AUDUBON CANYON RANCH

Number 38 BULLETIN Spring 2006

WHAT CAN GRASSLANDS TEACH US?

A Restoration Story
by Jeanne Wirka

Douglas iris and native grasses thrive in protected grassland habitat at ACR’s Toms Point. PHOTO BY JEANNE WIRKA

S
tumbling along the coastal terrace above Tomales Bay at ACR’s Cypress Grove
Research Center, I am struggling to keep up with John Kelly as he darts agilely
through the dense matrix of coyote brush scrub. It is early January. It is cold.
We are looking for a grassland restoration site that ACR volunteers and staff planted in the early
1990s. As I emerge from yet another shoulder-high, shirt-ripping stand of scrub, I am suddenly sur-
rounded by beautiful coastal prairie.
Large bunches of tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa) and blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus) rise
above a blanket of smaller native bunchgrasses, ferns, flowers, and rushes, forming the dense mounded
canopy typical of coastal prairie. A Great Blue Heron stands stock still nearby. A pair of Northern
Harriers dance above us. Woven through the bunchgrasses is a network of vole runways so dense I can
almost hear the traffic below. No doubt, the birds sense it as well.
We have located the restoration site. John Kelly is positively delighted with what he sees. “Wow, this
really took off!” He points to the fence posts that delineate the area that was planted with five native
grass species over a five-year period beginning in 1990. “Everything from here to the ocean was basically
weeds when we started,” he explains with a broad sweeping motion that takes in both the restored
coastal prairie and the coyote brush scrub surrounding it. > Please turn to Grasslands, page 4
Page 2 Audubon Canyon Ranch

ON THE JOY OF VOLUNTEERING

by Dan Murphy

Dan It’s 9:00 AM on a mid-December morning, and Many ACR volunteers come out for Work
Murphy is 16 ACR volunteers and staff are standing on the Days to clear trails, pull weeds, and plant the next
ACR’s shore of Tomales Bay, ready to count birds for the generation of habitat. Others actively volunteer on
Board ACR Annual Waterbird Survey. The data collected our boards and committees: Bouverie and Bolinas
President will also be entered in the Audubon Society’s Docent Councils both have governing boards, as
and a 30- annual Point Reyes Christmas Bird Count. do our Ranch Guides. Our Board of Directors is
year Rain begins falling as ACR Director of supplemented by the Board of Advisors and a
volunteer! Conservation Science and Habitat Restoration very select Emeritus Board. Many dedicated peo-
John Kelly and Research Coordinator Katie ple plan and strategize to make ACR the organiza-
Etienne divide us into tion it is today! And our Board’s Diversity Task
groups and send us to Force, headed by Patrick Woodward, is working to
our boats. As we head broaden the base of ACR volunteers.
south, the rain and wind Please take a moment to look at pages 10–11
rise in intensity, and we of this Bulletin, where our volunteers are recog-
spend the day pretty well nized, and reflect on the generous spirit that
soaked while trying to motivates them (and you, perhaps!) to dedicate
count every bird on the thousands of hours each year to Audubon
bay. Volunteers who par- Canyon Ranch.
ticipate in ACR bird sur- Take advantage of ACR’s volunteer opportuni-
veys have to give it their ties! As a veteran volunteer myself, I know that
best shot, with their best you will benefit from a donation of your time
humor, to collect the and effort. ACR volunteers never stop learning,
needed data! whether by participating in training for docents
Did you ever think and Ranch Guides, attending fundraising and
A volunteer about how Audubon Canyon Ranch functions? board governance workshops, or just pursuing
assists with We have a marvelous staff. We have very generous their own interests in nature. ACR has about 30
habitat donors. We also have nearly 800 active volunteers scientific studies and restoration projects in
restoration – who influence every aspect of ACR’s operations progress that require volunteer fieldwork. Folks
preparing to and programs. Volunteers provide the “face of interested in participating in Habitat Restoration
plant a native ACR,” making the first impression on visitors to can find info at Restore@egret.org and can sign
species – on the Bouverie Preserve and the Bolinas Lagoon up for automatic announcements by emailing
one of ACR’s Preserve. Docents, Ranch Guides and Weekend Dan Gluesenkamp at gluesenkamp@egret.org.
preserves. Hosts generously donate their time, completing To join us, please check our website at
DAN GLUESENKAMP rigorous training and then carrying out our educa- www.egret.org, review the Calendar on page 9, or
tion programs that reach 7,000 school children call our offices at the Bouverie or Bolinas
plus thousands of weekend visitors each year. Lagoon Preserves. I look forward to volunteering
with you soon!

