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Back on Track

It's been a rough road for the last month or so. We had a number of difficulties with our website (now resolved!) and email (yikes!), both Liz and I have had colds and related "don't feel so goods" and rain on both our picnic (not much, but it looked ominous) and our full moon float (a rainy day, followed by clouds equals cancelation :( We are keeping our fingers crossed on the November 5 float (already sold out) and, ever the optimists, have just confirmed our float schedule for the spring.

On the plus side, we brought in a little over $4,700 in the recently concluded Annie B's campaign and are knee deep in preparations for the 13th Annual Snow Goose Festival, which is scheduled for January 26 - 29, 2012. It also appears that autumn has finally arrived, along with a very nice fall Chinook salmon run and an impressive acorn crop that will keep a lot critters happy through the winter ahead.

The lakes are full, so the wet season ahead may have a few surprises in store for all of us. Time will tell.

Last Call

The Trust Picnic has arrived...new date and all. In case you haven't heard, it's this Sunday, September 25, 9am - 2pm. For the first time ever, it's a potluck, so there's still time to let us know whether you are coming or not. Details can be found on the homepage. (We also sent out a letter that not only mentioned the picnic but also the infamous Annie B's campaign and our upcoming full moon float.) So please give the Trust a call and plan on spending an absolutely gorgeous fall day on the River (perdicted temperature is in the mid to high 70's!)

Where Does the Time Go?

This is our last day as a 26 year old. The Trust was incorporated on August 17, 1984 and will begin its 27th year of operation on the morrow. Lots of history, some good and some otherwise. Partly due to the Trust, I do believe it is fair to say that the Sacramento River is now a healthier place on many levels. Challenges remain (think "water transfers"), and it is always hard to know what is around the bend. But this is old news and we remain confident in our ability to respond as needed. Our thanks to the Trust membership for all your support over the years, in particular those who have been with us since day one. We truly could not have done it without you.

So we begin a new chapter, with better and more frequent communication a key element as we move forward. More blogs, more Constant Contact, more mail in all its forms. It will be fun to see where the conversation goes.

Back to It!

It's been pretty quiet around the Trust office for the last month or so, but that is about to change. The "Dog Days of Summer" are no more, with schools starting up as early as tomorrow in Chico. The in-river salmon fishing season recently opened after a three year hiatus, though the action doesn't usually heat up until the fall. Another sign of the times - almond harvest is just around the corner. So we begin again, starting with a fall calendar of events.

First up for the Trust...our Annual Picnic. The basics are as follows: 9am - 2pm, Saturday, August 27, 2011, Tehama County River Park at Woodson Bridge, potluck with hamburgers, veggie burgers and assorted "dogs" compliments of the Trust. Details to follow soon, via snail mail and email.

Glad to be back

Let the Outings Begin

With the Snow Goose Festival rapidly fading from sight (the Steering Committee is having a wrap up session on March 19), all eyes in the Trust office have been focused on our spring events calendar. Once again, we are looking forward to a mix of hikes and floats as well as special events. Not all of these will be sponsored by the Trust, but we want our members to be aware of the many opportunities available for getting out and about. All Trust activities will be highlighted on our Homepage. These activities will also be listed on the Events page along with a wide range of other River-related events. We will continue to add new listings as they come to our attention.

The Sacramento River watershed is a pretty amazing place. We encourage you to get out and enjoy it as often as you can.

Now or Never

Ready or not, the 12th Annual Snow Goose Festival has now begun. Online registration is still available through Friday, January 28 at 3pm. After that, you will need to catch us at the Chico Masonic Family Center, 110 W. East Avenue, where the bulk of the festival activities will be occurring on Saturday and Sunday (January 29 - 30).

This year's festival is shaping up nicely, with lots of new field trips and workshops. Of particular note are the festival's Friday evening wildlife art reception and the Saturday evening "Gathering of Wings" banquet and silent auction. The festival is a big part of the Trust's mid-winter activities and we hope you will be able to join us. You won't be disappointed!

The Snow Geese are here; now all we need is for the rain return (on Monday :)

2010...Going, Going, Gone!

