cosumnes River watersheds. ARC provides interpretive hikes, educational programs to schools, and volunteer opportunities to the greater Sacramento metropolitan region. For program information visit www.ARConservancy.org

This just in… CAL FIRE Awards $27.5 million for ARC Wish List Tahoe-Central Sierra Forest Health Projects Grants will reduce wildfire risk and combat climate change  Videographer and Animator intern  Sturdy vintage dishes  Photos of properties CAL FIRE announced this month that it awarded four  Laptop computer grants totaling $27.5 million to the Sierra Nevada Conservancy,  Photo button-making machine California Tahoe Conservancy, National Forest Foundation, and  Golf cart American River Conservancy for high-priority forest health  12-passenger van projects in Placer, Nevada, Sierra, and El Dorado counties. These  Fancy guest book  Snack bars grants provide significant investment in the 2.4-million-acre  Grocery gift cards Tahoe-Central Sierra Initiative area. This partnership includes  Potting soil state, federal, and environmental industry and research repre-  Generator sentatives working together to protect the area’s quality of life by  Garden tools – shovels, rakes, hoes, restoring the resilience of its forests and watersheds. The Tahoe, small spades, pitchforks Eldorado, and Basin national forests serve as the  Michael’s gift card critical federal counterparts in this work.  Walkie-Talkies “By protecting and restoring the health of our headwa-  Air Blower ters, we are also protecting the many benefits that flow from  50-gallon aquarium  Large white metallic board them,” says Alan Ehrgott, Executive Director for the American  Speakers for computer River Conservancy. “This work is important both to those of us  Large baskets (for gift baskets) that live and work in the headwaters, and to the state as a  Blender or food processor whole.” (Excerpt taken from SNC press release.) page 5 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.)

The Butterfly Effect By Scott Vail, Board President

The American River Conservancy Board of Directors, after a lengthy search, has selected ARC’s own Stewardship Director, Elena Delacy, as our new Executive Director. Elena will serve as Associate Director until Alan Ehrgott retires at the end of December. Elena is a UC Davis Graduate in En- vironmental Biology and Management (Conservation Biology focus) and has worked for ARC , starting as an intern, for 15 years. Elena is a very experienced grant writer and project manager, suc- cessfully implementing many grant-funded trail and habitat enhancement projects. She has experience working with local, state, and federal govern- ment as well as private land owners and volunteer citizens. Highlights of her volunteer involvement is implementation of the local UC California Natu- Alan and Elena along the South Fork of the American River we strive to protect ralist Certification Course and the Land Steward Program. She has developed, planned, and managed multiple habitat restoration, enhancement, and trail construction projects. The recent Acorn Creek Trailhead project is an example of Elena’s ability to develop grant proposals and then work with other agencies, staff, and volunteers to implement new opportunities for recreation, riparian, and woodland habitat enhancement. Elena has recently written a successful grant for the construction of an outdoor classroom to be located at Wakamatsu Farm. This is a significant accomplishment in achieving the ARC commitment to environmental education in El Dorado and surrounding counties. Complementing her work with ARC, Elena serves in a leadership capacity on CABY RWMG (Regional Water Management Group), representing ARC’s interests in the Cosumnes River and American River Watersheds. She is a founding member of the Cosumnes Coalition, working collaboratively with several agencies, non-profits, tribal members, and academic institutions to create and implement a watershed-wide conservation and stewardship plan. Elena is an exceptional communicator with an excellent knowledge of ecological principles and practical field applications, with first-hand knowledge of budgeting and fiscal processes of a non-profit organization and experience in creating strategic conservation plans as well as individual land management plans. We are very fortunate to have a transition period through the end of this year where Alan Ehrgott will continue in his current position while Elena acts as the Associate Director. This will help ensure a comfortable transition period during such a busy time at ARC. Elena will formally take the helm January 1, 2019. Please join me in celebrating this moment by congratulating Elena and assisting her in continuing the leadership of the ARC in our mission of conservation, stewardship and environmental education.

The American River Conservancy is located in the American River Nature Center inside the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park at 348 Hwy. 49, Coloma, CA

The Nature Center & Bookstore are open to the public Friday Thru Sunday from 10 am- mm. Our offices are open to volunteers and supporters Monday thru Friday from 9 am- pm and weekends from 10 am- pm. We can be reached by phone at ( 30) 621- 122 or online at arconservancy.or . page 6 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.)

