Human Locusts Descend on the Ecology Study Area!
Friends’ Earthday activities began on April 21 at our habitat restoration site, the Ecology Study Area, adjacent to Corte Madera Creek, and in the following week 180 freshman students from Marin Catholic High School walked up from school to the site to demolish large patches of periwinkle, dock and thornless blackberry. Many thanks are due to all our neighborhood volunteers, to the students fulfilling their community service, and to the cadre of teachers led by Mary Churchill. Thank you, too, to Marin Sanitary Service for donation of a debris box.
See Locally-made Animated Film and Website,
Kids on The Creek!
Gina Farr, in partnership with Alison Quoyeser’s kids at Ross School, Friends of Corte Madera Creek Watershed and others, have produced a new film for young children, “Fish Out of Water”. This charming 4-minute video, directed by Gina and animated by Cartoonland, tells the story of a young fish who must depend on friends to find a healthy home on an urban creek. On the website www.kidsonthecreek.com you can see the animation, hear children interview each other about creek care, listen to sounds of the creek recorded by children on “wild sound safari”, and read kids’ poetry about trout and salmon!
Project Updates for Winter 2012:
Ross Valley Flood Protection
The Department of Water Resources has awarded $7.66 million to the Marin County Flood Control District’s Ross Valley Watershed Flood Protection Program for the Phoenix Lake Retrofit Project. Read More…
FCMCW receives $123,929 for Invasive Spartina Project
Funding generously provided by the Coastal Conservancy for the 2011-13 treatment season. Read More…
Construction of Lansdale Barrier
Removal at San Anselmo Creek, funded by the California Department of Fish and Game. Read More…
Help Protect River Otters!
In 2011 two river otters were killed on Lucky Drive near the High Canal entrance, one in February and another in October. They were probably two of the four otters in a family that charmed residents of Corte Madera and Larkspur during the summer and fall of 2010 when they were frequently seen playing in the High Canal, in lagoons in Corte Madera, and in Corte Madera Creek. Thank you to those of you who responded to our appeal for funding for signs to warn motorists about the presence of otters in the area.
Revised FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to be released sometime in 2012.
Corte Madera Creek Flood Control Project
Congress continues to seriously underfund work by the US Army Corps of Engineers on completing work on the Unit 3 and Unit 4 components of this project.
Foster Parents Wanted For Restorations- Get Involved!
Friends has seven restoration projects, all the way from high on Fairfax Creek to a tidal area on Larkspur Creek. Each one of them needs regular attention – checking the drip irrigation system in the summer and weeding periodically. You could make a real difference to the health of the watershed by volunteering to be that person for a site near you! Contact us at info@friendsofcortemaderacreek.org if you are interested and would like to know more.