Promoting education, preservation & restoration of the natural & cultural resources of Russian River area State Parks
Stewards Promotes, Restores and Protects YOUR State Parks.
Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods (Stewards) is a non-profit organization that partners with the Russian River Sector of California State Parks. The sector includes Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve (outside Guerneville), Austin Creek State Recreation Area,Sonoma Coast State Park (from Bodega Bay to Jenner) and includes the Willow Creek watershed. The State Parks Volunteers in Parks program depends on Stewards to provide funding for educational and interpretive activities, for resource management projects, and to assist in the development of interpretive facilities.
The State Parks of Sonoma County's coast and Russian River valley are rich in natural and cultural history, biological diversity and distinctive geology. Our mission is to promote education, preservation and restoration of the natural and cultural resources of Russian River area State Parks through interpretation and public stewardship. We do this (with the help of 350 volunteers) by providing park visitors of all ages with a variety of programs and opportunities to experience and explore these exceptional parks.
With your support, Stewards is protecting Austin Creek State Recreation Area with volunteer patrols and stewardship support. We are working towards reopening closed camping areas on the Sonoma Coast, as well as continue all our existing education and stewardship programs during these unprecedented times. We will continue to support efforts to secure a sustainable funding source for our state parks. All donations will help us achieve our goal of KEEPING YOUR PARKS OPEN.
Stewards plays an important advocacy role for California State Parks. For decades, California's park system, the nation's largest, has been under funded. This has lead to serious understaffing and a $1.3 billion deferred maintenance backlog. In May 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation placed our entire state parks system on the list of the top 11 most endangered historic places. Stewards routinely advocates for the needs of our State Park treasures, ensuring they will be open and available for public enjoyment for generations to come.
Job Announcements:
No Jobs currently available.
Upcoming Event - Space is limited - Click on graphic to make a reservation
Stargazing in Austin Creek SRA Saturday, June 8, 2013, 7:30 to 10:30 pm
Cultural History of Sonoma Coast Saturday, May 18, 2013
1 pm – 4 pm, bring lunch Bodega Bay Fire Protection District Instructors: Daniel Murley, Historian, Retired State Park Ranger, others to be added.
Learn about the cultural history of Sonoma Coast State Park, including the Kashaya Pomo, Russian American Fur Company, ranching families and logging operations.
The Legacy of Pond Farm Pottery Date and Time: June 1, 2013
9:00 to Noon
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Instructors: Anthony Veerkamp, National Trust for Historic Preservation and Laura Parent, State Parks
Learn about the inspiring story of internationally renowned ceramic potter, Marguerite Wildenhain and Pond Farm Pottery.
NEXT GENERAL VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS
Saturday, May 18, 2013, 9:00-Noon
Bodega Bay Fire Protection District
There are a number of volunteer opportunities available in Russian River State Parks. Come learn about them all. New volunteers are required to attend one General Orientation Session to learn about the roles and responsibilities. Volunteers who work at least 25 hours receive a free Day Use Pass for all State Parks in the Russian River and Mendocino Districts. Volunteers who work 200 hours or more receive a free State-wide Day Use Pass.
Austin Creek's Bullfrog Pond Campground Opens on August 17, 2012 - After months of planning and focused work, we are almost ready to open Austin Creek's Bull Frog Pond Campground. Thank you to those of you who have been patient as we took the time needed to implement this new endeavor for Stewards. We are still waiting for a final contract however our Early Entry Permit gives us the needed permission to begin operating Austin Creek State Recreation Area.
Stewards offers special educational programs to help students and the public learn about a redwood grove's complex web of life, discover the wonders of coastal tide pools and engage in watershed field studies. In addition to studying a wide variety of flora and fauna, we help you explore the history of the Native Americans and other cultural groups who dwelled here.
Our School Group Education Programs serve over 6,000 school children a year. Stewards provides reservation services, teacher's guides, and learning aids to teachers to support their curriculum goals. On-site field trips led by State Parks Volunteer Docents and Staff give students a hands-on opportunity to:
Investigate the wonders of the interdial zone
Learn about watershed values by participating in creek assessment projects
Explore the ecology of an old-growth redwood forest
Stewards' Public Education Programs are staffed by State Parks Volunteer Docents and Staff. They give generously of their time to share their love of nature, knowledge and information, as well as stewardship values. These programs include:
The natural resources in our parks have been impacted by past land use practices and are in need of continuing restoration to
bring them back to health.
Stewards has raised over $600,000 in funds
through donations and grants to support
resource management projects. We develop partnerships with other private
and public organizations. Our volunteer stewardship programs include:
Additional trail and restoration projects occurring as needed
State Parks Visitor Centers
Stewards supports the California State Park Visitor Centers in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve and at the Sonoma Coast State Park in Jenner. State Parks volunteers operate nature stores at both locations. Our long-term goals include the renovation and
expansion of current facilities and the development
of a new facilities at Armstrong Redwoods and the Sonoma Coast State Park.