Education Update Camp Funnies

“Who’s underpants are these?” A common “slogan” spoken by counse- lors this year.

9-11 year-old camp: Camper: Are you a kid or a Mom? Counselor: Neither or both. Does a dog count as having a kid?

6-8 year-old camp: Camper: Can you help me find a walk- ing stick? Volunteer: We’re not playing with sticks right now because it’s time for morning circle. (Camper meant “Walking Stick,” as in Nature Camp was an ambitious undertaking for me. I had a bug, not a hiking pole.) previously led field trips and been a counselor at other camps, but I never had been in charge with this much responsibility. I was not 4-5 year-old camp: unlike one of our 9-year-old Nature Campers, who was on her first Brittany: Alright kiddos, dear ears! overnight without her family with her. However, I worked hard, Camper: I hear Moose. took camp seriously, and I am happy with how everything turned out. Each day was something new and fun with lessons for us all. I While at the beach with the campers was truly impressed by the positive attitudes each week that one day, we spotted two interesting campers brought to the table. They all wanted to have fun and help water birds swimming in an eddy. Af- each other. I hope they all continue to succeed in their lives as they ter looking carefully, we realized these did at camp. —Parker Flickinger, serving with AmeriCorps. “birds” were a camper’s pair of Nike sneakers gone adrift! Fortunately, they were able to be rescued and no camp- ers, counselors, animals, or shoes were harmed. page 7 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.)

WakamatsuFest150 Promoted at California State Fair 2018

This year during the California State Fair at Cal Expo, the El Dorado County display featured ARC’s Wakamatsu Farm. The display particularly promoted the big 2019 festival next year, WakamatsuFest150. Poster- sized images of the Farm dominated the county display where Paul Cockrell’s recent drone footage of the property was a prominent feature. Author and Wakamatsu docent Herb Tanimoto also participated in the nearby author's book signing booth where he sold over 30 copies of Keiko’s Kimono, his story inspired by the actual 1869 Wakamatsu colonists. Our part- ners at the California Rice Commission also had a strong presence in the county building with their own beautiful display. Thanks to the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce, Paul, Herb, and the California Rice Commission for supporting our landmark Farm.

ARC’s Campaign & Communication Manager, Melissa Lobach, recently wrote a haiku for a competitive $2000 grant hosted by Mission Box to “describe the heart of your mission.” Here is her haiku about the heart of ARC:

Mighty river flows water shedding tears of gold save her fragile life.

ARC recognizes Holiday Market (Pleasant Valley Road location) for their friendly, patient, and generous staff who have allowed our Cosumnes River Water Quality Monitoring Program to use the store as a drop-off and pick-up location for monitoring equipment. From June through September, our monitors can rely on store staff to safely store the gear in the Manager’s office for the next group of monitors. Because of this gesture of goodwill, our water quality monitoring program doesn’t have to purchase a multitude of monitoring kits, which keeps our monitoring program cost- effective. Thank you, Holiday Market! page 8 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.)

 Established in 1869  Site of 1st Japanese Colony in USA  Birthplace of 1st Japanese-American What’s up at Wakamatsu?  Gravesite of Okei-san

A New Building at Wakamatsu Farm by Melissa Lobach

American River Conservancy is pleased to announce plans and funds to build an outdoor classroom at Wakamatsu Farm. Standing near the parking lot, the building will be the hub of educational programs and visitor services. A true metamor- phosis, this new building will change the future of public programs at the Farm. You may be wondering, what exactly is an outdoor classroom? Picture an open building with a roof overhead, seating, and moveable barn door walls that also serve as Elena DeLacy, Peter McBride, and Charlie Downs introduce the draft concept design of the Wakamatsu Farm outdoor classroom during the interpretive panels. Angled toward the “Giving Garden” and Donor Wall of Honor unveiling ceremony on 6/2/18 native plant nursery, the classroom will have a beautiful and wide-open look and feel. With indoor seating, it will provide much needed shelter from the weather. It will include electricity provided by solar panels on the rooftop and a rain- catching system to capture water for the surrounding native plants. As “off the grid” as possible, the building itself will be instructional about sustainable construction. And finally, it will include restrooms, a real improvement at the main parking lot for arriving visitors. ARC is most honored to work with talented architects Charlie Downs and Peter McBride, of Arch Nexus of Sacramento. They have provided striking preliminary plans for the outdoor classroom which they shared during the Donor Wall of Honor unveiling at Wakamatsu Farm on June 2nd. Construction is expected to start after the big ses- quicentennial celebration, WakamatsuFest150, to be held in June 2019. So far, funding for the outdoor classroom comes via two sources. The first is a $6,000 grant from the Schwemm Family Foundation. Thankfully, this grant will cover at least a portion of permitting costs. The second funding source is a $271,000 grant from the California De- partment of Parks and Recreation Outdoor Environmental Education Facilities Grant Program. Unfortunately, neither grant will cover restroom construction, so further fundrais- ing is required. A dream come true at the Farm, the outdoor class- room will vastly improve the learning experience for visi- tors of all ages. We hope you share the joy and excitement of this transformational change in the future of Wakamatsu Farm.

