Audubon Canyon Ranch
Number 43 bulletin
Home to Endangered Species
California Vernal Pools
by Sherry Adams
S
everal years ago when I
accepted my first job working
in California vernal pools, I
was nervous: I had just committed to
spending many weeks in the hot sun
of a grassland studying plants. Soon,
At 1½ inches I would discover that being surrounded by tiny,
tall, dwarf colorful, densely packed wildflowers in bloom
downingia would prove to be one of the most magnificent
towers over experiences of my life.
dwarf woolly Stunning flowers are just the beginning.
marbles.
There are also solitary ground-nesting bees that
ACR PHOTO specialize in pollinating one type of flower,
shrimp the size of ladybugs with 11 pairs of legs
that swim on their backs, and predatory beetle
larvae that troll the waters. Welcome to the
surreal world of California vernal pools.
Vernal pools are spots in grasslands where
rainwater collects because of bedrock or clay
soils, creating a seasonal wetland. California’s
winter rains fill the small pools or interconnected
swales, and with the onset of the dry season
in spring, they become completely desiccated.
While this environment may be tough for
the human huddled under a wide-brimmed
summer hat or slogging in rubber rain gear,
vernal pool species are specially adapted to this
Fall 2008
challenging environment. Plants grow quickly
and produce seeds prolifically. Animals either
leave the habitat in summer (as with amphib-
ians), or they have a drought resistant stage
in their lifecycle. The tiny freshwater shrimp
that inhabit vernal pools spend the summer as
cysts — embryos in a sort of ‘arrested develop-
ment’ phase, encased in tiny hard shells, waiting
for the winter rains. Waterfowl are also an
important part of the system. When they visit
vernal pools, they move around plant seeds and
shrimp, organisms which would not otherwise
be able to move from pool to pool.
> Please turn to Vernal Pools, page 4
The endangered
native flower
Sonoma
sunshine growing
at the Bouverie
Preserve
ACR PHOTO
 Page 2 Audubon Canyon Ranch

A Note from the President of the Board

Audubon Canyon
Ranch Conservation Science at Audubon Canyon Ranch
Board of Directors by Bryant Hichwa
Officers
Bryant Hichwa,
President Audubon Canyon Ranch’s mission includes Dr. John Kelly, Director of Conservation
Joan Lamphier,
Vice President the preservation of environmentally-sensitive Science and Habitat Protection, says that
Andy Lafrenz,
Secretary lands in Sonoma and Marin counties. As part the strength of the Audubon Canyon Ranch
Directors of ACR efforts at the Bolinas Lagoon and science team is that we are “a locally-invested,
Leonard Blumin
Tom Bradner
Bouverie preserves, we have world-recognized agile organization. When we encounter an
Mary Ann Cobb environmental education programs for children environmental issue, we can adjust our priori-
Suzie Coleman
Sam Dakin (through school field ties and work it out. We
Roberta Downey
Leslie Flint trips), young adults are stewards of the land
Christina Green
Diane Jacobson (through Bouverie’s over the long term.” ACR’s
Joshua Levine
Valerie Merrin Juniper Program), and locally-driven research,
Dan Murphy
Ivan Obolensky adults (through volun- the studies of various
Alan Pabst
Judy Prokupek
teer training programs, ecosystems, can be and is
Bill Richardson
Paul Ruby
which offer continuing applied globally.
Rich Schiller lifelong learning op- Among the current
April Starke Slakey
Jean Starkweather portunities). Perhaps projects of the conserva-
Sue Stoddard
Lowell Sykes you support these tion science program
Francis Toldi
Patrick Woodworth education programs as is the Four Canyons
Nancy Young
a volunteer or through Restoration Project at the
EMERITUS Directors
Deborah Ablin financial donations, Bolinas Lagoon Preserve.
Richard B. Baird
Nancy Barbour such as with the A thorough study of the
L. Martin Griffin, M.D.,
Founder
Partners in Education native and non-native
Jack Harper
Flora Maclise
donor circle. plant species allowed ACR
George Peyton, Jr. The preservation scientists to create a restora-
Helen Pratt

