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NEWSLETTER: February 2017
In this issue:
Super Guadalupe River Run
It's not too late to earn your game-time guacamole on the Guadalupe!
Kick off Super Bowl Sunday with the annual Super Guadalupe River Run 10K/5K/1K Kids' Run at 9 AM on Sunday, February 5th.
Don't fumble the opportunity to burn some calories. Whether you go long for 6.2 miles or tackle the 3.1 mile quarterback sneak, you'll earn your game-time guacamole on the Guadalupe. Huddle with family, friends, training partners, neighbors, co-workers to run a 10K or 5K -- cross the goal line to score guilt-free indulgence during the game.
You won't want to miss the first in our series of collectors' shirts (graphic above) from the Rotary Children's Sculpture Walk! Proceeds benefit our education and stewardship efforts.
Click here to register.
Adopt-a-Rose for Valentine's Day 
Looking for a distinctive Valentine's gift? A bouquet of roses will last a week, but a rose bush will bloom throughout the year. With your donation of $60, we will help you select the perfect rose and prepare a gift box for your Valentine.
Click here for more details.
Adult & Family Workshops
February
Hurry - this is your LAST CHANCE to register!
Still Life Painting Family Workshop
Building Successful Backyard Birdhouses
Sustainable Vegetable Gardening - Six-Week Series
March
Register soon to reserve your spot!
Orchard Landscape Watercolor Painting
Saturday, March 4th - 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
(ages 8+ with adult chaperone)
Capture nature's beautiful landscapes with watercolors. Art Specialist Heather Engle will show participants how to control water and pigment levels to explore variations in color and light. Other topics covered include: painting techniques such as shading and the elements of landscape painting.
**NEW** Birding for Beginners
Sunday, March 5th - 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
(any age with adult chaperone)
Why not get the love of nature and wildlife started young? We are partnering with Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS) to bring our first ever family birding program! Bring the family on a fun and educational bird walk, and learn proper techniques and tools to make your future family trips a success!
Birding for Beginners & Beyond
Saturday, March 11th - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Adults only.
Learn how to identify the many interesting species that call the Guadalupe River (and sometimes your backyard) home on an outdoor birding excursion led by SCVAS. Learn to identify bird species by sound and sight, using binoculars, keys, guidebooks, and birding techniques. No prior birding experience is necessary, but experienced birders are welcome to attend and refresh their knowledge and help fledgling learners.
Spring 4-Week Walking Series
Saturdays, March 11th - April 1st - 8:30 to 9:30 am
Burst out of winter with a new walking series. Step by step, you'll be healthier as a result of this class; learn proper stretches, toning exercises, and walking technique as you meet others who enjoy exercising outdoors along the way.
Click here for more information.
Winter Storms
Record January rains and spillover from upper watershed reservoirs caused the Guadalupe River to swell last month, bringing debris and impacting undercrossings, while ushering in the Guadalupe's diverse birdlife.
Our next river clean up is Saturday, Feb. 18th. Please use caution at undercrossings as the City continues work to clean up sediment after the storms.
Volunteer Corner
Thanks to over 60 community volunteers who joined us for a day of service on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Volunteers removed over 4,000 pounds of debris from the river in January.
A hearty thanks to all the volunteer groups that toiled to make GRPG a more beautiful place this past December:
Altria Group
Basis Independent Silicon Valley HS
Boy Scout Troop 452
California San Jose Mission
Cupertino High School
HandsOn Bay Area
Hope Services
Lynbrook High School
Mission Bay
Morgan Autism Center
Notre Dame High School
Santa Clara County Office of Education
Stanford Medical Youth Science Program
Valley Christian High School
And that is only the groups! We also appreciate the scores of individuals who come out weekly to make a difference. We logged over 1,074 volunteer hours in December, finishing 2016 with an all-time record of over 19,000 hours donated to the park.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunties
- Pruning Lessons in the Heritage Rose Garden
Weds. and Sats. 8:30-11:30 am. More info.
- Historic Orchard Volunteer Workday
Sat. March 4th, 8:30-11:30 am. Sign up.
- Historic Orchard Pruning Lessons
Sat. February 25th, 9:30 am-12:00 pm. Sign up.
- Monthly River Cleanup
Sat. February 18th, 8:30-11:30 am. Sign up.
Meet Volunteer Donna Snodgrass
 Donna has been volunteering with us since February 2006 and has done a bit of everything over the years, including supporting our adopt-a-rose program. She also has been a member since 2004. When she is not volunteering with us, you can find her gardening, walking, and reading about Bay Area wildlife. We'd like to give a huge round of applause to Donna for all her years of service and love for the park. |
