A U G U S T   2 0 1 6
The newly daylighted creek in Dimond Park. Check out RDG's montage of photographs.
FOSC is a grassroots, community-based organization. All donations through October will go into our For the Future Fund endowment. Help us achieve our goal of reaching $100,000 in the endowment by the end of the year! 
Help the Pallid Manzanitas 
 
Throughout the watershed, there are sites where on the same day of every month you can join your neighbors in helping to improve the habitat. Thanks to Judy Schwartz and Beth Keer, the pallid manzanita colony next to Chabot Space and Science Center was added to FOSC's recurring monthly workday list last year. An endangered species, the pallid manzanitas have captured the hearts of many plant lovers. We could use more helpers each month to keep up with the invasive plants that are quick to block the sunlight, shading out the baby manzanitas that emerged earlier this year. So please set up the second Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon, as a recurring event on your electronic calendars.

Pallid Manzanita Workday 
Saturday, August 13, 9 a.m.-noon 
10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
Friends of the Month:
Lesley Estes and
Kristin Hathaway  
 
The recipe for FOSC's success as a local watershed group is our incredible watershed community working in partnership with city staff. We are extremely fortunate to have a Watershed and Stormwater Management program within Oakland Public Works. For all 20 years of our organization's existence we have had Lesley Estes at the city as a mentor and cheerleader. Lesley was there when the city's watershed program started, and the continuity of her leadership as program manager has yielded incredible work in all of Oakland's watersheds. Watershed Program Supervisor Kristin Hathaway has also been a Friend for two decades, first during FOSC's genesis as an employee at Aquatic Outreach Institute and then as a staff person for the brand new city watershed program. A standing ovation to these wonderful women for taking the notion of daylighting a stretch of Sausal Creek in Dimond Park from dream to reality--a feat that reflects their dedication, persistence, and stamina. Thank you, Kristin and Lesley!
Share FOSC's Job Announcements

Please help us find an environmental education specialist and an environmental education intern to support our expanding outdoor education programs.

Environmental Education Specialist Job Announcement
For this position we are looking for a college graduate. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Environmental Education Intern Job Announcement
Applications will be accepted until August 27.

Please forward these job announcements to those who you think would be a good fit, and post where you are able. Thank you!
Just For Teachers

Are you excited about the new school year? So are we! We have created a new Lessons for Teachers web page to help you inspire your students on flora, fauna, and other watershed-related topics.

We have also updated the Field Trips section of our website to let you know where we go, what we do, and how your class can join the fun. Please contact us early in the school year as even with our expanded staff we still have a finite number of field trip slots available.
Explore the Watershed
Encountering California's State Bird in the 'Shed
 
Common name: California quail
Scientific name: Callipepla californica

In June Beth Wurzburg heard an unfamiliar call in Dimond Canyon; she found a California quail sitting on the roof of her home on Leimert Blvd. That sighting, as well as reports of a nearby grey fox den, is testament to what a wonderful habitat area the Bridgeview Trail meadow has become under the leadership of Kathleen Harris. As for the quail, we have seen them in FOSC's Fern Ravine restoration area in Joaquin Miller Park, and the quarterly bird monitoring team infrequently hears them during their brief stop at this site. Listen for their calls, "Chicago...Chicago," coming from the dense shrubby areas near Sequoia Arena in the early morning hours.

--Mark Rauzon
Kudos Corner
 
Thank you to Eagle Scout candidate Carson Gerhardy and fellow scouts from Troup 1 from the Piedmont Council for constructing 75 feet of handrail and extending the steps to make volunteer access safer and easier at the Barry Place restoration site at E. 27th Street.
Event Calendar

RESTORATION WORKDAYS
  
Beaconsfield Canyon 
(last Saturdays)
Sat., Aug. 27, 9 a.m.-Noon

Bridgeview Trail
(2nd Sundays) 
Sun., Aug. 14, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Bridgeview Trailhead Pollinator Garden 
(1st & 3rd Sundays)
Sun., Aug. 21 & Sept. 4, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Chabot Space and Science Center
Pallid Manzanita Habitat Enhancement
(2nd Saturdays)
Sat., Aug. 13, 9 a.m.-Noon


The brilliant red of poison oak in Dimond Canyon
Montclair Railroad Trail 
(3rd Saturdays)
Sat., Aug. 20, 9-11 a.m.

WD Wood Park
(3rd Saturdays)
Sat., Aug. 20, 10 a.m.-noon 
 
TRAIL CREW
Monterey Redwoods
(last Sundays, locations vary)
Sun., Aug. 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

SEED COLLECTION HIKES  
See calendar for locations.
Fri., Aug. 12 & Sept. 2, 10 a.m.-Noon
Join the seed hike Google Group here.

NURSERY WORKDAYS
FOSC Native Plant Nursery
Joaquin Miller Park
(2nd and 4th Saturdays)
Sat., Aug. 13 & 27, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

MEMBER MEETING 
Dimond Library
Wed., Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Richard Register, The Wonder of Opening Creeks--and an Opening to the City of the Future, I Wonder?

CREEK TO BAY DAY
Multiple sites
Sat., Sept. 17, 9 a.m.-noon 
Mark your calendar! 
 
Get Involved
Our mission is to restore, maintain, and protect the local ecosystem, educate future generations of environmental stewards, involve the community in local environmental stewardship, and collaborate with agencies and other nonprofits to have a positive impact on the environment.  

FOSC needs your support -- 
 
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sign up today 
Contact:
Michelle Krieg
Restoration & Nursery Manager
510-325-9006 

Kimra McAfee
Executive Director
510-501-3672 
Photo Credits: Andrew Aldrich, Louis Gerhardy, Michelle Krieg, Mark Rauzon, Judy Schwartz 
Friends of Sausal Creek   www.sausalcreek.org
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