The News Blog is a place where updates to the guidebooks are posted. It is also a repository for news and information related to the state and national parks of the Bay Area, including upcoming events, benefits, and rallies to support our parks.
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The next quarterly email Newsletter will be sent out on March 31, 2010. Sign up now to have the Newsletter delivered directly to your Inbox.
Current News Blog page:
September 2010
News Blog Archive:
2010: August | July | June | May | April | March | February | January
2009: December | November | October
March 23, 2010
I attended a lecture this evening at the Cavallo Point Resort at Fort Baker. The lecture, entitled Science to Action: Linking Deep Scientific Research to the Real World, was presented by the Institute at the Golden Gate, and is part of the Conversations with Eco-Innovators series which is taking place through May. Dr. Celia A. Harvey from Conservation International, spoke about the role played by deforestation in carbon emissions and climate change. 18% of carbon emissions are caused by deforestation and the degradation of forests, with an additional 14% caused by the effects of agriculture which often replaces land cleared of trees. Most of this is taking place in developing world countries in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Conservation International is working around the world on a variety of projects to remediate the problems caused by deforestation and help encourage alternatives to clear cutting and agricultural expansion. The goal, Dr. Harvey explained, is to work toward REDD, or Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation.
Dr. Harvey also talked about the continuing paradox of biofuels, which have been encouraged in recent years to cut emissions, but whose growth at the same time results in the clearing of forests in order to plant crops for the new biofuels. Her main focus was on ways to apply scientific methods to measuring and monitoring the effects of deforestation. She explained how there is a very exact equation that can measure the mass of a forest and calculate exactly how much carbon will be released into the atmosphere because of the destruction of that forest. Conservation International has developed a tool called OSIRIS that gives governments the ability to compare scenarios and the effects of proposed projects that could destroy forests or expand agricultural land. The long term benefits of REDD consist of more than just slowing the onslaught of climate change, but also increasing wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and the creation of jobs through conservation efforts.
March 20, 2010
The Presidio Trust offered guided tours of two historic buildings this morning, giving visitors a chance to see the results of renovation efforts that have not only preserved the historical integrity of the buildings, but have also enhanced them with sustainability features that will qualify them for LEED certification. I went along on the 11:00 tour, meeting the group in front of the Officers' Club at the Main Post. I boarded the bus and saw that there was already a group of 30-40 people. Jody Sanford from the Presidio Trust gave us some background about the Presidio as the bus took off and headed to the first building.
We arrived at the old Nurses' Quarters in the Public Health District, at the southern edge of the Presidio near the 15th Avenue Gate. The building dates from 1932 and is being renovated, along with the Public Health Service Hospital and the former physicians' quarters along Wyman Avenue. We got off the bus and walked up the stairway, under an ornate light fixture that was preserved from the original building. Inside was light and airy, with large windows that let the sunshine in. The former dormitory rooms have been converted into larger, more spacious rooms, with high ceilings and views looking out over Mountain Lake or the Richmond District. Architect Robert Wallace explained some of the features of the building, and then we explored the first and second floors. The Nurses' Quarters building, which will be used for office space, is aiming for the Silver level of LEED certification, based on energy conservation, solarium rooms to make use of natural light, and water-efficient irrigation systems. The larger hospital building next door, which will be residential, is applying for the Gold level of LEED certification, while a new building being constructed on the site is expected to achieve Platinum, the highest level of all.
Back on the bus, we traveled a short distance to the old Cavalry Barracks, a smaller two-story, wood-frame building that dates from 1902. The building overlooks the stables, where the Cavalry kept their horses. A horse could be seen today from the balcony of the building, probably a police horse from the National Park Service. This building was also light and airy on the inside, with a beautiful ceiling on the first floor that featured intricate designs and the remnants of old Victorian gas fixtures. The two wings of the building wrapped around a small addition that at one time housed a latrine. Today it is graced with trellises that will someday support climbing bougainvillea. On top of this is a living roof, visible from the windows of the second floor, with a graceful collection of native plants. The living roof helps with insulation, filters airborne toxins, controls stormwater runoff, and even provides a habitat for pollinators such as birds, bees, and butterflies.
