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Special Events
Fun, food, and Education Featured
at the Lake County Land Trust Dinner
The annual Lake County Land trust benefit dinner on Saturday,
Oct. 8 at Rancho de la Fuente was a great evening of
socializing with friends, bidding on fabulous silent auction
items, enjoying Lake County wines, dining on good food by Ciao
Thyme catering, and hearing about local biologist’s Greg
Giusti’s ideas of sustainability.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Land
Trust’s annual “Supporter of the Year,” award which was given
this year to Elaine Mansell who is leading children’s nature
education programs at the Lake County Land Trust’s Rodman
Preserve the third Saturday of each month. Mansell was honored
for her excellent work of inspiring children to get close to
nature through her “Rodman Explorers” program at the preserve.
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Many thanks to: sponsors: Law Office of Dennis Fordham, Lake
County Winegrape Growers, Brad and Kathy Barnwell, Katzoff &
Riggs Law Firm, and Hanchett Publishing. Thanks to Bonnie
Piccolo, for organizing the dinner, and Sherrie Hidalgo for
assisting; Tom Nixon and Doug Kauffman for entertaining during
the social hour, Rancho de la Fuente and Ciao Thyme Catering.
Thanks also to all of the volunteers, including Kelseyville
High School students, who made this event possible, as well as
Michele Malm. Wine was donated by Six Sigma, Tulip Hill,
Wildhurst, Steele, and Shannon Ridge and numerous silent
auction items were donated by members and businesses in the
community.
Most of all, thank you to the many Land Trust supporters who
attended our annual event to show their support for the Land
Trust.
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Student volunteers from Kelseyville High School helped
out
at the Oct. 8, 2011 Lake County Land Trust dinner.
They
included
from left: Maeve Rixen, Lisa Kurth, Kali Powell,
Dakota Rixen,
Carlee Harpe, Joey Avakian, and Ashley Osborne.
Not pictured
is Jeannie Johnson.
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Mary
Mychal-Barber and Quincy Steele enjoyed the recent
Land Trust annual dinner. |
Ken Ling, Debi Sally and Land Trust Executive Director,
Catherine Koehler. |
Land Trust board member, Jon Ambrose, left, talks with Land
Trust
president Pete McGee and Pete Gruchawka of Napa.
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Greg Giusti spoke about "Sustainability." |
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Tom Nixon and Doug Kauffman provided excellent music during the
social hour at the recent Land Trust dinner. |
People enjoyed bidding on silent auction items.
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Veronica McGee chats with Nikka Deacon at the recent Land Trust
dinner. |
The Lake County Land Trust holds its annual dinner every year
on the second Saturday in October. The annual dinner was
started in 1999 to celebrate the completion of the Rodman
Preserve acquisition project. The dinner has been a
tradition ever since. The trust honors its supporters of the
year at each dinner and also hosts interesting guest speakers.
Invitations are sent to Land Trust members but the public is
also cordially invited to attend this event.
The Annual Dinner is an important fundraising effort, with
most of the funds coming from the evening’s Silent Auction.
The Silent Auction is a popular and fun event with many
supporters donating services and items.
The annual Spring Dinner is held the second Monday in May, at
the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville.
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Youth Nature Education Program will Take the Winter Off
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Oran Cole enjoyed
dissecting owl pellets at a Youth Nature
Education program at the Rodman Preserve Nature Center.
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The “Rodman Explorers,” youth nature education program at our
Rodman Preserve Nature Education Center will start again in
April, 2012. The program is free and open to all youth age
7-12.
This free program started in June, 2011 and because of
conditions at the preserve during the winter, it has been
decided to create a program that runs from April through
November, instead of year around.
Elaine Mansell. Mansell, who is a well-known local naturalist
and educator has been leading the programs at Rodman, taking
kids on “slough adventures,” and awarding them with “Rodman
Explorer,” certificates. Elaine is a retired teacher and
enjoys continuing one of her greatest passions – educating
children about nature. Mansell worked for the California State
Parks for 15 years, starting out as a volunteer and eventually
becoming the park’s Interpretive Specialist. She led the
Junior Ranger program at Clear Lake State Park, did campfire
programs, hikes, and still leads school groups at the park.
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Mansell’s programs focus on the habitats and animals at the
Rodman Preserve. Students walk down to the wetland areas and
observe birds, waterfowl, and other animals and enjoy numerous
games and hands-on experiences. Mansell draws on her
experience and knowledge of what children love.
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Youngsters were amazed at the size of this bear paw that was
passed around for them to get a good look at
during the July Rodman Explorers program at
Rodman Preserve.
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Yuck. Touching a skunk skin? You bet! If you are in one
of Elaine Mansell’s Youth Education programs at the
Rodman Preserve on the third Saturday of each month.
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Middletown Cub Scouts from Pack 315 got
to get up close
and personal with animal skulls at the July 16 “Rodman
Explorers”
project at the Rodman Preserve. |
Elaine Mansell gathers youngsters on the back porch of the
Rodman Preserve to play a fun game involving the
food chain and habitats.
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Events
at the Rodman Preserve
and
Nature Education Center
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Dr. John Parker answers a question during the
archeology walk at the Rodman Preserve. |
Archaeology Walk at Rodman a Huge Success
On
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, local archaeologist, Dr. John Parker led a
fascinating “archaeology walk,” though the Rodman Preserve,
owned and operated by the Lake County Land Trust, as part of the
trust’s on-going educational programs at the preserve.
