San Francisco Bay, Marin wetlands get international designation aimed at protection

The San Francisco Bay estuary and many associated wetlands in Marin have been added to a list of protected areas under a 1971 international treaty among 163 countries meant to limit damaging development along ecologically important waterways.

Ramsar Convention officials on Friday announced the U.S. government had added the bay as the nation's 35th "wetland of importance" under the treaty. The designation takes effect Saturday, World Wetlands Day.
While the designation will not result in new legally-binding protections for wildlife and habitat in the bay, it does focus international pressure on agencies to step up conservation efforts and may lead to additional funding for wetland restoration. The designation also means the country is committed to not promoting projects that alter designated ecosystems.

"This designation should be a point of pride for anyone living in the larger San Francisco Bay Area," said Beth Huning, coordinator of the Marin-based San Francisco Bay Joint Venture. "Despite intense urban pressures, San Francisco Bay nonetheless endures as one of our country's great natural treasures." There are a number of waterways and wetlands in Marin that are part of the designation: Richardson Bay, Corte Madera Marsh Ecological Reserve, Marin Islands, Petaluma Marsh (which includes Bahia), Angel Island, China Camp, parts of Olampali, Bel Marin Keys, Simmons Slough, Tiscornia Marsh, Triangle Marsh, San Rafael tidelands, Beach Park, Gallinas Marsh, Pickleweed Park and a number of other smaller sites.

San Francisco Bay is the largest estuary — about 400,000 acres — on the Pacific Coast and it is widely recognized as one of North America's most ecologically important estuaries. It accounts for 77 percent of California's remaining wetlands, providing key habitat for a broad suite of flora and fauna — over 1,000 species of animals, including native and conservation status species, including wintering shorebirds. It also provides a range of ecological services such as flood protection, water quality maintenance, nutrient filtration and cycling, and carbon sequestration.

Melissa Pitkin, spokeswoman for PRBO Conservation Science — the former Point Reyes Bird Observatory — said decades of research led to this designation.

In 1998 the Bolinas Lagoon was given a similar designation. That body of water is home to 23 rare, threatened and endangered species and 50,000 migratory birds that come though every year.

"It is a great day for the bay and a gesture of promise for its future protection," Hunning said of the designation of San Francisco Bay. "We have entered an era of restoration, a renaissance of the bay."

http://www.marinij.com/ci_22502765/san-francisco-bay-marin-wetlands-get-inter...

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Kamman Hydrology & Engineering Inc. of San Rafael, CA offers Engineering, Hydrologic and Earth Science services for restoration, enhancement, protection of watershed, river, wetland and coast.

 

Did you know Kamman Hydrology & Engineering, Inc. (KHE) is a natural resources consulting firm specializing in watershed, wetlands, estuarine and coastal protection, restoration and enhancement?  

Since 1997, KHE has been providing clients with innovative solutions and sustainable designs that maximize ecological values in every land use context from National Park to the urban corridor.

Integrating hydrology, engineering, geology, water quality and geomorphic sciences, KHE provides clients with an understanding the physical systems and biological linkages critical for sustainable water and ecological resource restoration and management. It is the unique nature, challenge and opportunity at each site that inspires our work.

Make KHE your resource for:

Wetland, Stream and Floodplain Restoration Design: concept plans to final plans and specifications

Water Resources, Estuarine and Coastal Lagoon Management

Watershed, Geomorphic and Sediment Transport Assessment

Flood Hazard Reduction Assessment

Surface and Ground Water Supply, Management and Impact Assessment

Hydrologic/Geomorphic/Water Quality Field Investigations

Water Supply and Water Supply Impact Assessment

Numerical modeling of seasonal and tidal wetland and watershed processes

Hydrologic Water Balance, Base flow and Unimpaired Flow Analysis

Salmonid habitat restoration

KHE is a woman-owned business and registered small business in the state of California.