The Cavalry Barracks, which is designed to house offices or commercial tenants, will be another LEED certified building, helping the Presidio to become a model for sustainability.
March 17, 2010
Everything is so green today, I had to go out for a hike. I made the trek up to Ring Mountain, just above Tiburon. It's not exactly wilderness, but it has some great views of San Francisco and southern Marin. It is also thought to be a power spot in Native American mythology, with petroglyphs carved into rock faces that may have spiritual or astronomical significance. The very subtle, oval-shaped indentations have been chiseled into this lichen-covered metamorphic schist boulder near the top of the mountain, indicating a possible ceremonial site. The origin may be Miwok, or there is speculation that it could be from much older Hokan or Penutian speaking peoples, dating back 5,000 to 8,000 years. This type of rock art is described as pecked curvilinear nucleated (PCN), and is common throughout the California Coast Ranges from Humboldt to Santa Barbara Counties. The petroglyphs cover one side of the rock, and unfortunately have been vandalized by more modern and profane grafitti.
March 15, 2010
What a beautiful spring morning. I got up early and went for one of my favorite hikes on Mount Tamalpais, the canyon of Steep Ravine. Lush and green, Steep Ravine seems like a lost world, where dinosaurs could appear around the next bend in the trail. Webb Creek rushes down the middle of the canyon, surrounded by moss-covered rocks, towering redwoods, and ferns carpeting the steep hillsides. Rough-hewn wooden bridges, built by WPA workers during the Great Depression, criss cross the creek, fitting perfectly into the natural landscape. The small delicate white flowers of Trillium lined the sides of the trail, and at the bottom of the hill there is a patch of Trillium chloropetalum, or Giant Trillium. The flowers of these are blood red and more than six inches across.
The wet and muddy springtime trails of Mount Tamalpais are a great place to spot newts, but you really have to be careful not to step on them. These reddish orange amphibians like to slowly amble across the trails, never in a hurry to move anywhere. Hikers on the mountain develop a keen eye for them whenever the trail goes through marshy or shaded areas.
The Steep Ravine Trail comes out of the forest at Highway 1 and continues on the other side as a small paved road that leads down to the Steep Ravine Cabins. These rustic cabins and campsites are perched on the cliffs overlooking the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. Whole fields of Calla Lilies surround the cabins, along with the towering purple spires of Echium. I found a nice rock to sit on and continued reading Betty Goerke's Chief Marin: Leader, Rebel, and Legend. The warm sun was shining on my face while the sound of the waves lulled me into a relaxed state of well being.
Climbing back up the hill was not easy. It wasn't the steepness of the hill or the many stairways that made it difficult, but rather the idea of having to leave this amazing place. I made it back to Pan Toll and the real world, reluctant to leave my Lost World behind.
March 13, 2010
I attended a lecture by Betty Goerke this morning at the California Alpine Club on Mount Tamalpais. Betty is the author of Chief Marin: Leader, Rebel, and Legend
, a biography of the Miwok chief whose name came to be applied to his homeland of Marin County. Betty gave a great lecture, with everybody in the audience fascinated with the stories of Chief Marin and the Miwok, who once ruled over the lands north of the Golden Gate. She talked about Marin's birthplace, in a village located in what is now Mill Valley, and described a large burial mound that existed in the area well into the American era. She showed slides and gave detailed desciptions of the elaborate clothing and baskets created by the Miwok. Brilliantly colored feather belts were woven, with the bright red feathers from the heads of as many as 125 acorn woodpeckers.
Betty also described the spiritual connection of the Miwok to places in Marin County. Petroglyphs carved in rocks are located in places where the sun casts a shadow on the day of the equinox or the solstice. She mentioned a place near Pan Toll, where on the morning of the equinox, the sun rises in between the two peaks of Mount Diablo, and the possible astronomical significance this may have had for the Miwok. Mountain peaks, ridge tops, and rock outcroppings, such as the one near Rock Spring pictured at left, also were considered places of power.
Betty's book is a great read for such a complex subject - I almost feel like I'm reading a novel that I can't put down. Since I started reading it about a week ago, I've found that I'm looking at my Marin home in a different light, seeing it the way it might have been a couple hundred years ago. The rocks and trees, the hills and landforms, all appear now as if the buildings and freeways have been filtered out, leaving pure nature.
