Restoration practitioners and the native plant community have been talking about Phytophthora for years, but recently this disease has gotten more attention, and organizations are becoming more diligent in their efforts to control its spread.

What is Phytophthora? With a name coming from the Greek words for "plant" and "destruction" or "ruin," Phytophthora refers to the genus of water molds that are capable of causing extensive plant die-off and ecosystem devastation.

FOSC has been concerned with the species Phytophthora cinnamomi because it threatens the endangered pallid manzanita, and Phytophthora ramorum, the pathogen that causes Sudden Oak Death (SOD). There are hundreds of other species of these fungus-like water molds however, and they are making their way through California's wildlands with lethal effects to a number of native plants.

We are continually assessing and improving our practices at our native plant nursery in Joaquin Miller Park and in the field so that we can keep our plants and our watershed healthy. Next time you visit the nursery or volunteer in the watershed you will notice some of these changes, including a recently installed shoe cleaning station at our nursery gate. You can learn more from recent talks on Phytophthora here.

Big thanks to Eagle Scout candidate Everett Ellis for raising the funds and overseeing the construction on two new redwood benches for our nursery. We really needed this growing space!

Oakland's Brotzeit Lokal Boathaus & Biergarten continues to support FOSC by processing their credit card purchases through Ethix Merchant Services, Inc. and deeming FOSC their charity of choice. These quarterly donations help keep our cash flowing and are much appreciated. If you haven't tried Brotzeit, please do. It's an informal, fun, and lively place, right on the water (1000 Embarcadero)--great sausages and beer!

Peet's Coffee & Tea Dimond customers donated a total of $1,712.45 to FOSC during the shop's 2014 Holiday Giving campaign, guaranteeing the full $750 match from Peet's corporate headquarters. Thank you to Peet's and Dimond supporters!

Join Speaking Tributaries for their Echoes participatory, multimedia event centered around Sausal Creek and Salem Lutheran Home, on Sunday, March 22, 2-6 p.m. in Dimond Park.

Catch the Bay Currents talk series presented by Friends of Five Creeks. Jerry Kent will speak on How the East Bay Got its Forest on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Albans Parish Hall in Albany.

Explore the world of the Ohlone and other indigenous peoples of the East Bay at the Peralta Hacienda's Hands-On History Events series on Saturdays in March and April.

Register for the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour on Sunday, May 3 to visit bird-and-butterfly friendly, pesticide-free, water-conserving, low-maintenance gardens in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Also check out the spring 2015 workshops.