This holiday season is quickly coming to an end. Everyone around me keeps commenting on how fast time is moving. Then again, maybe it's an age thing (the older you are, the faster the clock seems to tick). Whatever the case may be, 2011 is now knocking at the door. I, for one, am excited about both the weather we have been having (a snowpack that just keeps building!) and a (re)new(ed) governor who has the potential to bring a whole new group of folks into play (the ability to appoint "new blood" is really at the top of the list of benefits Mr. Brown brings to his office). The Trust will be experiencing a number of significant changes in the year to come as well. More on that to follow come January.

For now, please remember the tax implications that coincide with the date of December 31 (is that a subtle way to invite a year-end donation to the Trust, or what?). Another date of note is January 27-30, when the 12th Annual Snow Goose Festival once again takes flight (registration is now open, so tarry not!).

And with that, best wishes for a Happy New Year!!

Fall Has Arrived!

As if on cue, I saw the first sandhill cranes flying over my backyard in Chico late yesterday afternoon. The day before the weather guy on channel 7R said that fall would transition at 8:09pm the following evening, but I always look and listen for the cranes instead. Not sure if this is an in-the-genes thing. I do know my first sighting of the fall season brings joy to my heart. And once again, I was not disappointed.

Another sign of fall is the annual Northern California Water Tour, which is put together by the Water Education Foundation (WEF). I spent part of today interacting with the group (which is made up of agency folks, irrigation district personnel, legislative aides, environmental organization representatives such as myself, consultants of various stripes and interested citizens) in both Chico and on the road at Woodson Bridge, the Red Bluff Diversion Dam and the Sacramento River Discovery Center. Three days long, it's a lot of bus time, but the introduction to the water delivery system in Northern California is quite an eye opener. I have yet to make all three days but look forward to discussions tomorrow at the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District pumping facility, the Delevan Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Complex and the proposed location of Sites Reservoir. The WEF offers a number of related tours throughout the state during the course of the year and I recommend them all. For further information go to http://www.watereducation.org/ .

On an ending note, I hope you received our recent mailing covering Trust Board of Directors nominations, Fall floats and the infamous Annie B's campaign. The first two are of future interest, the last is coming to a close next Thursday, September 30. As has been shared by many, Annie B's is unique and counted upon to annually provide critical funding to a wide range of groups and organizations. The Trust is proud to be part of this effort, which is community based and provides a partial match to all funds raised. If you're going to send money to the Trust via this program, NOW IS THE TIME! http://nvcf.org/donate&list=f332:0

Happy Birthday To Us!

On this date in 1984 the Sacramento River Preservation Trust was incorporated as a private, non profit, membership based, tax exempt organization. Twenty-six (26) years later, the Trust is still standing, though the legs are a little wobbly of late.

The Board of Directors is addressing the Trust's current circumstances through the development of a transition plan. This plan is intended to evaluate the Trust from top to bottom and will be laying out a variety of options for future action. It is anticipated that the new Board, which will be elected in October (ballots will be mailed by October 1), will be finalizing the transition plan and moving forward on implementation in early 2011.

Lots to do, including asking for feedback from you, our treasured (arrgh :) members, so please stay tuned.

Back to School Already?!

A funny summer, with vacation time quickly coming to a close. Liz and I have both been on restricted hours for several months and are just now getting back into the swing of things. The economy remains sluggish so fundraising remains a priority. Along those lines, the Trust has once again signed up for the Annie B's Campaign. This is a matching grant program of the North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) and runs from August 1 to September 30, 2010. All monies donated to the Trust via the NVCF are returned to the Trust along with a partial matching grant (last year it was 7%). The Annie B's Campaign comes at a good time for many organizations, who often experience a decline in program revenues during the summer months. This has definitely been the case with the Trust and we encourage your financial involvement in this annual fundraising event. To donate, just visit the Trust website and click on the Annie B's button.

On a different note, we have started work on the Fall 2010 calendar of events. Unfortunately, the Annual Picnic tentatively scheduled for August 28 has had to be postponed due to extensive renovations at the Tehama County River Park at Woodson Bridge. More on this event and related activities (floats, hikes, festivals) to follow soon.

So much for the Dog Days of Summer : (

Hello, Summer?

As everyone knows, this has been quite the everlasting spring. We just had another rain shower this morning and unsettled conditions are projected through next week. In terms of water supply and aquifer replenishment, things are good. Unfortunately, the iffy weather did have an impact on our outing schedule, with a number of activities canceled. This comes with the territory, so no complaints. We will try again in the fall.