March 9, 2010
Yesterday was a big day. I took part in Park Advocacy Day in Sacramento, an annual event held by the California State Parks Foundation. The purpose of Park Advocacy Day is to bring concerned citizens from all over California to Sacramento to meet with legislators and talk to them about our state parks. The day started off with a briefing in the Secretary of State Auditorium, where Traci Verardo-Torres, California State Parks Foundation Vice President, spoke to us about our mission and goals for the day. This was followed by an inspiring rally on the steps of the State Capitol building, where a number of legislators gave us their enthusiastic support. Among the speakers were my Assemblymember Jared Huffman and my State Senator Mark Leno, who talked about the importance of supporting state parks and the upcoming ballot initiative, which will provide reliable funding for our parks and create jobs, by catching up on the $1 billion backlog of maintenance projects that have been deferred over the years.
After the rally, our team went to meet with Teresa Shilling, an aide to Senator Patricia Wiggins, a Democrat from the second Senate District, which covers much of the North Bay and runs up the North Coast beyond Eureka. Our team of four people was led by Arlene Halligan, and also included Jordan Herrmann, Larry Houghton, and myself. Arlene and Jordan are volunteers with the Mount Tamalpais Interpretive Association, and Larry is a volunteer at Jack London State Park. After lunch we met with Betty Duong, an aide to Assemblymember Joe Coto, a Democrat from the 23rd Assembly District in San Jose. This was followed by a meeting with Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro, a Democrat from the first Assembly District, which covers much of the North Coast. Finally, we ended up the day meeting with Assemblymember Jared Huffman, a Democrat from the sixth Assembly District, which covers Marin and southern Sonoma counties. Our team was lucky in that we were able to meet with legislators who were all overwhelmingly supportive of state parks and receptive to our message.
Assemblymember Jared Huffman went above and beyond our expectations, when he volunteered his support of efforts to bring the #9 Heisler locomotive to Mount Tamalpais. This historic train locomotive used to make the run from Mill Valley along the "Crookedest Railroad in the World" to the top of Mount Tamalpais, and would make a fitting addition to the Gravity Car exhibit which opened last May.
In between meetings with legislators, we had a chance to wander around the beautiful State Capitol Building, which is itself a state park. In talking with the people who work there, who are state park employees and volunteers, we were encouraged to get their wholehearted support for our efforts. After all the meetings were over, we went back to the Secretary of State Auditorium, where Assemblyman Hector De La Torre, Democrat from Los Angeles County, gave a great speech about the political and budgetary crisis that is gripping Sacrademento today. Park Advocacy Day was a great success overall, ending up with a reception at the California Museum, where awards were presented to dozens of organizations throughout the state that have helped to preserve and protect our beautiful state parks.
March 7, 2010
Sunday morning - a beautiful day for a hike in the Marin Headlands. I attended a guided walk at Muir Beach, led by National Park Service ranger Lou Sian, called the Coho Salmon and Spring Walk. The walk started at Muir Beach and we climbed up the hill above the beach on the Coastal Trail, while Lou told us about the restoration project that is going on. Over the next few years, the parking lot will be reoriented alongside the road, and the land around Redwood Creek will be lowered, to offset the years of buildup of sediment that flowed down from Mount Tamalpais. An old levee will be removed, and the wetlands and tidal lagoon will be restored with native plants. All of this is being done to improve the environment for the Coho Salmon that spawn each year in Redwood Creek.
The salmon enter the creek in the winter, after the rains cause the rushing waters to break through the sand bar at the beach, then make their way up through Muir Woods, sometimes as far as Bootjack. The females lay their eggs and the males move in to fertilize them, creating a cycle of life that has gone on for eons. When the salmon hatch, they make their way out to the Pacific Ocean, returning as adults to the same creek they were born in when it is time to spawn. An amazing story - one that is in danger of ending because of the human alteration of the environment.
