RCLC Spring/Summer 2003 Newsletter

REDWOOD COAST
LAND CONSERVANCY
Dedicated to protection of open spaces and natural resources from the Navarro to the Russian rivers
Gualala Bluff Trail to Continue! Help Conserve For The Future:
GETTING READY FOR PRIME TIME: THE STEWARDSHIP FUND
by Bob Rutemoeller
GUALALA BLUFF TRAIL PHASE II by Cecilia Moelter After the Redwood Coast Land Con-
You may wander or watch whales, In March, RCLC applied to servancy accepts a conservation ease-
whitecaps and whimbrels…when you Mendocino County for a 700 foot con- ment, or is given real property, its pro-
walk alone or with friends along the tinuation of the trail. tection of the land has only just be-
Bluff Trail today. Tomorrow think Several thousand vacationers and locals gun. From then on, in perpetuity, the
about␣ an Autumn 2003 extension from use the Bluff Trail annually. Each week Land Trust has the legal obligation to
the Surf Motel south to Oceansong Res- a member of Redwood Coast Land Con- regularly monitor the use of the land
taurant. The Gualala River will be vis- servancy monitors the trail for upkeep and to enforce the restrictions of the
ible from benches and viewing sites of the landscaping, evaluation of the path easement.
along the way. Stairs and a bridge will condition, removal of debris and visitor To carry out RCLC’s stewardship role,
take you to a beautiful rock outcrop- counts. Picnic tables and benches behind we must visit the site at least once a
ping just above the river, where seals the Surf Motel provide views of the year to determine the consistency of
and river otters are visible right here in beach and offer lunch break opportuni- the use of the land with the easement’s
“downtown.” ties under the cypress trees. restrictions. For the Gualala Bluff Trail,
Driving through Gualala on Highway A chance to rest during a stroll will be we monitor and maintain it more fre-
One a tourist might be forgiven for be- provided with the installation of a quently, usually weekly.
lieving that it’s a retail stop.␣ With at- bench with a perfect view, between We request a contribution to our Stew-
tractive gift shops, art galleries and res- Seacliff and the bluff on the north end ardship fund to provide funds for our
taurants, the question is, “Where’s the of the trail. Bring a book or lunch and obligations. To make a donation to this
sea?”␣ The answer is, “Walk west to the relax from this vantage point. This fund, please indicate that in a note or
bluff and enjoy the outstanding views bench is a memorial gift welcomed by check our box on our reply-envelope.
of the Gualala River and the Pacific.”␣ the landowner and RCLC. Thank you for helping.

Panoramic photo of the Gualala River Estuary and the Pacific Ocean. Dave Scholz, a recent visitor to this proposed extension of the Bluff Trail, observed a seal eating
dinner in these waters. Ray Van de Water calls it “one of the best places along the coast to observe nature in action.” Photo from RCLC archives.

P.O. Box 1511, Gualala, CA 95445-1511 • (707) 785-3327 • email: [email protected] • website: www.rc-lc.org
page 2 RCLC Spring/Summer 2003 Newsletter

REDWOOD COAST A WALK ALONG THE GUALALA BLUFF TRAIL:

LAND CONSERVANCY
PRESIDENT: Laurie Mueller CLOSE-UP AND PERSONAL by Ray Van de Water
VICE PRESIDENT: Shirley Eberly
SECRETARY: Cecilia Moelter Directly below the trail lies the Gualala an exciting scene.␣ During the winter
TREASURER: Bob Rutemoeller River estuary and summertime lagoon, season of the fast-flowing river, the
DIRECTORS: Rosemarie Hocker, Ray Van de Water,
Bill Wiemeyer where the river meets the sea.␣ Here is gulls amuse themselves for hours
HISTORIAN: Ramona Crooks one of the best places along the coast riding the current downstream, then
BLUFF TRAIL COMMITTEE: Cecilia Moelter, Fiona
O’Neill and Bill Wiemeyer to observe nature in action.␣ Something flying back at the last minute in the
ADVISORS: Sharon Burningham, Ivan de la Garza, Roger is always going on among the wild life, ocean surf to rejoin the ride, an excit-
Dingman, Kristen Drake, Vivian Green, Doug
Hammerstrom, Jerry Immel, Mary Sue Ittner, Ray Jackman, all “doing their thing” in this natural ing scene.
Jim Lotter, Fiona O’Neill, Brian Regan, Mary Rhyne, and bountiful haven.␣ Large
Barbara Russell, Dorothy Scherer, Doug Simmonds,
Kristine Thomure, Florence Van de Water, Jan Venolia and flocks of sea gulls and peli-
Julie Verran cans gather to feed, rest and
WEB DESIGN: Ivan de la Garza
play.␣ Harbor seals, otter and
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Rosemarie Hocker
WEBSITE EDITORS: David and Charlotte Scholz
osprey frequent these waters,
MAILING VOLUNTEERS: Dwight and Shirley Eberly, which contain a great vari-
Rosemarie Hocker, Cecilia and John Moelter, Laurie ety of fish and other under-
Mueller, Bob Rutemoeller, and Ray and Flo Van de Water
TRAIL MONITORS: Shirley and Dwight Eberly, Kristen water eatables.␣
Drake, Mary Sue Ittner, Sue and Bob Lease, Cecilia It’s a perfect place for
Moelter, Bob Rutemoeller and Flo and Ray Van de Water
CONTRIBUTORS to this issue include David Scholz, birdwatchers: birds wheel-
Cecilia Moelter, Laurie Mueller, Rosemarie Hocker, Bob ing and diving for prey is
Rutemoeller Photo from the RCLC archives
RCLC is a member of the National Land Trust Alliance,
California Land Trust Council, Redwood Coast Chamber
of Commerce. A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ON GBT II by Dave Scholz
After picking up a copy of a map from a unique view, to say the least.
RCLC OBJECTIVES RCLC Board Member Cecilia Moelter
The specific purposes of this corporation include, but are
Just then, in a fraction of a second, two
not limited to: showing the new southern extension of the seals took off in a straight line
(a) The conservation of lands for recreational, educational, of the Gualala Bluff Trail (GBT II), I for about thirty feet, culminating with
ecological, agricultural, scenic and open space opportuni-
ties. Conservation of lands shall be accomplished by ac- walked behind the Surf Super to see one of them doing a flip turn so fast
quiring real property or partial interests therein, including just how this addition was going to along the bottom that it stirred up a
conservation easements as defined in California Civil Code
Section 815.2, and recording appropriate instruments nec- work. At one point along my explora- cloud of sediment. They returned to
essary to protect in perpetuity the physical environment tion I stopped and peered over the my right. One of them surfaced. There
of the area for wildlife, ecological and aesthetic purposes
beneficial to the public interest; bluff edge, looking almost straight was a bright silver fish in its mouth!
(b) To promote, activate and develop public coastal ac- down into the Gualala River estuary The fish seemed to be 12 to 18 inches
cesses to the ocean, rivers and other natural or scenic fea-
tures, including developing trails, paths and walkways; twenty feet below. It was a clear and long, perhaps a juvenile Steelhead. The
(c) To study, project and develop plans for future needs in windless day. The water in the estuary seal’s companions made a few attempts
respect to public recreational lands, accesses and facilities;
(d) To determine open space and conservation needs in was calm, transparent and fairly shal- to dislodge the catch but soon gave up
the coastal areas of Mendocino and Sonoma counties and low. Suddenly to my immediate right and all participants quietly disappeared
to arrange for necessary stewardship and conservation by
easements, agreements or other mechanisms; there was a disturbance in the water. from view.
(e) To publicize local needs of the type mentioned above It was three leopard-spotted seals. They It all took no more than three min-
and to raise funds by public subscriptions, grants or other
means as necessary to meet such objectives. appeared to be playing: diving, then utes.
breaking the surface, doing inter- Now, where else along the entire coast
PLEASE CHECK YOUR twined barrel rolls and nipping at each of California could one see so clearly
NEWSLETTER LABEL other. I seemed close enough to count and completely such a wildlife experi-
If there is a “02” or “03” in front of your name, that their whiskers.
means you have sent RCLC a contribution or mem-
ence? Where else but along the Gualala
bership donation for that year. If there is no number
Because of my elevated location, they Bluff II Trail, coming to you courtesy
to the left of your name, or if it shows a contribution were totally oblivious of me. It was just of the hard work of the Redwood
for 2002, please consider helping us this year. A con-
tribution form is printed on the return envelope in
like being in a silent, floating hot air Coast Land Conservancy!
this issue. Thanks for your help. balloon, positioned directly overhead;
 RCLC Spring/Summer 2003 Newsletter page 3