ADVISORS
and education pro- tion plan to return these
A coast live oak acorn sprouts in the Bolinas
Julie Allecta grams represent two seg- Lagoon Preserve native plant nursery.
areas to native vegetation.
Ruth Baillie
Tom Baty ments of the Audubon Photo: Denise Della Santina We are in the midst of
Gordon Bennett
Patti Blumin Canyon Ranch mission. this project. Last fall and
Noelle Bon
Stephen Colwell Additionally, ACR staff biologists are known spring, seeds from native plants were collected,
Hugh Cotter
Phyllis Ellman
nationwide for their excellence in conservation and a native plant propagation program and
Binny Fischer
James Gallagher, Ph.D.
science research. They provide the stewardship plant nursery was built. Over the last six
Tony Gilbert of the preserves through a scientific approach months, these plant species have been culti-
Carol Guerrero
Robert Hahn to conservation. Their expertise ranges from vated by a team of scientists and volunteers.
Jim Horan
Alan Margolis, M.D. wetlands ecology, wetland birds, various We are now poised to begin the revegetation
Leslie R. Perry
Marty Rosen grass habitats, and the general ecology of process at the beginning of the rainy season
Gerry Snedaker
Betsy Stafford Northern California. this fall.
Brian Wittenkeller
Robert Yanagida > Please turn to Conservation Science, page 5
Bulletin 43, Fall 2008 Page 3

A Note from the Executive Director

Looking Forward at Audubon Canyon Ranch STAFF
Maurice A. “Skip” Schwartz,
Executive Director
by Skip Schwartz John Petersen,
Associate Director
Education,
In the early years (1960s), Audubon Canyon In addition to acquiring exquisite preserve Conservation Science
and Habitat Protection
Ranch focused primarily on buying and pre- lands to protect and to use as a natural John Kelly, Ph.D.,
Director of Conservation
serving lands and strategic habitat to protect classroom, Audubon Canyon Ranch realized Science & Habitat
Protection
the nesting colony of Great Blue Herons and that in order to manage these 2,000 acres Sherry Adams,
HPR Project Leader, BP
Great Egrets at the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve, well and wisely for the benefit of native plants Emiko Condeso,
Research Coordinator
including important habitat in and around and animals, we would need to strengthen Denise Della Santina,
HPR Project Leader,
Bolinas Lagoon. our science program to Marin
In the 1970s, ACR inform us and provide Dan Gluesenkamp, Ph.D.,
Director, Habitat
began to acquire lands in us with good informa- Protection & Restoration
Gwen Heistand,
order to protect wetlands tion to develop best Resident Biologist,
BLP/Co-Director of
and important habitat in practices. Now, as we Education
Claire Hutkins Seda,
the Tomales Bay area, move forward, Audubon Weekend Program
Facilitator, BLP
including the Cypress Canyon Ranch has Christine Rothenbach,
Helen Pratt Research
Grove Research Center. established a conservation Fellow
Jeanne Wirka,
In the 1980s, ACR science program that Resident Biologist,
worked to protect 500 is providing excellent BP/Co-Director of
Education
acres of beautiful lands research in the field of Preserve Stewardship
Bill Arthur,
at the Bouverie Preserve resource ecology, as well Land Steward, BLP
in Sonoma’s Valley as a restoration program David Greene,
Land Steward, CGRC
of the Moon. for the areas of our John Martin,
Land Steward, BP
Audubon Canyon preserve lands that have Matej Seda,
Maintenance
Ranch also felt a great been damaged by human Assistant, BLP

responsibility to the activities and/or invasive Administration

Yvonne Pierce,
community to use these plant and animal species. Administrative
Looking west from the protected hills of the Director/BLP Manager
lands wisely – first as a sanc- Bolinas Lagoon Preserve As we look forward, Suzanna Naramore,
Administrative
tuary for native plants and Photo: Wyn Hoag we want to enrich each Assistant, BLP
Leslie Sproul,
animals and then, where of these programs with Receptionist/Office
Assistant, BLP
appropriate, ACR developed an award-winning the lessons learned from the others and from Nancy Trbovich,
Administrative
education program that is recognized interna- our community. For example, ACR’s education Coordinator, BP
Barbara Wechsberg,
tionally and continues with great enthusiasm as programs are dependent on a highly trained, Cashier/Receptionist
of this writing. ACR follows a lifelong learning committed volunteer corps of docents, guides Finance and Development
Cassie Gruenstein,
model of adult education and also provides an and junior naturalists to bring ACR educa- Director of Development
excellent hands-on program at no charge for tion programs to the community. The ACR & Communications
Jennifer Newman,
schoolchildren – a real experience in nature, Conservation Science program has a Heron and Development Manager
Stephen Pozsgai,
within a science matrix. Egret Project that also relies on a network of Controller
BLP Bolinas Lagoon
Preserve
BP Bouverie Preserve
CGRC Cypress Grove
Research Center