This weekend saw the passing of Dr. Edgar Wayburn at 103 years of age. The former president of the Sierra Club was instrumental in saving wilderness throughout the Bay Area and beyond. His efforts led to the expansion of Mount Tamalpais State Park, as well as the creation of Point Reyes National Seashore and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. A giant of the conservation movement has left us and will be sorely missed.
March 4, 2010
Angel Island is showing signs of recovering from the fire that swept across the southern side of the island in October, 2008. The winter rains have been pounding the island, helping to break down the charred remains of hundreds of trees that were burned. As damaging as a fire may seem, in the natural environment it has the effect of renewing and enriching the landscape, restoring organic matter, clearing insect-infested underbrush, and greatly increasing the fertility of the soil.
This is evident in the burn zone of Angel Island, where a rich green carpet of grasses, vines, and mosses covers the hillsides, still marred by the skeletal remains of trees. It will be decades before the land is healed completely, but the natural processes are at work now, greatly aided by the steady rains of this winter. We've been lucky that there have been small breaks in between storms, allowing the water to sink into the ground and preventing mudslides. Now we can see the healing process, with verdant hillsides and a rich profusion of wildflowers.
March 3, 2010
The signature drive is well under way now to put the California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010 on the November ballot. The initiative, which has broad support among environmental, conservation, labor, business, and tourism organizations, would create a stable, reliable source of funding for the 278 California State Parks. The money would come from an $18 vehicle surcharge, which could generate up to $500 million annually and provide free access to state parks for all California residents.
If passed, the initiative would help create thousands of jobs throughout California at a minimal cost to each person. The state parks currently have a backlog of $1 billion in deferred maintenance projects, many of which could be started on January 1, 2011. Visitors to state parks currently spend $4.32 BILLION annually on visits to parks, with an average expenditure of $57.63 per person going to surrounding communities. For every $1 spent by the state on parks, $2.35 is generated for the California treasury. Maintaining our state parks is a sound investment not only in our natural heritage, but also in our economy, which desperately needs the help right now.
Look for the petition gatherers, at Safeways, Costcos, farmers markets, and other locations around the state. The goal is to get 710,000 signatures by early April in order to qualify the initiative for the November ballot.
March 1, 2010
Had a nice early morning hike this morning, in spite of the cold cloudy weather. I started at sunrise and did the Grand Presidio Loop Hike, from A Visitor's Guide to the Presidio of San Francisco. I want to keep the hike description up to date and also to check on the progress of some areas that have been under construction. The Presidio seems like a giant construction site these days, with projects taking place all over, especially the Doyle Drive replacement project. From the Main Post, I wandered along Lincoln Boulevard, through the worst of the construction, having to take several detours along the way. Arriving at the Golden Gate Bridge, there were already throngs of tourists, with tour buses pulling into the parking lot one after another. I slipped past the crowds and got onto the Coastal Trail, suddenly in solitude and almost wilderness. Even the noise from the traffic and the crowds was drowned out by the waves crashing below the cliffs along Baker Beach.
I took the Batteries to Bluffs Trail along the cliffs, and then the little side trail down to Marshall's Beach, a beautiful place for a solitary walk in the early morning. Then up to Battery Crosby to take in the dramatic views in all directions. I crossed Lincoln Boulevard and up the hill to the Immigrant Point overlook, a great place to rest and dry off the sweat. It wasn't so cold anymore and I even had to take off my coat. I continued on the De Anza Trail and went up to see the Rob Hill campground. The renovation is still underway, and all I could see through the fence was a lot of construction equipment. It is due to reopen in June. I went through the forest, across the Golf Course, and then made a side trip to see the new apartment buildings that are being created out of the old hospital near the 15th Avenue Gate. Known as the Presidio Landmark, these apartments are slated to open this summer. Right now, there is still a lot of construction going on, so it was hard to get a good look. The planned overlook above Lobos Creek is also still a massive construction site.
When I returned to the Main Post, I heard the distinctive sound of the flocks of wild parrots that like to frequent the palm trees around the Parade Ground. For as much noise as they make, they are usually difficult to see, blending in with their surroundings or hiding among the palm fronds. I could see them flitting from tree to tree, disappearing quickly into the foliage, making it difficult to take a picture. Then I spotted two of them who made no attempt to hide, as they playfully squawked at me from their perch at the top of a palm frond.