Due to both financial constraints and the nature of our business, the Trust will once again be closing its doors in July. In addition to this welcome break, we are also instituting a rolling layoff in June for both Liz and myself. The Trust Board is meeting on June 21 to discuss the new fiscal year (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011), with particular emphasis on a fundraising strategy. You will be hearing more about this, but the Board has already identified the Annie's B's campaign in August & September as our initial focus. We'll keep you posted.

Knowing that the joys of summer will be with us before long, you might want to mark your calendar now for Saturday, August 28. The Trust Annual Picnic is returning and we look forward to your participation. Details will follow by both snail mail and email in early August.

On that note, think sunscreen.

The Thick of It

The last day of March has arrived. The month started out lamb-like and is going out somewhat like a lion (if a cold wind and sporadic showers can be so characterized). Liz has got a sweater on and I continue to proudly wear my Snow Goose Festival vest, both of us doing our best to keep the Trust office PG&E bill under control.

Today Liz is warming up the computer keys updating the events page, which is becoming quite full of Spring hikes, floats, and various special activities. Concerning the latter (such as the annual Endangered Species Faire), the Trust will be staffing a booth. We are always in need of volunteers in these situations and would LOVE to hear from you. These outreach opportunities are a great way to meet other members as well as our adoring public. It's also a pretty good way to get a tan (based, of course, on the assumption that the sun will be visiting on a more regular basis soon :) So get ready for another amazing River-related outdoor season as the special wonders of the North State make their presence known once again.

Ready for your swimsuit yet? (I'm not :(

Spring Has (Almost) Sprung

We have already sent via email our March events and will be following up soon with updates through June. It is our intention to continue adding new hikes, floats and other activities as they come to our attention and strongly suggest that you frequently check the website, especially the Events page. We are also sending out a US Post mailing this week for everyone's convenience which focuses on our March 20 Member Picnic in Red Bluff and our rescheduled 25th Anniversary Party on April 22 (Earth Day!) at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico. So the Spring Calendar is obviously up and running. This makes us happy.

What also makes us happy are the pair of Osprey that recently returned to their nest situated next to the Big Chico Creek Bridge on River Road outside Chico. They were preceeded by the flowering of California Pipevine and the leafing out of Elderberries everywhere. The Sandhill Cranes have been headed North for weeks and the Bank Swallows are due any day. Though the official start of Spring is still a week plus away, the calendar of the wild is signifying that the season of renewal has already begun. So, yes, we did get snow in the foothills all around the valley yesterday and more may still be coming. No problem there. We can use more wet stuff as we continue to recover from the last three years of drought. But time is moving in the direction of T-shirts and shorts and, for many, not a moment too soon.

Spring Break anyone?

One Down, More To Come

It has been quite the whirlwind, but we are finally wrapping up the remnants of the 11th Annual Snow Goose Festival. Numbers are still being compiled, both monetarily and participation-wise, but all indications point to the most sucessful festival yet. We say this every year, of course :) The good thing is that is true every year.

So now we are taking a deep breath, counting to ten, and beginning to assemble the Trust's Spring calendar of events. Our float program is coming along nicely (thank you, Adventure Outings!), the Sutter Buttes will be visited again, and our collaboration with the Altacal Audubon Society will continue to be represented through a variety of river-oriented hikes. A number of other activities on public lands bordering the Sacramento River (BLM's Bend Area, the Sacramento River NWR, and various State Parks unit, among others) are also in the planning stages. In short, a busy season ahead.

Excited yet?

The Winter Solstice Is Here

As we enjoy the shortest day of the year (or, more likely, the knowledge that daylight will now begin to get longer), we are pleased to announce that the Snow Goose Festival is online and taking registrations as we speak. Both are watershed moments and we hope this brief note finds you well as 2009 winds down. This year has been a challenge for many, yet hope is really what the holiday season is all about. Good health and time with friends and family are at the top of any Santa's list worth its salt. Liz and I and the Trust Board of Directors sincerely wish you the best and look forward to a more economically robust and ecologically satisfying New Year.

Happy Holidays!