> Please turn to Looking Forward, page 5

Page 4 Audubon Canyon Ranch
vernal pools from page 1
Dwarf downingia
growing in a
recently burned
portion of the
Bouverie Preserve
ACR Photo
These fascinating little plants and animals
are only one part of the story; vernal pools are a
habitat in peril. You likely know of endangered
species and some of the factors that caused the
decline of grizzly bears or California condors,
for example. Think now of what might make a
habitat threatened. California vernal pools are
found in valleys — fairly flat locations, easily
accessed — just the sort of spot where we put
our cities, towns, farms and vineyards. As a
result, more than 80 percent of California vernal
pools are already gone, and more continue to
be destroyed.
California vernal pools are also the site of
some of the most inspiring stories of conserva-
tion collaboration anywhere. One thing we
have learned in the last 10 years is that cattle
grazing, when done in a controlled fashion, is an
important part of keeping vernal pool grasslands
healthy, since cattle specialize in eating the fast
growing grasses introduced from Europe. These
grasses were brought here accidentally or sewn
for forage in decades past and now often choke
out many of our California native plant species.
Resulting is the opportunity for some unex-
pected but very productive partnerships between
ranchers and conservationists to simultaneously
protect this habitat and sustain cattle ranching
in California.
At ACR’s Bouverie Preserve in Sonoma
Valley, we have promoted many collaborative
efforts to protect vernal pools and the world
of tiny organisms that rely on them. As a part
of our prescribed grazing program, our vernal
pool grassland is lightly grazed for three months
out of the year by a local rancher. With financial
support from ACR Partners in Conservation,
the Community Foundation Sonoma County,
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we have
been working to provide one of the few refuges
to the endangered vernal pool plant Sonoma
sunshine, a tiny sunflower found only in a
handful of locations in Sonoma County.
One thing we have learned at Audubon
Canyon Ranch is that conservation must
> Please turn to Vernal Pools, page 6
Bulletin 43, Fall 2008 Page 5
Conservation Science from page 2
The lessons learned through these scientific
studies are shared openly in local forums, as well
as national peer reviewed journals. We work on
local small scale projects, done with the very
best conservation science methodology. The
applicability of these scientific studies to the
“landscape” or regional scale has been shown
to be an effective and economical means to
predict what will happen in larger ecosystems.
We want to encourage you to get involved
with ACR’s conservation science programs.
Opportunities abound. Become a citizen sci-
entist with the Heron and Egret Project, which
studies the nesting success of heron and egret
colonies over the entire North Bay. Join the
restoration team under Dr. Dan Gluesenkamp
on the Four Canyons Restoration Project. Get
involved in fire ecology studies with Bouverie
Preserve’s Resident Biologist Jeanne Wirka.
Looking Forward from page 3
volunteers to census the status of nesting colo-
nies throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
The ACR Habitat Protection and Restoration
program takes advantage of the many willing
hands of our restoration volunteers to help
DRAWINGs: Ane carla rovetta
Plant with the Bouverie Stewards, who you
can learn more about in Sherry Adams’ article
in this Bulletin.
Aside from these fantastic volunteer opportuni-
ties, we hope you will support ACR’s restoration
ecology and conservation science projects with
a generous donation by joining the Partners in
Conservation donor circle.
Your participation is important and makes
a difference.
Bryant Hichwa is ACR’s Board President.
monitor and restore damaged habitat. Many
ACR volunteers are shared between these pro-
grams. Good conservation science shapes and
informs program content, goals and methods.
It gives me great pleasure as executive director
to see the enthusiasm and mutual enrichment
generated by the interplay of professional staff
and volunteers working in Education, Con-
servation Science and Habitat Restoration and
Protection at Audubon Canyon Ranch. Please
remain active in or consider joining an ACR
volunteer group, and I hope to see you out at
the Ranch.
Skip Schwartz is ACR’s Executive Director.
Page 6 Audubon Canyon Ranch

