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DAY OF THANKS: REFOCUSING COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The Girls Novice rowing team of Marin Rowing, provided hands-on support, accepting and sorting through the impressive and heartwarming amount of donations.
One Tam's Day of Thanks volunteer workday on November 17 was an amazing demonstration of our community coming together to help others in this season of giving. This annual event provides an opportunity to give back to the mountain and come together as a community. This year, in response to the tragic Camp Fire in Butte County and the resulting poor air quality, the One Tam and Marin County Parks teams transformed the day into an indoor donation drive for fire vicitims, rather than canceling the event outright. In the genuine spirit of One Tam, our community adapted and came out in force to support.
 
Left: Creative and colorful thank you posters for Marin first responders made by community members. Right: Marin County Park Rangers with their trucks brimming with donations.
Together, in just four hours, we raised $10,055 for the Oroville Hope Center, two large trucks full of supplies for both the Hope Center and the Butte Humane Society, and made many beautiful hand-drawn thank you posters for the fire departments around Marin County.
On behalf of the entire One Tam and Marin County Parks teams, we thank everyone who came out to volunteer or donate. We are grateful to the Mill Valley Community Center for generously providing use of their facilities. We are also deeply thankful to Marin Rowing Association and The Mission Continues for all their hard work and dedicated staff support, and to the Mill Valley Soccer Club for their generous donation!
And thanks to our Marin community for your support!
SCIENCE SUMMIT RECAP
"It takes a village" appropriately describes the approach for the work of One Tam in both understanding and caring for the expansive landscapes of Mount Tamalpais. The annual One Tam Science Summit does just that - bringing together a tapestry of scientists, community members, and Mt. Tam caretakers to gain insight into the diverse ecological systems of Mt. Tam in a changing climate.
Such collaborative interfaces among the public, land managers, and the scientific community are so important in a time when conditions both globally and here at home on Tam are changing so rapidly due to climate change. This year's event on October 5 focused on forests, changes we are observing in these ecosystems, and what we are doing to support them. We also heard from folks facing these issues in other regions of the state. From indigenous fire practices and climate responsive lichen, to underground mycorrihiza networks and the elusive Tamalpais oak, the One Tam Science Summit provided a diverse palette of information for every Tam enthusiast.
This year's sold out event drew over 300 attendees, 22 local community groups and agencies, and 34 expert speakers. This incredible gathering was supported by the sponsorship of the Marin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, Marin Conservation League, WRA Environmental Associates, AECOM and Mill Valley Recreation. We also thank our in-kind donors for helping to make the event even more special; Good Earth Foods, Wine Warehouse, Fort Point Beer Co., Cowgirl Creamery, Nugget Markets, Headlands Brewing Co., and Rustic Bakery.
It was the third in a series of gatherings stemming from the 2016 Health of Mt. Tam effort, which seeks to understand how the plants, animals, and natural communities of the mountain are doing, and how we can support their health and resilience. To learn more, visit our Peak Health website.
MANAGING MT. TAM'S BIODIVERSE GRASSLANDS
Chris Qian, Conservation Management Assistant, conducts a grassland survey at French Ranch Preserve.
California's native grasslands are among the most endangered ecosystems in the country occupying less than 1% of their historic extent. Nearly 90% of California's rare species listed in the Inventory of Rare and Endangered Species occur within these settings. Grasslands are the "old-growth at our feet" and a rich part of Marin's natural heritage and contemporary ecology. One Tam's ongoing mountain-wide efforts aim to ensure the rich legacy of Mt. Tam's biodiverse grasslands, from assessment to practice.
Grasslands, though declining, can be found throughout the Mt. Tam region, including the French Ranch Open Space Preserve which was included in One Tam's area of focus in 2017, and is home to some large open grasslands among other critical habitats. One Tam's Conservation Management Team is in the process of surveying this and many other patches of grassland for their plant community composition. The results of these assessments will be used to create a management plan to promote healthy, functional grassland habitat.
Fly south to shaded slopes of Mt. Tam and you can find the Marin Municipal Water District engaging in these management plans. They are focusing on removing Douglas-fir that have begun to encroach upon grasslands at Laurel Dell and Portrero Meadow. In the absence of fire activity, conifer encroachment is a threat to the valuable biodiversity of grasslands. Due to historical fire suppression, it is necessary to achieve similar ecological means through alternative ends. Manual efforts using of loppers and handsaws maintain the balance between forest and grassland. Through the labor of volunteers, they are able to ensure that Mt. Tam's grasslands remain grasslands.
