One of the great things about working at the Petaluma Marina is the connection to the Petaluma River. The river, which is actually a tidal slough, has a rich history when Petaluma was the "egg basket to the world" in the late 1800s supplying the growing city of San Francisco. Today, the river is experiencing a revival as downtown lofts and redevelopment move in to provide residents a recreational and aesthetic use. Other residents are living rent-free along the river. Unfortunately, the creeks and watershed surrounding the river have absorbed those new uses with the down side of trash and pollution that has fouled much of the habitat used by a variety of species including salmon. Salmon populations have dipped so low this year throughout California that commercial fishing has been banned for the first time. There are many factors involved in this decline including sedimentation, agricultural run-off, global warming, non-native invasive species, weather fluctuations, etc. Any one of these factors combined with any other can contribute to a tipping point which has had devastating effects this year. One area where I can have an immediate impact is in communicating pollution awareness.
So, I jumped in and volunteered, generated news releases, posted the event online, created a website and donated a PlanDone application to help the community restore this natural treasure. Committee members have used PlanDone as a planning resource to help with keeping track of all of the details associated with producing a large event.
The experience has been very satisfying and personally fulfilling as I've watched volunteers with different backgrounds come together to work towards a common goal. It has certainly been my privilege to work with the talented and creative 2008 Petaluma River Cleanup Committee. Thanks also to the over 125 people from the community who showed up and deposited trash into three 20 foot debris box dumpsters.
For more information see the following news release:
14th Annual Petaluma River Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd, 2008.
Petaluma, CA - The 14th annual Petaluma River Cleanup will be held at the Petaluma Marina on Lakeville Highway at hwy 101. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m. Food, live music and prizes will be available. Prizes will go to volunteers who find the most unusual trash, collect the most trash, and have the dirtiest kid afterwards.
Each year Petaluma area volunteers pitch in to haul out hundreds of pounds of trash that would otherwise have made its way to the ocean - fouling the water, plants and animals along the way. Thanks to the efforts of area individuals and businesses who have demonstrated their commitment to the stewardship of the local environment, the Petaluma River watershed habitat will be restored.
Help us help the river and have a fun filled day for the whole family. Share your experiences and photos on our website. Volunteers are still needed for planning, site captains and other event details. Business sponsors and donations are always needed. Vendor and educational booth space still available.
For more information about the cleanup event, go to http://www.petalumarivercleanup.org. Contact Robert Caruso at info@petalumarivercleanup.org or call 707.763.5086.
ABOUT PETALUMA RIVER CLEANUP- Since 1994, the cleanup committees have been working together with the community to enhance our local, natural resource treasures and have fun too. The all volunteer committees are comprised of individuals who have donated their time to make the local community and environment a little bit better. The primary sponsor for this year's cleanup is Friends of the Petaluma River. In-kind sponsorship from: Caruso Computer Consulting, ECON, Top Speed Data, Christopher A Joseph and Assoc, PlanDone, Green Waste Recovery, Petaluma Marina Business Center, Petaluma Visitors Program, Larry Tencer Insurance Agency, Ace Shirt and Cap Printing, Hertz Rentals, Express 101, Powell's Sweet Shop, iLeoni Kitchen Shop, Jerico Products Inc, Neary Landscaping, Rivertown Feed & Pet Country Store, Petaluma Fire Department, Water Resources and Conservation, Petaluma Sea Scouts, Petaluma River Works, Petaluma Yacht Club, Petaluma Poultry, Wells Fargo Bank, Baseline Environmental Consulting, Clover Stornetta, Charley's Liquors, Crystal mountain Spring Water, Albertson's (2 stores), Aqus Café, Charlie's Liquors, Clover Stornetta, Finbar Devine's, G&G Market, Grocery Outlet, Lace House Linen, Noah's Bagels, Petaluma Coffee and Tea, Petaluma Market, Pizza Hut, Preferred Sonoma Caterers, Quiznos, Safeway, Sheraton Hotel, Sunrise Donuts, Trader Joe's, Starbucks