vernal pools from page 4

happen at multiple levels simultaneously to be

successful. That means that though it is impor-
tant to work on conserving Sonoma sunshine
on the 500 acres of the Bouverie Preserve, it is
not enough. We must partner with different
organizations in Sonoma County working to
preserve vernal pools if we hope to provide
protection for this habitat. Accordingly,
Bouverie Preserve science staff has been active
in a regional vernal pool network and hosted
an acclaimed vernal pool symposium in 2007.
When the invasive medusahead grass threatened
our vernal pool grassland, through collaboration
with the local CAL FIRE station we used one
of the most effective eradication tools know
for this species: fire.
Audubon Canyon Ranch volunteers are crucial
collaborators in conservation, providing critical
help to save these and other habitats. From the
vernal pool project’s beginning, volunteers have
been involved in vernal pool conservation —
through the weekly Bouverie Stewards group, as
well as with the stalwart help of work day vol-
unteers, who got hundreds of propagated plants
into the ground on a rainy day last winter.
ACR volunteers, crucial collaborators in conservation,
got hundreds of propagated plants into the ground on
a rainy day in January.
Photo: Denise Della Santina
If you visit a California vernal pool this fall,
you will see a dry depression in a grassland. Look
a little closer and you will see the little dried up
parts of wildflowers and the cysts of freshwater
shrimp. Once you get to know this habitat, you
will realize there is much more going on here
than meets the eye. It is in these little depres-
sions that a bevy of plants and animals found
nowhere else on earth live their entire lives and
important partnerships are forged, which make
conservation possible in California grasslands.
Sherry Adams is ACR’s Habitat Protection
and Restoration Project Leader for
the Bouverie Preserve.

Sonoma sunshine,
dwarf woolly
marbles, dwarf
downingia,
popcorn flower
and hedge-hyssop
at the Bouverie
Preserve

ACR PHOTO
Bulletin 43, Fall 2008 Page 7

Carolyn Timmins creates lasting legacy and

is remembered fondly at ACR
by Phil Murphy

Carolyn Timmins, a longtime Audubon Docent.” Carolyn recently also trained as an

Canyon Ranch docent who died at her Green-
brae home February 13, 2008, at the age of 73,
has remembered ACR in her estate plan with a
$300,000 bequest from her IRA.
Former ACR Board President and current
Director and Ranch Guide Sue Stoddard
recalled receiving a handwritten note from
Carolyn after an article on the Stoddard IRA
commitment to ACR appeared
in a past Bulletin.
“Who sends handwritten
notes anymore?” Sue said. “That
was the sort of person Carolyn
was. I was very touched.”
Sue and Carolyn first met as
Marin Environmental Forum
XVII classmates studying
Coast live oak
environmental awareness and
advocacy. The Forum numbers
ACR founder Marty Griffin,
Ane Carla Rovetta
Senator Barbara Boxer and
Marin Agricultural Land Trust
founder Phyllis Faber among its founders and
early graduates. “I still remember the presenta-
tion Carolyn made on the great tradition of
women environmentalists in Marin as part
of her training,” Sue recalled.
One training day they visited Audubon
Canyon Ranch where they met Executive
Director Skip Schwartz, ACR’s first naturalist
Clerin Zumwalt, and former ACR naturalist/
entomologist Ray Peterson. “As a result of that
visit,” Sue said, “I became a Ranch Guide and
ACR Ranch Guide.
Carolyn’s brother Richard Colby, a retired
journalist living in Portland, Oregon, said that
Carolyn, a native of Oregon, loved Marin
County. “She stayed close to home and was
active in the community,” he said. Besides ACR,
she supported the Marin Agricultural Land
Trust, Hospice By The Bay, and the San Fran-
cisco Symphony and Opera.
An IRA distribution at death
to charity is considered a tax-wise
strategy, since such distributions
avoid both estate tax and income
tax. Those taxes can in some
cases reduce an IRA’s value as
much as 60%.
“It’s also simple to do and easy
leaves and
to distribute,” Sue said. “I think
acorns. that appealed to Carolyn. I know
drawing: it appealed to me.”
Carolyn Timmins was a
member of ACR’s Clerin Zumwalt
Legacy Circle, which honors those who have
included ACR in their estate plans, and she
attended its annual luncheons over the years.
Audubon Canyon Ranch is deeply grateful
for Carolyn’s generous bequest.
For information on the Clerin Zumwalt
Legacy Circle, contact Cassie Gruenstein, ACR
Director of Development and Communications,
at 415-868-9244 ext. 13 or at cassie@egret.org.
Phil Murphy is ACR’s planned giving specialist.