Audubon Canyon Ranch is a guardian of natural environments

through preservation, education and research.
Bulletin 38, Spring 2006
STORM REPORT
by Skip Schwartz
I want to take this opportunity to let all of
ACR’s friends and family know how our preserves
fared in the 2006 New Year’s storm and high tide.
At Audubon Canyon Ranch it is our goal to pro-
vide a safe setting for our visitors, employees and
facilities through designs that work with the
forces of nature whenever possible. I feel fortu-
nate that the damage to ACR’s facilities and pre-
serves was relatively minor and attribute this to
prior planning, engineering and much work in
response to large storm events in years past. We
did, however, suffer some significant damage to
ACR’s Cypress Grove Research Center on
Tomales Bay and, after “putting our finger in the
dike,” we are in the process of consulting with
engineers and assessing options. At Bouverie
STAFF WELCOME
Audubon Canyon Ranch welcomes Leslie
Sproul as Bolinas Lagoon Preserve’s (BLP’s)
new Receptionist/Office Assistant. Leslie brings
a wealth of experience to our administrative
team, and hers is the cheery voice that greets
you when you call ACR headquarters.
Leslie was born and raised in Marin County.
Her grandmother brought her to ACR in the late
1960s, and Leslie still remembers her sense of awe
at first seeing egrets in their nests. She partici-
pates in the BLP volunteer work days and has
enjoyed meeting many of ACR’s volunteers. Leslie
says, “Being hired by ACR is a dream come true!”
Additionally this spring, two new staff faces
will greet visitors to the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
during the public season. Barbara Wechsberg
joins us as the new Cashier/Receptionist in the
A credit to our community — Audubon Canyon Ranch is participating in the innovative Community Smart credit card
program! When cardholders name ACR as their designated non-profit and shop at participating local merchants, a portion
of their proceeds from each qualifying transaction is automatically donated to ACR. For more information, visit
http://www.communitysmart.com.
Page 3
Preserve in Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon
and ACR’s Bolinas Lagoon Preserve, most
of the damage was limited to slides,
uprooted trees, stream rerouting and asso-
ciated impacts on trails, bridges, pipes,
driveways and parking. None of the build-
ings have been seriously damaged. ACR
staff is working diligently to prepare for
any further winter storms and to ready
the preserves for the fast approaching
public seasons. Of course we must also
meet the challenge of these unexpected
expenses and I hope you will consider
ANE CARLA ROVETTA
providing some additional financial sup-
port to assist us with this work.
Skip Schwartz is ACR’s Executive Director.
bookstore. A Stinson Beach resident, Barbara is a (L to R) Leslie
world traveler and an avid birder. Kira Steinberg, Sproul,
ACR’s new Weekend Program Facilitator, was Barbara
most recently the Volunteer Coordinator for ACR Wechsberg,
neighbor, PRBO Conservation Science. She has Kira Steinberg.
also worked at Año Nuevo State Reserve, Portola
Redwoods State Park, and in the U.C. Natural
Reserve System in Fort Ord.
Welcome to the ACR family, Leslie, Barbara,
and Kira!
Page 4 Audubon Canyon Ranch

GRASSLANDS from page 1 That grasslands have personality may be a

stretch for those who see all of that green turfy
stuff as “just grass.” But the more you get to
know the individual species, the more charismatic
they become. There are over 300 species of grass-
es native to California; those most common at
ACR preserves include the hairgrasses, oatgrasses,
wildryes, fescues and needlegrasses. Said aloud,
their scientific names conjure a parade of strong,
beautiful earth goddesses: Deschampsia.
Danthonia. Elymus. Festuca. Nassella.
And earth goddesses they are, with roots that
extend deep into the ground, literally knitting
Restored This one-hectare plot, along with five control the soil to the surface of the earth. These deep
grassland at plots, were monitored for vole density. “The ener- and extensive root systems not only reduce ero-
Cypress Grove gy in this system flows through the voles,” John sion on hillsides, coastal dunes and streambanks,
Research explains. “Our monitoring showed very clearly but they provide a network of fine channels
Center that the voles congregated in the areas where the through which rain water can percolate, irrigat-
JEANNE WIRKA grasses established a strong bunchgrass structure.” ing other plants and animals and recharging
There are few things more gratifying to groundwater stores.
Meadow vole resource managers than a successful restoration While grasses occur throughout California,
ANE CARLA ROVETTA project, especially when the other elements of the from coastal dunes to high Sierra meadows, the
ecosystem, like the voles, respond positively as term “grassland” is reserved for those communi-
well. Yet, there are few types of vegetation more ties where grasses and forbs (a fancy word for a
challenging to restore than grasslands, especially wildflower or other non-grass herb) make up the
grasslands that have been invaded by tough-to- majority of the plant cover. By that definition,
control non-native species—as have virtually all grasslands cover some ten million hectares—
grasslands in California. almost 25 million acres— in California. That’s
Some Northern California
native animals that
The challenge of grassland restora- one-quarter of the entire state!
depend on grasslands: tion is one that ACR staff and our California grasslands have historically been
American Kestrel research collaborators are tackling head grouped into a few main types, including coastal
Grasshopper Sparrow
Badger on, not just at Cypress Grove but at prairie, valley grasslands, and the understory of
Northern Harrier other ACR preserves as well. Indeed, oak savannahs and woodlands. On the landscape,
Buckeye butterfly
Western Meadowlark the diversity of grassland types that however, there are no such neat divisions; grass-
Burrowing Owl occur on ACR properties provides an land types mix it up with each other and with
Western racer
California ground important model for ecological restora- shrub- and tree-dominated communities, creating
squirrel tion in general, according to ACR’s a matrix of habitat types that varies at both very
White-tailed Kite
California ringlet Resource Management Specialist Dan local and regional scales.
Horned Lark Gluesenkamp. “Grasslands are really a One has only to look at our own ACR pre-
Ferruginous Hawk
Lark Sparrow perfect model for how to restore all serves to see this grassland diversity in action. The
Golden Eagle ecosystems,” he argues. “There is huge Bouverie Preserve, with its legendary wildflower
Meadow vole
Gopher snake variation among them, each grassland fields, contains examples of the same valley and
Savannah Sparrow has many habitats within it, and each oak-associated grasslands found in the drier
Western Bluebird
has its own personality.” Central Valley and Sierra Foothills but shares
Bulletin 38, Spring 2006 Page 5

many coastal prairie species with ACR’s coastal native grass seedlings.
preserves. At the Cypress Grove Research Center The CSHP Plan also
and Tom’s Point, coastal prairie mostly rubs identifies priority “rapid
shoulders with coyotebrush scrub and saltwater response” actions to pro-
marsh, while at Bolinas Lagoon Preserve the tect ACR grasslands at
scrub-grassland mix could be dotted with red- all its preserves from fur-
woods and Douglas fir as well. ther invasions of non-
It is this very patchiness that makes grasslands native species and lays
so biologically diverse and so important for out specific long-term
wildlife. Indeed, about 90 percent of species listed management plans for
on California’s Inventory of Rare and Endangered grasslands.
Species occur in grasslands. So, the next time
Sadly, a major reason that grassland plants you visit the Bouverie
and animals are imperiled is because grassland Preserve, don’t be sur-
habitat itself continues to be the real estate most prised if you’re greeted
sought after by humans. Beginning in the early by the sleepy eyes of a
1800’s with intensive European settlement, grass- happy bovine munching
lands have been rapidly converted to agriculture grass in the lower field.
or residential and urban uses. The vast majority Prescribed grazing to
that remain as open grasslands, whether on pri- control non-native grass-
vate ranches or in public preserves, have under- es is one of the CSHP
gone a major floristic shift to non-native annual long-term strategies actively under way. But cows Coastal prairie

