Editorial: Auburn senior becomes California Naturalist

Did you know, just down the road, headquartered in Coloma, the American River Conservancy sponsors "California Naturalist," an adventure in the form of a 10-week, 40-hour course which is opening startling new discoveries for me. I'm an Auburn senior in her upper 70s, retired from a life as a teacher and counselor. The world of citizen scientists is all new to me. I love nature – don't we all? This course is deepening my awe and appreciation of nature by showing me what I have not seen before, not understood completely, especially about what's right here in our foothills. Before I tell you more about the Naturalist course itself, I'd like to say something about its sponsor, ARC. I knew about the Conservancy's nature center and bookstore in Coloma, full of hands-on exhibits, both taxidermy and live animals, and great maps and books. What I didn't know is the full extent of what this non-profit organization does. Its mission statement tells us, "The American River Conservancy serves our communities by ensuring healthy ecosystems within the upper American River and upper Cosumnes River watersheds through conservation, stewardship and education." The focus is on our precious watersheds. In part, they do this by buying land or acquiring land and conservation easements through donations. They currently own about 11,000 acres. Having land under their direct management allows them to make decisions and take actions to effectively protect these areas from development, as well as provide restoration and ongoing care of habitat and water quality. Since 1989, ARC has protected more than 27,650 acres of vital riparian, oak woodlands and headwaters forest habitats. They have provided more than 35 miles of trails for the public, and their education programs have helped more than 30,000 children learn about our environment. Parents and grandparents can check out their summer nature camps. And any of us could go on one of their hikes or take a class, such as how to weave a pine needle basket. The scope of their work and accomplishments is huge, and I hope you'll have a look at arconservancy.org or pop down to the center at 348 Highway 49 (open Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Now, about the California Naturalist class that has me so excited. To provide this, ARC partners with UC's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. There are 10 weekly class sessions, when engaging guest lecturers share their knowledge and insights. And, there are self-guided field trips and a wide range of potential hands-on projects. I love the book we use: "The California Naturalist Handbook." I agree with John Muir Laws, who says, "... this book will help you look deeper, see more, understand what you find, and ask more profound questions as you explore California." And Peter Moyle, "This is a dangerous book. If you start reading it you may find yourself having the uncontrollable desire to study the insects in your backyard, examine the rocks in a local roadcut, or look for frogs along a mountain stream." Yes, so true! On a recent field trip along Auburn's Shirland Tract canal, I spied several Sierra newts in the water. I've walked this trail many times in the 19 years I've lived in Auburn, and this is the first time I've seen newts. I stood for a half hour watching. At first, each critter was swimming alone. Then, they met up with one another, and I could see it must be mating season, as clearly certain ones were seeking out and hugging certain other ones. Our class teaches us to keep a field journal, and after my newt encounter, I dutifully noted the date, time, location, weather and exactly what I observed, including my photos and sketches. At home, I looked up Sierra newts and learned they do mate underwater and the males grow extra sticky toes to hold on to their female, and that these newts are toxic. Don't pick them up! Another thrill for me, after years of hiking the American River Confluence area, I spotted, for the first time, a river otter along the Quarry trail. By the way, we are told it doesn't matter how many people before you have seen a Sierra newt or river otter; if it's the first for you, go ahead and let yourself be thrilled! On top of the fun of keeping a field journal, we learn to post our observations to iNaturalist.org, a fascinating database of citizen scientists' observations. So much to learn. Over 10 weeks, I learned about California's natural history, geology, climate, soils, water, plants, animals, forests, woodlands, energy and environmental issues. And I discovered how I may participate in a practical way with other naturalists and citizen scientists engaged in the vital work of caring for our natural resources. There are numerous projects underway right now I can contribute to, such as helping to monitor water quality in the Cosumnes River watershed, collecting monarch butterfly data, monitoring bluebird nest boxes, building hiking trails and bridges, doing creek cleanup, and so forth. As I said, I love nature. We pay attention to and take the greatest care of what we most love. I'm learning more about exactly how to care for what I love – our precious natural environment and all it gives us. And I'm meeting and joining with others who share this love and are learning ways to protect and care for our land and its creatures. There's so much to learn about this very place we live in – our beautiful Sierra foothills, its rivers and watersheds and what is needed to make sure its ecosystems are healthy and thriving for the needs and enjoyment of future generations. You can find out more about the UC California Naturalist course at calnat.ucanr.edu.