Carolyn became a Bolinas Lagoon Preserve

Page 8 Audubon Canyon Ranch
Distinguished
Benefactors
($100,000 +)
Estate of Carolyn Timmins
Major Benefactors
($50,000 – 99,999)
Frank A. Campini Foundation
Benefactors
($25,000 – 49,999)
Estate of Georgiana De Ropp
Ducas
The Marin Community
Foundation
Patrons
($15,000 – 24,999)
Anonymous
Chris & Bob Hunter, Jr.
Carolyn Moore on behalf of
The George L. Shields
Foundation
The John A. Sellon Trust
Leading Sponsors
($5,000 – 14,999)
Arthur & Deborah Ablin
Bishop Pine Fund
Sheila & Francois Brutsch
Community Foundation
Sonoma County
Jan & Louis Lee
Outrageous Foundation
Estate of William Stanton Picher
Kenneth & Marjorie Sauer
The San Francisco Foundation
Joel Toste
Major Sponsors
($1,000 – 4,999)
Anonymous
Julie Allecta
Donald & Nancy Barbour
Barbara R. Barkovich
Jobst Brandt
Estate of Mary Bresler
Helen Cahill
Johnna Coats
Mary Ann Cobb & Peter Wilson
Duncan Dwelle
Binny & Chuck Fischer
Kristina Flanagan
Leslie L. Flint
James J. Gallagher Family Fund
Tony Gilbert & Laurel Wroten
Tony & Caroline Grant
John Gruenstein & Carolyn
Buffington
Phillip & Naomi Holm
Susan H. Hossfeld
Dwight L. Johnson
Kern Family Fund of the
San Francisco Foundation
The generosity of Audubon Canyon Ranch supporters makes it possible to
continue our mission of nature preservation, education, and research. We
thank all the individuals and organizations who contributed during this
last fiscal year (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008). A permanent list of donors
whose cumulative gifts are $5,000 or more—ACR’s Grove of Honor—is
located in the display hall at Bolinas Lagoon Preserve.
Laurie Lewis John & Carolyn Longstreth Nancy Kent Danielson
Paul & Barbara Licht L. G. & Flora Maclise John Daugherty & Jeanie Ahn
Alan Margolis Art & Lyn Magill Ann & Ken Davis
Marin Audubon Society Linda Marshik Patricia Donchin
Dorothy C. Martin Virginia Martin Sheldon P. Donig & Steven R.
Valerie Merrin & Bill Deyo Don & Mara Melandry Dehart
National Semiconductor on Dan Melvin Wendy & John Doughty
behalf of Bruce Roberts Mill Valley Market Empire Waste Management
Edna O’Connor Jane Miller Sharon Enright
Alan & Virginia Pabst John Odell Katie & Serge Etienne
Diane E. Parish & Paul Gelburd George S. Peyton, Jr. Bill & Gisela Evitt
Lewis & Joanna Picher Tim & Pat Preston Carolyn M. Farren
Estate of Jane M. Fehrensen Judy Prokupek Francoise Fleishhacker
Jeanne Price Patricia M. Ramey Mark Forney
Margaret Saulsberry Bill & Betty Rhoades Ellen Gilkerson
The Upjohn California Fund Ron Rosano & Susan Morrow Marya Glass & Geof Syphers
Westminster Presbyterian Church Neil Rudolph & Susan Cluff Jill & Rocky Hammond
Ted & Lisa Williams Phyllis Schmitt Harvey & Judy Heikel
Richard Shiffrin Diane Holycross
Sponsors Marion & Willis Slusser Mark Jackson & Esperanza
($500 – 999) Lisa Teot Uruena
Anonymous Petaluma Rotary Club Don & Louise Johnston
Gayle A. Anderson Peter & Nancy Young Dr. Nancy Olmsted Kaehr
The Barth Foundation Sue Zimmerman & Mr. Michael Kaehr
Leonard & Patti Blumin Nathan Kaufman & Lynn Franco
Bolinas Community Friends Andy & Diane Lafrenz
Roy Bouque ($250 – 499) Lam Research Corporate
Tom Bradner Christopher & Jane Adams Community Affairs
Brian Cluer Robert & Linda Alwitt Kit & George Lee
Nancy & Dale Cox Richard Baird Eileen & Gordon Libby
Elizabeth Crispin Julie Barney Stephanie & William MacColl
Barbara E. Dittmann Lorraine Bazan Donna Maier
John & Betty Edwards Kate Bordisso & Ken Schwartz G. Steven & Gail Martin
Emergency Management Jerry & Lynnette Bourne Alice T. May
& Safety Solutions La Dolce V Fine Chocolates Julian & Charlene McCaull
Joan Finkle Patricia Brennan George & Marie McKinney
Robert Glauz Bunker & Company Purple Lady/Barbara J. Meislin
Susan Gray Elizabeth Burridge Fund
Robert E. & Julie M. Hahn Peter & Eugenia Caldwell Anna H. Meyer
Gerald & Madelon Halpern Linda & Stephen Cederborg Ross & Jess Millikan
Jack F. & Deyea Harper Dave & Margaret Chenoweth Mission Avenue School
Jan Harrelson Earl & Sue Cohen David Morell
Jake & Kim Hobson Frank Colin Dan & Joan Murphy
Alan Humphrey & Eleanor Boba Anthony & Robyn Contini Mary Belle O’Brien
James & Rosemary Jepson Hugh Cotter & Susan Coghlan
Mike & Carol Katz
The Keon-Vitale Family
Peter & Annette Kerner ACR keeps careful records of every contribution we receive. We regret that limited
Harriet & Tom Kostic space makes it impossible to publish the name of every donor. In case of errors and
Everdina Lampe omissions, we apologize and ask that you contact us with corrections.
Bulletin 43, Fall 2008 Page 9