grasses from the Mediterranean, like wild oats, aren’t the only ones doing the work! HPR pro- at ACR’s Toms

soft chess, and annual ryegrass. Adapted to heavy gram leader Dan Gluesenkamp has ACR volun- Point property.

grazing by livestock, these imported forage grasses teers and staff pulling, digging, and flaming weeds, JEANNE WIRKA

arrived with the settlers and their animals and
quickly expanded to the entire state, wholly out-
competing native species in some grassland types
while forming an uneasy truce in others. Pristine
native grassland is now so rare in California that
it is listed as the eighth most endangered ecosys-
tem in North America!
The challenge of preserving native remnants
and of restoring degraded grasslands has both
researchers and land managers working overtime
within the ACR network of preserves and
throughout the state. Grasslands are a central
focus of ACR’s Conservation Science and Habitat
Protection Plan (CSHP, or “Sea-Ship,” formerly
the Research and Resource Management Plan).
Researchers in collaboration with ACR are consid-
ering questions ranging from arthropod diversity
and carbon cycling in native and non-native grass-
lands to the most effective methods to establish
from Bouverie’s lower fields to Tom’s Point.
It may seem a thankless task, but the results
are visible today—witness the restored coastal
prairie at Cypress Grove—and also hold promise
for tomorrow. A recent study at Tom’s Point, for
example, found that, once established, restored
coastal prairie grasses eventually held their own
against exotics. “The good news,” says lead
researcher Dr. Jeffrey Corbin of U.C. Berkeley, “is
that we are not planting gardens that we’ll have to
keep tending. There is a pay-off eventually.”
Perhaps most importantly, ACR is leading the
way in applying what we are learning about
grasslands on the ground. “We are more than
just a think tank,” Gluesenkamp observes.
“We’re a do-tank.”
Jeanne Wirka is the Resident Biologist-Educator
at ACR’s Bouverie Preserve in Sonoma County.
Page 6
TRANSLATING A LOVE
by Melissa Irish
Children Volunteers are the heart and soul of ACR pro-
hear the grams. Each year, hundreds of dedicated and well
language, trained volunteer docents share their time and pas-
but the sion for the environment with more than 7,000
meaning schoolchildren. The students learn about local
is lost in native habitats and gain an appreciation for the
transla- natural world and a desire to protect it.
tion, which The docents’ commitment to ACR begins with
keeps a 23-week intensive training program that includes
these kids a final project, one that excites them and
from really advances the ACR mission. Maria Quevedo and
under- Lydia Mendoza became Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
standing docents in the spring of 2005 and, as their final
respect project, chose to translate classroom training mate-
for the rials into Spanish.
animals, Many Latino students participate in education
the ideas programs at ACR’s Bolinas Lagoon Preserve and
of con- Bouverie Preserve. Several current volunteer initia-
servation. tives aimed at addressing these children’s needs
include work on a translation of the free curricu-
lum provided to teachers involved with the
Bouverie Preserve program in Sonoma County, as
well as the one described here.
We asked Maria and Lydia to talk about the
genesis and impact of their very special project.
As members of the Latino community, you bring
a unique perspective to our programs and a valu-
able sensitivity regarding issues of diversity. How
did you initially learn about ACR?
Maria: In 1987, my husband and I immigrated
from Sinaloa, Mexico. I was 18. We moved to San
Diego first, then Bakersfield. We arrived in
Bolinas about five years ago, and we just love it.
My kids like living in a small town where they
know everyone. I have three children—Richard, 18;
Juan Carlos, 14; and Jonathan, 8. When the Land
Steward at Bolinas Lagoon Preserve needed some-
one to help with cleaning and gardening, I began
working there three days a week.
Audubon Canyon Ranch
OF NATURE
Lydia: I came to this country in the 1960s from
Cuba. In the ’70s we moved to San Francisco,
and I started to work full-time. I was a biology
major in college, and when my kids were little, I
volunteered at the Academy of Sciences Steinhardt
Aquarium and the Waikiki Aquarium. I have
always intended on nature being a part of my life.
My husband and I visited the Ranch often and
have always enjoyed the Bolinas Lagoon.
How has becoming a docent at ACR enabled you
to combine your personal commitment to serve
the Latino community with your love of nature?
Maria: Working at the Ranch, I noticed a lot of
lot of Latino kids and their teachers and parents.
They often asked me for directions or how to say
things, and I helped them communicate. The
docent training was a beautiful experience for me
and my boys. I brought movies and books home
from the training to watch with my family. Carlos,
my husband, was very proud of me for learning so
much about the natural world. Now Jonathan, my
youngest, loves science. I brought him with me to
some of the trainings, and he can’t stop talking
about the animals—asking questions about the
newts, how animals are born, and what they do.
He learned so much about how animals are a part
of our life, and that we need each other to survive.
I was also thinking about my country. In
Mexico, people feel differently about animals. But
once they are here, they look at them in new
ways. I can help teach people in my community
about respect for animals: animals are life. I also
learned that if we live in the world, we have to
take care of it. In my home we now recycle and
conserve energy and paper.
Lydia: I went back to graduate school and earned
my Masters in Public Health from UC Berkeley.
At that time, I promised myself I would give back
to the Latino community and use my Spanish to
help them. When I heard about the docent pro-
Bulletin 38, Spring 2006 Page 7

gram at ACR, I never thought I would have the

time to do it. I asked at work if I could go down
to 90%, and they agreed. For me personally, the
volunteer work I do at the Ranch is such a con-
trast from the work I do as a Health Educator in
a prenatal clinic. It adds so much balance to my
life! When I eventually retire, I want to go back to
nature and kids. When we start right with chil-
dren, it really puts the world in a better direction.
In our newly approved Education Plan, ACR has
recognized the need to develop materials and
techniques for reaching people who speak lan- began growing up in the countryside at home Lydia

guages other than English (see note in margin). and have now moved to very urban environ- Mendoza (left)

