News

by Mary Callahan, The Press Democrat, August 1, 2023 [excerpt:] Save the Redwoods League has secured a deal to purchase nearly 400 acres of redwood forest above the Russian River near Guerneville, including 224 acres that were targeted for logging under a controversial timber harvest plan long fought by local community groups. The Clar Tree is believed to be one …

Added December 21, 2023: Federal regulators reject controversial pumped storage project proposed for Sonoma Coast MEDIA ADVISORY July 11, 2023 Press Contact Person: Richard Charter Director, Coastal Coordination Program The Ocean Foundation 707-875-2345 waterway@monitor.net The scenic rural Sonoma Coast at Fort Ross State Historic Park has been revealed to be the new target of a large “pumped storage” electrical power …

After Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) filed suit in 2021 against the State and Regional Water Boards for failing to create a plan to improve water quality conditions in the watershed as required by federal law, the Water Boards have finally agreed to do so. FoGR reached an agreement with the Water Boards in early 2023 requiring the launch of …

The Gualala River Stream Team’s next monitoring event will be in August!    When: Saturday, August 19th, 9:00 a.m. sharp! to 11:00 a.m. Where: Meet at the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) Mill Bend Preserve, 46902 Old Stage Rd., Gualala (take the gravel road 400ft from Highway 1) When you arrive, we will divide into four teams (each with a team leader to …

The Gualala River Stream Team will be heading out into the watershed and I hope you will join us! When: Saturday, June 17th, 9:00 a.m. sharp! to 11:00 a.m. Where: Meet at the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) Mill Bend, 46902 Old Stage Rd., Gualala (take the gravel road 400ft from Highway 1). When you arrive, we will divide into four teams …

Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) achieved a major accomplishment that will help improve water quality and reduce sediment pollution in the Gualala River and its tributaries – a pivotal step in assisting salmonid recovery efforts. After nearly two years of legal actions and negotiations, a settlement agreement was reached last month between FoGR, the State Water Resources Control Board (State …

Please mark your calendar for the Gualala River Stream Team monitoring event. When: Saturday, May 20, 2023, 9:00 a.m. sharp! – 11 a.m. Where: Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) Upper Mill Bend (46902 Old State Highway, Gualala)  The plan is to meet at the RCLC picnic tables, where we held the training.  When you arrive, we will divide into four teams (each …

Hello All, The Gualala River Stream Team is kicking off the 2023 monitoring season to track the health of the Gualala River and you can join us! When: Saturday, April 22nd, 9-11AM Where: Redwood Coast Land Conservancy – Mill Bend (46902 Old Stage Rd. , Gualala – take the gravel road 400ft from Highway 1) What:  This training will educate …

River mouth opened on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Photo by Rebecca Williams; reprinted with permission.

To:  Nathan QuarlesDeputy Director, Engineering and ConstructionPermit and Resource Management DepartmentCounty of SonomaEmail: Nathan.Quarles@sonoma-county.orgWell Ordinance Public CommentsSubmitted via email: PermitSonoma-Wells-PublicInput@sonoma-county.orgFrom:  Friends of Gualala River Board of DirectorsP.O. Box 1543Gualala, CA. 95445Email info@gualalariver.orgDate:  February 22, 2023Subject:  Friends of Gualala River comments on the proposed draft Well Ordinance_____________________________________________________________________________Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) is a grassroots nonprofit organization that has worked for over …

Page 1 of 6 Download the entire 6-page newsletter, including graphs based on data collected in 2022. Hello All! The Gualala River Stream Team is getting ready for the upcoming monitoring season and you can join us!   2023 Monitoring and training schedule: Please mark your calendars! April 22 – Annual / Refresher Training (more details to come) May 20 – Monitoring …

Photo of the mouth of the Gualala River on January 5, 2023. At that moment, the sand spit appeared to be the loser! Mouth of the Gualala River on January 5, 2023

Family: PINACEAE In many countries around the world, an evergreen tree is the symbol of the yule tide season, representing the spirit of hope in the deepest dark of winter. Among the species of conifers chosen as Christmas trees, grand fir stands out. Its lustrous dark green needles, citrus-like fragrance, and beautiful conical shape lend it an elegance that few …

Dear Friends of Gualala River, We at FoGR have been enjoying this string of rainy days this last week of 2022. They are an absolute blessing, providing much-needed nourishment for the river and all the species that call it home. I am excited to introduce myself as the newest president of our organization. I have been involved with FoGR for …

Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) is an all-volunteer organization, so your donations are used expressly to help with our mission to protect the Gualala River, its watershed, and the plants and animals that live there. As you will read in our President’s message, we have had some legal setbacks. That said, in preparing for the Endangered Species Act (ESA) lawsuit, …

Friends of Gualala River invite coastal residents and visitors to visit our website and explore microclimates and wildfire camera views on our new Map of Real-time Weather Stations & Wildfire Cameras in the Gualala River Watershed: gualalariver.org/weather-wildfire. Click on the diamond icons to see individual weather station data including temperature, wind, rainfall and humidity. The stations are maintained by a …

In September, the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) unveiled the Conservation Plan for the Mill Bend Preserve at a public meeting and celebration. This was a major achievement and the result of two years of collaboration between the environmental consultant, Prunuske Chatham, Inc., and a dedicated Working Group of RCLC individuals that included FoGR representation. The Abstract to the Conservation …

Friends of Gualala River is collaborating with The Stream Team and Redwood Coast Land Conservancy in a citizen science water quality monitoring project at the Gualala estuary. The Stream Team is a collective of volunteers from Chico led by Timmarie Hammill. The Team comes to the area for quarterly monitoring and training of volunteers in basic water quality monitoring techniques. …

A local redwood logging project disturbs the quiet — and why these forests deserve better. by Robin Applegarth, Dec. 4, 2022 Reprinted by permission Coastal redwoods treetops, photo by Robin Applegarth SOMETIMES ONE HAS TO BEAR WITNESS when a situation seems impossible to stop.   So, I found myself sitting on a stump in the forest this month, listening to the …

Redwood Coast Land Conservancy and Friends of Gualala River are partnering with The Stream Team in this volunteer, community-based project. For more info: Gualala River Stream Team Stewardship Project – Introduction