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December 2009 Newsletter

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Gifts That Keep On Giving

by Allan Berkowitz, Executive Director

At this time of year we give thanks…and we give presents. Our thoughts turn to those who are important to us: family members, friends, colleagues, and business acquaintances. We reflect on the blessings in our lives and we reflect on the tangible items that will communicate our feelings.

As you set about your shopping, we offer up three unique and creative opportunities for your consideration; three ways to give a gift and double your impact.

1. Season’s Greenings: The Gift of Knowledge

Through our Season’s Greenings program you sponsor a school science program in honor of that special person. Your tax-deductible contribution to Environmental Volunteers will bring environmental stewardship to local students and a smile to that special someone.

We will send a beautiful Season’s Greenings Honor Card to the person (people) you wish to honor.

So, consider what you would spend on a holiday gift. Donate that amount instead to Environmental Volunteers. That special someone who is important to you will appreciate your generosity and our local schools will be inspired by the wonders of the natural world.

Donate online at www.EVols.org/donate or contact the office.

2. Give Them a Redwood Tree, A Bumble Bee, or a Red Poppy

We are very excited to launch our online store featuring beautiful nature photography by Judy Kramer, of Earth Witness Photography. Because Judy donates her photographic images to the EV, you can give a gift of enduring beauty while making a donation to support our educational work.

Beautiful wildflowers, landscapes, the range of textures and colors in nature: these images truly are breathtaking.

Go to http://www.shop.EVols.org and give them a tree, a bee, or a poppy.

3. Partner With the IRS and Our Kids Win!

Did you know that you can take advantage of federal legislation that allows a tax-exempt donation of IRA assets to non-profits? Through December 31, the IRS allows you to donate assets from an IRA. Some of the key criteria include:

  • The donor must be 70 1/2 years old at the time of donation.
  • The gift is not tax-deductible but it is tax-exempt!
  • The gift must be transferred directly from the IRA to the non-profit.
  • Maximum amount is $100,000.

This is a great opportunity to avoid paying additional taxes on your IRA distribution. Contact us for more information and for assistance in transferring an IRA. What a wonderful way to reduce your tax burden and build environmental stewardship among our local youth.

From all of us at the Environmental Volunteers, we wish you Season’s Greenings. May this be a safe and joyous end of year for all…and may you be blessed with a wonderful new year.

For 10 Ways to Green Your Holidays, go to http://www.EVols.org/seasons_greenings.htm

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Thank You Notes from the Children We Serve

We would like to share some words from the students at Cumberland 5th grade. Enjoy!

Dear Volunteers:
"I appreciate you teaching us about earthquakes. My favorite activity was the building house one. Since we are build our "dream house" in architecture, I think I 'll make my house earthquake proof. I also enjoyed the puzzle activity. It showed where most earthquake fault lines were. One of my favorite facts was about Panjea. (I don't know if I spelled it right, though. sorry if I didn't). I didn't know that the plates caused that either. Thanks a bunch! Sincerely, Angel"

Dear Environmental Volunteers:
"Thank you for coming into my class and teaching us about the plates of the earth. It was really interesting and fun. The thing I liked the was the slide show, it was awesome! The projector was also super cool too. I learned a lot when you came and this would go on forever if I told all of them, so I'll only tell you a few. One thing was the mantel is a liquid that really fascinated me! One other thing is that continental plates collide it forms mountains! It really was fun! Kayley"

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Spring Training Schedule

 

The EV is always looking for more volunteers interested in helping the educate and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.  Are you interested in joining our family of volunteers?  No experience is required.  We provide all the training you need.  We are taking registrations for our spring training courses.  Please contact Brittany for more information and to get an application.

Explorations in Ecology (Classroom Course)

This course covers five of our nine subject areas: Baylands Ecology; Forest & Foothills Ecology; Marine Ecology; Nature in Your Neighborhood (Urban Ecology); and All About Birds.

Next Session:

South Bay Office

Fridays 9:00 – 1:30

January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19

Living in California (Classroom Course)

This course covers four of our nine subject areas: Earthquake Geology; Water Science & Conservation; Early California Indian Life: an Environmental Focus; and Energy & Natural Resources.

Next Session:

Peninsula Office

Wednesdays 9:00 – 1:30

March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22. 29

Field Trip Training

This course covers all six of our field trip sites: Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve; Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve; Los Trancos Open Space Preserve; Fitzgerald Marine Reserve; Huddart Park; and Stevens Creek Park.

Next Session:

At the various field trip sites

Mondays 9:00 – 1:30 (Except as noted.  All times including drive time.)

February 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 26 (12:00-5:30)

Prerequisite: Trainees must have taken or be taking a classroom course.

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Who's News: Judy Kramer

by Jan Whitmer

 

Judy Kramer is truly an EV at heart and in spirit. Introduced to the organization through her husband Tony, Judy has enriched the EV with her beautiful photography. She has taken photos for the Ecocenter project at the Baylands, for our annual reports and for our website. And she has donated her wonderful nature note cards to our online store. Judy has also done photography for The Peninsula Open Space Trust, the California Council of Land Trusts, and the Anza-Borrego Foundation.

