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Thanks to all of you, we have planted, mulched, staked, and maintained well over 1,000 native trees and shrubs, a few hundred native grasses and sedges, and potted up hundreds of plants including native grasses for planting in Fall 2008!
From 1998-2004, Cotati Creek Critters was an all-volunteer group that, in conjunction with members of Cotati’s Community & Environment Commission, planted native trees and shrubs along a section of the Laguna de Santa Rosa just north of E. Cotati Avenue, then later along Cotati Creek in De Lano Park, and along the Laguna channel in Putnam Park, off Myrtle Avenue. Hundreds of trees and shrubs were planted and the group was also involved with several Earth Day events.
In 2005, Cotati Creek Critters, with the support of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, the Sonoma County Water Agency, the City of Cotati, help from several experts, and letters of support from community members and organizations, applied for an Urban Streams Restoration grant from the California Department of Water Resources. There were 91 applicants competing and 17 were accepted for funding, of which only 10 were fully funded. Cotati Creek Critters were successful to the tune of almost $170,000, from funds authorized by Proposition 40. This new grant-funded project was launched on September 2005, with speeches by local officials, a volunteer workday, and a celebratory lunch.
The City of Cotati allowed the use of City Well lot #2 as a base of operations, and a shipping container was installed to store tools and equipment. Gradually a collection of tools has been built up, including many used tools which have been refurbished (see Appropriate Technology). A plant nursery has been established, with plants in cell tubes and tree pots waiting to be planted the following season. (See Resources for sources of plants). Wade Belew (Stewardship Coordinator) and Jenny Blaker (Outreach Coordinator) have made over 30 presentations to citizens groups.
Over 50 volunteer planting days have been held, including Community Planting Days and work days organized specifically for certain groups. These have included environmental education organizations Acorn Soupe, and the Bay Institute’s STRAW project (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed), working with local schools, teachers, and students; student groups from Sonoma State University, including JUMP, Freshmans Interest Groups, a Hutchins Liberal Studies class, fraternities SAE and TKA, the Biology Club and the Outdoor Pursuits group; the Laguna Keepers, the Rohnert Park Active 20/30 Club, the Kiwanis, the Rancho Cotati High School, Interact Club and Environmental Club, Troop 4 Boy Scouts, Pack 4 Cub Scouts, Congregation Ner Shalom, and even the Cotati Coop Nursery School. Staff of Christopher Joseph & Associates, an environmental and consulting firm, came for two 8-hour workdays! The Frogsong Cohousing Community have adopted a section of the Laguna channel closest to where they live. Many individuals, families, and friends have joined as regular volunteers, some of them coming to almost every workday, others as and when they can make it.
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