Welcome, Friends of the River Banks
Friends of the River Banks (FORB) is a local all-volunteer group that
formed to share our appreciation of our neighborhood stretch of the
American River--Sutter's Landing Park--with others, especially young children and their families. We do this
through regular events that encourage the public to come out, experience
the river, and value the whole ecosystem. These wonderfully enriching activities provide family time, healthy excercise,
play, education, social networking, nature experiences, and lots of fun.
Our gatherings are very casual. We usually have a leader--a local expert who will teach us about some aspect of nature--but the activities always take unexpected turns. We never know what we will see. There have been otters, turtles, coyotes, sea lions, beavers, deer, turkeys, birds of all types, and fascinating insects. Each year we follow our neighborhood Swainson's Hawks, which nest in the beautiful cottonwood forest along this stretch of the American River.
Beyond observing and enjoying, FORB also acts as stewards of this part of the river. As such, we are working with the City to keep this area wild and healthy. We have also started a restoration project, removing invasive plants and trees and planting native grasses and forbs. We participate in the Great American River Clean-up each September, supplemented by our own periodic clean-ups.
All are welcome to join our gatherings. We generally meet each second Saturday at the Sutter's Landing Park parking lot. Sutter's Landing Park is at the VERY end of 28th Street by the skateboard park. For our schedule of events and more details, see the calendar. You can get on the FORB email list for periodic notices about our activities by sending your email address to Laurie. Note FORB has a new twitter account too.
Next Gathering: Come to June 19 meeting to help determine the future of Sutter's Landing
Due to conflicts and complications, we decided to cancel the scheduled June 8 stargazing event. Instead, we would like to invite you (i.e., urge you) to attend a meeting entitled "Future Planning and Development at Sutter's Landing Park," to be held on Wednesday, June 19, from 7–8:30 pm at the skateboard park at Sutter's Landing (next to the parking lot at the very end of 28th St). This is going to be a very significant meeting that may define the future of Sutter's Landing Park.
Background:
Friends of the Riverbanks (FORB) and Friends of Sutter's Landing (FOSL) created a vision for Sutter's Landing Park that focuses on protecting and enhancing the wildlife values there. See our vision map and "pretty book." We also partnered with the City on a successful grant that brings $1.5 million to the park for restoration and other enhancements.
The City does not have a comprehensive vision; instead it has been developing the park in a piecemeal fashion: basketball courts, bocci ball, dog parks, and now a 4-acre solar array. There is a lot of pressure to add more active recreation features, such as a bmx bike track, that would preclude future restoration to more natural conditions and could, in fact, threaten the habitat values that now exist. If we are to create the spectacular "Gateway to the American River" this area can become, we need to protect what is there and work toward a larger vision. Soccer fields and solar panels can be sited anywhere but the amazing riparian habitat and wildlife along the American River cannot. Sutter's Landing is a unique treasure and should be treated as such.
Please come to the meeting on Wednesday, June 19, at 7pm and add your voice to those who value Sutter's Landing for its fabulous potential as an oasis of nature in our urban environment. All ages are welcome.
2013 Calendar
We generally meet on the second Saturday of each month at 9 am (note there are exceptions), at Sutters Landing Park at the VERY end of 28th Street in Sacramento. Bring water and sunblock, and a change of clothes for young ones who are sure to get sandy, muddy, and wet. Children under 13 MUST wear life jackets if they go into the water, per law. We ask that you leave your dogs at home. Please bike, walk, or carpool if you can. Contact Laurie to receive FORB email notices.
Mar 9 - A Native Perspective on the River--Mary Krucik will lead us on a walk to understand how the Native Indians of this area looked at the river and all around it.
Apr 13- Return of the Swainson's Hawks
May 11 - Photography
June 8 - Star Gazing on the Mound (Midsummer Night's Dream)--CANCELLED
June 19 - "Future Planning and Development at Sutter's Landing Park," from 7-8:30pm at the skateboard park at Sutter's Landing. Please attend this critical meeting (see discussion above)
July 13 - Bats
August 10 - Dragons and Damsels
Sept 21 - Great American River Cleanup
Oct 12 - Welcome Back Salmon
Nov 9 or Dec 14 - Mushroom Hunt
Jan 1 - New Years Gathering
Directions: head north on 28th Street, cross C and then the railroad tracks. Continue to the last parking lot where the park abuts the American River Parkway.
Our gatherings are very casual. We usually have a leader--a local expert who will teach us about some aspect of nature--but the activities always take unexpected turns. We never know what we will see. There have been otters, turtles, coyotes, sea lions, beavers, deer, turkeys, birds of all types, and fascinating insects. Each year we follow our neighborhood Swainson's Hawks, which nest in the beautiful cottonwood forest along this stretch of the American River.
Beyond observing and enjoying, FORB also acts as stewards of this part of the river. As such, we are working with the City to keep this area wild and healthy. We have also started a restoration project, removing invasive plants and trees and planting native grasses and forbs. We participate in the Great American River Clean-up each September, supplemented by our own periodic clean-ups.
All are welcome to join our gatherings. We generally meet each second Saturday at the Sutter's Landing Park parking lot. Sutter's Landing Park is at the VERY end of 28th Street by the skateboard park. For our schedule of events and more details, see the calendar. You can get on the FORB email list for periodic notices about our activities by sending your email address to Laurie. Note FORB has a new twitter account too.
