Mission: The Valley Women’s Club is dedicated to community action, awareness and leadership in environmental, educational, social, and political concerns that affect the health and welfare of the San Lorenzo Valley and our community.
Mission: The Valley Women’s Club is dedicated to community action, awareness and leadership in environmental, educational, social, and political concerns that affect the health and welfare of the San Lorenzo Valley and our community.
Environmental CommitteeThe Environmental Committee works to protect the watershed and to educate the public on forestry issues, erosion control, hazardous waste, recycling and other issues. We also monitor government policies and procedures. Events Roadside Cleanup, Highways 9 and 236: Quarterly ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS Fall 2008 A Bit of Science – Post Fire… Is it OK to Salvage Trees? Soil Hydrophobicity – post fire Jodi Frediani, Sierra Club What you may ask? Hydrophobia was supposed to be a symptom of rabies, since infected people refused water and suffered hallucinations. But this is different…. Fires can cause the formation of soils that repel water, or hydrophobic soils. From the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, “A thin layer of soil at or below the mineral soil surface can become hydrophobic after intense heating. The hydrophobic layer is the result of a waxy substance that is derived from plant material burned during a hot fire. The waxy substance penetrates into the soil as a gas and solidifies after it cools, forming a waxy coating around soil particles.” The significance of such a layer is that it repels water, reducing the amount of water infiltration. This leads to increased surface runoff and the potential for increased erosion. Sometimes this layer can persist for years. However, while surface flows are increased, the reduced water infiltration lessens the likelihood of debris slides on denuded steep slopes. Disturbing this layer could actually increase sediment loads in streams. The NRCS has recommendations on their website (see link above) on how best to manage post-fire landscapes. In Santa Cruz County, USDA NRCS District Conservationist, Rich Casale can be contacted for free site evaluations: 831-475-1967. This, coupled with the fact that many apparently dead trees will re-sprout and return to life the next season, makes salvage logging a questionable procedure.
A visit to the Mountain Art Center, which was featuring a show of art from found and recycling objects, “Mixing It Up.” After visiting the Center, the youngsters enthusiastically created their own art from recycling materials. Contact Dusty 338-3787 home or 818-5703 cell for information on the next field trip. Mountain Art Center Offers Gallery, Art Shows and Classes Trying to Convince Someone to STOP Using Plastics? You will find a convincing and motivating argument against the use of plastic bags and bottles, and find yourself anxious to stop using them yourself, here. It’s well worth a visit – and share it with family and friends. Earth Portal Ever hear of Earth Portal, or the Encyclopedia of Earth? Really amazing resources on the web. Things like Energy Transitions, and the Arctic Oceans and Invasive Species – and the ability to get current information and connect and converse with experts in the field. You’ll have trouble leaving your computer… PG&E Questioned About Excessive Tree Removal They jump right out at you, throughout the County, the growing number of downed trees cut by PG&E “near” the power lines. (Just drive along the steep part of Graham Hill Rd., just past Roaring Camp, and look up the hill at all the downed trees.) The VWC Environmental Committee for the SLV is questioning the policy to remove ever-increasing swaths of land along regular power lines and is taking several steps to bring up the excessiveness of this. Contact Enviro Chair, Nancy Macy (338-1728 or email. if you have input or concerns on this issue. Granny Units Not Counted in Affordable Housing Requirements The State of California does not count the thousands of “Granny Units” in Santa Cruz County in their requirements for the County’s “Affordable Housing.” The County is severely pressured to provide these units (a good thing), but it seems reasonable that these units be counted. Recent zoning changes will expand the number of these units significantly. The VWC Environmental Committee will be taking up this issue and working to change the regulations. Want to help? Call Nancy at 338-1728 (also the Recycling Centers’ Line).
You are invited to become a docent for Sempervirens Fund. The Fund is actively seeking quality spokespeople and hike leaders for their mission: Preserving and protecting the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains and encouraging the appropriate enjoyment of this environment. When you become a docent for the Sempervirens Fund, here are some of the volunteer activities you can do:
For more information, a Volunteer Position Description, and to sign up for this opportunity, go to http://www.sempervirens.org/fm-docentprogram.htm or contact the Director of Marketing at mkimbel@sempervirens.org or 650-968-4509.
Making it easier to dispose of CFC bulbs (great energy savers but NOT to be disposed of in the trash due to their toxics), Home Depot is now accepting used CFC bulbs. Household Hazardous Waste at the BLTS also does – accepting hazardous materials only on Thursdays and Sundays from 7:30 to 3:30. Circle Saturday, October 18th on your calendar for the
Volunteers sign-in at any of the three collection sites: Boulder Creek at the SLV Redemption/Recycling Center behind the Village Wash & Dry; Ben Lomond at the corner of Hwy 9 and Fillmore; Felton next to Rite Aide on Hihn Street. More than 100 volunteers are needed for this important effort, so everyone concerned with the health and beauty of the San Lorenzo River is encouraged to participate! It is great fun and a great family tradition too! As in the past, the Valley Women's Club and its Recycling Centers, the County of Santa Cruz, and the SLV Water District are co-sponsoring this major effort to remove litter. The Water District and County Public Works provide drivers and trucks to haul the materials collected to the Ben Lomond Transfer Station for recycling or disposal. The County waives disposal fees for the event. Students helping at the Clean Up qualify for school Community Service hours. All volunteers are provided with plastic bags (and latex gloves, if requested), and will receive a small gift and refreshments, thanks to the support of local businesses and the Recycling Centers. Children 12 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult. Trucks with winches are needed! Adults are needed! Please call and let us know if you are coming with a truck, so we can arrange for free disposal of what you collect during the Clean Up. If you know of a place along the River or creeks that needs attention, please call ahead so we can focus on it. Call the SLV Redemption / Recycling Centers number for information or input about the River & Road Clean Up or questions for the Valley Women’s Club: 338-1728.
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EnviroAdventures for Kids Continue
Become a Redwood Forest Docent
Home Depot Now Accepting Used CFC Bulbs
Volunteers are needed to help pull trash from the River, its tributaries, and their roadsides from 9 am to 3 pm. Families and clubs and groups are encouraged to plan several hours to help in this important effort to protect the River and its wildlife from the long summer’s accumulation of debris, and to prevent it from being carried out into the Bay when the rains come.