Draft design of the Wakamatsu Farm outdoor classroom.

In July, ARC staff and volunteers were pleased to meet the newly appointed Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, Mr. Tomokhika Uyama, accompanied by Consul Ryosuke Kamono. The night before their Wakamatsu Farm tour, they all enjoyed a wonder- ful meal together. What a treat! Left to right is Mr. Kamono, Melissa Lobach, Wendy Guglieri, Herb Tanimoto, Alan Ehrgott, and Mr. Uyama. page 9 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.) Program Calendar

September Saturday the 1st 10am-2pm Wakamatsu Open Farm Day Saturday the 8th 8-10:30am Wakamatsu Fall Bird Walk Saturday the 8th 9:30-10:30am Tai Chi-Qigong Friday the 14th 5:30-sunset Intro. to Yoga for Hikers Saturday the 15th 10am-12pm Wakamatsu Public Tour Saturday the 15th 10am-12pm Herbal Medicine Cabinet Saturday the 29th 8:15-9:45pm Outdoor Movie Night @ Waka Fri-Sun the 28-30 1pm Fri-5pm Sat Granite Chief Backpacking Trip

October Thursday the 4th 5:30-sunset Intro. to Yoga for Hikers Saturday the 6th 10am-2pm Wakamatsu Open Farm Day Saturday the 6th 7pm-? Stargazing at Wakamatsu Saturday the 13th 9:30-10:30am Tai Chi-Qigong Saturday the 20th 10am-12pm Wakamatsu Public Tour Thursday the 25th 5:30-sunset Intro. to Yoga for Hikers

November Saturday the 3rd 10am-2pm Wakamatsu Open Farm Day Sunday the 4th 10am-12pm Poetry Workshop Saturday the 17th 10am-12pm Wakamatsu Public Tour Sunday the 18th 8am-12pm Fall Bird Walk-Knickerbocker

Interested in

Volunteering?

Go to ARConservancy.org/get-involved. Use the “volunteer form” button to sign up for your specific volunteer interests.

Stargazing at Wakamatsu (photo by Melissa Lobach) page 10 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.) Programs Plus

Wakamatsu Fall Bird Walk Wakamatsu Open Farm Day Saturday, September 8th 1st Saturdays Sept.-Nov. 8-10:30am 10am-2pm Come join us for a morning birding walk at Site of the first Japanese colony in America, the Wakamatsu Farm. Our program host and bird your self-guided walking tour of Wakamatsu Farm enthusiast, Parker Flickinger, returns to lead his final may include a stroll to Okei-san’s 1871 gravesite and bird walk before his term ends. Our program host Charles Graner's original 1850’s farmhouse. Take a Parker joins us through the AmeriCorps program. trip around the lake on the 1.5-mile wheelchair- He loves the outdoors, and has a B.S. in Environ- accessible trail. Steady rain or temperatures over 100 mental Science. This is an easy hike for all quiet bird degrees will cancel. Check ARC’s event calendar for enthusiasts over the age of 8. Steady rain cancels. updates. Cost: $10 per vehicle. Buses and large vans Please call for meeting location (Placerville/Gold Hill are $5 per person. All proceeds directly benefit area) and to sign up. Suggested donation: $5/person Wakamatsu Farm. For private tours, please call 530- or $10/family. 621-1224. Find out more at: ARConservancy.org/ wakamatsu

