Sierra Club
Redwood Chapter Newsletter
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From the Outings Chair Carol Vellutini | |
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The 18th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day was held September 21 with the Russian River Cleanup following on the next weekend. This year the inland sites were expanded to include more of the creeks and estuaries. Statewide we are one of the few areas where there is not a county or city agency funding the cleanup with a paid coordinator. Christie Brown, Heather Baldini, Tim McKay, Bob Clemens, Tom Meldau and yours truly have been the unpaid staff of this event over the years. As the inland creeks become more impacted by our trash, we need to set priorities. Sonoma County in particular needs an agency to step in and be the coordinator of all the events. Congratulations to the city of Santa Rosa for hiring a creek steward. Alistair Bleifus is the contact person for problems along the creeks in the city limits. He participated for the first time this year in the cleanup. Hopefully next year he will do all the coordinating of the Santa Rosa urban creeks. Statewide only two counties have Sierra Club sponsors. They are Sonoma and San Mateo. I applaud Sierra Club volunteers. Redwood Chapter is the only chapter that continues to maintain a high Sierra hut. Thanks to the 13 volunteers that backpacked into Benson Hut led by Jim Gannon. They resurfaced the table and countertop (humans and a porcupine or marmot damaged them). They repaired windows, door hinges, and took out all the old roofing materials. They also collected wood for the winter. Some stayed on to do a backpack to the Granite Chief wilderness area and then went to Peter Grubb Hut to help with the work there. What a group!!! |
Two notable events in Sonoma County were the Sonoma Ridge Trail dedication in Jack London State Historical Park and the Sonoma Developmental Center dedication to the same park of 600 acres. The old orchard was saved from becoming a vineyard by volunteer efforts led by the Sonoma Mountain Preservation Group. Eight to ten agencies were involved for four years to add this property to the park. Volunteers worked for 11 years on this project. Congratulations on their success. On a sour note we still do not have the former McCrea section of completed trail on Sonoma Mountain. It is in the hands of the Maria Hansen Trust and attorneys. How sad. The magnificent views are on this section of trail. We will have an excellent winter program for snow lovers. However these trips fill up fast. Early registration is key to your going on a trip. Also be prepared for winter backcountry trips. Buy needed gear far in advance of going on a trip and please check your old equipment for damage. If a Sno-Park pass is needed purchase it in advance. I am attempting to involve more Gualala, Sea Ranch, Ft. Ross, area members in outings. Watch Needles for info. Fall has arrived. The mountains and coastal beaches are beautiful this time of year. See you on the trail. |