News and Events
from One Tam

Hello!

Dear Friend,

Whew! With the height of the field season winding down, those of us in the Conservation Management Program are wrapping up several vegetation projects. Most recently we surveyed more than eight miles of Lagunitas Creek for Japanese knotweed. This effort includes the five One Tam partners and many others in Marin County working together to lessen the impacts of this weed — especially important in a watershed with important fish species like Steelhead Trout and Coho Salmon. >> Learn more about this work

In case we haven’t met yet, I’m Rachel Kesel, Conservation Management Specialist for One Tam. My crew monitors vegetation in the Mt. Tam region, including rare and invasive plants. We also prioritize and manage invasive plants in close coordination with our partners. We do this to protect the mountain's incredible biodiversity and to increase the landscape’s resilience in the face of challenges like climate change.

This fall, there will be a fun opportunity to learn more about our work to study and protect the health of Mt. Tam — the One Tam Summit is back, starting October 26! You’ll have a chance to chat directly with my colleagues and me about our work. Read on for more updates and upcoming special events from One Tam.

Until then,

Rachel Kesel

One Tam Conservation Management Specialist

BayWood Artists' 25th Anniversary Show: Marin Wetlands

Paintings by 2022 members (from top left to right) Lissa Nicolaus, Laura Culver, Jean Sanchirico, Michael Friedland, Christin Coy, Robert Steele, Sherrill Miller, Robert Frank, and Jon Francis.

Sensitive wetland ecosystems are the focus of the BayWood Artists’ magnificent 25th Anniversary Show. The mission of the BayWood Artists is to protect and preserve the landscape by raising awareness of, and making donations to, environmental causes through fine art exhibitions and sales, and by promoting the tradition of plein air painting in California. One Tam is honored to partner with the BayWood Artists again this year, and to celebrate 25 years of art and conservation with its members. Half of the proceeds from this show will benefit One Tam.

Admission is free. COVID-19 protocol will follow state mandate at the time of the show. 

Reception: September 9, 2022, 6-8 pm 
Show continues: September 10 and 11, 10 am-4 pm 
The Studio, Marin Art & Garden Center 
30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross, CA 94957

>> Learn more about the BayWood Artists

one TAM SUMMIT: PEAK HEALTH 

How healthy is Mt. Tam? Find out through the One Tam Summit series starting this fall. Photo: Steelblue

The One Tam Summit is back! Mark your calendars for a Sneak Peek into Peak Health event on October 26, 2022, 2-6 pm at the Junction in Mill Valley. Registration coming soon at onetam.org/summit — check often for updates!

Is Mt. Tam at "peak health"? This question is central to One Tam's work, and to protecting the region's resources into the future. What do we know about the health of Mt. Tamalpais, and how do we know? What information are we missing? How can you measure the health of a mountain? In 2016, the One Tam partners came together to try to answer these questions, and kicked off an ongoing body of work we call Peak Health. This year, we are coming together for our first mountain-wide update of those findings, and our fifth One Tam Summit since launching this effort!

The 2022 One Tam Summit: Peak Health will present updates on what we’re learning, how we’ve approached questions about the mountain’s health, and more. On October 26, we’ll be kicking it off by highlighting a few key topics including several wildlife species, forest health, and community connections to this work. You’ll be able to connect with staff involved in the work over refreshments. 

But wait, there’s more — this year's Summit is a series! The event page will serve as your map to find all related activities, so check back often as more opportunities will become available. We are excited to offer different ways to engage in this body of knowledge we are building together.

>> Check out the 2022 One Tam Summit  

Fall Gardening Education Opportunities in Full Bloom

Cleveland Sage or California Blue Sage (Salvia clevelandii). Photo: Marin Water

Missing out on all the back-to-school excitement? Through a partnership with the College of Marin, Sloat Garden Center and the UC Master Gardeners, Marin Water is happy to help you continue your education with online WaterSmart Gardening webinars, including topics on “Fire-Smart Landscaping and “Re-Thinking the Lawn.”