Open Space Easy Tai Chi – Qigong at Wakamatsu Farm Saturdays, September 8th& October 13th, 9:30-10:30am Let the open space of Wakamatsu enhance our overall wellness via movement exercis- es. Instructor Gigi Tze-yue Hu is a semi-retired Asian Studies educator and author. Salmon Falls Ranch Hike—Spring 2018 She offers Tai Chi – Qigong classes to select commu- nity groups. Ages 8+ welcome with adult. No prior Fall Bird Walk at Knickerbocker Creek experience is required. Contact ARC to sign up, and Sunday, November 18th, 8am-12pm for meeting location (Placerville/Gold Hill area). (rain date Nov. 25) Suggested Donation: $5/members, $10/non- Tim and Angela Jackson typically lead a bird members. walk here in the spring. We'll return to the same lo- cation in the fall to see which songbirds, raptors, and Many thanks to the volunteers who water birds are there then. Tim maintains a website led a hike, taught a workshop, or gave a (eldoradobirds.com) on birdwatching in El Dorado presentation this Summer. County. Angela is a local writer and photogra- pher. This is a moderate 2-3 mile walk. Quiet, If you would like to become a volunteer mature children 8+ welcome. Contact ARC to sign complete the volunteer interest form at up and for meeting location (Cool area). Suggested ARConservancy.org/get-involved If you have an idea for a program donation: $5/members, $10/non-members. contact [email protected] or 530-621-1224

page 11 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.)

Mindful Movement: Intro to Yoga for Hikers Fall Stargazing at Wakamatsu Sept. 14, Oct. 4, and Oct. 25, 5:30pm-sunset Saturday, October 6th 7pm until… Explore the connection to ourselves and the Join American River Conservancy amateur natural world through simple breathing exercises and astronomers Tim Jackson and Herb Tanimoto to view gentle yoga movements. Instead of "checking out," as the fall skies above the spacious Wakamatsu fields. hikers we'll practice checking in to the benefits and Viewable telescopic objects include planets Neptune, healing experience of moving mindfully. Julie Uranus, Saturn, and Mars, as well as several other McKechnie is a CA Naturalist and lifelong hiker who distant delights. Contact ARC to sign up, and for has been studying, practicing, and teaching yoga for meeting location (Placerville area). Suggested 15 years. All fitness levels welcome. Ages 10+ w/adult Donation: $5/members, $10/non-members. welcome. Contact ARC to sign up, and for meeting location (Coloma area). Suggested Donation: $5/ members, $10/non-members.

Wakamatsu historical Public Tour Third Saturdays Sept.-Nov. 10am-12pm Using Your Spice Rack as a Medicine Chest The site of the first Japanese col- Saturday September 15th, 10am-12pm ony in America in 1869, the Wakamatsu In this class Candis will help you to under- Tea and Silk Farm Colony is on the Na- stand the common spices as potent herbal remedies. tional Register of Historic Places and You will learn how to make teas, honey blends, oils, California Registered Historical Landmark #815. This tinctures and poultices. Also, the benefits of herbal 272-acre property features Okei-san’s historic baths will be covered, as well as how various herbs gravesite, an 1850’s farmhouse, and a turn-of-the- can be used for their aromas for calming and sleep. century barn. 10-17 years old+ welcome. Contact ARC Candis Cantin has over 30 years practical experience to sign up and for meeting location (Gold Hill area). as an herbalist, herbal and nutritional counselor, and Cost: $10/Adults, $5/Children teacher of holistic lifestyle principles. She has owned and directed the EverGreen Herb Garden and School ARC Granite Chief Fall Pack trip to Hell Hole of Integrative Herbology located in the Sierra foothills and Five Lakes Trail -- -Day Overnight Backpack where there are extensive organic botanical Sept 28-30, Friday 1:00pn – Sunday 5:00pm gardens to view. Ages 12+ welcome. Contact ARC to ARC volunteer Tom Dodson will lead this ex- sign up, and for meeting location (Coloma). Suggest- ploration of the Granite Chief Wilderness Area from ed Donation: $5/members, $10/non-members. the Hell Hole Reservoir trailhead. Contact ARC to sign up and for carpool info. Cost: $40/members, $55/ Capturing Wakamatsu: Poetry Walk/Workshop non-members. Sunday, November 4th, 10am-12pm Taylor Graham, El Dorado County’s first Poet Outdoor Movie Night-The Last Samurai Laureate, and award-winning Sacramento-area poet Saturday, September 29th, 8:15-9:45pm Katy Brown will lead an exploration of farmhouse, Join us for an enjoyable evening under the barn, and surroundings, then ask participants to write stars at Wakamatsu. Our feature presentation, star- a poem inspired by what they’ve experienced. ring Tom Cruise, portrays a United States Captain of Contact ARC to sign up, and for meeting location the 7th Cavalry Regiment, whose personal and emo- (Placerville). Suggested Donation: $5/members, $10/ tional conflicts bring him into contact with samurai non-members. warriors in the wake of the Meiji Restoration in 19th Century Japan. This film is rated R. Under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Contact ARC to sign up See our website calendar for full and for meeting location (Gold Hill area). Rain can- descriptions and to sign up cels. FREE-Donations to Wakamatsu welcome. ARConservancy.org/events

