Before I present an introduction to this month’s profile of a new organization, I want to give you an update (see last month’s President’s Line in the newsletter) on recent accomplishments by our friends just south at Carmel River Steelhead Association. Each year during summer when the creeks feeding the Carmel River start drying-up, an ambitious group of well equipped and knowledgeable core leaders, with the assistance of helper volunteers hit the water with a mission. The goal is to capture as many as possible young-of-year and juvenile (1+ year) steelies from soon to be dried-up reaches of creek that is cut off from the Carmel River. As of this writing, they have rescued over 7,000 fish and inserted over 600 PIT tags. Scott Kitayama and I were able to make it down there to help a couple of times. Hopefully some more of our club members will be able to join-in sometime. It’s very gratifying to help give these iconic fish a chance.
Saved by Nature
https://www.savedbynature.org/
ABOUT SAVED BY NATURE
Founder Richard Tejeda worked with MBSTP (one of their community partners). They organize outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, backpacking, boat tours, camping for all ages including adult reentry for incarcerated people.
Their mission is to expose and connect people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities to the natural wonders & recreational opportunities of the outdoors. We collaborate with partners to ensure mental, physical, and spiritual healing in nature.
Their vision is to create a world free of barriers and equitable access to nature for all. We inspire environmental and social justice and advocate for the protection of our earth through outdoor education.
Saved By Nature works within our parks and preserves to provide a variety of unique environmental programs that educate residents about climate change, and protecting the air that we breathe and water that we drink. Providing a cohesive system of support for Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Alameda, Monterey, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, Solano, and Sonoma counties. Ensuring residents have a high quality, multilingual and multicultural outdoor nature experience.
Saved By Nature’s Dock of the Bay project is set to involve 600 individuals from underrepresented communities of color, across all age groups, in 20 exciting excursions along the breathtaking coasts of San Francisco and Monterey Bay. Participants will have the opportunity to partake in a diverse range of activities such as fishing, crabbing, kayaking, camping, boat tours, backpacking, kite flying, and hiking adventures.
This initiative has been carefully designed to bring people of different generations together, enabling them to explore and appreciate the scenic coastal region while empowering them with the necessary skills and confidence to become stewards of the area and engage in restorative practices that foster joy and healing. A sampling of some activities this year included;
Santa Cruz Wharf – Halibut Fishing on Santa Cruz Wharf
Manresa State Beach – Hike In Tent Camping and Surf Fishing
Oyster Point Park – Pier fishing for Sturgeon and Bar-b-que
Cooley Landing Park – Bay Fishing for Shark and Bat Ray
The SCFF conservation committee believes that Saved By Nature, with their commitment to engaging all generations—including those that may have limited opportunities—to get out in nature and hopefully learn to be stewards of the environment—including our fisheries.
Posted on August 27th, 2024