Left to Right: Dick Hammond, Mark Silberstein, and Bill Eggleston

Dick Hammond and Bill Eggleston received certificates of recognition as part of National Philanthropy Day, which honors the importance of philanthropic work.

As part of Elkhorn Slough Foundation's Board of Directors, Dick and Bill have shared their business knowledge and years of experience in areas such as finance, investment, and development. ESF is very fortunate to have a Board comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds, yet all dedicated to the conservation and restoration of Elkhorn Slough. Dick and Bill have given generously of themselves and deserve this recognition and our thanks for all they contribute to ESF.

The year is almost over, and it's the season of giving and thankfulness. Right now there are many ways to share your love of the slough with others, including....

• Give your time! The Reserve is always looking for dedicated volunteers who want to spend lots of time sharing the slough with others.
• Rounding Up! When you shop at the Marina REI, you can opt to round up your purchase for an easy donation to the Elkhorn Slough Foundation.
• MC Gives! Through the end of the year when you make a contribution of as little as $5 through the www.mcgives.com website, a portion of your gift will be matched, stretching your holiday dollars farther to do more good.
• Gift memberships! Share the slough all year long when you give an ESF membership. Members get to attend special events on our protected lands that surround the Reserve, as well as other perks. And, all gift memberships given by Jan 15th, will include the Elkhorn Slough Foundation's 2012 calendar helping remind the recipient of your generosity - and the beauty of the slough - throughout the year.
• Give yourself a tax break! When you donate stock to the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, it is tax deductible as a charitable gift.

No matter how you give this year, the Elkhorn Slough Foundation is grateful for your support!

Teacher workshops for 2012 are now open for enrollment! These one day workshops will help you take advantage of the slough as an outdoor classroom and certify you to lead field trips at the Elkhorn Slough.

Find out more about this wonderful opportunity to share nature and science with your students on our website.

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is inviting the submission of abstracts for the Research Poster Session at the 2012 Sanctuary Currents Symposium. Share your research with leaders in marine science, education, and conservation. Posters that address the theme are especially encouraged, however submissions may be from all types of coastal and marine research in the Sanctuary.

The theme of this year's symposium is: From Lions to Luminescence: Linking Land and Sea. The land and sea are inextricably connected, from the tops of the mountains to the bottom of the ocean. Learn about some of the fascinating research and conservation activities taking place in our watersheds, wetlands, kelp forests and deep sea. Follow the links from land to sea, as scientists tell us their tales of tracking mountain lions and studying sea otters to searching for bioluminescent creatures of the deep.

The submission deadline is January 31, 2012. For additional information, please visit www.sanctuarysimon.org/posters

We want to thank you for another year of support, of volunteering, of giving, and of caring. We know that the Elkhorn Slough is a special place and we are glad to count you amongst its supporters.

Next year will be the Elkhorn Slough Foundation's 30th anniversary. We are proud of our many accomplishments--land conserved, habitats restored, partnerships forged--and we could never have done all of it without help from people just like you. It has been a happy journey, and we look forward to doing much more with you in the many years to come.

Thank you, and happy holidays from the slough crew.