Page 12 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.)

Volunteer Opportunities

Trail Maintenance and Oak Woodland Watering at Acorn Creek Trailhead Friday, September 7th 9am—12pm Help us take care of our newly-opened multi-use public trailhead, See our website calendar for full Acorn Creek! descriptions and to sign up

Spivey Pond Workday ARConservancy.org/events Wednesday, September 5th, 9am—1 pm or contact us at 530-621-1224 Spivey Pond is a protected habitat site for California red-legged [email protected] frog. ARC acquired this site in 1997 and donated it to the BLM for management in 1998. We will be working on doing some blackberry removal in areas where we’ve already worked earlier this year (touch-up, mostly).

Great Sierra River Cleanup! Saturday, September 15th 9am— 12pm (with volunteer appreciation party to follow) Did you know that it takes 450 years for a plastic beverage bottle to decompose? Don’t miss this year’s annual Great Sierra River Cleanup Day, Saturday, September 15th from 9am-12pm. Sign up at www.ARConservancy.org/event/the-great-sierra-river-cleanup/

National Public Lands Day 2018 Saturday, September 22, 2018 8am – 12pm The Bureau of Land Management and American River Conservancy are teaming up for National Public Lands Day (NPLD), the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands. NPLD brings together hundreds of thousands of individual and organizational volunteers to help restore America’s public lands. This year we will be doing trail maintenance, debris removal, fence repair, and invasive species removal at Greenwood Creek – a property along the South Fork American River that ARC was involved in acquiring in 1997. Join us for this family-friendly volunteer event and give back to the public lands that give us so much. Please RSVP!

Wakamatsu Giving Garden Work Days on the Farm Saturday, September 8th and Tuesday, September 11, 9am—1pm Aside from weeding pathways, watering our riparian planting area, and general maintenance throughout the garden, we have entered into tomato harvest season! Please bring your helping hands and help us feed the hungry with produce from our Giving Garden! Gardeners and landscapers of all ages and abilities welcome.

Volunteers at the Wakamatsu Giving Garden Thank you Freshmint for donating Graphic design work for Nature Camp Page 13 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.)

“What I Like Most About Rivers is You Can’t Step in the Same River Twice” Change and Transformation By Taylor Faye Benedict