PG&E Corporation Campaign

for the Community
Kevin & Nancy Padian friends of bouverie
Kirk Pessner & Russ Miller Friends of Bouverie make a special annual contribution of $500
Ryan & Stewart Phelan or more to support the programs of the Bouverie Preserve.
Christine Pielenz & William Laven
Bill & Yvonne Pierce
Julia Pollock Trillium Woodland Star Marian Kirby
Sausalito Woman’s Club ($5,000+) ($1,000 – 2,499) Gaye & John LeBaron
Joyce Schnobrich John & Ruth Baillie Julie Allecta Al & Jane Milotich
Maria & David Scott Estate of David Pleydell Dorcas Allison Karen & Ted Nagel
Maggie & Contee Seely Bouverie Atwood Ranch Robert & Agnes Perry
Lee Seidner Josephine Lawrence Phillip & Naomi Holm Frank & Anna Pope
Elizabeth & Frank Smith Hopkins Foundation Ellie Insley Linda & Jeff Reichel
Robert Smith & Janet Huseby Jane Sinclair Messing Family Charitable John & Dianne Samples
Nicki & Tom Spillane Jan Gerrett Snedaker Foundation Marilyn & Don Sanders
Craig & Jane Spriggs & Diane Krause Mid & Cissie O’Brien Diana Sanson
April Starke Slakey Heidi Stewart & John Noellene & Michael
Joan Steinberg Diogenes Lantern Weinstein Sommer
Susan Stoddard ($2,500 – 4,999) Deborah & Joe Votek
Natsu Ota Taylor Lenore & Howard Klein Sky Lupine Don & Annette Wild
Ruth & Alan Tobey Foundation ($500 – 999) Courtenay R. Wood
Francis & Leigh Toldi Lisa Salamone & Tony Robert & Michelle Friend & H. Noel Jackson, Jr.
Peter John Watkins Pisacane Foundation
Whole Foods Market Glenda & Harold Ross Jack F. & Deyea Harper
Diana Woehle Bryant & Diane Hichwa
Patrick Woodworth & Lee Brewster Diana Hindley
Lyle & Timathea Workman

