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By Jenny Ursini, SPAWN Watershed Steward Intern.
Get Involved! Jenny@SpawnUSA.org, 415-663-8590 ×207
Super Saturday
April 12, 2008
Saturday's volunteer group was remarkable!
Things started off with Chris Pincetich, SPAWN's new Watershed Biologist, recruiting volunteer, Angie, all the way from the East Bay! Smolt trap monitoring was the first task of the day. For the first and one of the very few mornings that Director, Todd Steiner, was not in attendance, Chris, Angie, Kevin, and Jenny traveled from trap to trap geared up in waders and ready to see what the traps would reveal! With Coho and Steelhead smolts, 2 crayfish, and some lamprey as the catch of the day, things were off to a fun start!
After the traps were monitored, there was a smooth transition into SPAWN's first salmonid rescue effort of 2008. Even more volunteers came out for this! Mel and Nancy added to the fun. Shortly after his morning radio interview, SPAWN Director Todd Steiner made a special trip to visit the fish rescue team. He came equipt with better nets, so that everyone could participate and work together. Though he was busy, he still could not resist taking a couple of dips with the ol' net to help save some salmonids! After wishing us well, and leaving the fish in able hands, the volunteers worked until they found 250 fry to relocate downstream to a stable and safe portion of Arroyo Creek. After the transfer, guess what? More volunteering and restoration work!
Those that were able headed over to Roy's Pools to meet up with Tom and a new volunteer, Robbie, to take on some creek-side restoration. Some nasty non-native and invasive blackberry was removed while sedge, elk clover, and beautiful creek dogwood were planted. What a great day of work! From quiet moments together, to fighting battles with invasive species, to good hearted jokes, and love-filled plantings, you can't go wrong with this bunch! The volunteers are such a fun and positive group that there is so much true enjoyment! I wish everyone could experience the good times we have, so come on along!
Big Nasty Broom!
May 2008
By Kevin Cook Watershed Steward Intern
SPAWN's volunteers have been recently removing the invasive Scotch Broom on the property of Giacomini along San Geronimo Creek. This site is heavily covered with invasives and volunteers are now trying to remove all of them. As soon as these invasives are cleared, there will be space ready for the planting of a variety of native plants (Douglas Fir, Redwoods, Alders, ect.)
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Volunteers have come across many interesting species along our rampage of removal. Kevin found a ring neck snake, which he showed to all of the other volunteers that day. Many birds join in the restoration activities with their wonderful songs.
Bill, Mel, and Jenny entertain the group with many smiles as they talk of what the site will look like when the work is done. Tackling each individual invasive is not always easy when the evil poison oak is in the way!
Away With The Blackberry!
June 7, 2008
Here at SPAWN's office we have a beautiful scenery out back next to the creek. All of the staff love to go next to the creek during their lunch. The biggest problem with the area is the Himalayan Blackberry. I think most of the community of West Marin has this nasty invasive creeping toward their territory.
Everyone has their special technique for destroying this invasive species, but their is no real easy way to do it. Rather than using nasty pesticides near the creek, we decided to tackle this using human power. Organizing a work party seemed to be a great way for the community to learn about salmonids, our local watershed, and why native plants are important for nature. Before we starting the removal we had a nesting survey done to make sure no harm was done to the song birds that could have been nesting in the area.
With the help of 18 volunteers and tools provided by Point Reyes, we removed a very large area near the creek. This was done by several steps of clipping the top layer and digging up the roots with a shovel.
After everyone had worked up a sweat, there was a nice meal provided for everyone. Everything was donated by Lagunitas Deli, Good Earth, Noahs Bagels, and Trader Joes. The creek will soon have lots of native vegetation to replace all of the invasives that were removed.
Thanks to everyone that was involved! :)