This summer the American River Conservancy and El Dora- do County River Patrol have teamed up to put on three South Fork American River Cleanups. We started on June 19th at Chili Bar, raft- ing down to Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and then continued on July 19th from Mother Lode River Center all the way down the Gorge to Salmon Falls collecting trash and debris from the river and along the banks. People have a tendency to want to change the world around them. We made it our mission to go along the South Fork to restore the river from all of the human recrea- tion impact that occurs in the summertime. Once we’re finished remov- ing trash and large debris from each section this summer, they will be more pristine and natural than the way we found them. We had a great turnout for both events, with local businesses sponsoring a volunteer appreciation lunch following the event. We were treated to pasta salad from Dennis at the River Shack, potato salad from Lindsay at Take-a-Bite, burgers from Val at the Coloma Club, and delicious assorted pastries from Teal at Sierra Rizing. One of my favorite finds was half of an aluminum canoe. Our most popular items were sunglasses and socks! Our sponsors for the second river cleanup included a generous donation from the Placerville Food Co-op and our partner for this event, Ythsta at Dirt Bag Paddlers. While our first two river cleanups were high adventure whitewater rafting, focusing on the upper and lower stretches of the South Fork American River with Class II and III rapids, our last river cleanup of the season is going to be on a low water day later in the afternoon. We are hoping that having the event after school from 3:00 to 5:30 will encourage some of our younger river enthusiasts that weren’t quite old enough to participate in the earlier cleanups will be able to make it out for this one. This is a family-friendly event where vol- unteers can choose to hike along the shoreline and beach to collect trash from Coloma to Greenwood Creek. Bring a wetsuit to look for debris along the bottom of the low- flowing river, or come along with us in inflatable kayaks! It should be a beautiful day in the sun by the river and I hope that you’ll join us for a big BBQ volunteer appreciation event at Henningsen Lotus Park! Please contact me, Taylor Faye, at 530-621-1224 or [email protected] for more info. or to sign up! Coming up on September 15th is the 10th annual Great Sierra River Cleanup with more than eight cleanup sites between Folsom and Fair Play including Beal’s Point, Salmon Falls, Henningsen Lotus Park, the Happy Valley Bridge, and several more. Sign up and reserve your spot today! page 14 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.) Eddies… Volunteering April-June

