2009 Creek Clean Up Saturday April 25th

Activities

Splash Off
Friday April 9  11:00 a.m. to noon.
Creek Week 2010 Sponsors & Supporters were thanked at the Splash Off Friday, April 9th 11:00 a.m. – noon at Howe Park. In addition to recognition of all who have made Creek Week possible, the annual Creek Steward Award was presented to the Volunteers of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California. Thank you to all who attended the Splash Off. A beautiful day at Howe Park got Creek Week off to a great start!

River Friendly Landscaping Workshop
Saturday April 10  9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sacramento County Stormwater Quality Program sponsored this workshop by Dave Roberts of EcoLandscape California. Dave provided tips on design, installation and maintenance practices that reduce pesticides, green waste and water pollution while conserving energy and water. This free workshop included a garden tour at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center and a copy of the River-Friendly Landscape Guidelines. Location: Fair Oaks Park McMillan Center - 8020 Temple Park Rd, Fair Oaks, 95628. Visit www.riverfriendly.org

Finding Fish in Arcade Creek
Saturday April 10, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
What kind of fish is that?  Fish biologists caught fish using scientific tools.  Two California Roach, a native minnow, were collected from Arcade Creek.  Fish biologists from ENTRIX answered questions about fish including what habitats they live in, what they eat, how big they get and how long they live. 

 

Go With the Flow
Saturday April 10, at 10:30 a.m.
Go With the Flow   Saturday, April 10th  10:30 a.m.
Why are water striders, backswimmers and diving beetles so important to the health of a creek, pond or river? Shauna, a naturalist at Effie Yeaw Nature Center, showed how to get involved in caring for our waterways. 
 
 

Bufferlands Birds & Blooms Tour
Saturday April 10  1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Fishhead Lake mitigation wetland is a nice example of wetlands created as mitigation for earlier wetland losses. The wetland has both a permanent and seasonal component as well as a surrounding upland buffer. Thousands of waterfowl winter at the wetland and many remain year-round to nest and raise young. Much of the area is planted to native wildflowers that bloom in early spring. California poppies, lupines, owl's clover, baby blue-eyes, and many others were blooming about the uplands and wetland edges. Visitors enjoyed a blustery afternoon under dramatic skies.
 
 

Mather Vernal Pool Flower Walks
Sunday April 11, 18 & 25  10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Mather vernal pool docents of the Sacramento Chapter of the California Native Plant Society led a 2-hour tour to explore this magic carpet of flowers. These unique wildflowers bloom only for a brief period in the spring. For more information and to sign up, call (916)364-2437 or go to sacsplas.org. The tour was provided free of charge by trained CNPS docents.

 

Local Fish Fauna
Wednesday April 14  noon to 2:00 p.m.
What lurks in the murky depths of Sacramento's urban creeks? SRCSD Bufferlands staff gave an introduction to the local fish fauna. Bufferlands staff demonstrated fish sampling techniques in a local lake, practiced hands-on (for those who weren't too squeamish) fish identification, and discussed the natural history of California's diverse fish communities. In addition, we were able to view one of the direct consumers of the local fish populations as we sied on a large heron and egret rookery. This tour included a short, 1/2 mile walk and an opportunity to see some of the Bufferlands riparian and wetland habitat restoration projects.
 
 

Steelhead Creek Beaver Pond Walk
Wednesday April 14  6:30 p.m.
Early evening is the best time to see beaver activity and lots of other local wildlife. A stroll with Mary Tappel through Wolfe Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. 
 

Clean Up and Celebration
Saturday, April 17th, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.
The 20th Annual Creek Week ended on Saturday, April 17th with a county-wide creek clean up. Clean up teams gathered by the Playing Fields at Carmichael Park from 12:00 to 2:00pm for a barbecue, Radio Disney entertainment, games and contests. Environmentally minded organizations and related city and county programs had booths, free exhibits, and fun activities. Families, friends, neighbors, teams, co-workers and clubs were a part of this volunteer effort to celebrate and restore many of Sacramento County’s creeks. See how you can join us on our volunteer page.

 

Mather Vernal Pool Flower Walks
Sunday April 11, 18 & 25  10:00 and 1:00 p.m.
Join the Mather vernal pool docents of the Sacramento Chapter of the California Native Plant Society for a 2-hour tour to explore this magic carpet of flowers. These unique wildflowers bloom only for a brief period in the spring. For more information and to sign up, call (916)364-2437 or go to sacsplas.org. The tour is provided free of charge by trained CNPS docents, however donations are greatly appreciated.