Snow Geese

The Trust is now in the midst of helping organize the 11th Annual Snow Goose Festival, which is scheduled for Thursday, January 28 thru Sunday, January 31, 2010. On-line registration is about to begin and we will be in a dead run from that point on. This is a great event that continues to focus on a wide diversity of educational opportunities, with new offerings every year. Of particular note are the free activities that are family oriented, with a special emphasis on youngsters. Liz has been a key player in media relations and public outreach; I hang around the edges trying to keep everyone happy and looking for new sponsors (translation-financial support). The birds are here, a living testimony to the wonderment that occurs every fall and spring migration along the Pacific Flyway. Now all we need is you. Please join us in celebrating this life force and all that it represents. You won't be disappointed.

Honk! Honk!

The Holiday Season

Once again, the retail world has decided that the Christmas holiday season has arrived sans Thanksgiving. This rankles my soul, as I find our uniquely American celebration in late November much more giving in the true sense of the word. The act of sharing that comes with food on the table and quiet times with friends and family is at the heart of community. I personally feel blessed living in Northern California, especially at this time of year, and I strongly recommend a trip to the River as the leaves fall and a more somber mood marks the transition to the wintry days ahead.

Speaking of transitions, we ended our Fall outings program on a high note. A great group of folks enjoyed our inaugural Sutter Buttes hike with the Yuba Historical Society this last Saturday and we look forward to more adventures in the Spring. We are already working on our 2010 special events calendar and look forward to your participation. We'll keep you posted.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Winding Down

October was crazy busy and November has been much the same. Even though we have had to postpone our 25th Anniversary Celebration until early in 2010, this coming weekend is still holding lots of promise with the film showing scheduled for Sunday at the Sierra Nevada Brewery. This is another example of the Trust's ongoing efforts to collaborate with sister organizations on activities of mutual benefit. In this case, we are working with Friends of Butte Creek, a group that the Trust has had an advocacy relationship with for years. Details of the event are featured on the homepage. Personally, I am looking forward to an evening of good food and the first Chico showing of "Rivers of a Lost Coast". I hope to see you there.

The Trust's final event in November will be another joint venture, in this case a hike in the Sutter Buttes with the Yuba Historical Society. Scheduled for Saturday, November 14, details can be found on our events page. The hike is by reservation only and filling fast, so if you would like to see a new section of the Buttes - Cat Rock Loop - sign up soon.

After the Sutter Buttes, the Trust goes into Snow Goose Festival mode. You will be hearing a lot more about the 11th Annual Festival in the days ahead. For now, keep your ears open (and the geese and related migratory waterfowl are arriving daily) while your eyes feast on the glory that is known as Autumn in the North Valley.

A Special Thanks

What could be better than an evening of great music performed by Ani DiFranco, with the Trust offering a guitar signed by Ani as a fundraiser?! Not sure if there is an answer, but we had a great time on Saturday, October 17 and raised $618 for the Trust in the process. We'd like to especially thank Steve Schuman of North Valley Productions for use of the space and the place to help spread awareness about the Sacramento River. Thanks also to Sally MacMillan of the Music Connection for donating the Epiphone guitar that was raffled off at the end of the evening. Trust member Catie Giusta was a tremendous help at the event and we could not have done this without her (it didn't hurt that she's Liz's sister :)

This was an out-of-the-blue fundraising opportunity for the Trust. If you have ideas that may be of similar benefit to the Trust, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Happy Halloween!

Welcome Autumnal Equinox!

Though it is another warm-bordering-on-hot day, the evenings are quickly cooling down and mornings are a pleasure. I saw my first sandhill cranes flying over on their return journey several days ago, a sign of seasonal changes that always makes me feel both nostalgic and renewed. Another sign are the various Salmon Festivals that take place this time of year. First up is the 15th Annual Oroville Salmon Festival, which is happening this Friday and Saturday, September 25 & 26. For further information please visit www.orovilleareachamber.com . You might want to check it out, as the program is pretty amazing. Good job, Oroville!

Fall is when the Trust goes into high gear in terms of outings and related activities. Please be sure to check our events page as well as regular updates displayed on the home page. Emails and snail mail will be headed your way soon as well (assuming you're a member, of course :)

Let the leaves fall where they may.

Thank You!

