Guadalupe River Park Conservancy Monthly Update

New Forum We want to hear from you and have created a forum on our website for comments and information sharing. Ever wanted to join a walking group or find a running buddy to enjoy the trail? Look for the Meet-up forum. Care to help document the birds and other animals that you see in the park? Check out Wildlife. Give feedback on the park in the General Discussion forum - http://www.grpg.org/Forum. Please help us make this a dynamic feature by sharing this resource with your friends, family, and neighbors.		Save the Date! Saturday, April 25, 2009 Follow Us On   GRPG FlickR Group
Conservation Assessment Good news - With an eye to the future, Guadalupe River Park Conservancy applied for a grant to the Heritage Preservation's Conservation Assessment Program. We were selected and, in April, will have have the services of two conservators who will review our living (gardens) and non-living (library) collections and provide written reports to identify conservation priorities. These assessments will help us develop formal policies regarding the care of our collections and serve as an excellent base for future funding proposals. We greatly appreciate the support of Heritage Preservation!
Guadalupe Grazers Speaking of wildlife, check the orchard on your next visit - we'll soon be getting a few sheep to help with weed control. The sheep won't harm the trees, contribute fertilizer, and help reduce the City's use of herbicides. Come watch them in action, but please note these aren't petting zoo animals and shouldn't be approached or touched.

Education
For more information, contact our Education Coordinator, Linda McCabe.

Things That Fly!
Friday, March 13th
3:30 – 5:00pm
$10/ members, $15/ non-members
Ages: 5-10
Taking cues from nature, come learn the most amazing facts about things that fly!  Some birds can hover, and glide, some work so hard flapping their wings that they need to eat constantly for fuel.  Join the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens and we’ll experiment with paper airplanes and compare birds, seeds and insects in flight to helicopters, kites, balloons and more!  It’s also a great time to stroll in the park and see the bird homes that will be hidden once the leaves camouflage the nests.  Bring your best observation skills and go home with a naturalist journal we’ll make in class.

Designing, Building and Managing a Native Garden!
Saturday, March 7th
10:00am – 1:00pm
$40/ members, $60/non-members
Instructor:  Alrie Middlebrook
This class will introduce the do-it-yourself home gardener, to designing a sustainable, low-maintenance, and water conserving garden. Join the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens and Alrie Middlebrook to learn how to start visualizing your native garden, how to incorporate native plants, and which native plants are right for your yard.  Local author,  Alrie Middlebrook,  has more than 30 years experience as a professional landscaper. Bring a plot plan, or scaled diagram of your project and you will go home with many practical design ideas and the confidence to get started!
 
This workshop, will be held at the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Visitor & Education Center, located at 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. Pre-registration is required, space is limited so call (408) 298-7657 to reserve your spot today or visit www.grpg.org  and  info@cngf.org   to learn more.

All proceeds go to support the work of GRPG and CNGF. The purpose of the California Native Garden Foundation is to influence Californians to garden more sustainably. We teach Californians how to use native plants to create a garden that mimics the natural environment, saves water and energy, creates wildlife habitat, and fits beautifully into your neighborhood.

Sign up as a CNGF member (individual membership is $35)    when you register for the class and pay the GRPG members-only price.

Spring Walking Series
Saturday, March 14th  (8 weeks)
8:30 to 9:30am
$40/members, $50/non-members
Burst out of winter with a new walking series! Join Guadalupe River Park Conservancy for their eight week Spring walking Series. Step by step, you’ll be healthier as a result of this class that leads you through the paved trails along the Guadalupe River. Come check out the changes along the trails. Learn proper stretches, toning exercises and wellness tips as you meet others who enjoy exercising outdoors along the way.  Varied fitness levels will be offered. Led by fitness instructor:

Kristin Strellis
Kristin has a degree in Exercise Science and is certified by the American Council on Exercise as a Personal Trainer. She has received training by SCW fitness education as a Moms In Motion Trainer, Kids In Motion Trainer and Yoga Instructor. She is CPR, AED and First Aid certified. Kristin enjoys bringing exercise to the outdoors. Join her as she incorporates fun and education into her classes which challenge both the mind and body.

And Coming for Kids in April:
What is Oviperous?

Volunteering
For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Lucy Perez

Team Building and Community Involvement Opportunities
Working together to make a difference in the community is a great way to build team spirit and demonstrate the values of your organization. We will work with your group to find the right project (s) for your group. Year-round, outdoor activities provide fresh air and exercise as well as team camaraderie!

Volunteer Profiles

Guadalupe River Park Conservancy Board Member:Susan Siravo Susan Siravo serves at the Communications and Public Relations Manager for the Santa Clara Valley Water District.  The water district provides wholesale water supply and flood protection for all of Santa Clara County. Susan is the district spokesperson, handles all media relations, oversees the agency website and manages the district’s marketing and advertising campaigns.  Prior to joining the water district, Susan worked as a news reporter for NBC11 for seven years.  Her experience includes reporting and producing news, not only in the Bay Area, but also in the Central Valley and Las Vegas. Susan holds a marketing degree from California State University in Sacramento.  Susan is also on the Board of Directors at the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce, serves on the Communications Committee of the Association of California Water Agencies and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America.

Meet Manesh Rao Manesh joined the Heritage Rose Garden volunteer group in June 2007. The level of commitment and dedication shown by other volunteers, coupled with the satisfaction of helping the garden to thrive, motivated Manesh to make volunteering at the Heritage Rose Garden (and subsequently the Historic Orchard) a weekly activity. Manesh has helped with all aspects of maintenance in the rose garden and has led groups of volunteers for us. His organizational skills and attention to detail have helped us accomplish special projects in the gardens. Manesh went to college in Mumbai, India and has been living in California for the last 10 years. He is looking forward to becoming a US citizen later this year. Manesh works as a program manager and in his spare time likes to travel with his wife, watch movies, and cook. His current pursuits include learning Spanish & horseback riding. We so are glad Manesh joined our organization.  Thank you Manesh!