A volunteer assisting with Douglas-fir removal.
THE ONE TAM TEAM GROWS BY TWO!
Welcome Grecia, One Tam's Youth Programs Manager!
We are honored to welcome Grecia Solis Pacheco, to the One Tam team. Grecia will be leading the youth programs and partnerships in Marin County in collaboration with ONE TAM partner agencies. In the summer, she will be co-leading the LINC on TAM summer high school internship program.
Grecia is a first generation Latina Mexicana environmental science educator. In the last 6 years, Grecia has taught environmental science education in National Parks, including, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, Koke'e State Park in Hawaii and most recently in Marin Headlands, Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Grecia is thrilled to share her passion for the outdoors and create opportunities for disenfranchised youth to get outside and reconnect with nature. Grecia is passionate about equity and inclusion in the outdoors and most recently obtained a Master’s of Education with a Special Interest in Environmental Justice Education in the Social Justice and Equity in Education department at San Francisco State University.
Welcome Grecia!
Welcome Tatiana, One Tam’s Conservation Management Assistant!
Help us welcome Tatiana Manzanillo to One Tam as the new full-time Conservation Management Assistant!
Tatiana is no stranger to One Tam – she was a member of our inaugural cohort of interns where she championed early cataloging work for the Marin Wildlife Picture Index Project. She’s worked for nearly all of One Tam’s partner agencies: she has completed two seasons with the Marin County Parks veg team, one season with MMWD natural resources, two short stints with NPS, and even did some independent contracting to catalog MWPIP photos in between seasons.
Tatiana’s familiarity with the organization, partners, programs, and culture – plus of course the rich biological landscape of Mt. Tam – make her a valuable part of the One Tam team. Welcome Tatiana!
THIS WINTER'S FEATURED COMMUNITY SCIENCE SERIES: ONE TAM FUNGUS BIOBLITZES
Photo by Lisette Arellano.
Join Marin County Parks and One Tam at Roy's Redwoods as we try to identify and document every fungus species we see! Hone your naturalist skills, learn to use the iNaturalist app, and become our scientific collaborator for a day! You will also get an opportunity to learn from local experts and fungus researchers from UC Berkeley.
Saturday, December 8, from 10 am to 4 pm : AT CAPACITY!
Saturday, January 26, from 10 am to 4 pm: Register here>>
MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO JOIN US
Coast View Trail Grassland Restoration
Saturday, Dec. 8, 9 am-12:30 pm
Did you know that some grasslands on Mt. Tam are shrinking? Join us to remove shrubs to keep the grasslands open! We will walk about one mile to our work area on a scenic ridge overlooking the ocean. Register here>>
Invasive Plant Patrol at Easkoot Creek
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 10 am-2:30 pm
Join us to maintain restored streamside Steelhead trout habitat by removing Cape-ivy, radish, and veldt grass at Stinson Beach. Register here>>
Historic Landscape and Facilities Stewardship at Stinson Beach
Thursday, Dec. 13, 10 am-1 pm
We are seeking extra hands to help keep Stinson Beach safe and beautiful for all who visit. Projects include sweeping walkways, trimming vegetation, litter picking, repainting fixtures, caring for planter boxes and general site beautification. Learn more here>>
Habitat Restoration at Creekside Marsh
Saturday, Dec. 15, 9 am- Noon
Come join this community-based effort to install a diversity of native plants and improve animal habitat at a site once dominated by weeds! Learn more here>>
Habitat Restoration at Easkoot Creek
Saturday, Dec. 22, 9 am-1 pm
Join One Tam at Easkoot Creek at Stinson Beach, where we are removing invasive Cape Ivy to allow native plants and animals to thrive! Learn more here>>
One Tam Fungus Bioblitz; Late Winter Remix
Saturday, Jan. 26, 10 am-4 pm
Join Marin County Parks and One Tam at Roy’s Redwoods as we try to identify and document every fungus species we see! Hone your naturalist skills, learn to use the iNaturalist app, and become our scientific collaborator for a day! Register here>>
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