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NEWSLETTER: August 2013

In this issue:

Pumpkins in the Park

Pumpkins in the Park, a fun, family friendly harvest fair with a strong environmental education component, is designed to promote awareness of the Guadalupe River Park and celebrate the fall season. Join us on Saturday, October 12 from 10 AM to 4 PM for a giant pumpkin patch, a costume parade, tons of free kid's activities, a children's concert and so much more. Click here to read more about the event.

Click here to learn about volunteering.

Interested sponsors or vendors can contact Phil at 408-298-7657.

Earn your Guacamole on the Guadalupe, Sunday Feb. 2

Save the date - our Super Guadalupe River Run is moving to February 2nd, Super Bowl Sunday.

Beaver Update

After Greg Kerekes' wildlife camera spotted an impaired beaver on the Guadalupe River, Guadalupe River Park Conservancy staff joined local wildlife advocates to trap the adult beaver, remove a packing strap constraining her movement, arrange for a quick medical exam, and release her back to the river within an hour.

Urban Wildlife Research Project, Wildlife Emergency Services, off-duty park rangers and Happy Hollow Zoo staff, and the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley collaborated with us on this successful and satisfying rescue and release operation.

Call to Action: Join us for Coastal Clean Up Day on September 21st to keep the river safe for wildlife.

Better than Xbox!

Our 2013 Boys & Girls Club summer camp was a great success. A GRPC staff member overheard one boy ask another if he would rather play Xbox or geocache in the park and was delighted by the response: geocache. We were thrilled too when 20 children chose to spend the day with us rather than go on the annual trip to Great America!

Volunteer Corner

Ernst & Young recently sent 50 interns to volunteer in the Heritage Rose Garden. They deadheaded the spent roses to encourage a new bloom in the coming months. Other groups from American Eagle Outfitters, BPM, Brocade, Cisco Systems, Hitachi Data Systems, LSI Corporation, SanDisk, and Western Digital, have also been out recently. We could not execute our role as stewards without these generous partners!

 

Meet Volunteer Joseph Reynolds
Joseph, our newest intern from San Jose State, is majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Energy & Green Building. He's been helping us with research for and implementation of our restoration projects and compost bins. He is a native to San Jose who enjoys hiking, watching movies, and reading sci-fi novels. His favorite things about the Conservancy are the friendly staff and beautiful surroundings. Glad to have you on board Joseph!

 

 

Board Member Jeff Lawson Celebrated
Not only was our board member Jeff Lawson named a Super Environmental Lawyer by Super Lawyer magazine, he is featured on the cover and profiled as well. Congratulations Jeff on this well-deserved recognition! Click here to see the article.

Legacy Giving

Why Should You Include a Charitable Gift in Your Will (Or Living Trust)?

  1. It's simple to do. It can be as easy as including language stating, "I give $20,000 to Guadalupe River Park Conservancy."
  2. You can change your mind. We won't receive the gift until after your death. During your lifetime, you can amend anything you choose, i.e., beneficiaries, amounts, etc.
  3. Tax-wise, it could be beneficial. Gifts to qualified charitable organizations reduce the value of your estate for estate tax purposes.
  4. It's an easy way to support Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, and we'd be grateful for your gift. Bequests of every size build our future financial strength.

Festa Returns to Guadalupe River Park Aug. 24-25

Upcoming Events

Nature Inspired Yoga in the Park

Session 2: July 18th through August 8th
Thursdays 6:15 to 7:15 pm
$25/members, $30/non-members, $10 drop in

Join our favorite yoga instructor Kristin Strellis for a gentle yoga class designed to improve your flexibility, balance and relaxation. All necessary equipment is provided. All you need to bring is yourself, dressed in comfortable clothing, and any stress or worries that have accumulated throughout the week to release outdoors in the beautiful Guadalupe Park. This class is taught outside. More info.

Bike Ride to Alviso

Sunday, August 4th
8:30 am to 12:30 pm
$10 members, $15 non-members

Been wanting check out the trail to Alviso but reluctant to go on your own? Join GRPC Executive Director Leslee Hamilton for a leisurely roundtrip ride to check out the trail's interpretive plazas and other destinations. Bring water, helmet and a sack lunch. More info.

Family Workshop: River Science

August 10th
10:00 to 11:30 am
$15/members, $20/non-members for families of four
$10/members, $15/non-members for a parent and one child

Have you ever wondered what lives in the Guadalupe River? Bring your family and learn about the Guadalupe watershed and the federally endangered salmon and trout that call it home. Participating families will collect aquatic insects and do water quality testing to help us make sure the river is healthy. Have fun as a family and learn about your river! More info.

Summer Fruit Tree Pruning

Saturday, August 10th
9:30am to 12:30pm
Ages 18 and Up
$10/members, $15/non-members

Summer is an ideal time to train young trees and encourage optimal fruit production. Using demonstrations and hands-on practice, professional landscaper Sean McGrail will teach you how to slow down growth, increase light and remove disease from trees. Bring pruning equipment if you have it, and dress in long sleeves and closed toe shoes suitable to walk the spectacular orchard. More info.

Silicon Valley Kids Climate Club

August 14th
1:30 to 3:00 pm
$10/members, $15/non-members

Do you know a child who is interested in environmental stewardship? Are you interested in hearing how we can make an impact on climate change? Join County Supervisor Dave Cortese as he introduces the Silicon Valley Kids Climate Club. Supervisor Cortese will talk about the impact that humans are having on our planet and will help us find simple environmentally friendly changes in our own lives that will lead to bigger changes on a global scale. More info.

River Explorers Special Needs Field Trip

Saturday, August 17th
10:00 to 11:30 am
$20/members, $25/non-members

River Explorers is a hands-on, outdoor program for children with special needs. Participants will learn about the wildlife community at the Guadalupe River and the biological adaptations of certain species. The field trip culminates in an actual river exploration, where students enter the water to get an intimate appreciation for the Guadalupe and the life it supports. Siblings of children with special needs are also invited to attend. Pre-registration is required. More info.

Foolproof Flower Arranging

August 24th
10:00 am to 12:00pm
$10/members, $15/non-members

Summer is underway, and you've gathered a marvelous bundle of colorful summer flowers and foliage. Now what? Join Master Gardener Milli Wright and her other talented Flower Floozies for a workshop showing creative ways of combining colors, unique foliage fillers, tips and tricks for harvesting, preserving and showing your flower arrangements. Bring your own vase or use ours. More info.

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