Watershed Awareness Month – May, 2005
The month of May 2005 is being celebrated as Watershed Awareness Month in the State of California to encourage all Californians to learn more about their local watersheds and participate in activities to enhance their natural surroundings and communities. The California Watershed Network sponsored the concept of Watershed Awareness Month and Governor Schwarzenegger signed a proclamation formally recognizing the event and the importance of maintaining and improving California’s watersheds to protect public health, fisheries, wildlife, agriculture, economic development and recreational activities.
NapaCounty has a lot to celebrate in terms of watershed awareness as we are home to several very beautiful and vibrant watersheds. The Napa County Board of supervisors will recognize Watershed Awareness Month for NapaCounty at their May 3rd meeting and several events to celebrate our watersheds are planned throughout the month. For a full listing of events and to learn more about our local watersheds visit the Watershed Information Center & Conservancy WebCenter at
Scheduled Events in NapaCounty’s Watersheds
Sunday, May 1
Coyote Peak Trail Hike at BotheState Park
8:45 meet time at Horse Trailer parking near the park
Enjoy views of SpringMountain and Mt.St. Helena as you travel through the wooded Ritchey Creek Watershed.
Event Sponsor: Sierra Club – Napa Group
Contact: Isabelle, 258-8969 after 7pm.
Saturday, May 7
Watershed Awareness Day on Salvador Creek
10:00 am - 2:00 pm near GarfieldPark along Salvador Creek in Napa
Local agencies and organizations will have booths promoting environmental stewardship and conservation. Planned events include nonnative plant removal, collection & analysis of aqautic insects, plant & animal identification, and creek cleanup.
Event Sponsors: Salvador Creek Stewardship Group, Napa County Resource Conservation District,
Napa County Flood Control District, and Acorn Soupe.
Contact: Michael Champion, Napa County Resource Conservation District, 252-4188 ext. 111.
Celebrate the NapaRiver
2:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Downtown Napa and Copia river access points &
on the NapaRiver between Trancas and Lincoln Streets
A one-day river celebration, featuring an educational and entertaining day on the Napa River, followed by a great evening by the Napa River to generate an increased awareness and appreciation of the Napa River as a vital resource to the community
Event Sponsor: Friends of the NapaRiver and Napa Downtown Association
Contact: Laila Aghaie, Friends of the NapaRiver, 254-8520
Kids’ Hike at Point Reyes National Seashore
Kids of all ages are welcome on this easy hike along Earthquake Trail and the Woodpecker Trail. Expect to see wildlife and wild flowers!
Event Sponsor: Sierra Club – Napa Group
Contact: Gina, 967-8456
Sunday, May 8
Annual Mothers Day Hike at Tuteur & GreenValley Ranches
Join guide, John Tuteur, for a new variation on an annual hill and ranchland ramble.
Event Sponsors: Land Trust of NapaCounty, Sierra Club, and Bay Area Ridge Trails
Contact: Land Trust of NapaCounty, 252-3270
Thursday, May 12
The Importance of Riparian Buffers for Fish & Wildlife
10:30 am - 11:30 am at Yountville Community Hall
Jonathan Koehler, Senior Biologist with the Napa County Resource Conservation District, will introduce you to a myriad of species in NapaCounty that depend on this delicate edge between land and water and discuss on-going protection efforts.
Sponsor:Town of Yountville’s Community Service’s Department “On the Other Hand” Speaker Program and Napa County RCD
Contact:Kenneth Leary, Town of Yountville, 944-8712
Saturday, May 14
Henry Ranch Birding
Join Herb McGrew on this birding trip to the renowned Henry Ranch area – enjoy native oaks, grasslands and rolling hills in the Carneros region of NapaValley. We will finish with a BYO picnic lunch.
Sponsor: Land Trust of NapaCounty
Contact: Land Trust of NapaCounty, 252-3270
The Importance of Riparian Buffers for Fish & Wildlife
10: 00 am - 12:00 pm at CarolynParrNatureMuseum
Jonathan Koehler, Senior Biologist with the Napa County Resource Conservation District, will introduce you to a myriad of species in NapaCounty that depend on this delicate edge between land and water and discuss on-going protection efforts.
Sponsors:CarolynParrNatureMuseum and Napa County Resource Conservation District
Contact:CarolynParrNatureMuseum, 255-6465
Sunday, May 15
Buchli Station Bird Preserve Hike
8:30 am – 11:30 am at Buchli Station. Meet in Parking Lot
Enjoy watching local and migratory birds and other wildlife on a half-day hike following the old salt pond dikes in the Napa Marsh.
Event Sponsor: Sierra Club
Contact: Penny, 944-2058
Saturday, May 21
Native Meadow Maintenance at di Rosa Preserve
9:30 am at the di Rosa Preserve
Get active at the di Rosa Preserve while helping to improve a native grass meadow. In addition, tour a creek restoration project completed by Sterling Vineyards, enjoy rare pieces of art, and take a leisurely stroll to see the Preserve’s wind sculpture. Come prepared to be out in the sun. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, sunscreen, a hat, gardening gloves, a spade, and a sack lunch.
Sponsors: DiRosa Preserve, Carneros Creek Stewardship, Sterling Vineyards, and Napa County Resource Conservation District
Contact: RSVP is required, please contact Ann Trinca at 226-5991 ext. 17
Napa County’s Wetlands: A Vital Resource
10: 00 am - 12:00 pm at CarolynParrNatureCenter
Discover the wide variety of wetlands and marshes found throughout NapaCounty and find out how they help improve water quality, reduce flooding, and provide wildlife habitat.
Sponsors:CarolynParrNatureCenter and Napa County Resource Conservation District
Contact:CarolynParrNatureCenter, 255-6465
Sunday, May 22
Anderson Marshes, ClearLake Paddle
Enjoy quiet exploration of the marshes at the base of ClearLake. Paddle in the reeds and trees while observing local and migratory birds.
Event Sponsor: Sierra Club
Contact: Isabelle, 253-8969 after 7:00 pm
Wednesday, May 25
Water Quality Monitoring - A Basic Training
9:00 am – 11:00 am at the NapaRiver Eco-Preserve in Yountville
Be trained to join a team of dedicated volunteers who collect water quality data in NapaCounty. Water quality parameters of interest include dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and electrical conductivity.
Event Sponsors:NapaCountyFarm Bureau, NapaValley Grape Growers Association, and Napa County Resource Conservation District
Contact: RSVP requested, contact Alyssa Malin, Napa RCD, 252-4188 ext. 100