Two awards ceremonies Saturday evening, November 7th, highlight  substantive and dedicated lives of conservationists and innovators… In Martinez in the East Bay, the 32nd Annual John Muir Conservation Awards were presented to: Conservationist of the Year:  Jeff Alvarez, Wildlife Biologist Environmental Education Conservation:  David Loeb, Publisher of Bay Nature Magzine, Bay Nature Institute Nonprofit or Public Agency Conservation:  East Bay Regional Park District (The nonprofit Worth A Dam, protecting the Martinez Beavers and Alhambra Creek … Read More »

Saturday, October 24th, International Climate Action Day, continues to be an inspiration locally.  My favorite memories of the City Hall transformational eco-landscaping day: Seeing Frank Simpson on and off for the entire day, while he watched for and captured spontaneous moments in photography.  Check out the Petaluma Spectator blog for these  – especially the children. Two students from Santa Rosa JC arrived at the event, having heard about it at the college, to sign up and help for … Read More »

“We all need to spend time in Nature to become full human beings.” This was a comment by a single mother with one daughter during KQED Radio’s Forum program today – about State Parks and a possible upcoming ballot initiative to charge a fee to all of us – to help keep the parks open.  The basic proposal is to charge around $18 annually to all licensed drivers in the State of … Read More »

Before the Bioneers Conference in San Rafael last weekend, a pre-conference intensive was hosted by the Center for Ecoliteracy (it’s in Berkeley). The intensive was “Smart by Nature – Schooling for Sustainability – Systems Change and Leadership.”  That’s a lot to take in for a title.  In essence, educators and environmental leaders gathered to listen to many approaches to and experiences of incorporating environmental awareness, climate change and the systems in … Read More »

The Martinez Beavers who live in Alhambra Creek appear to be helping support a healthy watershed and ecosystem for other species. For the latest Beaver ecosystem news:   http://baynature.org/articles/web-only-articles/beavers-and-more-in-martinez The Paula Lane badgers recently received media coverage with a surge of public support for habitat preservation efforts.  The badgers have unique claw-paws, almost finger-like, designed for efficient burrowing and digging, and  help manage area gopher, vole and mouse populations, while holding and sharing habitat with hundreds of other … Read More »

Saturday or Sunday morning in Petaluma – a quiet time for exercise, enjoying outdoors and pets.

.Driving from Petaluma, eastbound on Hwy 37 toward Martinez, who would have thought?

Water bowls are drained dry on July 5th.

About a year ago, the first blog entry in Open Spaces, Natural Places was about the “Stately Buckeye Tree” on Paula Lane, just off Bodega Avenue, a little over a mile from downtown Petaluma heading west. Now, the tree is, once again, in all her splendor and will probably be this way for about a month. For slow drivers, walkers, dog walkers, … Read More »

Tuesday, May 26th: At Steamer Landing Park, 5:30-8:30pm – Community Workshop for input on the new River Heritage Center (pizza, cookies & coffee served, bring your own water). Sponsored by the nonprofit Friends of the Petaluma River, supported by the City of Petaluma and Museum Association. www.friendsofthepetalumariver.org Also, Tuesday, May 26th, 6pm, Petaluma School Board Meeting, 200 Douglas Street. Agenda includes discussion of … Read More »