Though it has been going on since the 1st of August, the Annie B's Community Campaign kicked into high gear last Thursday at the Downtown Plaza in Chico. The Trust has been an active participant in this multi-county fundraising effort since it began two years ago and is involved this year as well.

There are currently over 200 non-profits utilizing Annie B's as a vehicle for fundraising, so having a gathering in one spot made the Plaza a pretty busy place. The Trust had great table placement on a very warm day and some wonderful volunteers. Our thanks to Tesh Bhattachurya, Jim Dwyer, and Margaret Rader for lending a hand and hats off to Liz for pulling it all together. As a member of the Trust Board, Jim also put up a challenge grant that was met in full by the end of the evening. With the addition of several new members, this was a noteworthy event as far as the Trust is concerned.

The Annie B's campaign continues until the end of September. All donations are welcome and can be made online at www.nvcf.org or by visiting the Trust homepage at www.sacrivertrust.org , which has a direct link to the North Valley Community Foundation's donation page through the Annie B's "button".

Thanks - again - for all your support.

25 Years and Counting

The Trust was founded on this date in 1984 by a small group of individuals who were very concerned about a proposal by the US Army Corps of Engineers to place rock revetment/riprap on every outside bend of the Sacramento River between Red Bluff and Chico. Partly as a consequence, a wide-ranging coalition of groups came together and successfully challenged this particular proposal, the Chico Landing to Red Bluff Project, in court. This project has not seen the light of day since and represents the first of many achievements by the Trust that have led to a healthier Sacramento River for all.

To celebrate the accomplishments of the Trust and her partners over the past 25 years, the Board of Directors and Staff are planning a number of activities over the next year to highlight the diverse steps that have been taken to protect the River along the way. We hope you will join us for a picnic, a float, a hike, a dinner, a presentation, at various times and various locations, and with friends and family and all the partners who have helped us get to where we are today. We have much to be proud of and want to share that information with all who are interested. We also plan on having some fun.

We'll keep you posted.

Annie B's

The Trust has always had a very diverse funding stream, primarily made up of membership dues and donations but including less lucrative (if that term can really be used in the context of the Trust's fundraising efforts :) sources. Starting in 2007, a new source of funds was introduced to the mid-valley region by the North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) called Annie B's Community Drive. The idea behind this program was to generate some percentage of matching funds for monies raised by participating local non-profits during the months of August and September. The Trust has been involved since the beginning, receiving a 14% match the first year and a 10% + match last year. While it is unknown what the match may equal this year, the Trust is once again involved as a participating non-profit.

The current economic climate is clearly having a negative impact on discretionary spending, a category that the Trust falls in for many folks. That said, the first rule of fundraising is to ask. So in asking for your support, what I'd like to point out is that if one can afford to make a donation to the Trust at this time, the Annie B's Community Drive gives extra bang to every buck you send our way.

To find out more about NVCF and the mechanics of Annie B's, please go to www.nvcf.org . To donate directly to the Trust, just click on the Annie B's button found on the upper right side our homepage. Checks are also welcome, made out to the order of "NVCF/SRPT" and mailed to: North Valley Community Foundation, 3120 Cohasset Road, Suite 8, Chico, CA 95973.

Thanks!

We're Back!

Liz and I were pretty much out the door in July. Fun while it lasted, but lots to do now that fall is not that far away (back-to-school sales already?!) Please check out the events page on a regular basis as we will be posting upcoming outings and related activities as they come to our attention.

On that note, you will find the latest River Partners canoe/kayak adventure currently featured on our home page. We have worked with these folks for years and believe you will have a great time if you are able to participate.

Our intention in posting other groups' activities is to both share the work of sister organizations as well as reinforce the message of the Trust as it pertains to river protection and appreciation. There is more than enough to be done by all concerned when it comes to preservation efforts along the Sacramento River and it is the Trust's goal to lend support to like-minded efforts whenever possible.

Paddle forward!

Annual Dinner

Usually we have our Annual Dinner in the fall. This time around, we got overwhelmed and decided to move it to the spring. Both times of year are busy for us, so we'll see what happens. Things seem to be falling into place in terms of music, silent auction, guest speaker, dinner location and the meal itself. All we need are reservations. Maybe the Memorial Day weekend is getting in the way, but we really need to hear from you NOW if you plan on attending. Needless to say, we would love to see you in the room on May 28.

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