Delta Regional Group: "In East County Today and Yesterday"

Thursday, March 16, 7 pm, Antioch Library, 501 West 18th Street, Antioch.

At our general meeting, the Delta Regional Group presents three short presentations, two about current local projects, and one a journey into early California days:

East Contra Costa County Habitat Plan

John Kopchik of the Contra Costa County Community Development Department will provide a brief update on the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan. A draft plan was released last June, proposing conservation of 24,000 - 30,000 acres in East County, while also streamlining the permit process for planned development areas. The final plan will be released and voted on by local agencies this spring.

Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed

The second-largest watershed in Contra Costa County, Marsh Creek arises in Mount Diablo's eastern foothills, flows through Brentwood, and enters the Delta at Big Break. Mary Grim, watershed coordinator with the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, will tell about the watershed and the efforts of the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed to protect and restore it.

"Riverboating Days on the Delta"

At our January meeting we heard about today's California water-diversion program, and its stresses on the San Francisco Bay/Delta ecosystem. This same water system was at the heart of California¹s development during the 19th century, but in those days its most visible use was not as a water source but as a transportation system. Local educator and historian Charlie Bohakel will present a slide program about the exciting and colorful era of steamboating on the Delta, when thousands of eager goldseekers sought to travel from San Francisco to the Sierra gold fields. Later, hydraulic goldmining was responsible for severely altering the Delta landscape.

Bohakel recently co-authored a pictorial history of Antioch, published in the Arcadia Press "Images of America" series. He will bring copies to our meeting for sale at $21 each. Don't miss this chance to get your autographed copy!

Join us tonight to learn about East County, past and present. Before the program we'll socialize and munch goodies, and then briefly discuss current environmental issues and upcoming events.

Group program meetings are usually held on the third Tuesday or Wednesday in January, March, May, September, and November. To receive a newsletter listing Delta Group programs, outings, and activities, send a check for $5, payable to "Sierra Club, Delta Group", to:

Tish Brown
51 Danridge Court
Antioch, CA 94509

For information about Delta Group activities, call Janess Hanson at (925) 458-0860. For information about Delta area environmental concerns, call Tim Donahue at (925) 754-8801.

Volunteer opportunity

On Thu., March 30, the Contra Costa Resource District will hold an "East County Watershed Symposium" (not sponsored by the Sierra Club). The Delta Group will have an information table, and we need volunteers to help.

The event will be from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Pittsburg City Hall, 65 Civic Drive in Pittsburg. Join us to learn more about our East Contra Costa watersheds and the Delta, with special speakers, awards, watershed highlights, refreshments, and information tables for community groups and agencies.

For information or to volunteer to help, call Janess Hanson, (925) 458-0860.

Upcoming hikes and activities

For details, see the "Events and Activities" calendar, starting on page A. For Earth Day events, see below.

Sat., March, 4 - Round Valley Regional Preserve, Brentwood, 2A hike.
Sun., March 12 - Tilden Park Nature Area, sketch hike.
Sun., March 26 - Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Antioch, 1A wildflower hike.
Sat., April 8 - Fredrickson Lane, Antioch, Earth Day work party.
Sun., April 9 - Mount Wanda, Martinez, wildflower sketch hike.
Sat., April 22 - John Muir National Historic Site, Martinez, Earth Day/John Muir birthday celebration.
Sun., April 23 - Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, Martinez, 1B Earth Day hike.
Sun., April 30 - Mount Diablo State Park, Clayton, 2B wildflower hike.

Earth Day

The Delta Group is sponsoring three activities for Earth Day 2006. We would welcome volunteers for both the road clean-up project on Sat., April 8, and the information table at the Earth Day/birthday festival at John Muir National Historic Site on Sat., April 22.

Sat., April 8 - Earth Day work party, Fredrickson Lane, Antioch. In honor of Earth Day, join the Delta Group for a spring clean-up along our one-mile adopted road at the entrance to Contra Loma Regional Park. Benefits include fresh air, exercise, sociability, and a cleaner corner of Planet Earth. Meet at 10 am in the trailhead parking area at the sharp bend in Fredrickson Lane, just before park entrance. Back by noon. Rain may postpone. Leader: Tim Donahue (925)754-8801.

Sat., April 22 - Earth Day/John Muir birthday celebration, John Muir National Historic Site, Martinez. Celebrate the birthday and legacy of John Muir, with conservation exhibits, music, and entertainment. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson choose the Earth Day date for the very reason that it was the birth date of one of the nation's first successful environmentalists, John Muir. The Delta Group needs volunteers to help staff a Sierra Club information table, 10 am to 4 pm. Free admission to home and orchards. Take I-80 or Highway 24/I-680 to Highway 4 in Martinez, Alhambra Ave exit. Historic site is at 4202 Alhambra Ave., just north of Highway 4. For more information contact Janess Hanson, (925) 458-0860.

Sun., April 23 - Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, Martinez, 1B Earth Day hike. Enjoy scenic ridgeline views along the newly dedicated Hulet Hornbeck Trail, from Nejedly trailhead south to the Muir Historic Site. Meet at 2 pm at the park-and-ride lot just south of freeway at Alhambra/Franklin Canyon intersection. Arrive promptly for carpooling to Nejedly trailhead. Take I-80 or I-680 to Highway 4, Alhambra Avenue off-ramp, in Martinez. Back by 6 pm. After hike, optional stop nearby for refreshments and sociability. Rain may cancel. Leader: Janess Hanson, (925) 458-0860.