Could you please describe your project, which has ments. They just love being at ACR. It is some- and Maria

helped move us in this direction? thing new for them and they feel free. It might Quevedo.

Lydia: Before the children visit an ACR preserve, even remind them a little of home. MELISSA IRISH

docents go to the classrooms to familiarize them Maria: Some have just arrived and don’t know
with the natural history they will see at the pre- how to speak English. They miss out on so much.
A bilingual
serve. We present slides that talk about what you The children hear the language, but the meaning guide to
will find at ACR during the different seasons. We is lost in translation, which keeps these kids from some
translated the slide presentation into Spanish and really understanding the respect for the animals, common birds
then made six copies of the slide kit that the kids the ideas of conservation. Often other docents ask of ACR's
can use to follow along. On one side of the lami- us how to say things in Spanish, because there are preserves, just
completed
nated cards is a picture of the slide, and on the so many Latinos who come here from San Rafael
and enclosed
other side they can read in Spanish what the and San Francisco. It is important to me that they
in this Bulletin,
docent says about it. That way the kids who speak understand and that I help them. I am inspired to is the latest
more Spanish than English can follow along and have more Latinos come. example of
understand. How can ACR and the docents take this initiative new projects
aimed at
Maria: It was not an easy project because the names one step further to continue to create a welcom-
meeting the
and scientific terms didn’t translate directly into ing atmosphere for English language learners?
needs of
Spanish. We didn’t know the word for ‘egret’ or Lydia: We are doing an audio version of the slide ACR's diverse
‘evergreen’ in Spanish, so we described them. We presentation in Spanish as well, so the whole pres- participants
just explained a lot of the scientific terminology. entation could be in Spanish. Having this infor- and visitors.
Why is it important to have these materials avail- mation in Spanish is really a welcoming thing.
Also, a
able in Spanish for children? Maria: The other docents got very excited about complete bird
Lydia: There are a lot of Latino kids in the the project. Everybody was very supportive list for Bolinas
schools in Oakland, San Francisco and Marin because they see a real need for it. I want to think Lagoon
where we teach. I have Spanish-speaking kids in of new ways to reach out to the Latino communi- Preserve is
available
every one of my classes and hiking groups. ty, posting flyers in laundramats and restaurants,
when you
Coming to Audubon Canyon Ranch has a great and get them to visit this beautiful place.
visit. For
impact on some of the children originally from El information
Salvador, Mexico or Guatemala: they discover Melissa Irish is a consultant in ACR’s online, see
nature and feel just fabulous. Many of them Development Department. www.egret.org
Page 8 Audubon Canyon Ranch

