A variety of wildlife venture out each evening along the San Joaquin River Parkway
In This Issue
Upcoming Parties for the Parkway
Paddle and Pull River Stewards Workday
Join us for invasive weed management by boat at Sycamore Island. You'll start with a short orientation to canoeing, and practice your paddling skills on a calm off-stream pond. When everyone is ready, we'll venture out into the river channel and pull out on an instream island. There the work will begin - you'll help pull sesbania seedlings - one of the invasive plants we're managing in support of the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. Pre-registration is required. Click this link to learn more and sign up. 

PARKWAY NEWS
APRIL 2015
Let's G.O.! Get Outside 
The first annual Let's G.O.! San Joaquin Valley campaign is part of a national effort to make people aware of the local places to get outside and enjoy nature. Sierra Foothill Conservancy and San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust have combined efforts to raise awareness of the important link between getting outdoors and overall community health. The campaign serves to raise funds to support education and outreach programming for SFC and the River Parkway Trust. 

The campaign kicks off this weekend and there will be a variety of ways for you to become involved throughout the month of April. Just click here to visit our Let's Get Outside San Joaquin Valley website for a complete list of activities. 
You Can Help Do Something Good 
Thousands of wild creatures call the San Joaquin River Parkway their home, and half of the River Parkway Trust's staff spend their days creating better living quarters for our local wildlife. If you happen to visit the River Center in the morning, you might catch a glimpse of a bald eagle in the Sycamore trees behind our Headquarters Building. It is common to see eagles during their wintering months, between November and February, but this year it appears that we have a pair nesting somewhere along the San Joaquin River. We believe this is related to our success in protecting and restoring land along the San Joaquin River. 

Your support helps us continue the important work of looking out for the hidden users of the San Joaquin River Parkway. You can be a champion for wildlife, like the eagle, that call the San Joaquin River Parkway home! Please make a donation today. Just click the donate now button below.  

Volunteer With Your Team 
Did you know that the River Parkway Trust partners with local businesses to provide team building volunteer activities on the Parkway? Make volunteering easy and reinforce the importance of corporate citizenship in your workplace or organization by partnering with the River Parkway Trust. Corporate volunteering is mutually beneficial and studies have shown measurable value beyond the satisfaction of making a difference. Our custom community service projects boost morale and create team building opportunities that will benefit everyone on your team. All projects can be tailored to any group size or makeup. Help your employees experience the benefits that so many local organizations have already found and contact us to create your custom volunteer project today. Contact Jake Salimbene, Project Manager at jsalimbene@riverparkway.org or call 559-248-8480 ext. 152. 

Calling All High School Students: Join the Junior Leaders Program
Come spend part of your summer working with River Campers, building friendships, learning leadership skills, and exploring the San Joaquin River! 

The River Parkway Trust is looking for energetic, fun-loving high school students who are interested in developing their leadership and communication skills as well as gaining experience working with younger children. Junior Leaders assist River Camp Staff in leading a variety of activities each day including art, swimming, canoeing, games, and songs. They act as role models for campers, demonstrating a spirit of respect for the environment, cooperation with camp rules and guidelines, and willingness to work and play with everyone at River Camp. 

Applications for the Junior Leaders program are due by 5:00 pm on April 24. You can download an application by clicking here

For more information about the Junior Leaders Program and River Camp click here
Respite by the River Kicks Off This Month
Left: Steven Church, Top Right: Lance Canales
Take a break from the rush of everyday life and join the River Parkway Trust for a Respite by the River. The 2015 season of Respite kicks off on Thursday, April 30, with a reading by Steven Church and live music by Lance Canales. Bring your picnic dinner and blanket and relax in the cool evening breezes at the River Center. Macca's Wine Bar will be open during the dinner hour, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with a wonderful selection of wines for sale by the glass. The reading will begin at 7:00 pm, with book signing to follow. 

For a complete schedule of the 2015 series of Respite by the River events click here

Thank you to our Respite by the River sponsors. 





Thank you for your continued support of the River Parkway Trust. 

Sincerely,

Sarah Parkes, 
Program Director
San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, Inc. 

San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust | 559-248-8480 | sparkes@riverparkway.org | http://riverparkway.org
11605 Old Friant Road
Fresno, CA 93730