>> Become a WaterSmart Garderner

Your InPUT NEEDED: Watershed Recreation Management Plan Survey 

Marin Water has launched a survey seeking input from residents, ratepayers and visitors to the Mount Tamalpais Watershed — the source of nearly three-quarters of central and southern Marin’s water. Protecting water quality, maintaining biodiversity and ensuring a reliable water supply for ratepayers is a key goal for the District. But the District also knows that the Mt. Tam Watershed is a destination for recreators, drawing 1 million visitors each year who hike, bike, picnic and more right in our own beautiful backyard. That’s why they need your help. Take the Mt. Tam Watershed Visitor Survey today! Your input is crucial to help Marin Water develop a forward-thinking recreation management plan that balances a broad range of community interests.

>> Take the survey in English

>> Take the survey in Spanish

A Summer of Learning for LINC

LINC participants from combined Marin and San Francisco-based cohorts experience Yosemite National Park as part of their summer program. Photo: Miguel Cruz

LINC (Linking Individuals to their Natural Community) is One Tam’s summer program for high school students, and we were excited to host a fully in-person, six-week experience this year. Ten Marin youth spent time this summer exploring local parks and working with One Tam partner staff on service projects including invasive plant removal, sheet mulching, seed sorting and transplanting. They also participated in skill-building activities such as resume writing, mock interviews, and leading group activities.

Special highlights included a trip to Yosemite National Park, where the LINC community grew closer together through challenging hikes and cooking meals. Youth also attended Backyard Bound, a two-day youth-led overnight conference, that included more skill-building workshops such as fire building, healing through grief, financial literacy, and communication. The program culminated in a graduation ceremony where youth presented projects they had completed throughout the summer, reflected through creating artwork, and celebrated with a camping trip. 

Thanks to our partners and supporters who make this unique opportunity to connect to the outdoors and to grow in many ways possible for Marin youth. And special thanks to our LINC participants for embarking on this journey with us. Next year’s program will open for applications in the spring — keep an eye on this newsletter if you or someone you know may be interested! 

Evolving Shorelines Project Advances A New TrailHead at Tam Junction

Parks Conservancy staff Rob LaPorte, Project Manager, and Claire Mooney, Vice President of Park Places and Innovation, talk marsh-side with community members about a new trailhead at Tam Junction. Photo: Martha Cerda/Parks Conservancy

This summer, One Tam staff and community members gathered to share ideas for a proposed trailhead at Tam Junction. Thanks to all who came to learn about the project and share your thoughts — your input will help us enhance community connections to a multiuse pathway in Bothin Marsh Preserve. We’ll be in touch soon with more about the Evolving Shorelines project to help Bothin Marsh and the beloved Bay Trail adapt to sea level rise — make sure you sign up below to get updates.

>> Sign up to get special Bothin Marsh updates and invitations to future events

>> Learn more about the Evolving Shorelines project

California Biodiversity Week

California Biodiversity Day is September 7, with celebratory events all week long. Image: California Natural Resources Agency

California Biodiversity Day celebrates our state's incredible biodiversity on September 7 each year, and encourages actions to protect it. 

This year, you can celebrate by taking the “Find 30 Species for CA 30x30” challenge! From September 3-11, find and photograph at least 30 wild species and upload them to iNaturalist. Your observations of plants, animals, fungi, and other species in California will help inform the California 30x30 initiative, which aims to conserve 30% of the state's lands and coastal waters by 2030. Explore your neighborhood or local park, or take a hike further afield! Your observations will be added to the challenge on iNaturalist automatically when uploaded from Septemer 3-11. 

>> Take the "30 Species for CA 30x30" Challenge

>> Get started with iNaturalist

>> Learn more and find more events

Fun Finds from the Field

This monarch butterfly caterpillar was spotted by Yolanda Molette, Director of Conservation and Community Science at the Parks Conservancy, and photographed by Nicolette Michel, One Tam Community Science Fellow at the Parks Conservancy, during monitoring of native milkweed on Mt. Tam.

How old is this baby monarch? >> Find out on Instagram!

One Tam staff spotted these monarchs during milkweed monitoring on Mt. Tamalpais, part of our work to help monarch butterflies in our region. >> Learn more about our work to protect monarchs