Mission

KHE’s mission is to design and implement sustainable natural resources management protection, enhancement and restoration in watershed, river, wetland and coastal systems utilizing engineering, hydrology, geomorphology and applied earth sciences.

KHE provides every client with:

science based, ecological resource oriented solutions;

innovative, technically sound and defensible analysis;

continuity between field studies, technical analysis and documentation; and,

accurate, timely and cost efficient assistance throughout the life of every project.

Services

KHE provides SERVICES grounded in understanding the linkages between hydrology, geomorphic processes and ecological function in support of natural resources enhancement and protection.  Our projects address sensitive plant, wildlife and fish habitat, and require an understanding and balance of scientific, regulatory, and economic issues and objectives. KHE services are typically undertaken on public lands in the context of local, state (CEQA) and federal statutes (NEPA), and other regulatory frameworks.

Coastal and Estuarine Analysis

Ecological Restoration Planning and Design

Education and Public Outreach

Engineering Design

Fluvial Geomorphology and Sediment Transport Assessment

Hydrologic & Hydraulic Modeling

River and Watershed Assessment

Stream Flow, Tidal Influence Sediment and Groundwater Monitoring

Water Supply and Water Quality Assessment

For water resources engineering and earth science consulting services call Kamman Hydrology & Engineering at 415-491-9600. Visit the http://kammanhydrology.com/ .

 

 

 

To color and protect interior wood and furniture use high performance Brushing Wax from English Country Pine & Design.

Brushing Wax is the quick way to a completely natural wax finish. Simply brush on and buff off.

Based on customers’ demands, John Varney of English Country Design developed a revolutionary new high performance BRUSHING WAX finish.

English Country Pine & Design is a custom woodwork shop established in 1986 in Marin County, CA by John Varney, an English Craftsman and Designer with patience and an eye for detail.

English Country Pine & Design is woodwork green company. They use low-low VOC emissions for their water based products brushing wax.

Why Brushing Wax?

No worries!

No More Water Rings

Heat Resistance

Non-Yellowing

Sensuous Waxy Feel

UV Stabilized

Sheen of Wax

Ideal for Tabletops

Water Base

Easy To Use

Effortless Clean-Up

Low V.O.C.

Choice of Colors

Great Sealer for Faux Finishes

Works on Metal & Plaster

Water Resistant

Heat Resistant

 About John Varney and Brushing Wax

English craftsman, designer, John Varney has an eye for detail as a master of art. He runs English Country Pine for over 25 years. He has lectured for the A.S.I.D. on furniture design addressing how to incorporate modern technologies into a traditional design.

Originally the finishes would be in dark stains and varnished in an attempt to mimic the quality high end furnishings. That’s why he developed a revolutionary new high performance BRUSHING WAX finish. The quick way to a natural wax finishes enhancing the natural beauty of the wood.

To order Brushing Wax contact John@ 415-485-3800. http://brushingwax.com/

The Emerging Status of Nonprofits And the Bystander Effect

On March 13, 1964, Kitty Genovese was returning home from work as a bar manager in New York. She parked her car and walked towards her apartment, just a 100 feet away. Suddenly she heard footsteps racing behind her. Before she could react, the assailant stabbed her twice. Screaming at the top of her lungs, she cried for help; repeatedly. No one came.  She died two hours later.

As investigators and reporters began piecing the story together, they were shocked by the lack of citizen intervention. At least two dozen people heard the screams over a 30-minute time span. Politicians, psychologists and clergymen were outraged, calling it another example of our apathetic social decay.

But two psychologists weren’t so sure. They wanted to know why Kitty was offered no help. Over the course of the next year, they conducted a series of experiments in crowded and private situations to understand what triggers and doesn’t trigger a response from bystanders. Here’s what they discovered:

Crowds behave like schools of fish – they group think. If there are no reactions to a stimulus, no one in the crowd will act. They found that “no one wants to stands out in a crowd.” This was proven time and time again as experiments were conducted on busy New York streets.