Partners in Conservation Partners in Education

ACR’s Partners in Conservation directly support Audubon Canyon Ranch Partners in Education make
exciting conservation science and habitat protection an annual commitment of $5,000 or more to directly
work being conducted on ACR’s 2,000 acres of protected support ACR’s environmental education programs.
wildlands in Marin and Sonoma counties. With gifts
of $5,000 or more annually, Partners in Conservation $10,000 + Corporate Partners
are helping ACR scientists provide solutions to regional Tommy F. Angell in Education
problems in conservation biology that affect the Suzie Coleman Paul, Hastings, Janofsky &
ecological landscapes in central coastal California. Fullerton Family Foundation Walker
of the Marin Community
Foundation
$25,000 + $5,000 - 9,999 John Osterweis &
Dennis & Carol Ann Rockey Julie Allecta Barbara Ravizza Osterweis
Fund of the Marin John & Ruth Baillie
Community Foundation Roberta & Paul Downey
$5,000 - 9,999
The Dean Witter Foundation Robert J. & Helen H. Glaser
Family Foundation Shirley & Peter Bogardus
Jane & Douglas Ferguson
Ane carla rovetta

Corporate Partners
in conservation
Wilbur Ellis Company
Charles Greshamengelberg
Friends & Family of
Barbara Hammond
Matthews Family Trust
Jean Starkweather
Robert & Michelle Friend
Foundation
L. Martin Griffin, Jr., M.D.
& Family
Quigley/Hiltner Fund of the
San Francisco Foundation
Chris & Bob Hunter, Jr.
Page 10 Audubon Canyon Ranch
Calendar of Events
Trail Day at the
Bouverie Preserve
Monday, September 15, 2008
8:30 a.m. to noon
You are invited to join Bouverie Stewards
and other restoration volunteers for Trail
Day at the Bouverie Preserve in Glen
Ellen. We will prepare the hiking trails
of this 535-acre nature preserve for
the coming season of school field trips.
Join us for a fun and active morning
of clipping, lopping and other trail
maintenance tasks. Long sleeves and
long pants recommended due to poison
oak in some locations.
Space is limited to 25 volunteers
RSVP to nancy@egret.org or 707/938-4554.
ACR Staff
Open House at the
Bouverie Preserve
Saturday, September 27, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Explorers of all ages welcome!
Take a short walk (approximately 45
minutes) on the trails of this 535-acre
preserve with a trained volunteer. (Last
hike of the day is at 1:15 pm) Wander
the display hall and learn about mammal
skulls, bird specimens and other native
flora and fauna. Play a Native American
game. Stamp your own mammal track
card. Make a nature journal for recording
the plants and animals you see. Don’t
miss this rare opportunity to explore
the Bouverie Preserve of Audubon
Canyon Ranch.
ACR Staff
Fall & SPRING Work Days
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
Saturday, October 4, 2008 –
Volunteer Canyon
Sunday, March 1, 2009 –
Picher Canyon
9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. LUNCH
Help us with trail work, library work,
pulling weeds, planting native flowers
or cooking the lunch (we provide).
Bring your favorite tool and gloves
for outdoor projects!
Email leslie@egret.org or call
415/868-9244 to register.
Free, but please e-mail or call to register so
we can plan on enough food!
ACR Staff
Under the Heronry
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
Saturday, October 25
9:30 a.m. social, 10:00 am start,
ends at noon
Join former Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
Resident Biologist Ray Peterson, for an
exploration Under the Heronry at Bolinas
Lagoon Preserve. You’ll be able to see the
amazing architecture of Great Egret and
Great Blue Heron nests and you’ll learn
about ACR’s history in this very special
setting. Don’t forget to bring friends for
this short walk.
Free, but please email leslie@egret.org
or call 415/868-9244 to register.
Space is limited to 20 participants.
ACR Staff
Guided Nature Walks
Bouverie Preserve
Saturdays, Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and 8, 2008
March 14, April 4 and 18, May 2, 9
and 16, 2009
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Here’s your chance to experience the
beauty and rich natural history of
this 500-acre Preserve. Our half-day
guided nature walks are on Saturdays
throughout fall and spring. We will begin
accepting reservations a month before
each respective hike date. To make a
reservation, email nancy@egret.org or
call 707/938-4554.
No charge but donations appreciated.
Docent Council of Bouverie Preserve
Tomales Bay
Waterbird Survey
Saturday, December 20, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Since 1989, teams of 12 to 15 volunteer
observers have conducted winter
waterbird censuses from survey boats
on Tomales Bay though ACR’s Cypress
Grove Research Center. The results
provide information on habitat values
and conservation needs of 51 species,
totaling up to 25,000 birds. Join us!
Space is limited. To participate, contact
Emiko Condeso at emiko@egret.org or
415/663-8203.
ACR Staff
Restoration Work days
Bouverie Preserve AND
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
Support ACR’s Habitat Protection and
Restoration Program by signing up for
restoration work days.
For Bouverie Preserve, email Sherry
Adams at sherry@egret.org.
For Bolinas Lagoon Preserve, email
Denise Della Santina at denise@egret.org.
Bulletin 43, Fall 2008 Page 11

