Ian Walker, California Department of Health Services
An Appeal and Thank You to the Watershed Community
From Board Member Ian Walker
If I may, I'd like a moment of your time. Has this past year been as much a wild ride for you as it has been for me? It has been quite a challenge to fulfill a promise I made myself: to make a positive difference in the world. Luckily, as a Board member of The Watershed Project, I've had the opportunity to work with others to fulfill this promise. With The Watershed Project, I've helped turn economic uncertainties into opportunities, continued our award-winning programming, and developed new programs and projects. I'm writing to ask you to join me in supporting The Watershed Project's great work. In the face of countless national and international environmental issues, I always remember the saying, "Think Global, Act Local." The Watershed Project has shown me exactly why acting locally is crucial, and that's why I'm asking for your help.
If You Build It, They Will Come
Oysters Returning to the Bay
This year, The Watershed Project successfully launched our Oysters on the Half Shell program. The goal of Oysters on the Half Shell is to bring community groups together to protect and restore native oyster populations in San Francisco Bay. Through classroom presentations, field trips, and public restoration work days, volunteers of all ages have taken part in protecting an important Bay Area species.
What's in Your Watershed?
The Roaming California Coast Range Newt
When the winter rains come, we humans tend to remain inside, but for the California Coast Range Newt, the rains are a signal to leave their summer homes and move to the water. If you are lucky enough to see one this season, be content with just looking. One of five salamander species in California, this newt's skin produces a highly toxic poison called tetrodotoxin that can cause respiratory and cardiac failure.
California Passes Major Water Bill
What Does it Mean for Local Watersheds?
California is taking major action on water. The product of hot debate, Governor Schwarzenegger's new $11.1 billion water bill is the most comprehensive state legislative action on water issues in decades. As the smoke clears, interested parties across the state are asking themselves what exactly this massive bill means for our local watersheds.