But as they tweaked their experiments, they finally discovered the answer and what instigates a reaction.

In today’s version of the “bystander effect,” one of our most precious socially important industries continue to pattern their future in the same methods as the past. As funds continue to dry up, many nonprofit agencies continue to seek financial help by using a single method of revenue generation: writing grants.

In comparison, a growing legion of innovative nonprofits across the globe are building “social enterprises,” and generating income through their own sales and services. One important result of this type of income is that grant-makers are more inclined to approve funds to organizations that are proving their ability to diversify their resources and gain greater self-sufficiency.

So in collaboration between Renaissance Marin and the Marin Community Foundation, we’re launching our best effort to break the bystander effect. Open to the first 20 nonprofits, this is an opportunity for agencies to learn the methods for building their own social enterprises. Think about the alternative: stay steady on your current course and watch your grant dollars diminish. The cost is also exceptionally affordable with some tuitions at $100 - less than seven percent of a popular national training program.

This is the one and only time we’ll be offering this training in 2013. The program is tailored made for nonprofits with little or no experience with business modeling. Not only will you learn all the essentials, you’ll have an opportunity to pitch your concepts to a panel of well accomplished business and social entrepreneurs. For ten groups that finish this two-month program, personal consultation will be provide to help you take your concepts to reality.

In addition, the workshops have been developed to respect your busy schedule. We’ll be meeting once every Thursday morning for three hours during the eight-week program starting January 31.

To get all the information, we urge you to attend the upcoming orientation on Thursday, Dec. 13; 10am at Renaissance Marin, 1115 3^rd Street, San Rafael.

This program is specific to nonprofit agencies in Marin County and highly recommended for organizations receiving their funding through MCF.

For reservations to the orientation, please call us at 415.755.1115.

If you find yourself among of sea of bystanders unwilling to help you, what the researchers found was to target a single individual, get in front and make a plea. They found that tactic was the most effective way to gain help because a single individual when alerted stops group-think and becomes personally responsible. 

 

 

Warm Wishes Holiday Campaign 2012

We provide  5,000   “StreetPacks”   for  our  street  communities

Our 19^th Year of providing Warm Wishes!

Each “StreetPack” is filled with NEW gloves, scarf, hat, rain poncho, socks and holiday card made by local school children to offer warmth and Warm Wishes! during the coldest months of the year.   Filled “StreetPacks “ are distributed throughout the entire Bay Area through over 40 agencies and on the streets by volunteers~ like YOU!

Call  415- 472-0211 to  volunteer or donate  go to www.warmwishes.org 

     Send your tax deductible donation to 

Warm Wishes!  5800 Northgate Mall Ste 250,  San Rafael, CA 94903

We need your suppport this holiday season to continue to serve the following agencies: We serve……Adopt a Family, Asian Women’s Shelter, BOSS - Building Opportunity for Self Sufficiency, BOSS – Oakland, BOSS Berkeley - MASC Multi Agency Service Center, Helen Vine-Buckelew, Catholic Charities Family Support Center, Cedars, Conservation Corps North Bay, Cotts Shelter, Faithful Fools Street Ministry, Interfaith Winter Shelter, Family Service Agency, Gilead House, Homeward Bound, Interfaith Street Chaplaincy/Shelter, Marin Juvenile Hall  and Probation, La Casa De Las Madres ( SF), Lucas Valley Community Church, Marin City Clinic & The Outreach Collaborative, Ritter Center, San Geronimo Valley Community Center, Sacred Heart Church in Olema, SF Community Clinic Consortium @Street Outreach Services- Mobile Medical Vans, St. Anthony's, St. Vincent's Dining Hall, Stinson Bolinas School, Sunny Hills, Timothy Murphy School for Boys, Urban Ministry/InnVision, West Marin Services West Marin Services, Westminster Church, Novato Human Needs Center, Thursday Soup Kitchen, Chinatown Community Development Center, American Red Cross, Treasure Island Permanent Housing, Compass Community Services, St. Joseph’s Family Center,

                        

          W.O.M.A.N….and on the streets throughout the Bay Area…

Volunteer on Saturday, December 1, 2012 

       
         Help us assemble Warm Wishes “StreetPacks” at  

          
                   Unity In Marin, 600 Palm Drive, Novato

9:00 AM  SHARP!  Suggested donation: Adults $10.00/children FREE!  (no one turned away!)

