Invasive Plants Oak Programs - American River Parkway ... · PDF fileLast summer, SAMBA also...
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OUTLOOK Summer 2008 Invasive Plants e Foundation has been involved in the invasive plant management program since 2004. We are responsible for maintaining 800 acres of invasive plants. ose plants are: spanish broom, red sesbania, yellow star thistle, oleander, pampas grass, French and scotch broom, pyracantha, Chinese tallow and tamarisk. As the weather warms it causes the seeds of invasive plants to germinate and spread. Our goal is to remove the seeds at the beginning of the germination process and monitor the areas of any new outgrowth. Some might wonder why does this matter? For native plants such as Oak trees and deer grass, the root systems need to develop. Non native plants draw water out of the ground and starve out the natives. Non native plants don’t have pests and therefore can grow faster and have unimpeded growth. Along the shoreline Willows and cotton woods grow over the shoreline which produces shade and provides for fish habitat. A non native such as red sesbania grows rampant along the shoreline, and prohibits access to the river for animals and humans. Beginning in January of 2009, the Foundation will be responsible for maintaining the Invasive Plant patrols for the entire Parkway. How can you help? Become a member of a plant patrol and become trained on identifying and removing the invasives. Oak Programs e other program the Foundation is charged with monitoring is the Oak Mitigation. We are responsible for planting 2400 oak trees in specified areas of the parkway. e trees are planted in areas in which full grown will not interfere with the flow of water through the river. e trees are planted in grooves. Some have begun as seedlings and others as acorns. Due to the ground being hard, the conditions do not guarantee a 100% survival rate so therefore the Foundation volunteers and staff plant additional acorns. During the summer months our biggest concern is that the groves receive enough water. is is why the Foundation has created the Adopt a Grove program. We have school groups, businesses and rotary clubs as well as individuals maintain a grove. e groves are located in Discovery Park, Upper and Lower Sunrise and River Bend Park. If interested in helping please contact the Foundation. Why plant the Oaks? By increasing the forest canopy in the parkway it reduces the amount of weeds that flourish in the hot sun due to lack of shade, especially, yellow star thistle. As with any tree, the canopy of oak trees along the parkway is aging, some fall and other are affected by storms. It can take generations for these trees to re-grow, so by planting the acorns we can help with the reforestation. e oak tree is a micro-organism, the pests and animals that live in them are ensured shelter and food from their leaves. One of the most important features of the oak tree is its sheer beauty, and they are a wonderful place to have a picnic under along the parkway shores. Membership Has its Privileges e Foundation will embark on a new membership campaign to generate additional funding for our current programs and for those in the future. We have created new levels of membership each with their own benefits. Membership will range from $35 to the sky’s the limit! Please look for our upcoming mailing in your mailboxes by late August. In fact if your become a member before November 30th you will receive a special bonus!
Transcript of Invasive Plants Oak Programs - American River Parkway ... · PDF fileLast summer, SAMBA also...
OUTLOOK Summer 2008
Invasive PlantsThe Foundation has been involved in the invasive plant management program since 2004. We are responsible for maintaining 800 acres of invasive plants. Those plants are: spanish broom, red sesbania, yellow star thistle, oleander, pampas grass, French and scotch broom, pyracantha, Chinese tallow and tamarisk.
As the weather warms it causes the seeds of invasive plants to germinate and spread. Our goal is to remove the seeds at the beginning of the germination process and monitor the areas of any new outgrowth.
Some might wonder why does this matter? For native plants such as Oak trees and deer grass, the root systems need to develop. Non native plants draw water out of the ground and starve out the natives. Non native plants don’t have pests and therefore can grow faster and have unimpeded growth.
Along the shoreline Willows and cotton woods grow over the shoreline which produces shade and provides for fish habitat. A non native such as red sesbania grows rampant along the shoreline, and prohibits access to the river for animals and humans.
Beginning in January of 2009, the Foundation will be responsible for maintaining the Invasive Plant patrols for the entire Parkway. How can you help? Become a member of a plant patrol and become trained on identifying and removing the invasives.
Oak ProgramsThe other program the Foundation is charged with monitoring is the Oak Mitigation. We are responsible for planting 2400 oak trees in specified areas of the parkway. The trees are planted in areas in which full grown will not interfere with the flow of water through the river.
The trees are planted in grooves. Some have begun as seedlings and others as acorns. Due to the ground being hard, the conditions do not guarantee a 100% survival rate so therefore the Foundation volunteers and staff plant additional acorns.
During the summer months our biggest concern is that the groves receive enough water. This is why the Foundation has created the Adopt a Grove program. We have school groups, businesses and rotary clubs as well as individuals maintain a grove. The groves are located in Discovery Park, Upper and Lower Sunrise and River Bend Park. If interested in helping please contact the Foundation.
Why plant the Oaks?
By increasing the forest canopy in the parkway it reduces the amount of weeds that flourish in the hot sun due to lack of shade, especially, yellow star thistle.
As with any tree, the canopy of oak trees along the parkway is aging, some fall and other are affected by storms. It can take generations for these trees to re-grow, so by planting the acorns we can help with the reforestation.
The oak tree is a micro-organism, the pests and animals that live in them are ensured shelter and food from their leaves.
One of the most important features of the oak tree is its sheer beauty, and they are a wonderful place to have a picnic under along the parkway shores.
Membership Has its PrivilegesThe Foundation will embark on a new membership campaign to generate additional funding for our current programs and for those in the future. We have created new levels of membership each with their own benefits. Membership will range from $35 to the sky’s the limit!