             

Her interest in photography became a serious avocation about five years ago when Judy “discovered” the digital camera. She says that digital photography allows her control over all aspects of a project from framing the shot to adjustments on the computer to printing the photo. Judy’s specialty is wildflower close-ups, although she loves photographing all of nature. She is very active in the Palo Alto Camera Club, having served as its co-president for several years.

Growing up in the rolling farm country outside Indianapolis, Indiana, Judy attributes her love of nature to spending time on her own exploring the woods behind her house, checking out spring wildflowers. As a bonus, she learned to climb barbed wire fences without getting snagged!

After graduating from Stanford with a degree in mathematics, Judy went on to get her teaching credential and taught math for 5 years, both in San Jose and in Palo Alto at Gunn High School. She also earned a Master’s degree in math from San Jose State, but chose to work fulltime raising her two children.

Judy is particularly interested in women’s issues and is a member of a donor circle of the Women’s Foundation of California, a group that awards grants to programs addressing economic equality issues for women and girls. She was Board president of the Palo Alto YWCA during the stressful period of its closing and is currently active in the Kiwanis Club, which helped to cleanup our Sea Scout building. Judy also served on State Senator Joe Simitian’s staff for four years when he was on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.

For fun, Judy enjoys reading mysteries, especially those with an historical background. She and Tony regularly participate in international folk dancing and have since college days. And they love spending one day a week with their 3-year-old grandson, introducing him to the wonders of nature! We are fortunate, indeed, to benefit from Judy’s generous spirit and her commitment to the environment.

To see and support Judy's work you can visit the EV Store or visit Judy's website.

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Northern Elephant Seals

by Lila Jones, Intern

 

December marks the beginning of the northern elephant seal breeding season on the Pacific Coast.  Once hunted almost to extinction for the oil made from their blubber, these animals are making an amazing comeback.  There are now about 160,000 northern elephant seals.

Northern elephant seals spend most of their time at sea, diving about 300 to 1000 feet to catch fish.  They feed on about 30 different types of fish.  They are preyed on by killer whales and sharks.  They live in the waters along the Pacific Coast from Baja California to Alaska, but come ashore to breed.  Four of the seven main breeding areas are off the coast of California.  Large colonies can be observed at  Año Nuevo State Reserve, Piedras Blancas Lighthouse, Morro Bay State Park and the Farallon Islands.

 

The male elephant seals come to shore first.  They are about fourteen to sixteen feet long and weigh about 5000 pounds.  They have a very prominent elephant trunk like nose, which is where they got their name.  The males fight bloody battles to claim territory.  The successful males will breed with many females.  Some males never breed.  Males fast during the three months they are on shore.

In late December the pregnant female elephant seals will arrive and give birth.  The females will fast for the five weeks they are on shore.  Each female will nurse her pup for about one month.  The females are about ten to twelve feet long and weigh much less than the males.  24 days after giving birth the females form harems of 30 to 100 and begin mating.  After mating, the females desert their pups and go back to sea.  By the middle of March all you will see on the beaches is the weaners, which have already grown from about 75 pounds to 250-350 pounds.  They teach themselves to swim and by the end of April they head out to sea too.

The elephant seals can also be seen on shore during the summer months when they come back to molt. Año Nuevo State Reserve offers guided walks for the public to view the northern elephant seals, while still protecting them.  This is a very popular attraction, so buy your tickets early if you plan to go.   They also have a “Sealcam” so that you can view the seals any time they are there.  Check it out at http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=25732.

Sources:

California State Parks: www.parks.ca.gov

National Geographic: www.animals.nationalgeographic.com

 

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EVs Share What's On Their Mind

 

 

 Scat Rap by Scatman (Bob Dodge)

Scatman sez this about that
There ain't nuthin better than lookin at scat.
Scat from the fox an
Scat from the cat,
Ain't nuthin better than lookin at that.

Children go "YUCK, You pickin up that?"
Ain't nuthin better than lookin at scat.
Lookin for bones an
Lookin for hair,
Lookin for evidence I know's in there.

Now I've found insect an I've found snake
and a little bit of cherry, for goodness sake.
A little bit of this an
A little bit of that.
Ain't nothin better than lookin at scat.

Now if you’re wonderin why I’m like that,
Always bendin over and pickin up scat.
Jes don’t you worry an
don’t you fret,
It’s as close to nature as I’ll ever get.

Leni Silberman shares a Haiku from:

The Cuckoo's Haiku and Other Birding Poems by Michael J. Rosen:

wild turkeys' snow tracks
their arrows point us one way
they go the other

 

 

If there's anything on your mind that you would like to share with the EV (including community events, quotes, etc.) please send it to justyne@evols.org.

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Photo Credits

Spring Training Schedule: Judy Kramer

Who's News: Tony Kramer

Northern Elephant Seals: Lila Jones

EVs Share What's on Their Mind : Vandy Shrader and http://www.watersheds.org/nature/tracks.htm

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