As the full heat of summer unfolds, ARC stewardship staff and dedicated volunteers have pushed through to make the most of these long summer days. Thank you to everyone who participated in our June and July South Fork American River Cleanups! We had over 75 volunteers come out between the two cleanups to help us remove trash and debris from our local river. An extra big thank you to our local food sponsors that helped fuel our volunteers with lunch for the cleanups: Dennis from the River Shack, Teal from Sierra Rizing, Lindsay from Take-a -Bite, Val at the Coloma Club, and the staff of Placerville Food Co-op. And finally, thank you to all those individuals and organizations for their support of Nature Camp 2018: Ashley Robertson, Barry Smith and Marshall Gold Discovery Park, Briegan Aguilar, Brittany Lochtie, The Bureau of Land Management Folsom, Cara Hogue and Flying Ace T-Shirts, Carol Dyer, El Dorado County Parks and Recreation District, Fresh Mint Designs, Laurel Gromer, Michaela Neal and the Solar System Ambassadors, Mother Lode River Center, Pam & Loyd Evans, Placerville Pizza Guys, Scott Wilkerson, Sierra Wildlife Rescue, and Sue Robbins.

Allen, Joanne Giles, John Olson, Maryel Allyn, Carl Gilson, Mary Orth, Donna Allyn, Cathy Glennan, Bill Osborn, Kay Amanna, Kristie Graham, Taylor Pagendarm, Larry Anderson, Byron Griffiths, Ray Parker, Steve Angus, Tony Gross, Shana Parker, Lucinda Ashcraft, Matthew Guglieri, Wendy Paschal-Virlouvet, Asha Bean, Michael Gustafson, Walter Pender, Sarah Benedict, Taylor Faye Hanebutt, Dave Perry, Mike Bernstein, Fred Hanebutt, Marcia Perry, Edward Bertram, Susan Hanses, Myrna Petersen, Tom Boersig, Michael Hart, Pete Pierce, Shannon Brinkley, Amy Hayes, Janet Pogue, Kyle Brown, Katy Hebenstreit, James Rack, Amber Campbell, Susan Holmes, Patrick Raymond, Lynn Carlson, Greg Hurd, Linda Riehl, Avery You’re invited Carstensen, Brian Irvine, Branden Riley, Julia Celio, Tracy Ixquiac, Daisy Robert, Lawrence Center, Robin Jandhyala, Neehar Roberts, Michael Winter Dinner Champion, Kathy Jazdzewski, Karla Gromer, Laurel Chimalapati, Prasanth Jensen, Bill Roque, Rachelle Ciofalo, Cathy Johnson, Heather Rosa, Vicki 2018 Clark, Steve Johnston, Jana Rosen, David Clement, Alison King, Tom Rossi, Janet An evening of celebrating Cloutier, Vicki Klammt, Fred Salomon, Christina Collins, Clint Koeckritz, Jeff Sampayo, Erik & recognizing volunteers Cornell, John Robert Koorn, Jeanne Schumaker, Alyssa Dale, Karen Kruse, Deborah & Scott Shoemake, Linda Thursday, December 6th Dale, John Le, Toan Sikora, John Dean, Deb Le Marquand, Harrison Smith, Bruce Dean, Jessica Le Marquand, Shelby Soracco, Carla 5:30 - 8:30 pm Deng, Amy Leffler, Trish Stack, Scott Dodson, Tom Leuten, Tyler Sundquist, Midori Shakespeare Club Dowty, Valerie Lobach, Melissa Swain, Matt Edelhofer, Satomi Lowis, Janeene Tanimoto, Herb 2940 Bedford Avenue Edmondson, Nina Ma, Hunt Thrams, Andie Ervin, Amber Madams, Margaret Torchiana, Tracy Evans, Pam Mahar, Ken Vail, Scott Placerville Exley, Donna & Alan Malone, Kevin Vail, Vicky Ferrero, Rita Mantilla, Kevin Vernor, Bill Ferrero, Victoria Martin, Beverly Walker, Annie RSVP to (530) 621-1224 or Ferrero, Adam Martinez, Jaime Welsh , Mel Volunteers Flickinger, Parker Mengelkoch, Joan Whiffin, Judith Fogg, Alissa Monzo, Pat Whiffin, Trevor needed to [email protected] Frost-Hurzel, Melinda & Rick Mulcahey, Monica Wilber, Monique decorate Fukuda, Winnie Murti, Dee Dee Wood, Rayne Space is limited; Fusano, Isabella Myneni, Sreekanth tables! Gearlds, Tracey Newport, Chuck reserve early! Gershon, Keith Nisbet-Wilcox, Brandy page 15 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.) Thank you, American River Conservancy April-June Supporters!