“GEORGIE” DUCAS LEAD TRUST

by Phil Murphy
Georgiana Former Bouverie docent thousands of acres of riverbank
Ducas loved Georgiana deRopp Ducas, who tropical forest.
nature and trekked the Himalayas and visit- He described Mrs. Ducas—
adventure, and ed the Kingdom of Bhutan in “Georgie” to those who knew
she cared her late 70s and traveled a her—as well-traveled and athletic.
about Central America river by canoe She loved horses, drove a horse
preserving the in her early 80s, has created a and buggy around in her home in
environment. gift for the causes she loved as Saratoga Springs, New York, lived
COURTESY imaginative as the life she lived. in Italy for a number of years, and
GARDINER MEYER
The Georgiana deRopp had close friends on both coasts
Ducas Charitable Lead Trust will of the U.S. After her family, her
pay substantial yearly income to first love was the environment.
seven charities—Audubon “She felt strongly that it was
Canyon Ranch among them— her duty to help preserve the envi-
over the next 15 years. (See the box below.) ronment,” Mr. Aguilar said.
“The estate received significant estate tax ben- That is how ACR biologist John Petersen
efits from her plan,” her attorney, George remembers her from her Bouverie years. “Georgie
Aguilar of Red Bank, New Jersey, said. “But tax had a passion for botany and gardening,” he said.
benefits were not “She shared them enthusiastically with the other
her concern: her volunteers and visiting children.”
HOW A CHARITABLE emphasis was on Mrs. Ducas, who died in September of 2005,
the charities. lived for two years in a cottage at ACR’s Bouverie
LEAD TRUST WORKS
“She was a Preserve and served as a docent there after com-
Lead trusts pay income to charity first
delight,” Mr. pleting docent training in 1988. She was a close
and then pass whatever remains to the
Aguilar added. “She friend of the late David Pleydell Bouverie, after
family. The interest of the charity “leads” the
had a zest for life whom the preserve is named.
interest of the family.
Lead trusts both trigger a gift tax when
and had me laugh- A native of San Francisco, Mrs. Ducas was
funded and provide a gift tax deduction
ing all the time.” predeceased by her daughter Nancy and is sur-
based on the value of the cash flow com- When he heard vived by her son, Gardiner Howland Meyer, Jr., of
mitted to charity. That gift tax deduction may about his client’s Carson City Nevada, by her daughter Sally
offset the gift tax in whole or in part. planned Central Connellan of Sydney, Australia, and by five
A lead trust delays the distribution of American canoe grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
wealth to a child or grandchild until they trip, he told her, Audubon Canyon Ranch is proud to include
reach a certain age, helping charity while “There are a lot of Mrs. Georgiana deRopp Ducas as a posthumous
the child matures. No matter what the value alligators down member of its Clerin Zumwalt Legacy Circle,
of the trust at time of transfer to the family, there.” Undeterred, which honors those who have included ACR in
no further tax is due. she traveled the their estate plans. For information about the
For an analysis of how a lead trust may
river with a non- Legacy Circle, contact Cassie Gruenstein at 415-
meet your charitable and planning goals,
profit organization 868-9244 or cassie@egret.org.
contact Cassie Gruenstein at 415-868-9244
that has preserved
or cassie@egret.org.
Phil Murphy is ACR’s planned giving consultant.
Bulletin 38, Spring 2006
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve opens
to the public
SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS
MARCH 18 TO JULY 16, 2006
10:00 AM TO 4:00 PM
Come view the nesting herons and egrets
and hike the more than eight miles of trails.
On weekdays (except Mondays) the preserve
is open to the public by appointment. Call
415/868-9244 for more information.
Guided Nature Walks
BOUVERIE PRESERVE
MARCH 18, APRIL 1, APRIL 22, MAY 13,
MAY 20 • 9:30 AM TO 1:30 PM
This is 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 spring and fall.
Call 707/938-4554 to register one month
prior to the walk. No charge but donations
appreciated. Docent Council of Bouverie
Preserve.
Spring & Fall Work Days
BOUVERIE PRESERVE
SATURDAYS, MARCH 4 AND SEPTEMBER 30
9:30 AM – 1:00 PM (1:00 PM LUNCH)
Come help spruce up the preserve by
working on the trails, in the native plant
garden, around the formal gardens, in the
library, or cooking the lunch (which we
provide). Bring your favorite tool for
outdoor projects! Call 707/938-4554 to
register. Free, but please call to register so we
can plan on enough food! ACR Staff.
ANE CARLA ROVETTA
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Spring & Fall Work Days
BOLINAS LAGOON PRESERVE
SUNDAY MARCH 5 – PICHER CANYON
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 – VOLUNTEER CANYON
9:30 AM – 1:00 PM (1:00 PM LUNCH)
Come help friends of ACR ready the
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve for our spring
season. Help us with trail work, library
work, pulling weeds, or cooking the lunch
(we provide). Call 415/868-9244 to register.
Free, but please call to register so we can
plan on enough food! ACR Staff.
Habitat Restoration Parties
TOMALES BAY PROPERTIES
MARCH 11 • 10:00 AM TO 2:00 PM
Come help remove invasive plants on ACR’s
Tomales Bay Properties. Drinks, tools, and
lunch will be provided. Please bring work
gloves if possible.
LOCATION TO BE DECIDED
APRIL 8, 2006 • 10:00 AM TO 2:00 PM
Please call or email Dan Gluesenkamp at
707/935-8417 or gluesenkamp@egret.org to
register. You can also ask to receive regular
Habitat Restoration Party email
announcements by contacting Dan.
Mother’s Day BBQ
VOLUNTEER CANYON, BOLINAS
LAGOON PRESERVE
SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2006
For almost 50 years, the Marin Audubon
Society has hosted this delightful fundraiser
at Audubon Canyon Ranch on Mother’s
Day, bringing families and friends together
for a great day of delicious food and good
fun in the beautiful setting of this coastal
wildlife preserve. Proceeds from this annual
event, held in the magnificent meadow at
Volunteer Canyon, benefit the educational
and conservation programs of Audubon
Canyon Ranch and Marin Audubon
Society. Call Betsy Richardson at
415/454-5469 for information. $20 per
adult; $10 children under 10; payable to
Marin Audubon Society. Mail your
check to: MAS, 1540 Center Road, Apt.
387, Novato, CA 94947. Your check
guarantees your reservation.
Page 9
Land Steward Work Days
BOUVERIE PRESERVE
MARCH 13, APRIL 10, MAY 8
8:15 AM TO 12:30 PM
Come help clear trails, repair trail steps, pull
non-native plants, or work in the native
plant garden. Bring gloves, a lunch and lots
of energy as this will be strenuous trail work.
Drinks and tools will be provided. Trail days
are limited to 15 participants for each day.
Call 707/938-4554 to register. ACR Resource
Management Staff.
Docent Training
BOLINAS LAGOON PRESERVE
WEDNESDAYS, SEPT. 2006 TO MARCH 2007
ACR’s Bolinas Lagoon Preserve’s next
training session begins September 6th.
Classes meet once a week on Wednesdays
for 23 weeks. Included are such diverse
topics as birds, insects, pond life, and
teaching techniques. Upon graduation,
docents have the knowledge and confidence
to lead extremely valuable field trips for
schoolchildren. Exciting supplemental
enrichment classes are offered throughout
the year so docents may add to their
knowledge. Orientations are scheduled for
May 24th and August 23rd. Call 415/868-
9244 for more information and to confirm
participation in orientation. There is a $120
fee to cover the cost of training.
For complete information on the
events listed here, see our website,
www.egret.org. Or call (415) 868-
9244 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM
weekdays, or e-mail acr@egret.org.
Participation is by advance
reservation.
WISH LIST
We are looking for the following items,
which are tax-deductible when
donated to ACR.
Riding Lawnmower • Slide Projector
If you can help, please call Yvonne Pierce
at 415/868-9244.
 Page 10 Audubon Canyon Ranch

THANK YOU ACR VOLUNTEERS!

Audubon Canyon Ranch salutes the hundreds of individuals listed below for their dedication to ACR and for generously
donating time and energy as Docents, Ranch Guides, Ranch Hosts, Field Biologists, Researchers, Habitat Restoration and
Work Day Volunteers, Directors, and Advisors. You are the backbone of this organization! For all you do, we thank you!

