All SPAWN Donations to be Doubled Through Jan. 31
From now until January 31, a generous resident of West Marin will match any contribution you make to SPAWN – up to $50,000! Help us turn $50,000 into $100,000 in urgently needed funding to support our innovative Lagunitas Creek floodplain and streamside habitat restoration and reforestation efforts. Double your gift today.
Dam Release, Rain Brings Flowing Water to Floodplain
Our new floodplain side channel network created during the Lagunitas Creek Floodplain and Riparian Restoration Project has seen flowing water for the first time! In addition to the first rains of the season in late November, a “pulse” flow of water released from Peter’s Dam has found its way into our side channels, bringing with it gravel, rocks and sand—indicating where pools and riffles will begin to form. View a photo gallery of the water-filled floodplain.
Taking Action for Tule Elk in Point Reyes
After SPAWN sent comments to Point Reyes National Seashore regarding their Environmental Impact Statement for lease lands at Point Reyes National Seashore, it was discovered that HR 6687, a bill that plans to eliminate the free-ranging Tule Elk in Point Reyes National Seashore, was going to be voted on at the Subcommittee on National Parks – despite a General Management Plan currently underway. With your help, we sent more than 1,800 messages to our Senators, urging them to allow the GMPA process to play out and to oppose HR 6687.
SPAWN Receives Grant for Streamside Landowner Assistance
SPAWN received a grant from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fisheries Restoration Grant Program to place numerous fallen trees, logs, and rootballs in the San Geronimo Creek to restore critical habitat for salmon and protect streambanks against erosion that is threatening homes. It was the only project in Marin County to receive a grant. Learn more.
Search for Coho Salmon on a Creekwalk Tour
This winter, experience Marin County’s local population of endangered coho salmon returning from the ocean to spawn on a Creekwalk Tour. Led by a SPAWN-trained naturalist, you’ll help us look for endangered Coho salmon at the peak of their spawning season, learn about native plants and animals, discover the history of the watershed, and anything encountered along the way. Register for a Creekwalk Tour.
Help us Plant on the Tocaloma Site
We have started planting out the Tocaloma site! We have already planted over 1,000 plugs of native grasses and sedges. We will continue stabilizing the site with grasses, sedges, and rushes, and will begin to plant trees in December. Please join us for planting each Tuesday from 10am-1pm and Friday afternoons from 2pm-4pm. Friday nursery days will continue as usual, each Friday from 10am-1pm. Please note that we will not have volunteer events on Christmas Day or New Years Day. View upcoming events.
The Coho Have Returned!
After the first rain of the month in late November, we saw several coho salmon and one redd, or nest, at the Leo T Cronin Fish Viewing Area, located along Lagunitas Creek in West Marin. We also heard a report of fish in Forest Knolls! Each year, beginning in November, endangered coho salmon return to Lagunitas Creek from the ocean to spawn, or lay eggs. Where to watch salmon spawn in the Bay Area.
TIRN Supports Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act
Over 150 conservation groups, including TIRN, have come together to support Senator Tom Udall and Representative Don Beyer as they introduce the Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act to protect wildlife corridors to secure the future of America’s native wildlife. Even small insects like North American monarch butterflies, pictured above, need wildlife corridors to migrate some 3,000 miles. Learn more.
Redwood Plantings to Take Place in January
In January, we will be planting redwoods! Please join us on Saturday, January 5 and Saturday, January 12 in Nicasio from 10am-2pm. All tools and equipment will be provided, as well as coffee and snacks. Please bring your own water bottle and dress appropriately for weather in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. If you are interested in helping us plant redwoods, please email Preston at [email protected]. The exact location of plantings will be given at the time of the RSVP.
Shop Online. Save Salmon.
As you prepare your gift list this holiday season, consider using an online shopping platform that allows a portion of your purchases to be donated to Turtle Island Restoration Network: AmazonSmile. If you shop on smile.amazon.com this holiday season, you can make Turtle Island your charity of choice, and every purchase you make will also be a gift for the worlds oceans and marine wildlife. Help fund our campaigns to save endangered sea turtles, salmon, sharks and other marine wildlife species worldwide.
Join us for these upcoming events!
- Every Tuesday: Nursery Volunteer Day Meet at our headquarters from 10 am to 1pm and help care for thousands of native plants and then take a stroll with us as we collect wild seeds. Please join us for a great time with very skilled botanists. Email [email protected].
- Every Friday: Nursery Volunteer Day Meet at our headquarters from 10 am to 1pm and help care for thousands of native plants and then take a stroll with us as we collect wild seeds. Please join us for a great time with very skilled botanists. Email [email protected].
- December 2018 - January 2019: Creekwalk Tours Join a SPAWN-trained naturalist to experience the local population of endangered coho salmon returning from the ocean to spawn. More information and registration is available via our Eventbrite.
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