Look for Way Out There Press on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=346012300719.
Become a fan and get news and updates on your News Feed.
NOTE:
The next quarterly email Newsletter will be sent out on March 31, 2010. Sign up now to have the Newsletter delivered directly to your Inbox.
Current News Blog page:
September 2010
News Blog Archive:
2010: August | July | June | May | April | March | February | January
2009: December | November | October
March 23, 2010
I attended a lecture this evening at the Cavallo Point Resort at Fort Baker. The lecture, entitled Science to Action: Linking Deep Scientific Research to the Real World, was presented by the Institute at the Golden Gate, and is part of the Conversations with Eco-Innovators series which is taking place through May. Dr. Celia A. Harvey from Conservation International, spoke about the role played by deforestation in carbon emissions and climate change. 18% of carbon emissions are caused by deforestation and the degradation of forests, with an additional 14% caused by the effects of agriculture which often replaces land cleared of trees. Most of this is taking place in developing world countries in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Conservation International is working around the world on a variety of projects to remediate the problems caused by deforestation and help encourage alternatives to clear cutting and agricultural expansion. The goal, Dr. Harvey explained, is to work toward REDD, or Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation.
Dr. Harvey also talked about the continuing paradox of biofuels, which have been encouraged in recent years to cut emissions, but whose growth at the same time results in the clearing of forests in order to plant crops for the new biofuels. Her main focus was on ways to apply scientific methods to measuring and monitoring the effects of deforestation. She explained how there is a very exact equation that can measure the mass of a forest and calculate exactly how much carbon will be released into the atmosphere because of the destruction of that forest. Conservation International has developed a tool called OSIRIS that gives governments the ability to compare scenarios and the effects of proposed projects that could destroy forests or expand agricultural land. The long term benefits of REDD consist of more than just slowing the onslaught of climate change, but also increasing wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and the creation of jobs through conservation efforts.
March 20, 2010The Presidio Trust offered guided tours of two historic buildings this morning, giving visitors a chance to see the results of renovation efforts that have not only preserved the historical integrity of the buildings, but have also enhanced them with sustainability features that will qualify them for LEED certification. I went along on the 11:00 tour, meeting the group in front of the Officers' Club at the Main Post. I boarded the bus and saw that there was already a group of 30-40 people. Jody Sanford from the Presidio Trust gave us some background about the Presidio as the bus took off and headed to the first building.
We arrived at the old Nurses' Quarters in the Public Health District, at the southern edge of the Presidio near the 15th Avenue Gate. The building dates from 1932 and is being renovated, along with the Public Health Service Hospital and the former physicians' quarters along Wyman Avenue. We got off the bus and walked up the stairway, under an ornate light fixture that was preserved from the original building. Inside was light and airy, with large windows that let the sunshine in. The former dormitory rooms have been converted into larger, more spacious rooms, with high ceilings and views looking out over Mountain Lake or the Richmond District. Architect Robert Wallace explained some of the features of the building, and then we explored the first and second floors. The Nurses' Quarters building, which will be used for office space, is aiming for the Silver level of LEED certification, based on energy conservation, solarium rooms to make use of natural light, and water-efficient irrigation systems. The larger hospital building next door, which will be residential, is applying for the Gold level of LEED certification, while a new building being constructed on the site is expected to achieve Platinum, the highest level of all.
Back on the bus, we traveled a short distance to the old Cavalry Barracks, a smaller two-story, wood-frame building that dates from 1902. The building overlooks the stables, where the Cavalry kept their horses. A horse could be seen today from the balcony of the building, probably a police horse from the National Park Service. This building was also light and airy on the inside, with a beautiful ceiling on the first floor that featured intricate designs and the remnants of old Victorian gas fixtures. The two wings of the building wrapped around a small addition that at one time housed a latrine. Today it is graced with trellises that will someday support climbing bougainvillea. On top of this is a living roof, visible from the windows of the second floor, with a graceful collection of native plants. The living roof helps with insulation, filters airborne toxins, controls stormwater runoff, and even provides a habitat for pollinators such as birds, bees, and butterflies.