RCLC PROFILE - Laurie Mueller by Rosemarie Hocker

Laurie, who has a professional back- cast journalism with a specialty in en-
ground in non-profit management for vironmental studies. As a reporter for
environmental organizations, currently the public radio station in Washington,
serves as RCLC’s president. DC., she covered the first Earth Day
Laurie and her family have been visit- and other environmental stories.
ing the redwood coast for more than “When I returned to the Bay Area, I
20 years. She and her husband Leigh felt I had come full circle by working as
moved here fulltime two years ago. public relations director for the Laurie Mueller. Photo by Wendy Platt
“The breathtaking beauty of the coast- Sempervirens Fund, a land trust work-
line, the brisk ocean air, the abundant ing to preserve redwoods in the Santa RCLC, she says “RCLC offers an ex-
wildlife and the dramatic changes of Cruz Mountains. My proudest achieve- cellent way for our community to pre-
the seasons were a wonderful refuge ments there were leading the land cam- serve the natural scenic and wild places
from our busy lives in the Bay Area”, paigns for Sempervirens Point and the that are special to us. As a small, vol-
she says. Rancho Ano Nuevo addition to Big unteer-run land trust that focuses ex-
“Now that we have moved here Basin Redwoods State Park.” clusively on our local coastal lands, the
fulltime, living surrounded by red- She then pursued her interest in pub- RCLC provides the essential link be-
woods and ocean vistas has given us lic broadcasting by working for sev- tween funding agencies and landown-
the sense of place and calm center that eral years as development and market- ers interested in protecting all or part
eluded us down in the Bay Area. An ing director for KTEH, San Jose’s PBS of their land from the pressures of de-
unexpected bonus has been the plea- station. “I believe that PBS and NPR velopment”.
sure of living somewhere where you are among the strongest voices we have “Landowners who care about making
know your neighbors and can build a for preserving our natural heritage,” sure that the natural features they love
real sense of community”. she says. will be protected can set up a conser-
When Laurie was a child, her family Most recently she served as the Execu- vation easement which the RCLC will
spent many summers camping in Big tive Director of the Peninsula Conser- oversee for them. The property owner
Basin Redwoods State Park, Big Sur vation Center Foundation, which runs benefits by setting aside what he or she
and Richardson Grove. “I remember a large environmental center with a values - often with the added benefit
walking among the giant redwoods library, offices and meeting rooms of a tax deduction. The community
and feeling a sense of awe at their tow- where environmental groups and other benefits because that property is not
ering beauty. When I later learned residents meet and work to preserve lost to development or logging. It’s a
about the ecology of the redwood for- classic win/win situation”.
and protect the local environment.
est and how little of the old growth “The PCCF emphasized collaboration “I would encourage everyone who val-
remained, I was thankful that people rather than confrontation to bring ues our coastal land and ocean vistas
had the foresight to set aside some of people with varying points of view to- to become a member of the RCLC and
the forest for future generations”. gether to develop sound environmen- take part in preserving our coast for
Laurie graduated from UC Berkeley tal solutions” notes Laurie. future generations”.
and received a master’s degree in broad- When asked why she supports the
2002 FINANCIAL REPORT
RCLC RAFFLE WRAP UP By Bob Rutemoeller by Bob Rutemoeller, Treasurer
On January 12, 2003, we held our Annual Raffle drawing at the Sundstrom Mall Income:
in Gualala. Local businesses, artists and many other supporters donated an im- Donations␣ $12,474
pressive array of gifts to help RCLC accomplish its mission. A full list of donors Grants 670
and prizes can be found on our website www.rc-lc.org, a beautiful gift in its own Other 297
right. (Please see related article.) Thanks to our many donors who gave prizes and Total Income␣ $13,441
to all who donated funds for raffle tickets. Please send us an email ([email protected]) Total Expenses $4,854
or a note if you would like to donate a prize for our next event. Stewardship reserve $8,587
WEBSITE NOTES by Dave Scholz
Dave’s heading up efforts to update and improve the RCLC website.
In Memory & Honor
For showing your love and appre-
Thanks to the technical and artistic skill of Ivan de la Garza, RCLC has a
ciation with a gift in memory or in
dramatically enhanced Internet presence. Take a look! In addition to Ivan’s
honor, RCLC thanks you. RCLC
donated contribution of time and talent, recognition and special thanks are
received donations in memory of:
also extended to: Bill Perry for his beautiful photos and Ken and Wendy Bailey
at Sea Dreams for their services in digitalizing Bill’s work; Wendy Platt for Iola Cabassi from Jay Faulkner
converting our newsletters into an electronic format suitable for the website’s Frank Ittner from Jan Sprague.
archive section; Charlotte Scholz for editorial and scanning assistance. Judith Stronach from Margot and
Thanks, too, to Darrell Paige and Joan Hallberg who gave us our initial intro- Perry Biestman
duction to the value of having an Internet website. Warren Tann from Philip and Ann
RCLC’s enhanced website (www.rc-lc.org) serves a number of purposes, among Graf
which are quick, efficient communication and education. RCLC received a donation “In ap-
One example of timely communication was the posting earlier this year of the preciation of sharing your botani-
winning participants in our annual fund raising raffle. We hope to further cal expertise.” honoring Mary
utilize our website as a dynamic, as well as static, resource. Rhyne from Rex and Charlotte
Education (and communication) regarding all aspects of natural resource con- Burnett.
servation will be further served by new web pages, now in final development, ART IN THE REDWOODS
depicting a number of RCLC’s conservation projects. Location, description
RCLC is pleased to encourage artists
and photos will introduce web visitors to these ongoing RCLC preservation
to submit works for the RCLC Envi-
efforts.
ronmental Award competition. Please
As with anything new, we are still learning how best to use this wonderful contact the Gualala Arts Center, 884-
medium. Comments and suggestions from our members are welcomed and 1138, for information about the an-
solicited. Check it out and let us hear from you. nual AIR August show, award catego-
ries and requirements.

Gualala River opens to the Pacific. Photo by Rosemarie Hocker

Return Service Requested

website: www.rc-lc.org
(707) 785-3327 • email: [email protected]
P.O. Box 1511, Gualala, CA 95445-1511
PERMIT NO. 60
GUALALA, CA 95445
U.S. POSTAGE PAID LAND CONSERVANCY
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION REDWOOD COAST