Dan Murphy M.A. “Skip” Schwartz

President, Board of Directors Executive Director

Deborah Ablin Betty Berenson Shannon Burke Jeanne Crawford David Ferrera Patrick Gorman
Nancy Abreu Peter Bergen Elizabeth Burridge Sylvia Crawford Andy Field Geri Gottbraith
Ken Ackerman Evelyn Berger Mimi Burton Lisa Crowell John Finger Donna Graber
Dawn Adams Gail Berger Neil T. Burton Shiloh Crowl Joan Finkle Barbara Gray
Kristen Addicks Steve Berger Phil Burton F. Rigdon Currie Binny Fischer Philip Greene
Toby Adelman Jim Berkland Kathy Burwell Linda Curry Albert Fisk Dr. L. Martin Griffin, Jr.
Joan Ann Albers Mary Bicknell Denise Cadman Sharon Dado Ruth Fisk Deborah Grima-Lowe
Drew Alden Louise Bielfelt Cathleen Cannon Kit Daine Phyllis Fitzgerald Betty Groce
Bonnie Alexander Sherman Bielfelt Barbara Carlson Sam Dakin Cynthia Fleischer Maureen J. Groper
Julie Allecta Mark Bir Joyce Carlson Kimberly Daly Virginia Fletcher Bonnie Grubbauer
Jane A. Allen Bobbi Bird William Carlson Ann D. Davis Leslie L. Flint Bill Grummer
Judy Allen Shirley Biscotti Kate Carolan Melissa Davis Annette Floyd Sally Gude
Kathy Allen Gay Bishop Jeannette Carr Ron Davis Christine Fontaine Carol Guerrero
Leslie Allen Kathy Carroll Sarah Davis Mark Forney Marjorie Guggenhime
Linda Allen Ann Cassidy Carol Dean Kristine Fowler Brenda Gunn
Sarah G. Allen Lisa Cassidy Donna Lee DeBaets Leone Fowler Beth Gurney
Helen Alvarez Rudy Castillo Eleanor Decker Carol Fraker Roshan Habarakada
Linda Alwitt Kris Catching Cheri L. Degenhardt Mike Franklin Dr. Robert E. Hahn
Robert Alwitt Linda Cederborg Jody Deike Becca Freed Linn Hakala
Rosemary Ames Laurie Bissell Candy Chaillaux Mary DeJesus Andrea Freeman Karlene Hall
Bob Anderson Edith Black David Chalk Diana DeMarco Vince French Edythe Halliday
Carolyn Anderson Bonnie Blackaller Leigh Anne Chandler Linda Demers Jamie Freymuth Madelon Halpern
Janica Anderson Rose Marie Blake Julie Chang Nancy DeStefanis Satchel Friedman Lauren Hammack
Marie Anderson Annabel Blakey Ms Robin Chase Ginny DeVasto Michelle Friend Don Hanahan
Tina Ann Sara J. Blauman May Chen Gwen Dhesi Miriam Frye Lillian Hanahan
Ginelle Ann Marie Donna Bley Dave Chenoweth Jack Dineen Candice Fuhrman Sheila Handley
Judith Anna Michael Blick Albert Chin Carolyn Dixon Patricia Furlong Sherri Hansell
Richard Arendt Diane Bloom Wally Chin Nancy Dolphin Elsia Galawish Fred Hanson
Thelma L. Arlom Julie Blumenthal Donna Chinlund Cia Donahue Dr. James Gallagher Rosemary Hanson
Barbara Armstrong Dr. Leonard Blumin Claire Chow Fairfax Donovan George Gamble Elizabeth Harper
Megan Armstrong Patti Blumin Camille Clark Leslie K. Doughty George Gardiner Jack F. Harper
Christina Atwood Ellen Blustein Judy Clark Wendy Doughty Janet Gardiner Jim Harrison
Francine Austin Shirley Bogardus Sara Clegg Jed Douglas Amanda Gardner Roger Harshaw
Shirley Austin-Peeke Eve Boling Abby Clow Kim Douglas David Gardner Mary Lou Hart
Bob Baez Noelle M. Bon John W. Clow Giselle Downard Sharon Garell Elizabeth D. Hartsook
Annie Bailey Andrea Bond Mary Ann Cobb Roberta Downey Laurie Gaynor Jim Hastings
Ruth Baillie Suzanne Bond Steve Cochrane Joe Drennan Daniel George Alison Hastings-Pimentel
Norah Bain Virginie Boone Malcolm Cohen Judy Dugan Jyoti Germain Helen Hawkins
Richard B. Baird Melanie Borges Suzie Coleman Sherrie Dye Marjorie Gibbs Nancy Hays
Ankie Bajema Janet Bosshard Peter Colosanti Bob A. Dyer Tony Gilbert Nancy Jo Heaton
Bruce Bajema Georgia Bostedt Stephen Colwell Alexandra Eastman Mary Ann Gilles David Heller
Ted Bakkila Jaimie Bowen Carole Connell David Easton Gretchen Gillfillan Christian Hellwig
Rachna Bali Tom Bradner Suzanne Conrad Michelle Eaton Dr. Jan Gilman Mike Henkes
Natalie Baltlana Ellen Brantley Robyn Contini Betsy Eckstein Keith Gish Bill Hering
Nancy Barbour Anna-Marie Bratton Glenda M. Cook Irene Ehret Alice Glasner Suzanne Hering
Gail Barrett Jeanine Bray Jim Cooke David Elliott Bryant Hichwa
Ryan Bartling Joan B. Breece Mickey Cooke Phyllis Ellman Diane Hichwa
Eleanor Briccetti
ANE CARLA ROVETTA