The Cavalry Barracks, which is designed to house offices or commercial tenants, will be another LEED certified building, helping the Presidio to become a model for sustainability.
March 17, 2010Everything is so green today, I had to go out for a hike. I made the trek up to Ring Mountain, just above Tiburon. It's not exactly wilderness, but it has some great views of San Francisco and southern Marin. It is also thought to be a power spot in Native American mythology, with petroglyphs carved into rock faces that may have spiritual or astronomical significance. The very subtle, oval-shaped indentations have been chiseled into this lichen-covered metamorphic schist boulder near the top of the mountain, indicating a possible ceremonial site. The origin may be Miwok, or there is speculation that it could be from much older Hokan or Penutian speaking peoples, dating back 5,000 to 8,000 years. This type of rock art is described as pecked curvilinear nucleated (PCN), and is common throughout the California Coast Ranges from Humboldt to Santa Barbara Counties. The petroglyphs cover one side of the rock, and unfortunately have been vandalized by more modern and profane grafitti.
March 15, 2010What a beautiful spring morning. I got up early and went for one of my favorite hikes on Mount Tamalpais, the canyon of Steep Ravine. Lush and green, Steep Ravine seems like a lost world, where dinosaurs could appear around the next bend in the trail. Webb Creek rushes down the middle of the canyon, surrounded by moss-covered rocks, towering redwoods, and ferns carpeting the steep hillsides. Rough-hewn wooden bridges, built by WPA workers during the Great Depression, criss cross the creek, fitting perfectly into the natural landscape. The small delicate white flowers of Trillium lined the sides of the trail, and at the bottom of the hill there is a patch of Trillium chloropetalum, or Giant Trillium. The flowers of these are blood red and more than six inches across.
The wet and muddy springtime trails of Mount Tamalpais are a great place to spot newts, but you really have to be careful not to step on them. These reddish orange amphibians like to slowly amble across the trails, never in a hurry to move anywhere. Hikers on the mountain develop a keen eye for them whenever the trail goes through marshy or shaded areas.
The Steep Ravine Trail comes out of the forest at Highway 1 and continues on the other side as a small paved road that leads down to the Steep Ravine Cabins. These rustic cabins and campsites are perched on the cliffs overlooking the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. Whole fields of Calla Lilies surround the cabins, along with the towering purple spires of Echium. I found a nice rock to sit on and continued reading Betty Goerke's Chief Marin: Leader, Rebel, and Legend. The warm sun was shining on my face while the sound of the waves lulled me into a relaxed state of well being.
Climbing back up the hill was not easy. It wasn't the steepness of the hill or the many stairways that made it difficult, but rather the idea of having to leave this amazing place. I made it back to Pan Toll and the real world, reluctant to leave my Lost World behind.
March 13, 2010I attended a lecture by Betty Goerke this morning at the California Alpine Club on Mount Tamalpais. Betty is the author of Chief Marin: Leader, Rebel, and Legend
, a biography of the Miwok chief whose name came to be applied to his homeland of Marin County. Betty gave a great lecture, with everybody in the audience fascinated with the stories of Chief Marin and the Miwok, who once ruled over the lands north of the Golden Gate. She talked about Marin's birthplace, in a village located in what is now Mill Valley, and described a large burial mound that existed in the area well into the American era. She showed slides and gave detailed desciptions of the elaborate clothing and baskets created by the Miwok. Brilliantly colored feather belts were woven, with the bright red feathers from the heads of as many as 125 acorn woodpeckers.
Betty also described the spiritual connection of the Miwok to places in Marin County. Petroglyphs carved in rocks are located in places where the sun casts a shadow on the day of the equinox or the solstice. She mentioned a place near Pan Toll, where on the morning of the equinox, the sun rises in between the two peaks of Mount Diablo, and the possible astronomical significance this may have had for the Miwok. Mountain peaks, ridge tops, and rock outcroppings, such as the one near Rock Spring pictured at left, also were considered places of power.
Betty's book is a great read for such a complex subject - I almost feel like I'm reading a novel that I can't put down. Since I started reading it about a week ago, I've found that I'm looking at my Marin home in a different light, seeing it the way it might have been a couple hundred years ago. The rocks and trees, the hills and landforms, all appear now as if the buildings and freeways have been filtered out, leaving pure nature.
