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Thanks to over 2,500 volunteers, we have planted, mulched, staked, pruned, and maintained well over 1,500 native trees and shrubs, and hundreds of native grasses and sedges, along a 1-mile section of the Laguna de Santa Rosa in Cotati and a small section of Rohnert Park. We have also established a plant nursery and propagated hundreds of plants, including native grasses, for future plantings.
From 1998-2004, Cotati Creek Critters was an all-volunteer group that, in conjunction with members of Cotati’s Community & Environment Commission, planted native trees and shrubs along a section of the Laguna de Santa Rosa just north of E. Cotati Avenue, then later along Cotati Creek in De Lano Park, and along the Laguna channel in Putnam Park, off Myrtle Avenue. A few hundred trees and shrubs were planted and the group was involved with several Earth Day events.
In 2005, Cotati Creek Critters, with the support of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, the Sonoma County Water Agency, the City of Cotati, help from several experts, and letters of support from community members and organizations, applied for an Urban Streams Restoration grant from the California Department of Water Resources. There were 91 applicants competing and 17 were accepted for funding, of which only 10 were fully funded. Cotati Creek Critters were successful to the tune of almost $170,000, from funds authorized by Proposition 40. This new grant-funded project was launched on September 2005, with speeches by local officials, a volunteer workday, and a celebratory lunch.
The City of Cotati allowed the use of City Well lot #2 as a base of operations, and a shipping container was installed to store tools and equipment. Gradually a collection of tools has been built up, including many used tools which have been refurbished (see Appropriate Technology). A plant nursery has been established, with plants in cell tubes and tree pots waiting to be planted the following season. (See Resources for sources of plants). Wade Belew (Stewardship Coordinator) and Jenny Blaker (Outreach Coordinator) have made over 50 presentations to citizens groups, classes, etc.
In 2006 we received funding from a City of Santa Rosa Environmental Enhancement grant, and in 2009 we began to receive funding directly from the Sonoma County Water Agency. Other organizations have generously donated to support aspects of the project - see About Critters.
In 2006 we launched the monthly Inside/Outside Nature Education series to introduce local residents to nature “in their own backyards,” to develop a sense of place, and to raise awareness of how our daily actions impact the environment around us. The series, featuring local experts, includes “inside” presentations in fall and winter and “outside” guided walks, field trips and bicycle rides in spring and summer. Every event is complemented by an article published in the local newspaper, the Community Voice. See Press & Media section. This series has provided opportunities for collaboration with other organizations including the California Native Plant Society, Fairfield Osborne Preserve, Pepperwood Preserve, the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, and others.
Over 100 volunteer planting days have been held, including Creek Stewardship Days (formerly called Community Planting Days) and work days organized specifically for certain groups. These have included environmental education organizations Acorn Soupe, and the Bay Institute’s STRAW project (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed), working with local schools, teachers, and students; student classes and groups from Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University, including JUMP, Freshmans Interest Groups, a Hutchins Liberal Studies class, fraternities and sororities, the Biology Club and the Outdoor Pursuits group; the Laguna Keepers, the Rohnert Park Active 20/30 Club, the Kiwanis, the Rancho Cotati High School Interact Club boy and girl scouts, Congregation Ner Shalom, and even the Cotati Coop Nursery School. Staff of Christopher Joseph & Associates, an environmental and consulting firm, came for two 8-hour workdays. The Frogsong Cohousing Community have adopted a section of the Laguna channel closest to where they live. Many individuals, families, and friends have joined as regular volunteers, some of them coming to almost every workday, others as and when they can make it.
In the fall of 2009 we were joined by our first intern from an Environmental Studies program at SSU and in spring 2009 we launched a more formal internship program with six students participating. In summer 2009 we were one of many environmental restoration groups in the county to host a team of young people for a six weeks summer jobs program, the Summer Youth Ecology Corps. One of our SSU interns was recommended by CCC and hired to lead the crew working on our project.
Cotati Creek Critters has received several awards for our restoration and educational efforts:
In 2007 Outreach Coordinator Jenny Blaker was awarded Cotati Citizen of the Year for her “dedicated service and involvement” in her community and for her “enthusiastic and diligent work with the Cotati Creek Critters.”
In 2009, Cotati Creek Critters was granted the Outstanding Environmental Education Program award by Sonoma County Conservation Coalition.
In 2009 we received the Environmental-Based volunteer award from SCAYD, Sonoma County Adult & Youth Development Family Service Center.
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In 2009, Jenny Blaker was one of seven women in Sonoma County to be recognized as “Women Taking the Lead to Save the Planet” by the National Women’s History Project. |
In 2009, Wade Belew became President Elect of the California Native Grasslands Association – see www.cnga.org.
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