Patricia Barton Patti Cooke Nancy Elsner Catherine Hickey

Katy Baty Emily Brockman Michelle Coppoletta Beth Ely Joanne Hickox
Tom Baty Jayne Brogan Jeffrey Corbin Mary Engebreth Holly Higgins
Anne W. Baxter Mary Lee Bronzo Caitlin Cornwall Cathy Evangelista Pat Hildreth
Helen Beale Bill Broughan Bob Cossins Todd Evans Anne Hillsley
Caitlin Bean Kathleen Brown Sue Cossins Jules Evens Judi Hiltner
Denali Beard Lili Brown Hugh Cotter Karen Everard Diana B. Hindley
Leslie Bellis Michael Ann Brown James Cowperthwaite Marjorie Everidge Angela Hinz
Frank Benadaret Sam Brown Mary Anne Nancy Falk Beryl Glitz John Hirten
Douglas C. Bender Stephen Brown Cowperthwaite Bob Farnham Dohn Glitz Wyn Hoag
Gordon Bennett Janet Bruno Patti Craves Lisa Farnham Sally Gmelin Jake Hobson
Jedel Benson Adriana Buck Chuck Crawford Katie Fehring Ellen Goldstone John Hoke
Mary Benziger Thanhtam Bui Eleanor Crawford Jane L. Ferguson Marilyn Goode Ellen Holden
Anne Goodwin
Marjorie Hollinger Judy Laursen Barbara Meyer George S. Peyton, Jr. Rachel Simpson
Jean Holroyd-Sills Olin Leasher Sheri Michaels Cathy Pharis Dolly Simunovich
Jim Horan Gaye LeBaron Regina Milavec Billy Pierce Jane Sinclair
Rich Horrigan Barbara Leder Bob Milbourn Lenore Pimental Paul Skaj
Terri Horrigan Louis N. Lee Audrey Miller Myfanwy Plank Una Skelly
Ruth Hosty Sharon Lee Jean Miller Sally Pola Daphne Smith
Roger Hothem Laura Leek Flavia Millikan Julia Pollock Ernestine I. Smith Natalia Vicino
Ann Howard Lamar Leland Ann Mintie Helen M. Pratt Joe Smith Sylvia Victor
Donald K. Howard Bill Lenarz Lourdes Mirillo Mary C. Premo Joseph Smith Linda Vida
Helen Howard Stephanie Lennox Judy Missakian Katherine Prescott Marjorie Smith Norma Vite
John Howard Robin Leong Jan Moffet Jorge Presser Pat Smith Sasha Vitomski
Joan Howarth Sharon Leong Christopher Moi Jeanne Price Robert Smith Nancy Vizi
Steve Howell Gail Lester Jim Moir Maris Purvins Jan Gerrett Snedaker Deborah L. Votek
Anne Hudgins Keith Lester Carol Moller Maria Quevedo Craig Solin Mary C. Wagner
Lisa Hug Bev Leve Corinne Monahan Barbara Ramsey Karen Sommer Stephany Waite
Robert Hulbert Tish Levee Mark Monroe Patricia Randall Noellene Sommer Sandra Wald
Tom Hulse Kate Lewis Elaine Moreno Ashley Ratcliffe Marianne Sonntag Susan Walker
Diane Huntoon Seela Lewis Beverly Morgan Alison Rayner-Hooson Bob Soost Roberta Wall
Linda Husted Michele Liapes Ian Morrison Paula Rector Amy Southwick Varia Walle
Mary Ianniccheri Eileen Libby Anne Murphy Connie Rector-Kinnison Kryss Speegle Tom Walsh
Leslie Imboden Karin Lienart Dan Murphy Joan Regan Linda Spence Tanis Walters
Dascha Inciarte Sharon Linder Joan Murphy Jeanne Reggio Anne Spencer Christine Walwyn
Ellie Insley Kirsten Lindquist Nancy Murray Dr. Jeff Reichel Robert Spofford Sarah Warnock
Charlotte Irvine Karen Loida Karen J. Nagel Linda Reichel Sue Spofford Thomas Warton
Jenifer G. Jackson Ruth Lombard Angela Nardo-Morgan Don Reinberg Craig Spriggs Cara Wasden
Joli Jacobs Bert Lombino Leonard Nelson Jean Rhodes Jane Spriggs Richard Wasson
Diane Jacobson Patricia Lonacker Sherry Nelson Diana Rhoten Betsy Stafford Ryan Watanabe
Jeri Jacobson Zoe Lorentson Wally Neville Rudi Richardson Rich Stallcup Kathleen Watson
Isa Jacoby Nancy Lowney Mark Newhouser Beverly Riverwood Barbara Starke Penny Watson
Barbara Janis Susan Luber Linda Nicoletto Christine Roberts April Starke Slakey David Watt
Norma Jellison Teri Lunn Kenneth E. Niehoff Tom Robinson Jean Starkweather Anna Webster
Rene Jenkins Anna Lyons Spencer Nielsen Ramona Robison Karen Steingart Lynn Webster
Rosemary Jepson Laurie Mackay Madeline Nonnenberg Curt Rocca Gay Stern Fay Weimer
Dr. Erv Jindrich Flora E. Maclise Terry Nordbye Jayne Rosantsson Larry Stern Judy Weiner
Ann Joergenson Phil Madden Ed Nute Anna-Marie Rosatton Liz Sterns Arlene Weis
Rick Johnson Art Magill Tilly Nylin Emily Rose Martha Stettner Carol Weiske
Calvin Jones Lyn Magill Patricia O’Brien Marty Rosen Laurel Stevenson Patrick Welch
Gloria Jones LaRee Maguire Edna O’Connor Dominique Michael Stevenson Jim Wellhouse
Marlene Jordan Tina Maldonado Sheila Rosenberg Heidi Stewart Jane Wellington
Linda Josephs Joie Malpass O’Donnell Glenda Ross Linda Stewart Wendy Whalen