Please look for our upcoming mailing in your mailboxes by late August. In fact if your become a member before November 30th you will receive a special bonus!
OUTLOOK Summer 2008
Did You Know???One gallon of motor oil poured down a storm drain can pollute up to two million gallons of water.
Every ton of recycled office paper saves 380 gallons of oil.
Native Interpretive GardenThe garden located just outside the front doors of the Volunteer Center is showing signs of growth! The deer grass is up and some of the oak acorns have taken root. The remainder of the native plants will be planted this fall. If you get a chance please stop by and take a look for yourself.
BE WATER SAFEThe Sacramento County Board of Supervisors adopted a new policy on June 9, 2008 and it took effect immediately. The policy states that any child 12 or younger who is in any Sacramento County lake or river must have a life vest on. If you have any questions please contact Ranger Dispatch at (916) 875-6672.
New Web Site:Please log on to www.arpf.org
and take a look around.You can sign up on-line for volunteer
opportunities, learn about our programs and purchase merchandise.
Who knows, maybe you will see yourself in one of our pictures on line!
Our VolunteersOn a warm Thursday evening on May 29th, our Adopt-the-Parkway Stewards, Sacramento Area Mountain Bike Association (SAMBA) and Bill Perry teamed up with Sacramento County Parks Maintenance Supervisor Bill Katen to remove over two dozen abandoned tires from the American River Parkway; many of which were half buried in mud.
Located just downstream of the Northgate Boulevard overpass along Mile 2, these volunteers were ready to face the challenge ahead of them. “We like to go for the big game,” said SAMBA president Bob Horowitz, “Our guys like getting dirty.”
Last summer, SAMBA also volunteered to eradicate the invasive plant Red Sesbania from swampy areas upstream of Paradise Beach. But their efforts don’t stop there. Both SAMBA
and Bill Perry have been taking care of the Parkway for many years. Recently, Bill Perry adopted a grove at Discovery Park along with fellow Parkway Steward, Pt. West Rotary Club. According to Lana Sumati of the American River Parkway Foundation, the dedication and efforts of our Parkway Stewards serve as excellent examples of how beneficial stewardship year-round is to the Parkway. “When we all work together to beautify and protect the parkway it sends a positive message to the community as to how much we care about what gets done out here.”
Photo credits: Rolling tire: John Meyers (SAMBA) Loading tires (L-R): Bill Perry, Bill Katen, Bob Horowitz
The 5th Annual REX Ride was a smashing success!A big thank you to Peggy and Steve Rex for their continued support of the American River Parkway Foundation and their involvement with REX Ride. This ride has raised over $250,000 for the Parkway!
This year the ride attracted over 300 participants and the weather turned out to be perfect. The volunteers, Point West Rotary and LPA Sacramento, who manned the rest stops were wonderful, not to mention the food.
The morning began with wonderful donuts, bagels and coffee and the ride ended with a wonderful bar-b-que from JR’s, freezes from Hagen’s and beverages from New Belgium.
OUTLOOK Summer 2008
24th Annual Down River DayMark your calendars for Saturday, August 2nd for this fun filled day on the river.
For Just $1,000 you and 7 guests can enjoy a ride down the American River from Sunrise to River Bend (formerly Goethe Park). While rafting you will be able to utilize super soakers donated by Somach Simmons and Dunn, stay hydrated with beverage donated by Capital Beverage and enjoy the ride down the river courtesy of American River Raft Rental.
Once down the river, volunteers will take your raft and direct you to the waiting catered dinner by Refer a Chef, live entertainment and fabulous silent auction items.
Don’t delay, purchase your raft today. Log onto www.arpf.org to learn more.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Remy, Thomas, Moose and Manley LLP
455 Capitol Mall, Suite 210 • Sacramento, California 95814Telephone: (916) 443-2745 • Facsimile: (916) 443-9017
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.rtmmlaw.com
OUTLOOK Summer 2008
American River Parkway FoundationBoard of DirectorsJeremy Hollis, President CB Richard Ellis
Leo Winternitz, Vice President CALFED Bay -Delta Program
Tom Mischley, Treasurer CPA
Mary Ann Dann, Secretary County of Sacramento Municipal Services
Dennis Greenbaum, Past President Greenbaum & Associates Architects
Directors (continued)Brian Plant Remy, Thomas, Moose & Manley
Peggy Rex Rex Cycles
Ron Suter Retired, County Parks Director
Scott Wolcott Granite Land Company
Lois Wright SMUD
EmeritusAlbert Dreyfuss Architect
StaffDianna Aguilar, Executive Director Ken Myatt, Program Manager Christina Neifer, Administrative Assistant Lana Sumati, Volunteer Services Manager
DirectorsRuth Blank Sacramento Region Community Foundation
Nick Ewing CSUS, Biological Sciences
Bjorn Gregersen ECORP Consulting
Dan Hall Wickland Corporation
Marc Heinzer Lyon Real Estate
Rob Henderson REI Sacramento
Dave Hill American River Raft Rentals
Jim Jones Retired
Erin Levi Lehman Kelly Sadler & O’Keefe
Vanessa Nishikawa MWH
NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE
PAIDSACRAMENTO, CA
PERMIT NO 543
5700 Arden Way | Carmichael, CA 95608
Phone: 916.486.2773 | FAX: 926.486.2779 | Email: [email protected]
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