March 9, 2010Yesterday was a big day. I took part in Park Advocacy Day in Sacramento, an annual event held by the California State Parks Foundation. The purpose of Park Advocacy Day is to bring concerned citizens from all over California to Sacramento to meet with legislators and talk to them about our state parks. The day started off with a briefing in the Secretary of State Auditorium, where Traci Verardo-Torres, California State Parks Foundation Vice President, spoke to us about our mission and goals for the day. This was followed by an inspiring rally on the steps of the State Capitol building, where a number of legislators gave us their enthusiastic support. Among the speakers were my Assemblymember Jared Huffman and my State Senator Mark Leno, who talked about the importance of supporting state parks and the upcoming ballot initiative, which will provide reliable funding for our parks and create jobs, by catching up on the $1 billion backlog of maintenance projects that have been deferred over the years.
After the rally, our team went to meet with Teresa Shilling, an aide to Senator Patricia Wiggins, a Democrat from the second Senate District, which covers much of the North Bay and runs up the North Coast beyond Eureka. Our team of four people was led by Arlene Halligan, and also included Jordan Herrmann, Larry Houghton, and myself. Arlene and Jordan are volunteers with the Mount Tamalpais Interpretive Association, and Larry is a volunteer at Jack London State Park. After lunch we met with Betty Duong, an aide to Assemblymember Joe Coto, a Democrat from the 23rd Assembly District in San Jose. This was followed by a meeting with Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro, a Democrat from the first Assembly District, which covers much of the North Coast. Finally, we ended up the day meeting with Assemblymember Jared Huffman, a Democrat from the sixth Assembly District, which covers Marin and southern Sonoma counties. Our team was lucky in that we were able to meet with legislators who were all overwhelmingly supportive of state parks and receptive to our message.
Assemblymember Jared Huffman went above and beyond our expectations, when he volunteered his support of efforts to bring the #9 Heisler locomotive to Mount Tamalpais. This historic train locomotive used to make the run from Mill Valley along the "Crookedest Railroad in the World" to the top of Mount Tamalpais, and would make a fitting addition to the Gravity Car exhibit which opened last May.
In between meetings with legislators, we had a chance to wander around the beautiful State Capitol Building, which is itself a state park. In talking with the people who work there, who are state park employees and volunteers, we were encouraged to get their wholehearted support for our efforts. After all the meetings were over, we went back to the Secretary of State Auditorium, where Assemblyman Hector De La Torre, Democrat from Los Angeles County, gave a great speech about the political and budgetary crisis that is gripping Sacrademento today. Park Advocacy Day was a great success overall, ending up with a reception at the California Museum, where awards were presented to dozens of organizations throughout the state that have helped to preserve and protect our beautiful state parks.
March 7, 2010Sunday morning - a beautiful day for a hike in the Marin Headlands. I attended a guided walk at Muir Beach, led by National Park Service ranger Lou Sian, called the Coho Salmon and Spring Walk. The walk started at Muir Beach and we climbed up the hill above the beach on the Coastal Trail, while Lou told us about the restoration project that is going on. Over the next few years, the parking lot will be reoriented alongside the road, and the land around Redwood Creek will be lowered, to offset the years of buildup of sediment that flowed down from Mount Tamalpais. An old levee will be removed, and the wetlands and tidal lagoon will be restored with native plants. All of this is being done to improve the environment for the Coho Salmon that spawn each year in Redwood Creek.
The salmon enter the creek in the winter, after the rains cause the rushing waters to break through the sand bar at the beach, then make their way up through Muir Woods, sometimes as far as Bootjack. The females lay their eggs and the males move in to fertilize them, creating a cycle of life that has gone on for eons. When the salmon hatch, they make their way out to the Pacific Ocean, returning as adults to the same creek they were born in when it is time to spawn. An amazing story - one that is in danger of ending because of the human alteration of the environment.
This weekend saw the passing of Dr. Edgar Wayburn at 103 years of age. The former president of the Sierra Club was instrumental in saving wilderness throughout the Bay Area and beyond. His efforts led to the expansion of Mount Tamalpais State Park, as well as the creation of Point Reyes National Seashore and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. A giant of the conservation movement has left us and will be sorely missed.
March 4, 2010Angel Island is showing signs of recovering from the fire that swept across the southern side of the island in October, 2008. The winter rains have been pounding the island, helping to break down the charred remains of hundreds of trees that were burned. As damaging as a fire may seem, in the natural environment it has the effect of renewing and enriching the landscape, restoring organic matter, clearing insect-infested underbrush, and greatly increasing the fertility of the soil.
This is evident in the burn zone of Angel Island, where a rich green carpet of grasses, vines, and mosses covers the hillsides, still marred by the skeletal remains of trees. It will be decades before the land is healed completely, but the natural processes are at work now, greatly aided by the steady rains of this winter. We've been lucky that there have been small breaks in between storms, allowing the water to sink into the ground and preventing mudslides. Now we can see the healing process, with verdant hillsides and a rich profusion of wildflowers.
March 3, 2010The signature drive is well under way now to put the California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010 on the November ballot. The initiative, which has broad support among environmental, conservation, labor, business, and tourism organizations, would create a stable, reliable source of funding for the 278 California State Parks. The money would come from an $18 vehicle surcharge, which could generate up to $500 million annually and provide free access to state parks for all California residents.
If passed, the initiative would help create thousands of jobs throughout California at a minimal cost to each person. The state parks currently have a backlog of $1 billion in deferred maintenance projects, many of which could be started on January 1, 2011. Visitors to state parks currently spend $4.32 BILLION annually on visits to parks, with an average expenditure of $57.63 per person going to surrounding communities. For every $1 spent by the state on parks, $2.35 is generated for the California treasury. Maintaining our state parks is a sound investment not only in our natural heritage, but also in our economy, which desperately needs the help right now.
Look for the petition gatherers, at Safeways, Costcos, farmers markets, and other locations around the state. The goal is to get 710,000 signatures by early April in order to qualify the initiative for the November ballot.
March 1, 2010
Had a nice early morning hike this morning, in spite of the cold cloudy weather. I started at sunrise and did the Grand Presidio Loop Hike, from A Visitor's Guide to the Presidio of San Francisco. I want to keep the hike description up to date and also to check on the progress of some areas that have been under construction. The Presidio seems like a giant construction site these days, with projects taking place all over, especially the Doyle Drive replacement project. From the Main Post, I wandered along Lincoln Boulevard, through the worst of the construction, having to take several detours along the way. Arriving at the Golden Gate Bridge, there were already throngs of tourists, with tour buses pulling into the parking lot one after another. I slipped past the crowds and got onto the Coastal Trail, suddenly in solitude and almost wilderness. Even the noise from the traffic and the crowds was drowned out by the waves crashing below the cliffs along Baker Beach.
I took the Batteries to Bluffs Trail along the cliffs, and then the little side trail down to Marshall's Beach, a beautiful place for a solitary walk in the early morning. Then up to Battery Crosby to take in the dramatic views in all directions. I crossed Lincoln Boulevard and up the hill to the Immigrant Point overlook, a great place to rest and dry off the sweat. It wasn't so cold anymore and I even had to take off my coat. I continued on the De Anza Trail and went up to see the Rob Hill campground. The renovation is still underway, and all I could see through the fence was a lot of construction equipment. It is due to reopen in June. I went through the forest, across the Golf Course, and then made a side trip to see the new apartment buildings that are being created out of the old hospital near the 15th Avenue Gate. Known as the Presidio Landmark, these apartments are slated to open this summer. Right now, there is still a lot of construction going on, so it was hard to get a good look. The planned overlook above Lobos Creek is also still a massive construction site.
When I returned to the Main Post, I heard the distinctive sound of the flocks of wild parrots that like to frequent the palm trees around the Parade Ground. For as much noise as they make, they are usually difficult to see, blending in with their surroundings or hiding among the palm fronds. I could see them flitting from tree to tree, disappearing quickly into the foliage, making it difficult to take a picture. Then I spotted two of them who made no attempt to hide, as they playfully squawked at me from their perch at the top of a palm frond.