| | Greetings Friend, With the arrival of the fall, we recognize the seasonal transformation as our environment changes around us. Leaves begin to turn and fall. Migrants pass through our woods and wetlands. Our days become shorter. Fall is a time to gain new perspectives and harness the energy of the changing season. Here at EAC we are seizing this energy to inspire and advocate for our local and regional environmental communities. Today, I am happy to provide an October update on some of our programmatic work that advances our mission and to personally thank our amazing community of supporters for engaging in our work in meaningful ways this summer! Whether you provided comments on the General Management Plan Amendment at Point Reyes National Seashore, attended Piper on the Beach, engaged on our land and water committees, volunteered for Coastal Clean Up Day, or made a generous contribution to support our work, your involvement makes our work possible. Thank you for your support and continued dedication to EAC and the environment in West Marin. Together, we are responsible to ensure that the unique lands, waters, and biodiversity of West Marin are here for future generations. In gratitude, | |  | | | | | | | | | | | Water | California MPAs, Early Results Indicate Increases in Fish Biomass California's network of marine protected areas (MPAs) are demonstrating encouraging signs of success with increases in number and size of fish and invertebrates according to a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Ocean and Coastal Management. Since 2014, EAC along with partners at Point Reyes National Seashore and California Academy of Science, have managed the Marin MPA Watch program that trains community scientists and provides outreach and education to our local community on the importance of California's network of MPAs. Read UC San Diego, SCRIPPS Press Release
Learn More about EAC's MPA Watch Program | |  | Water | MPA Collaborative Launches ROV at Duxbury and Drakes Estero The Golden Gate MPA Collaborative received a mini Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) from the S.E.E.Initiative National Geographic Open Explorer program this summer. Over the last few months we partnered up with the Point Reyes National Seashore Association to launch the ROV collecting underwater footage of MPAs in our backyard at Drakes Bay (Point Reyes State Marine Reserve), Drakes Estero (State Marine Conservation Area) and Duxbury Reef (State Marine Conservation Area). Check out our recent video footage EAC's summer intern created from our dive at Duxbury Reef to enhance educational materials and outreach for Duxbury Reef on our website. Learn More about EAC's work with the MPA Collaborative | |  | Water | Herring Fishery in Tomales Bay EAC endeavors to ensure that Marin County's waters maintain healthy and vibrant populations of marine life. In May, the California Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) released a draft California Pacific Herring Fishery Management Plan for public review that would impact Tomales Bay. Informed by our Waters Committee, EAC responded to the Draft Report, supporting an updated recreational limit and noting that while EAC supports the overall management goals of the FMP we recommended that further research and monitoring be conducted. EAC is concerned there is not enough data to support reopening commercial herring fishing in Tomales Bay. We need more data to better inform the process and ensure sustainable and ecologically compatible practices are in place. Read our Comment Letter | | | | Land | Join us at the Trust For Public Land's San Geronimo Property Open House Oct 12th! The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is convening a community engagement process to invite the public to help reimagine the future of the 157-acre San Geronimo property. TPL envisions a landscape that is safe, inclusive and accessible-to-all. Through the engagement process, TPL will identify the best ways to protect, connect and restore an important community resource in the heart of Marin County. The purpose of the October 12th open house is to provide a family-friendly opportunity for the broader community to learn more about TPL property and the Reimagine San Geronimo visioning process, meet the planning team, and enjoy a day on the land with friends and neighbors. This is not a public meeting; it is an open house format designed to build on months of community and stakeholder meetings. Visitors are invited to drop-in at their convenience to learn from informational boards and subject-matter experts; provide input through interactive activities; tour the property; enjoy live music and good food; and have a fun, relaxing day outside. Come picnic on the property, fly a kite, play catch, socialize - enjoy a day at the park! Learn More About the Open House | |  | Biodiversity | California Advances Overdue Bird Protections Since the Trump administration modified interpretations of the 100 year old Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 2018, environmental activists have been pushing for California to strengthen our regulations to protect migratory birds. The recent release of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Report which discusses the loss of three billion birds since 1970 highlights the importance of heightened protections.Thankfully, on September 27th, "California Governor Newsom signed a bill strengthening the state’s protections for migratory birds beyond those specified under federal law, including the Endangered Species Act. Assembly Bill 454 clarifies existing state safeguards for native birds and closes loopholes where California law defers to federal law, which has been severely weakened by the Trump administration." Continue Reading California Audubon's Press Release... Learn about EAC's work in Marin protecting nesting and migrating birds | |  | Biodiversity | Newt Recruits Needed! Each winter when the first rains arrive a migration of California newts make a perilous journey across Chileno Valley Road to Lake Laguna to breed. Sadly, most of the newts do not survive the road crossing. This fall, we are partnering with the Chileno Valley Newt Brigade (CVBN) to recruit dedicated volunteers to help this protection effort. Volunteers will monitor roadsides and assist with crossing during the newt migration to Lake Laguna. Safety equipment including flashlights will be provided. To sign up for the trainings coming up on October 10th 5:30 PM and November 9th 10:00 AM in Chileno Valley, contact the CVNB coordinator (Sally Gale). | | | | Pollution | Progress on Marin County Single-Use Plastics Ban Thank you to Supervisor Dennis Rodoni for his leadership to address single-use plastics through an updated ordinance requiring food vendors to use biodegradable food packing that includes cups, plates, hinge containers, bowls, trays, and cartons. The ordinance would allow durable/reusable, paper or bio-plastic (BPI certified) compostable food ware items. This project is exciting for EAC, as Viola Seda and Reese Patton, 5th graders who launched a plastic awareness campaign in 2016 with a no straw pledge, helped to inspire this initiative. Supervisor Rodoni thanked the girls at the September Board of Supervisors meeting for bringing this issue to his attention. We love to see the kids in action and help to support future female environmental leadership in our community. We look forward to learning more as the County develops the plan and will keep our membership posted as this important step against source pollution is made in Marin County. Learn More about Youth Against Single-Use Plastic | | | | | | | | Contact Us Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC)
65 Third Street Suite #14 | PO Box 609
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
(415) 663.9312 | info@eacmarin.org
www.eacmarin.org | www.pointreyesbirdingfestival.org | | | | | | | |
