On Saturday, September 26, Elkhorn Slough Foundation, in conjunction with Natividad Medical Center's Diabetes Education Center, hosted the 2nd annual Circle of Health event. Circle of Health brought together more than twenty five children and their families for a fun and educational field trip to an organic farm. The group explored the links among environment, food, and personal and physical well-being.

Circle of Health was held at Triple M ranch in Watsonville. ESF holds a conservation easement on the property while ALBA (Agricultural Land Based-Training Association) leases the land to local farmers. Tony Serrano, General Manager of ALBA Organics, led the group on a tour around the farm. Families saw first-hand where their food came from and how their food choices impact the environment and their bodies. Francisco Serrano, an ALBA farmer, generously encouraged families to pick organic raspberries from his fields to take home with them.

Elkhorn Slough Foundation has closed escrow on a 32 acre property off of Blohm Rd in Watsonville. The 32-acres include twenty acres of oak woodlands and forest, and seven acres of maritime chaparral along with two acres of outbuildings. By acquiring the property, ESF ensures that the natural areas of the land will remain in a natural state and the balance of the property will be restored to native habitat.

The newly acquired land borders two existing conservation properties, ESF's El Chamisal Ranch on the eastern boundary and The Nature Conservancy's Blohm Ranch on the south and southwest boundaries. Together the properties create a contiguous 2,500 acre arc of protected habitat and farms in the Elkhorn Highlands east of the Slough. According to Mark Silberstein, Elkhorn Slough Foundation Executive Director, "This parcel is a key piece of the puzzle for reassembling an integrated landscape in the Highlands, and helps to fill-in a crescent of protected properties in the northern reaches of the slough and North Monterey County."

This property drains directly into Carneros Creek, which supplies seventy percent of freshwater to the Elkhorn Slough. Through time, the restoration of native vegetation and elimination of ground water pumping will improve both habitats for wildlife and surface and ground water quality in the area.

Analysis of historic aerial photographs of the property indicate that the oak woodlands on this land have never been harvested or disturbed, and represent a slice of natural areas that are increasingly rare. "Having this undisturbed habitat increases the conservation value of the land and provides a 'model' of what natural land in the slough can be," said Silberstein.

ESF Member Kayak Trip
Sunday, October 18
1:00-4:00
Kayak with ESF this fall. The fall migration will be in full swing. Don't miss this opportunity to see the Slough in all its birdy glory. Cost is $45 per person with kayak rental and $20 per person if you provide your own kayak. Note- this trip is currently full. However, spaces may become available as the date approaches. Please call Diane at (831) 728-5939 x240 to put your name on the wait list.

Stewardship Volunteers Open House
Wednesday, October 21
6:00-8:30
Looking for opportunities to volunteer on stewardship projects? On Wednesday, October 21, Elkhorn Slough Foundation and ESNERR are partnering with REI and many other Monterey Peninsula stewardship and conservation groups for a Stewardship Volunteers Open House. The event will be held at REI in Marina from 6:00-8:30. In addition to exploring volunteer opportunities, you can watch a special screening of "This is America," a 48 minute synthesis of the Ken Burns National Parks documentary film. Learn more!

Long Valley Public Walk
Saturday, Nov. 7
9:00-11:00am & 1:30-3:30pm
Experience the beauty of the Elkhorn Slough watershed! On Saturday, November 7th Elkhorn Slough Foundation is leading two walks at our Long Valley property, a spectacular oak woodland habitat. See first hand the importance of ESF's conservation and restoration projects. Both walks are free and open to the public. RSVP required. We'll meet in the Elkhorn Slough Reserve parking lot and carpool to Long Valley Sorry, dogs are not permitted on the walk. Register today!

The Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society is looking for committed volunteers to help with their activities including monthly programs and the annual Christmas Bird Count. If you want to get involved, visit their website and contact May Gong, Robert Horn, or Jan Scott on their Board of Directors.