 “I wondered why somebody didn’t do something, then I realized I was somebody.”   Author Unknown           

EcoLogic Landscaping provides ecological Landscape Architecture, Construction, and Maintenance Services for Marin and surrounding counties.

EcoLogic Landscaping provides Landscape Architecture, Construction, and Maintenance Services for Marin and surrounding counties.

 

With over 14 years in sustainable landscaping in Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area, Ecologic Landscaping has the knowledge and expertise to create your garden from concept to completion. 

 

Whether renovating an existing landscape or creating a new garden, the company is committed to excellence that show in every detail. 

 

Ecologic Landscaping primary goal is to facilitate a dynamic, meaningful relationship between people and the land. They create gardens that are not only beautiful, but also provide an abundance of fresh food. Lets not forget the use of all-organic materials and highly efficient low water use irrigation systems.

About Ecologic Landscaping                        

 

Leith Carstarphen is the landscape designer and project supervisor for Ecologic Landscaping. He holds degrees in Landscape Architecture and Horticulture. Leith has been working in the San Francisco Bay Area in the field of landscape architecture, construction, and maintenance since 1994. He regularly leads workshops and classes on sustainability issues and has a passionate commitment to edible and useful plants, and is an avid home gardener.

Quality, Commitment, Service

With more than a decade of experienced in landscaping, EcoLogic Landscaping has mastered the knowledge and expertise in creating a garden from concept to completion.

 

The crews have extensive skills in constructing gardens of exquisite craftsmanship and lasting beauty, using sustainable and organic materials and methods.

 

The services include all facets of landscape construction: patios and pathways, rock walls and retaining walls, waterfalls and fountains, decks, arbors, fences, drainage systems, irrigation and dramatic lighting.

Sustainability

 

Ecologic Landscaping believes that the best gardens grow naturally.  Using only the finest organic fertilizers to help your landscape grow and mature. They never use harsh pesticides or herbicides but instead rely on non-toxic alternatives that are safe for your family and pets. They support thriving ecosystems, and pests are controlled naturally, by beneficial insects such as ladybugs. Flowering plants will attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and songbirds to your yard. They also create thriving ecosystems for all the microclimates of Northern California, whether shady or arid, and we strategically design landscaping to optimize growth and conserve water.

Edible Gardens

 

Ecologic Landscaping creates gardens that are not only beautiful, but also provide an abundance of fresh food. Imagine strolling through your garden with your children and harvesting perfectly ripe berries, vegetables, and culinary herbs. Landscape Services:

Architecture - Creative landscape designs are the specialty of EcoLogic Landscaping

 

Stonework - Custom stonework improves the lay of the land while adding a timeless quality to any garden

 

Carpentry / Gates - Wood helps define the boundaries of the garden, while providing structure and shade

 

Gates - Gates create a definition of spaces.  They create a separation of private from public space

 

Planting - Plants are what bring gardens to life! Plants attract hummingbirds and butterflies

Tree Care - Provides care for trees of all ages to treat diseases such as 'Sudden Oak Death'

Outdoor Kitchen - Increase the usability of your garden, and take advantage of California's mild climate with an outdoor kitchen

 

Waterfalls - Water in the garden soothes the spirit and completes the garden experience.

 

For more information about green landscape architecture services call Ecologic Landscaping at 415-454-8903.