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Cotati Creek Critters meet on second Saturdays (9 a.m. – 12 noon) and last Sundays (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) of the month from October to April/May. Creek Stewardship Days are open to all. See the Creek Stewardship Days Guidelines below for important information.
In fall 2008 our main focus will be to plant an understory of native grasses, sedges, and rushes. These plants will help stabilize banks, reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and provide habitat for wildlife. [See Native and Invasive Plants] Tasks may include planting trees and shrubs, taking care of existing plants by weeding, mulching, watering, or we may work in the nursery, or do other supportive tasks such as refurbishing used tools. What we do on any given day will depend on the weather, current priorities, numbers of volunteers, and other factors. Planting begins after sufficient rain has fallen.
To be added to the Cotati Creek Critters email list please contact Jenny Blaker. You will receive emails approximately twice a month with announcements and reminders of all our events.
days completed
Saturdays 9 a.m. - 12 noon |
Sundays 10 a.m. - 1 pm |
October 11, 2008
Fall Trash Pick Up
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October 26, 2008
Restoring Tools, Plant Care |
| November 8, 2008 |
November 30, 2008 |
| December 13, 2008 |
[December 28, 2008: Holiday - no work day] |
| January 10, 2009 |
January 25, 2009 |
| February 14, 2009 |
February 22, 2009 |
| March 14, 2009 |
March 29, 2009 |
| April 11, 2009 |
April 26, 2009 |
| May 9, 2009 * with Laguna Keepers * |
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In addition to regular Creek Stewardship Days, we also arrange special planting days for specific groups: churches, boy scouts, community groups, etc. Contact Jenny Blaker to arrange a workday for your group.
Date |
Group |
October 3, 2008
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Environmental Sciences Class, Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) |
| October 12, 2008 |
Sonoma State University (SSU) JUMP group |
| November 9, 2008 |
SSU JUMP group & Alpha Nu Kappa (NAK) |
| November 21, 2008 |
Environmental Restoration Class, Sonoma State University (SSU) |
| November 23, 2008 |
Frogsong Cohousing Community |
| February 11, 2009 |
STRAW (Students & Teachers Restoring a Watershed) |
Here are some simple recommendations for volunteers attending Cotati Creek Critters’ workdays, which will help to ensure a positive, productive, and enjoyable experience for all.
(Guidelines and directions also availalable HERE in pdf format.)
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Please arrive on time or a few minutes early, so that we can all meet together at the beginning to discuss tasks at hand and safety issues. Unless we notify you otherwise, we will meet at “Ladybug Lot,” (City of Cotati Well Lot #2) on Lakewood Avenue in Cotati. The Lot is adjacent to Ladybug Park in the City of Rohnert Park.
We encourage you to walk or bicycle whenever possible!
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If at all possible please stay for the entire period from 9-12 (Saturdays) or 10-1 (Sundays). There is a significant amount of preparation, set up and clean up for a work day, so we try to make the most of the time we have! If you need to leave early please inform the Stewardship Coordinator at the beginning of the day so we may give you a task appropriate for your time available.
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Students are welcome with permission of their parents if under 18. We are very busy during our work so if you need to ask questions or have a form signed to get credit for school we ask that you wait until the end of the scheduled workday. |
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Wear appropriate attire. Wear sturdy boots or shoes for wet and muddy conditions. For safety reasons open-toed sandals or flip-flops are not acceptable! Dress in comfortable, old clothes, with long pants, and be prepared to get dirty. Dress in layers, for temperature changes during the day and because you can get hot working and cool when you rest. We provide gloves and tools. Wear sunscreen and a hat. If rain is forecast bring appropriate rainwear. Long sleeves can be useful to protect you from thorns, etc.
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We provide refreshments, and there’s a drinking fountain at the Lot, but it’s a good idea to bring your own water bottle to take with you to the worksite, and/or a mug or cup for a hot beverage in the winter months.
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Don’t bring valuables you can’t carry with you - we can’t guarantee to lock them up safely or keep them dry if it is raining.
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We work rain or shine! If it is raining we may take cover at Ladybug Lot and work on refurbishing tools or potting up plants in our nursery, and run out to the creek if the weather clears.
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Please e-mail Jenny Blaker or call 792 4422 if you have any questions. |
Thank you, and we look forward to working with you!
Directions
Map (please read the above guidelines before arriving at the planting day ~ thanks!)
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.
Read more about our achievements to date!
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