Over 75 people showed up for the event, which was ably handled by
Dr. Parker who has a loud voice and an engaging and entertaining
speaking style. Parker was able to impart his knowledge of the
early inhabitants of the County and discuss their relationship to
the very land that visitors stood on.
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He sang a “welcome song,” to start off the event, and then,
under the oak trees, discussed the early inhabitants of the
area, relating that some of the oldest artifacts, possibly
dating back 20,000 years, have been found in Lake County.
He explained how artifacts are dated, using obsidian hydration
technique and discussed the different technologies for
processing food used by early inhabitants here. He explained
that Indian villages existed about every seven miles around the
shores of Clear Lake. The closest village to the Rodman Preserve was called Yobotui. Parker had several artifacts that
he shared with those attending, including rocks used for
chipping other rocks, mortars, and the baked clay balls that
were used to sling at ducks during hunting.
Dr. Parker discussed the Indians use of many native plants,
including tules and soap root which both grow on the Rodman
Preserve property. He fielded many questions from the numerous
people attending who are interested in the Native American
culture of the Clear Lake basin.
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Besides
weekly Saturday walks, the Lake County Land Trust is developing an
educational program at the Rodman Preserve Nature Education
Center.
The Rodman Preserve Nature Education Center is located at the corner of
Westlake Road and the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff, off of Highway 29 between
Lakeport and Upper Lake. The address is 6350 Westlake Road.
Programs
have been held on “The Oaks of Lake County,” presented by Dr.
Harry Lyons, professor of biology at the Clearlake Center of Yuba
College. A program on resident and migrating birds and waterfowl was
presented in December of 2008 and a presentation of zooplankton and
insects living in the waters of Clear Lake was presented on May 13,
2009. On January 30, 2010, local archeologist John Parker
presented a program on the early history of Lake County. Dr.
Parker also presented an archaeology walk at the preserve on
September 4, 2010 as a continuation of his educational program.
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Lake
County Vector Control District representatives
presented
a fascinating program at the Rodman Nature Center.
The
May 13, 2009 presentation by biologists from the Lake County Vector
Control District (LCVCD) was informative and fascinating. Over
20 people gathered at the Rodman Preserve Nature Education
Center to learn about the programs and projects of the Lake County
Vector Control District, as well as to look at the fascinating
creatures that live in the waters of Clear Lake and Lake County.
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Biologist
Brittany Mills, discusses the different
insects and arthropods seen through the
microscopes at a Rodman
Nature Center program.
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Jamesina
Scott addresses the audience at the
LCVCD program at the Rodman
Preserve Nature Education Center. |
Visitors
enjoyed looking through microscopes at Daphnia, gnat larvae,
“water boatmen,” and other interesting animals as part of the
program entitled: “What’s That Swimming With Me?” Presenting
the program were: Jamesina Scott, Ph.D. District Manager and
Research Director for the LCVCD; Bonnie Ryan, vector biologist, and
Brittany Mills, assistant biologist. The Lake County Land Trust will
be presenting nature education programs at the center on a regular
basis throughout the year.
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Member
Benefits
As
part of our member benefits program the land trust presents an
annual “Lake County Land Trust Coffee,” a Lake County Land Trust
Invitational Reception, and other events. In 2011 the annual coffee
was held on March 26 at the Rodman Preserve. Land Trust
members at the White Pelican, Blue Heron, Osprey, and Golden Eagle
levels enjoy benefits including the Land Trust Coffee, a special
reception during the summer at Rodman Preserve, and an invitational
wine tasting at a local winery. The Member Benefit events are a way
for us to connect with our donors and friends and communicate
information about the trust’s current programs and projects.
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Enjoying the March 26, 2011 Land Trust Coffee at the Rodman Preserve Nature Education center were Barbara LeVasseur of Nice and
Elaine Mansell, Kelseyville. Both are members and volunteers for the
Land Trust. Those attending this event learn about Land Trust projects
and programs while enjoying coffee and other refreshments. The coffee
is a member benefit for members at the $100 a year (White Pelican)
level and above.
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Catherine Koehler, John Parker, and Jon Ambrose visit
during the Land Trust Coffee. Koehler is the executive
director for the trust and Ambrose is a member of the
board of directors, secretary, and chair of the Land
Committee. Land Trust members heard about the trust’s
current projects including the Big Valley Wetlands proposal
for purchasing conservation easements on the shores
of Clear Lake; a proposed partnership with the Nature
Conservancy to manage the Boggs Lake vernal pool, and
on-going efforts at the Rabbit Hill Park in Middletown.
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Over 25 supporters of the Land Trust gathered on a
cool March day to hear updates on current projects. |
Ed Oswalt, left, and Pete McGee, president of the
Lake County Land Trust during the 2011 Land Trust
Coffee where supporters hear about current projects underway. |
Saturday
Walks
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Toni
Scully of Lakeport and her granddaughter,
Hanna, enjoy a winter outing at the
Rodman Preserve.
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Walks
are held at the Rodman Preserve, 6350 Westlake Road, every Saturday throughout the
year, weather permitting. Walks start at the Nature Center on the
corner of Westlake Road and the Nice-Lucerne Cut-off at 9 a.m.
September through May and at 8 a.m.
June through August.
Call Gaye Allen at (707) 928-4590 or Roberta
Lyons at (707) 994-2024 for more information. Only guided walks are
offered at the Preserve because of the need to protect the abundant
wildlife that makes this area so special.
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