Today at the Laguna Foundation’s 8th annual Garden Art Gala, Mike worked the crowd of enthusiastic bidders, kept the guests entertained…and the bids a comin’. It was a great event, and a great turn out to raise money for a worthy cause. The Laguna Foundation is dedicated to keeping the Laguna de Santa Rosa a great Sonoma County treasures for future generations. www.lagunafoundation.org. The event was held at the beautiful Vinehill House and Event Center. www.vinehillhouse.com
We’ve been over at the Jib-Jab site and came up with some pure Blarney for St. Paddy’s Day! No–it’s NOT Green Beer or short guys running around granting wishes! Check it OUT HERE!
The Tree-A-Thon is a “Win Win!”
We are restoring riparian forest on Irwin Creek just upstream from where it empties into the Laguna and at the same time raising needed funds to support our programs. Restoring riparian forests increases wildlife habitat, improves water quality and temperature, and mitigates global climate change. Your donation will support not only this Restoration Program event but our Education and Conservation Science programs as well.
Ready to Donate to the Tree-A-Thon?
It is easy. You can go to our Firstgiving Page and donate directly to the Tree-A-Thon or you can sponsor one our great fundraisers. Go to: http://www.firstgiving.com/32164.
Or go to our main donation page and select Tree-A-Thon from the program list: donate now.
Prefer the US Mail? Just fill out and complete the Pledge Card and mail it in.
Thanks again.
David Bannister, Executive Director
(707) 527-9277 ext. 103 david@lagunafoundation.org
The Heart of the Tree
by Henry Cuyler Bunner (verse three)What does he plant who plants a tree?
He plants, in sap and leaf and wood,
In love of home and loyalty
And far-cast thought of civic good —
His blessing on the neighborhood
Who in the hollow of His hand
Holds all the growth of all our land —
A nation’s growth from sea to sea
Stirs in his heart who plants a tree.
Below is from a series of emails I’ve had with David Bannister, our guest today on the Real Estate Hour, as we delve into the large eco-system many of us just call “the laguna”. Over 250 square miles, this vital eco-system provides flood control and supports a diverse, intricate eco-system of wetlands, forests and all sorts of winged creatures big and small plus many a critter! I’ll let David give us a thorough explanation of one of Sonoma County’s Natural Resources! We will be talking about their annual “Tree-a-Thon” where hundreds of trees are planted to aid in the restoration of the Laguna. To make a DONATION click HERE!
Today, thanks to the efforts of the Laguna Foundation and others, people are starting to realize that the “purposes” the Laguna has been put to over the last 160 years by humans are not the only purposes of an ecosystem. We try to make people realize that natural systems like the Laguna provide a host of ecosystem services to humans:
- Flood protection-It is estimate that the 1964 Guerneville flood would have been 40 feet higher if not for the Laguna holding water back and releasing it slowly to the Russian.
- Carbon sequestration in riparian forests –Hence the Treeathon? Let’s also make sure we explain these concepts in listener friendly terms! But I find this very intriguing that this great bio-mass called the Laguna, in a very healthy state, would aid in slowing global warming.
- Natural beauty and the ecotourism that follows—What are all those cars doing parked there? I never see anyone but the cars are always around the bridge? Docent led trips? Fisherman?
- Wildlife habitat and some of that wildlife becomes food sources- Salmon/steelhead, deer, waterfowl, etc. Is the CTS in this mix? Continue reading Today’s Show! Laguna Foundation–David Bannister on why we need to preseve the Laguna De Santa Rosa!
ReStore is a home improvement outlet store that sells donated, new, used, and surplus goods to the public at a greatly reduced prices. Every penny of profit is used to support Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County.
ReStore also accepts donations of most “Home Improvement” type items. Call for a list of items they cannot accept.
What is Habitat?
Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County is dedicated to improving lives by building modest, affordable homes in Sonoma County. Volunteers from the community and the families who will live in these affordable houses build them together. Our vision is for every person in Sonoma County to have a simple, decent place to live.
Learn more about Habitat for Humanity at their main website: http://sonomacountyhabitat.org
The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that housing starts reached an annual rate of 791,000 last month, the lowest level since the department began tracking starts in 1959. The rate tumbled 4.5% from the revised reading of 828,000 in September.
Note also the magnitude of the drop in the chart below— it is unprecedented, having easily surpassed the 1982 collapse, the present circumstances have now become slightly worse than the 1973-75 fall.
A grim report ….but nothing we didn’t already suspect. An unfortunate reality for the contruction industry. In the end, demand will determine the supply. As we recently learned, supply does not create its own demand. It’s an interesting path we’re on ….eh?
Listen on Sunday 2/21 as my guest John Sutter of ABS (Applied Building Science) explains the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP) and how it is creating jobs for the local construction industry, and how he has re-invented his own business to accomidate his interest in environmental issues, reducing his clients carbon footprint..and utility bill, as well as sustaining his business. It’s a perfect shift.
Listen in Sunday from 9-10 am 1350 KSRO or streaming live at www.ksro.com. Continue reading National Housing Starts Lowest Since Tracking Began in 1959
Lemons are NOT just for Lemonade. Lemons offer multiple purposes around the home and are perfect for green cleaning solutions! Lemons are great to use as cleaning agents because they have an anti-bacterial effect and are thought to contain antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties.