September 17, 2005 - Completion of a One-Year Bird Survey
The Petaluma Wetlands Alliance completed a one-year survey of all the birds seen in or from Shollenberger Park. This survey was done on a weekly basis by five teams of expert birders who rotated on a weekly basis. We thank the team leaders Peter Colasanti, Lisa Hug, Andy LaCasse, Peter Leveque, and Richard Merriss for their outstanding effort. Actually it was a lot of fun, and the teams have agreed to continue the survey into the foreseeable future on a monthly basis. Throughout the year the teams counted about 115,000 birds (a few probably 52 times) representing 149 species. The data is being tabulated and will appear on our website.
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September 20, 2005 - Sixth lecture in the Wetlands Lecture Series: "The Role of PRBO in Conservation Science and How PRBO Envisions Interacting With the Petaluma Community".
Ellie Cohen, Executive Director of Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO), gave a presentation with digital slides to a crowd of about 40 people. Ellie talked of PRBO's many research programs, mainly those which are along the California coast. Currently these research programs extend north into Alaska and south into Central America. She discussed PRBO's strategy of long-term population studies to define the health of ecosystems and the importance of restoring habitat for the maximum number of potential species rather than for just one endangered species.
Ellie also asked for and took suggestions as to how PRBO could work with the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance and the community on issues benefiting the wetlands.
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July 10, 2005 - A Booth at the Art & Garden Festival
PWA had a booth at the Art & Garden Festival, sponsored by the Downtown Petaluma Association. The festival honored the arts and horticulture of Petaluma on July 10th, Sunday, from 11 AM to 5 PM in downtown Petaluma. PWA focused on two topics: what is PWA and California Invasive Weeds Awareness Week.
A number of people signed the volunteer sign-up list to help PWA with upcoming projects.
June 22-23, 2005 - PWA Visits the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary
On June 22-23, 2005 members of PWA visited the Arcata Marsh &Wildlife Sanctuary in Arcata, CA. This wastewater treatment plant and wildlife sanctuary, built in 1980, is the national model for the type of facility we are trying to create at Gray's Ranch. At dinner on the 22nd we met with Mr. Dave Couch, Chairman of Friends of the Arcata Marsh (FOAM). We talked about mutual issues affecting FOAM and PWA. The following morning started with a four-hour walk around the marsh led by Dr. Stan Harris, HSU retired professor of wildlife biology. Stan talked about Arcata Marsh history, wildlife, and habitat issues. He strongly encouraged us to include the words "wildlife sanctuary" in the title of the Gray's Ranch project to define the wildlife habitat as a component of the site. Our site should then be named the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility and Wildlife Sanctuary. In the afternoon we met with Dr. Bob Gearheart, HCU professor of bioengineering, who explained how the Arcata plant and its wetlands purified wastewater. This visit generated increased understanding about polishing wetlands as both wildlife sanctuaries and waste water purifiers. More details from the trip may be obtained by contacting the Chairman of PWA.
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May 30 - June 6, 2005 - Manual Removal of Harding Grass Seed Heads
A concentrated effort began early morning on May 30 to control the smaller, isolated areas of invasive Harding Grass. About a half-dozen PWA Board members and docents with pruners/scissors and garbage bags descended on Shollenberger to remove the seed heads. On Thursday, after school, Lori Tandy brought ten of her third-grade students and four adults to attack the seed heads in Alman Marsh. Throughout the week about 30 people made their way to Shollenberger/Alman Marsh to help remove and bag the Harding Grass seed heads.
May 7, 2005 - Kiosk Lexan Cover Replacements
Peter Colasanti, Andy LaCasse, and Gerald Moore replaced the six kiosk lexan covers which were cloudy from years of weathering. The covers were removed and transported to Tap Plastics, Inc. in Santa Rosa where new lexan covers with precision-drilled holes were cut to fit exactly into the kiosk frame. In mid-afternoon, the new lexan covers were collected from Tap Plastics, and each lexan was put into its corresponding kiosk.
May 2, 2005 - Fish Class: Catching & Identifying Fishes at Shollenberger
Four members of The Bay Institute and Sue Worley, a PWA docent, demonstrated how to seine for and identify fishes. Fishes were netted at four Shollenberger locations: the Petaluma River, below the bridge in Adobe Creek, the freshwater channel, and the central dredging pond. Six different species of fish were netted and identified. The Pacific Staghorn Sculpin, rock crabs, and various clam shells were caught in the Petaluma River; Prickly Sculpin, Threespine Stickleback, and Rainwater Killfish were netted in Adobe Creek; and Crayfish, Prickly Sculpin, and Threespine Stickleback were caught in the freshwater channel and the central dredging pond.
Inland Fishes of California by Peter B. Moyle was recommended for fish identification. Two publications for general reference are available from the San Francisco Estuary Project: Baylands Ecosystem: Species and Community Profiles and Baylands Ecosystem: Habitat Goals. Both publications are available online at www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/sfep/reports.html,
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April 20, 2005 - Fifth lecture in the Wetlands Lecture Series: "Petaluma's Public Wetlands-- the Beauty, the Struggle, and the Promise"
Gerald Moore, Ph.D, presented a slide show to a crowd of about 45 people on our own Petaluma public wetlands along with the history of PWA and PWA's present and future directions. There were many slides showing the diversity and beauty of the wildlife and plants in Schollenberger Park and the adjacent Alman Marsh and Gray's Ranch. Gerald also discussed the plans for the new wastewater treatment facility with the incorporated wetlands and how these plans are based on the successful wastewater treatment facility, the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, in Arcata, California. Dr. Gerald Moore is a Biological Scientist, Freelance Photographer, and Chairman of the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance.
April 29, 2005 - Kiosk Clean-up & Renovation
Four PWA board members worked on the Shollenberger Park/Alman Marsh kiosks. The two remaining kiosks were cleaned, removing years of spider webs, wasp nests, and grime from the interior as well as exterior of the kiosks. To-date, all six kiosks have been cleaned (Bob's kiosk was cleaned earlier) and the rusted/missing hasps replaced. All kiosks were examined for further replacements/repair: weather stripping, sash locks, master locks, and lexan covers.
April 19, 2005 - Thistle Removal and Kiosk Clean-up
Eighteen Whole Foods' managers participitated in a thistle removal at Shollenberger Park and Alman Marsh. Two to three hours of intensive labor resulted in 40 very large bags of prunings plus heaps of cardoon prunings. The managers were divided into two groups: the Shollenberger Park group was led by John Richards, docent at the Petaluma Wetlands, and the Alman Marsh group was led by M.L. Carly of the Native Plants Society.
Two PWA board members cleaned three of the six kiosks, removing years of spider webs, wasp nests, and grime from the interior as well as exterior of the kiosks.
March 29, 2005 - Mud Invertebrate Class: Catching & Identifying Mud Invertebrates at Shollenberger
Sarah Warnock of Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) demonstrated how to obtain invertebrate samples from the mud at various locations in Shollenberger. Samples were taken from Gray's Marsh, the Petaluma river, the freshwater channel, and the dredging pond. The first two sources were the most productive. Samples were put through a 0.5mm sieve. Each sieve with its contents was gently shaken in a 5-gallon bucket of water to remove the mud. The invertebrates were collected in the sieve and transferred to Petri dishes, examined under a microscope, and identified. All ten docents enjoyed this training in spite of intermittent drizzle.
March 22, 2005 - Fourth lecture in the Wetlands Lecture Series: "Concepts of Plant Restoration In Wetlands, Using the Presidio's Crissy Field as a Model"
Betty Young, Program Director of Nursery Operations at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, described the process of the successful plant restoration project in Crissy Field. Crissy Field, a former airfield, was transformed from a concrete-covered area to a marsh, a dune, and a lagoon. Before and after photographs illustrated dramatically the progress of the project, from seed collection to the opening day of the park .
Betty offered numerous tips to PWA for their proposed plant restoration of the Petaluma Wetlands.
March 13, 2005 - Park Clean-up
Around 50 people showed their support of our public wetlands by participating in a clean-up of Shollenberger park and Alman Marsh on this bright, sunny day. The general public helped plus members of Casa Grande High School's Interact Club, sponsored by the Petaluma Vally Rotary Club, and Troop #84 Cub Scouts. The clean-up was scheduled for a day with a morning low tide, to allow pickup of trash close to the riverbanks. Water and refreshments were provided by Mrs Grossman's Paper Company and Barbaras Bakery. Park docents Tommy Smith and Emily Roeder coordinated the effort.
February 23, 2005 - Third lecture in the Wetlands Lecture Series: "The Natural History and Conservation of Heron and Egret Nesting Colonies in the San Francisco Bay Area"
Using beautiful color photographs, maps, and diagrams, Dr. John Kelly described his team's research which included the tracking of heron and egret nesting colonies in the North Bay area. Going into detail with the Great White Egrets, he described the various stages of nesting, beginning with the display of breeding plumage to the successful maturation and flight of egret chicks. Nesting colonies and habitat of Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, Black Crowned Night Herons, and Green Herons were also described. The presentation concluded with fascinating data of the ravens' predation on egret colonies. Dr. Kelly is the Research Director of the Audubon Canyon Ranch and the Cypress Grove Research Center.
January 21-23, 2005 - Petaluma Wetlands' Docents Contribute To 2005 Flyway Festival
More than 50 people came to Shollenberger Park for tours of Shollenberger Park (and Alman Marsh) during the 2005 San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival, January 21-23. The weather was cold and blustery, but many birds were present, and 70 species were observed during the three tours. This included 18 species of ducks, geese, and grebes. During two tours, side trips were made to a vernal pool in Alman marsh where visitors were delighted to see both Cinnamon and Blue-Winged Teal.
Docents also staffed a booth at the Family Wildlife Exploration and Birding Expo at Mare Island on January 22 and 23, answering questions about the Petaluma wetlands and handing out literature. This included our brand new checklist, "Birds of Shollenberger Park and the Petaluma Wetlands".
The following Petaluma wetlands' docents contributed to this effort: Carol Brant, Gary Compari, Stan Gold, Andy LaCasse, Sharon Mansfield, Gerald Moore, Len Nelson, John Richards, Tommy Smith, Ron Storey, and Wayne Till. Mary Edith Moore also volunteered.
---Bob Dyer
January 18, 2005 - Second lecture in the Wetlands Lecture Series
Dr. Peter Leveque, Retired Professor of Biology, Santa Rosa Junior College, entertained a crowd of about 50 people with beautiful slides of birds and habitat. Dr. Leveque accompanied the slides with descriptions and explanations of the fascinating physical adaptations and behaviors of different birds. Attendees also had the opportunity to examine specimens of humming birds, eggs, and other natural objects collected by Dr. Leveque during his observations.
December 7, 2004 - First Lecture in the Wetlands Lecture Series
Anitra Pawley, Ph.D., Senior Ecologist with The Bay Institute gave the first of a series of free public lectures on Wetlands, entitled "Marshes Matter: Tracking the Health of Tidal Wetlands in San Pablo Bay". The lecture was followed by an extensive and lively question and answer session.
This lecture and the others in the Wetland lecture series are sponsored by the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance and The Bay Institute. See the PWA Calendar for details on upcoming lectures.
November 6, 2004 - Nine New Docents for Shollenberger Park
A four-week course completed November 6, 2004, sponsored by the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance and the City of Petaluma, added nine new docents to the roster for the Petaluma wetlands.
Course topics included wetland ecology, flora and fauna, the history of Shollenberger Park and adjoining wetlands, as well as details of our educational efforts directed to local school children. Instruction was provided by resident docents.
New docents were required to enable us to expand our educational services. Several of the new docents have professional experience as schoolteachers or biologists and are already designing new classroom and on-site wetlands activities. It's hoped that we can integrate these new activities into our current, school-docent program by Spring 2005. All our educational services are provided free of charge.
Other anticipated projects for the new docents in 2005 include native plant restoration and the rehabilitation of the Shollenberger Park kiosks.
Information on our docent program and available services may be obtained from Senior Docent Bob Dyer, (707) 763-2934.
October, 2004 - PWA Gets a Grant For Wetlands Education
In October, 2004 PWA received a Supplemental Environmental Project Grant for wetlands education in Shollenberger Park and Alman Marsh. This grant to PWA is part of a larger grant which was split among The Bay Institute, the Casa Grande High School Environmental Science Program, and PWA. The Bay Area Water Quality Control Board awarded the grant after review and approval by the City of Petaluma Water Resources Department and their own review team. The Bay Institute is acting as the overall administrator of the grant. All three groups are working together to coordinate their wetlands education efforts.
The PWA section of the grant is focused on several areas of education:
September, 2004 - Bird Count/Bird Monitoring Program
Shollenberger docents, with the help of outside bird experts from the Redwood Regional Ornithological Society and the Madrone Audubon, have initiated a weekly survey of birds observed from the two-mile loop trail at the park.
The goal of this project is to determine the species using the area, how many, and which season. We will use this data to create accurate seasonal bird lists. It will also be used by Audubon-California in their contribution to the "State of the SF Bay Estuary" program. In addition, the data is shared with the Point Reyes Bird Observatory for their Shore Bird research program.
The surveys started in late September 2004. In just the first ten surveys, over 26,000 birds were recorded by species. We plan to continue these surveys for at least one year. If you are interested in bringing your birding experience to this project, call Bob Dyer at (707) 763-2934.
To read about past activities click here.
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