calendar of events from page 10

THE BOUVERIE BACKYARD NATURALIST SERIES

Bouverie Preserve
9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. u $25 per seminar u Saturdays
October 11, 2008 – The Wonders of Bugs with Ray Peterson
November 15, 2008 – Sudden Oak Death with Emiko Condeso

DRAWING: Ane carla rovetta

January 17, 2009 – There’s Fun in Fungi with Jeanne Wirka
February 14, 2009 – All About Amphibians with Jeanne Wirka
March 28, 2009 – Bouverie Preserve Wildflowers with Jeanne Wirka
The Bouverie Backyard Naturalist field seminars are geared toward the adult amateur
naturalist. These Saturday seminars will include time in the classroom, as well as on the trail.
The hike will range from one to three miles on mildly to moderately strenuous terrain.
Please bring lunch and water for the trail.
Class size is limited. Please email leslie@egret.org or call 415/868-9244 to register.
ACR Staff

Ranch guide training

Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
Saturdays, January 31 through ACR’s E-Newsletter
march 14, 2009
(Orientation January 24, 2009) To keep up-to-date on latest Audubon Canyon Ranch
This eight-day Saturday program prepares volunteer happenings, sign up for the ACR e-newsletter.
trainees to become Ranch Guides at the Bolinas
Lagoon Preserve, where they will share knowledge Published once every two months, the free email
and appreciation of nature to the visiting public on newsletter highlights updates from the Preserves,
weekends through spring and summer. Learn about
the history of Audubon Canyon Ranch, the Bolinas including school group visits, latest findings from
Lagoon Preserve, trail techniques, pond life and ACR science staff, volunteer opportunities, ways
the preserve’s colony of nesting herons and egrets
to come explore ACR nature sanctuaries and more.
… and become part of an active and enthusiastic
group of volunteers! Interested? Please email leslie@ Visit www.egret.org and click e-newsletter
egret.org or call 415/868-9244 to sign up for the
orientation class on January 24, 2009. to sign up or to view past issues. 
Gwen Heistand
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve Resident Biologist

The Mission of Audubon Canyon Ranch

Audubon Canyon Ranch protects the natural resources of its sanctuaries while fostering
an understanding and appreciation of these environments. We educate children and adults,
promote ecological literacy that is grounded in direct experience, and conduct research
and restoration that advances conservation science.
 The headquarters of
Audubon Canyon Ranch is located
at the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve.

Ane carla rovetta

BOUVERIE
www.egret.org PRESERVE
email: acr@egret.org

cypress
when to visit grove
Preserve
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
Mid-March to mid-July: Saturday, Sunday The Audubon Canyon Ranch
and holidays. 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bulletin is published twice
Weekdays by appointment only; call yearly by Audubon Canyon
Ranch as a free offering to
415/868-9244. Closed Mondays. ACR donors and supporters.
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve is adjacent to Edited by Jennifer Newman
Bolinas Lagoon on Shoreline Highway One, BOLINAS Designed by Sarah Bolles
three miles north of Stinson Beach. LAGOON Photos by Wyn Hoag unless
Preserve otherwise noted. © 2007
Cypress Grove Research Center Audubon Canyon Ranch.
By appointment only. 415/663-8203.
Bouverie Preserve Printed on recycled paper
(30% post-consumer)
By appointment only. 707/938-4554.
using soy-based inks.
See schedule of events, inside.

Audubon Canyon Ranch

Non-profit
4900 Shoreline Highway One Organization
Stinson Beach, CA 94970 U.S. Postage

415/868-9244 PAID
www.egret.org Mailcom
acr@egret.org

Audubon Canyon Ranch — wildlife sanctuaries and centers for nature education and research.
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve • Cypress Grove Research Center • Bouverie Preserve