ANE CARLA ROVETTA

Linda B. Judd Jean Mann Joe O’Neill Jeff Rothman Susan Stoddard Mildie Whedon
Gail Kabat Dr. Alan J. Margolis John O’Reilly Paul J. Ruby Ron Storey Debra White
Lynnette Kahn Marty Maricle Liz Ruellan John Sutherland Heather White
Blanche Kaiser Joann Marker Anne Ruffino Kimiko Suzuki Jim White
Patty Karlin Gloria Markowitz Mel Ruiz Lowell Sykes Rosilyn White
Guy Kay Roger Marlowe DeAnn Rushall Kate Symonds Tom P. White
Thomas Kehrlein Sandra Martensen Pearl Saad Thuong Tang Katie Whitmer
Joanne Keim Charlotte Martin Ivan Obolensky Ellen Sabine Charles Tarkington Adeline Whitmore
Carol Keiper Janaea Martin Mark Olson Maryla Salt Barbara Taylor Danya Wiebalk
Carole Kelleher Roz Martin Rudolf Oppenheimer Dianne Samples Larry Taylor Diana Wilkiemeyer
Shirley Kelly Virginia Martin Carol Orme Roger Sanborn Judy Temko Phillip Wilkiemeyer
Richard L. Kettler Richard Martini Anita Ostrom Jeff Sanchez Mike Terwilliger Julia Wilkinson
Diana King Peter Mason Robert Ovanin Marilyn Sanders Janet Thiessen De Williams
Marian Kirby Sherry Mason Harold Oyen Len Sansome Jennifer Thomas Diane Williams
Ann Kircher Carol Masterson Janet Oyen Sharon Savage Mary Ann Thompson Phyllis Williams
April Kirkman Nancy Mavis, MD Alan Pabst Dr. Richard Schiller Wayne Thompson Liz Williamson
Richard F. Kirschman Shirley Maxson Cari Paganini Phyllis Schmitt Dorothy Thomson Jessica Wilson
Margaret Klein Tom Maxson Briggitta Page Harry Schoonbaert Peggy Thorpe Kate Wilson
Sarah Klobas Chris McAuliffe Renee Palace Craig Schorr Mona Tieche Kathy Wilson
Karen Knudtsen Betty McBrachen Richard Panzer Gordon Schremp Carolyn Timmins Ken Wilson
Ece Kocak Marie Annette McCabe Jennie Pardi Alice Schultz Alicia Toldi Marilyn Winkley
Gary Kohlhass Rita McClain Robert J. Parker Craig H. Scott Francis Toldi Jon Winter
Fran Korb Barbara McCoard Lorraine Parsons Marilynn Scott Leigh Toldi Wigay Wix
Harriet L. Kostic David McConnell Carol Patel Sheryce Scott William Trbovich Pat Wolffe
Martin Koughan Gary McFarland Christina Patterson Bill Seidel Susan Tremblay Angie Wolfow
Ellen Falconer Krebs Jeanne McHenry Lois E. Patton Lee Seidner Louise Trudeau Allison Woltering
Carol Kuelper Carolyn McKenna Ray Paula Asha Setty Kwang Tseng Madeleine Wood
Karen Kustel Leo McKenna Jean Pauley Cyndy Shafer Rebecca Tuden Cat Woods
Robert Kustel Marie McKinney Meg Paulivitch Robin Sharp Joan Turner Patrick Woodworth
Pat LaBerge Teri McLaughlin Tony Paz John Shellenberger Bob Tuttle Kathryn Wright
Andy LaCasse Bill McNicholas Joelle Peebles Richard B. Shipps Cathy Tyler Robert Yanagida
Norah J. Laffan Rachel Medanic Precious Peoples Allen Shirley Kathleen Unti Cindy Young
Andrew Lafrenz Lydia Mendoza Jamie Perham Mark Shirley Julie Vader Nancy Young
Diane Lafrenz Maeve Mepzer Beverly Perrin Robert Sholtz Rich Vallario Peter Young
Sherry Lambert Diane Merrill Leslie R. Perry Will Shonbrun Susan Van Der Wal Katy Zaremba
Joan Lamphier Susan Merrill Kate Peterlein Chillie Shumann Lee Van Giesen Ingrid Zimmerman
Jean-Michel Lapeyrade Valerie Merrin Jeff Peterson Sam Shumann Leticia Van Sickle Suzanne Zimmerman
Pete Larsen Michael Mery Ray L. Peterson Claire Shurvinton Zoltan Vasvary Jill Zumwalt
Catherine Petru Loretta Zweig
WHEN TO VISIT
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve

ANE CARLA ROVETTA

Mid-March to mid-July: Saturday, Sunday
and holidays, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Weekdays by appointment only; call
(415) 868-9244.
Closed Mondays.
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve is adjacent to
Bolinas Lagoon on State Highway One, three The Audubon Canyon
miles north of Stinson Beach. Ranch Bulletin is published
twice yearly by Audubon
Cypress Grove Research Center Canyon Ranch as a free
By appointment only. (415) 663-8203. offering to ACR donors
and supporters. Edited by
Cassie Gruenstein and
Bouverie Preserve Melissa Irish. Designed and
By appointment only. (707) 938-4554. produced by Claire
See schedule of events, inside. Peaslee. ©2006 Audubon
Canyon Ranch.

www.egret.org Printed on 50% recycled

paper (20% post-consumer)
e-mail: acr@egret.org using soy-based inks.

The Mission of Audubon Canyon Ranch ♦ Preserve, protect and manage ACR properties as sanctuaries for native plants and animals. ♦
Educate children and adults about the natural environment and the need to protect it, through the experience and enjoyment of ACR sanctuaries.
♦ Support research and conservation efforts that enhance the preservation and management of ACR sanctuaries.

Audubon Canyon Ranch Non-profit

Organization
4900 Highway One U.S. Postage
Stinson Beach, CA 94970 PAID
MAILCOM
(415) 868-9244

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