Next Gathering: Come to June 19 meeting to help determine the future of Sutter's Landing
Due to conflicts and complications, we decided to cancel the scheduled June 8 stargazing event. Instead, we would like to invite you (i.e., urge you) to attend a meeting entitled "Future Planning and Development at Sutter's Landing Park," to be held on Wednesday, June 19, from 7–8:30 pm at the skateboard park at Sutter's Landing (next to the parking lot at the very end of 28th St). This is going to be a very significant meeting that may define the future of Sutter's Landing Park.
Background:
Friends of the Riverbanks (FORB) and Friends of Sutter's Landing (FOSL) created a vision for Sutter's Landing Park that focuses on protecting and enhancing the wildlife values there. See our vision map and "pretty book." We also partnered with the City on a successful grant that brings $1.5 million to the park for restoration and other enhancements.
The City does not have a comprehensive vision; instead it has been developing the park in a piecemeal fashion: basketball courts, bocci ball, dog parks, and now a 4-acre solar array. There is a lot of pressure to add more active recreation features, such as a bmx bike track, that would preclude future restoration to more natural conditions and could, in fact, threaten the habitat values that now exist. If we are to create the spectacular "Gateway to the American River" this area can become, we need to protect what is there and work toward a larger vision. Soccer fields and solar panels can be sited anywhere but the amazing riparian habitat and wildlife along the American River cannot. Sutter's Landing is a unique treasure and should be treated as such.
Please come to the meeting on Wednesday, June 19, at 7pm and add your voice to those who value Sutter's Landing for its fabulous potential as an oasis of nature in our urban environment. All ages are welcome.
2013 Calendar
We generally meet on the second Saturday of each month at 9 am (note there are exceptions), at Sutters Landing Park at the VERY end of 28th Street in Sacramento. Bring water and sunblock, and a change of clothes for young ones who are sure to get sandy, muddy, and wet. Children under 13 MUST wear life jackets if they go into the water, per law. We ask that you leave your dogs at home. Please bike, walk, or carpool if you can. Contact Laurie to receive FORB email notices.
Mar 9 - A Native Perspective on the River--Mary Krucik will lead us on a walk to understand how the Native Indians of this area looked at the river and all around it.
Apr 13- Return of the Swainson's Hawks
May 11 - Photography
June 8 - Star Gazing on the Mound (Midsummer Night's Dream)--CANCELLED
June 19 - "Future Planning and Development at Sutter's Landing Park," from 7-8:30pm at the skateboard park at Sutter's Landing. Please attend this critical meeting (see discussion above)
July 13 - Bats
August 10 - Dragons and Damsels
Sept 21 - Great American River Cleanup
Oct 12 - Welcome Back Salmon
Nov 9 or Dec 14 - Mushroom Hunt
Jan 1 - New Years Gathering
Directions: head north on 28th Street, cross C and then the railroad tracks. Continue to the last parking lot where the park abuts the American River Parkway.
What's New?
There is a lot to see and do at all times of year. Be sure to check our blog link above for more information including recent observations at Sutter's Landing Park. Latest post dated 4/27/13.
We've compiled information about wildlife and plants at Sutter's Landing. Gathered over more than the last 5 years, this information paints a picture of a natural community that is thriving despite proximity to the urban population and a degraded environment. This information will be updated as new sightings are made and will help us document the value of this area for wildlife and plants as we work to restore Sutter's Landing to its natural condition. It will also help with a baseline to measure improvement.
There are some extremely important current events that will affect the future of Sutter's Landing Park.
FORB is participating with Friends of Sutter's Landing (FOSL) in developing a long-term vision for the greater Park area. A copy of the vision is available on the "Important Issues" webpage. Along with this effort, we worked with the City of Sacramento to successfully get a $1.5 million grant that includes major renovations and habitat restoration (including a restroom) for the park (see the blog post on 11/26/12). There will be volunteer opportunities to help implement restoration work of the grant.
In May 2013, the City Council approved a 4-acre solar array in the middle of Sutter's Landing Park, despite objections from FORB and FOSL that this was an inappropriate place to site the array. We attempted to work with the City to place the solar array along the railroad tracks and on top of structures and parking lots. We will continue to work with the City to encourage a larger vision that takes the spectacular natural values of the area into account.
We've compiled information about wildlife and plants at Sutter's Landing. Gathered over more than the last 5 years, this information paints a picture of a natural community that is thriving despite proximity to the urban population and a degraded environment. This information will be updated as new sightings are made and will help us document the value of this area for wildlife and plants as we work to restore Sutter's Landing to its natural condition. It will also help with a baseline to measure improvement.
There are some extremely important current events that will affect the future of Sutter's Landing Park.
FORB is participating with Friends of Sutter's Landing (FOSL) in developing a long-term vision for the greater Park area. A copy of the vision is available on the "Important Issues" webpage. Along with this effort, we worked with the City of Sacramento to successfully get a $1.5 million grant that includes major renovations and habitat restoration (including a restroom) for the park (see the blog post on 11/26/12). There will be volunteer opportunities to help implement restoration work of the grant.
In May 2013, the City Council approved a 4-acre solar array in the middle of Sutter's Landing Park, despite objections from FORB and FOSL that this was an inappropriate place to site the array. We attempted to work with the City to place the solar array along the railroad tracks and on top of structures and parking lots. We will continue to work with the City to encourage a larger vision that takes the spectacular natural values of the area into account.
