Sierra Club
Redwood Chapter Newsletter
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From the Outings Chair Carol Vellutini | |
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I would like to thank Steve Devoto and Paul Bozzo for leading Roger Lamb's Peter Grubb Hut trip. Unfortunately Roger broke his ankle and has been out of commission. The trip went wellso nice when people help out. Roger will be back leading in a few months. We missed you, Roger. The Sonoma Group leaders thank the Sierra Singles for purchasing two-way radios for outings. They were used effectively on the snow trip. Radios add a layer of safety to trips. The radios are available for all Sonoma Group leaders. Please don't miss the various birding experiences held at this time of year. If you haven't experienced the migrations it's a must see. There are over 80 excursions for most of these events. Check out the web sites: usually in April at Burns, Oregon the John Scarff Migratory Bird Festival; www.harneycounty.com/1BrdTour.htm, the Aleutian Goose Festival, in Crescent City March 21-25 www.redwoodlink.com/soar in Arcata, April 18-21 Godwit Days www.godwitdays.com. Our North Group is lucky. They have so many festivals in their area. I explored the Klamath and North Coast Bioregion last year and it was an experience I will never forget. The Smith River and the Lake Earl Coastal Lagoon have thousands of birds. |
Leading outings in Sonoma County has made me acutely aware of the woodlands lost to vineyards. John Muir told us to go to the wild places. We are losing our wild places forever. We are losing our oak woodlands, our conifer forests, and our redwood forests. Our water quality and groundwater availability are impacted. On an outing to Pepperwood this year, my group looked over toward majestic Mt. St. Helena. The new vineyard there is visible from where we were and from the top of Mt. St. Helena. Our viewshed was impacted. More importantly, the infinitely complex forest ecosystem was changed forever. This biological desert replaced hills of wildflowers and woodlands. Some were special as there are serpentine soils off Ida Clayton Rd. Right now you have a chance to help Sierra Club with language to address the vineyard conversions. We need help. The Sonoma County General Plan update will guide these projects. Our Sonoma Group has a committee (newly formed) to address concerns. Email peter@remss.com to be put on a list for updates. You are the stewards of the land. Act now. Don't forget to visit the Sierra Club's Clair Tappaan Lodge. If it's not used we will lose it. Leaders are asked to include the lodge as base camp for Sierra outings. |