Stewards and State Parks will educate the public about the reasons why and how fee collection will be implemented, ways to secure park passes and volunteer opportunities, which provide annual Russian River District day-use passes for 16 hours of service in a year’s time.

On February 2^nd, the State Public Work Board approved the possible bundling of Austin Creek SRA with Mendocino County parks and allowing a for-profit corporation to take over operations. Luna is hopeful that State Parks will decide that her organizion’s operating proposal best meets their criteria for keeping Austin Creek open.

Austin Creek SRA is a 5,700 acre wilderness area of oak woodlands, redwood forest, the headwaters of East Austin, Fife, and Gilliam creeks. Prehistoric sites date back 4,000 years. It also contains the home, workshop and school of internationally renowned potter, Marguerite Wildenhain, who passed away in 1985. It includes 24 campsites, 2 wilderness backcountry sites, and 20 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. Stewards is very concerned that closing Austin Creek could lead to, among other potential outcomes, increased fire danger, illegal marijuana grows and vandalism.

Sonoma Coast State Park comprises over 10,000 acres and over 20 miles of magnificent coastline including the Willow Creek watershed. Currently at Sonoma Coast State Park, service reductions have resulted in the closure of eight day-use areas, two environmental campgrounds, and 2/3 of Bodega Dunes Campground. This leaves only a few day-use areas open with restroom facilities and only 49 spaces available at Wrights Beach and Bodega Dunes combined for camping.

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods provides support education and stewardship volunteer opportunities and restoration efforts in Russian River area State Parks. These include Seal Watch, Whale Watch, trail maintenance, environmental education, and docent-led walks and hikes. Volunteers give over 30,000 hours a year to their parks in the Russian River District.