News and Events
from One Tam

Hello!

Dear Friend,

Nature can sustain us through historic and worrisome times.

May 19th will mark 75 years since diplomats from across the globe gathered in Muir Woods to honor the memory of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. As World War II wound down, United Nations Conference delegates from 46 nations traveled across the Golden Gate in a spirit of cooperation. It was a moment of reflection in nature to honor the recently deceased leader, and a chance to witness how our natural surroundings had endured during one of humankind’s darkest chapters.

What grew from those charter meetings in San Francisco was the United Nations, and a renewed spirit of international cooperation. While we don’t yet know the positive developments that may come from our current pandemic, we do know that people across the globe have upended their lives to protect the health and safety of humankind everywhere. We also know that, when things get “back to normal,” the redwoods and creeks of Marin County will be there to offer us a sense of continuity and connection.

Protecting that land and that experience for future generations through shared purpose is at the heart of One Tam’s mission. We want to thank our members for allowing us to continue this work. If you are not yet a member, please consider joining us as we work to sustain the open spaces that so often sustain us.

~ Your friends at One Tam

City Nature Challenge REcap

Photographer Nevin Cullen uploaded this wasp observation to iNaturalist.

Despite the shelter in place, Bay Area-wide participation in the community science and species observation event known as City Nature Challenge actually grew in 2020.

Unlike previous years, smartphone uploads of species photographs skewed toward neighborhoods rather than the far-flung trails that often require vehicle access. In Marin County, 276 people submitted observations on iNaturalist, roughly matching 2019. Even close to home, the Marin iNaturalist community recorded a total of 4,633 observations representing 1,021 species total.

Worldwide, 246 cities participated, with 41,000 observers identifying 32,600 species, all record highs for the five-year-old event. Congrats to all who found a way to connect with nature through City Nature Challenge. 

Nature Near YOu: Ways to Connect to Mt. Tam

Linc to natural Community holds strong

Much of the LINC program will shift online for 2020. Photo: Parks Conservancy

LINC - our popular high school internship program - is still on for Summer 2020 with some key modifications. To meet this moment, the program will be condensed to one month (rather than six weeks) and engage 20 local youth.

Using the lands of Mount Tamalpais as the inspiration, the program will transition to an online distance learning format for this summer. One Tam Youth Program Manager Grecia Pacheco will team up with Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy youth program colleagues Elsa Calvillo and Price Sheppy to develop the new curriculum.

The youth team is excited to connect with youth virtually through environmental science education, community service and team building, using online platforms and natural spaces accessible to students in their neighborhoods and communities. The focus this summer is building community, health and wellness, and practicing leadership skills.