To become a supporter see page 16, or visit us at ARConservancy.org

Big Day of Derr, Michael & Joaquin, Claire Rulison, ET & Jean Donations in Honor Giving/Spring Michelle Johns, Amy Schmidt, Jennifer or Memory of… Appeal, In-kind, Deter, Ross Johnson, Deidre Scott, Charles & Sandra William & Sarah Yost General and Monthly Donehower, Bruce Johnson, Linda Sechrist, Pamela gave in memory of James Donors Dong, Dennis Johnson, Samuel Seidler, Chuck Russell Yost Doughty, Anne Kegel, Kylan Sher, Byron Abbs, Alan Dutkiewicz, Ellen Kerr, Richard Shigeo, Kanda Alderson, Erin Dyer, Carol Kolsoum, Jim Sing, Margie Allyn, Carl & Cathy Edmondson, Nina Koorn, Jeanne Singh, Amarik Angulo, Sabina El Dorado Community Kranhold, Jennifer Sloan, Loretta Anonymous Irene Lipshin gives Foundation Alexander Smith, Bruce Applebaum, David monthly in her mother’s Emery, Donna Kromps, Eric Souviginier, Douglas & Elaine memory: England, Paul Kuyper, Edith Stotler, James Archer, Mahala “Marcia, my Mother, Estes, Gary & Lawrence, Jeff Stouffer, L Joan Arikawa, Ben passed away at the age of Dorene Matney Lee, Jeffrey & Barbara Stow, Patricia A-Total Fire 97 in 2014. She taught me Evans, Pam Leffler, Thomas Stroth, Karen Protection Co. to love nature, the envi- Fentress, Michael & Catherine Sweeney, Laurie Atwater, Keith ronment, our planet, by Fitzgerald Holland, Kelly Lieb, Jeffrey Tanimoto, Herb Baker, Bruce her care and reverence for Flory, Jen Lipshin, Irene Ting, Farrah Barela, Sue our earth. From the small- Ford, Zak Liu, Grace Tsang, Evette Barthelow, Marilyn est plant to the most awe- Foster, Dorothy Lobue, James United Way Bean, Michael & Dawn some sunset, she knew Foster, Doug Loo, Melanie Uwccr Beauchamp, David everything in our natural Foxworthy, Tom Luszczak, Janice Vail, Scott & Vicky & Betty world needed and re- Gautier, Anthony Mahar, Kenneth Ventry, Kathryn Beichley, Duane quired our stewardship. Gill, Robert Mark, Valerie Volk-Anderson, Virginia & Kathleen I'm grateful to be able to Gilliland, Mary-Lee McCombs, Mary Wackford, Barbara Bernstein, Fred carry on her life lessons.” Giving Assistant McCutcheon, Kelly Wells, Susan Biehler, Lois Gould, Ron McGoldrick, Martha Whiffin, Trevor & Judith Bodlak, Jo Ann Gow, OlaJane Mcleod, Wendy White, Laurine Boyes, Lynnee & Robert Green, Koko Melnikow, Joy Williams, Trent Bradshaw, Robert Green, Sandy Mengelkoch, Joan Wilmot, Robert & Betsy Greene, Megan Mertz, Karl Wolf, Jeanine Brewer, Linda Guglieri, Wendy L Metraux, Daniel Wurzburger, Althea Brinkley, Amy Gumm, Elise Meyer, Virginia Wyels, Wendy Brown, Ginny Haines, Mark Minton, Jonas Yamamoto, Doug and Bruhn, John Hakim, Allegra Mone, Catherine Betty Jo Brunet, Carol Haley, Margaret Network for Good Yoshimura, Iva Burt, Sandi Hamlin, Rene Noble, Ann Buss, Margaret Handley, Bruce O'Farrell, Susan Butler, Alice Wakamatsu Hardie, Janice Orth, Donna & Thom Byrne, Tiara Donations Hardy, Kathryn Osborn, Kay & Monte Campbell-Craven, Fred Amemiya, Yoshiko Harper, Jerry Osborn, Patricia & Kathleen Anonymous &Yvonne Osucha, Marya Canfield, Sarah Bradshaw, Robert Hasdovic, Nancy Patterson, Jacqueline Carrasco-Minton, Julie & Betsy Hebenstreit, James Paige, Karen Carlson, Greg Hanson, Victor & Domna Patagonia Caspers Ross, Patricia Kasako, Matoshi Heglie, Duane Peeters, Michelle Chaitow, Steven Kochi, Fred Henderson, Jennifer Perry, Erin Ciofalo, Catherine Lombard, Kimberly Hession, Jack Pierroz, Bert Clark, Steven & Lora Mone, Lorraine & Mary Kaye Piper, Samuel Collins, Clint Page, Laurie Hilke, Joyce Placerville News Conklin, Linda Sasaki, Helen Hill, Ashley Pogue, Kyle & Shannon Conway, Heather Strom, Shizuko Holcroft, James Posey, Laurel Cooney, Teri Taketa, David Hutton, Kathy Proft, David Cooper, Marcia Tanimoto, Herb Imgrund, David & Gerda Ramstrom, Carl D'Albora, Vito Vail, Scott & Vicky Jackson, Angela Richins Jr, Paul Daugherty, Jessica Yomogida, Atsuko Jamar, Arlene Rountree, Cynthia DeLacy, Elena P. Jensen, Bill Roy, Sudipto Dennis, Lyman page 16 The Current Fall 2018 (Sept.-Nov.) Preserving Rivers and Land for Life

Nourish the Legacy Through Sustainable Giving visit arconservancy.org & make your secure online donation I would like to share the American River Conservancy’s vision of tomorrow.

RECURRING GIFT: New Supporter Name D.O.B. $____/MONTH Renewing Supporter Address OR Gift Membership ANNUAL SUPPORT: City, State, Zip $ ___ OTHER In Remembrance/Honor of ______

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$ 500 ______Email Address / ( ) $ 250 Please contact me about Credit Card# Expiration Code Mo./Yr. (on back) $ 100 planned giving/Legacy Circle $ 50 Make my gift anonymous Signature $ 35 Donations of $35 or more will be given a 1-year membership. Your gifts to ARC are tax deductible. Please make your check payable to the American River Conservancy 348 Highway 49  PO Box 562  Coloma, CA 95613  (530) 621-1224

The American River Conservancy and Nature Center Provide Natural History Interpretive Services in the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Coloma, CA

American River Conservancy NON-PROFIT ORG. P.O. Box 562 U.S. Postage PAID Coloma, CA 95613 Permit No. 7 Coloma, CA 95613 Return Service Requested

OUR MISSION The American River Conservancy serves our communities by ensuring healthy ecosystems within the Upper American and Upper Cosumnes River watersheds through land conservation, stewardship and education. The Current is printed on recycled paper This institution is an equal opportunity provider.