Mud flats are increasing at Elkhorn Slough. In the 1800s there was twice as much salt marsh as mud flats. Today the ratio of salt marsh to mud flats is reversed. The salt marsh is dying because it is wet too much of the time. Photo Barb Peichel Parsons Slough project could restore tidal marsh
The Elkhorn Slough salt marsh habitat is unraveling. The deterioration has many causes including the construction of Moss Landing harbor in 1947 (which allowed tides full access to the Slough scouring away soft mud), the yearly breaching of the sandbar at the mouth of the Salinas River to protect farmland from flooding, and the diking and draining of large areas of the slough for farming in the early 20th century.
Elkhorn Slough consists of 800 acres of salt marshes with tidal creeks and 1600 acres of mudflats. In the 1800s there was twice as much salt marsh as mud flats. Today, the salt marsh is dying off because it is wet too much of the time. Additionally the depth of the water channel has changed... [more]
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 The unraveling of Elkhorn Slough
These comparison photos and the topographic map show the changes which have occurred in Elkhorn Slough over the years. The railroad line can clearly be seen on the map and then identified in the photographs... [more]
Our yard has been certified as a wildlife habitat
by Celia Scott
When the deer came down the hill behind our house and made a meal of our almost ripe tomatoes last summer, we knew that our yard in the midst of Santa Cruz was a de facto wildlife habitat. Not that we were totally surprised, after discovering that early crops of persimmons and walnuts disappeared without a trace (raccoons, squirrels?) and pears not picked promptly became bird food... [more]
Looking toward the Flanders Mansion (hidden in the trees) from the Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area in Mission Trail Park.
Photo Bill Englander Vote NO on Measure I
Preserve Mission Trail Park
For 10 years the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea has sought to sell 1.25 acres of parkland including the National Historic Register property, Flanders Mansion. This lovely building is located in the middle of an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area in Mission Trail Park/Nature Preserve. The proposed sale is on the ballot in Carmel-by-the-Sea on November 3 under the title of Measure I... [more]
Assembly resolution puts pressure on Feds
to enforce Marine Mammal Act
Last month, the California Legislature passed AJR 8, a resolution authored by Assemblymember Bill Monning (D-Carmel), urging the National Marine Fisheries Service to immediately ban imports of foreign-caught swordfish that do not meet federal standards for marine mammal protection.
“By enforcing existing law, the federal government will encourage importers of swordfish to reduce their marine mammal bycatch,” said Assemblymember Monning. “This bill sends a strong message to the federal government to do the right thing.”... [more]
Lobby Day in Sacramento was fantastic!
by Nicole Charles
In August, I attended Sierra Club National Lobby Day at the Sacramento State Capitol. During Lobby Day Sierra Club volunteers flood the Capitol and lobby for bills backed by Sierra Club California. This year the Club lobbied for strong renewable energy portfolio standards and two pieces of legislation dealing with state parks... [more]
Measure G would give home rule to Carmel Valley
Measure G would create the Town of Carmel Valley and give local citizens control over land use and development. The Sierra Club believes local control would provide far greater stewardship of this narrow river valley than the County now exercises. The Club has endorsed Measure G.
The Monterey County Board of Supervisors has not been a responsible steward for Carmel Valley. A small and delicate ecosystem, the Carmel River valley has been overrun with development approvals in recent years despite being under a state court order for 14 years to curtail water use. In the last few years the County has approved 1,183 new housing units in Carmel Valley—an increase of about 20% in Carmel Valley’s current housing stock...[more]
Hiking trail and wildlife corridor from Nisene to Cabrillo nearing finalization
Nisene 2 Sea, a mid-Santa Cruz County grass roots organization, has been working since 1998 to keep a corridor of public lands between the summit of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey Bay open for public use. A key link in this corridor is the privately-owned but undeveloped 142-acre Koch Property which has been used for decades by the public for access between Cabrillo College lands and The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park...[more]
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Chapter and Group seeking Executive Committee Candidates
Do you know someone who would be a good candidate to serve on either the Chapter or the Group Executive Committee? These committees meet once a month to determine Chapter and Group policies and to take action on issues that affect our beautiful area. Typical tasks include reading EIRs, writing letters to government bodies, testifying before City Councils and County Supervisors, and on occasion recommending the Club take legal action.
To learn more, check out the Chapter website for election rules and timetable: http://ventana.sierraclub.org/org/laws.shtml#bylaw4. To volunteer to run or recommend someone you know call Mary Gale, 626-3565 (Monterey) or Aldo Giacchino, 460-1538 (Santa Cruz). Santa Cruz members are eligible to serve both in Monterey at the Chapter level or in Santa Cruz at the Group level. Monterey members are eligible to serve at the Chapter level.
Chapter Nominating Committee members are Joyce Stevens, Rod Mills, Lorri Lockwood, Gudrun Beck, Gillian Taylor, Margie Kay, and Tom Hopkins.
For more information about the elections see the 2009 Election Rules and Timetable
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Make a contribution to the Sierra Club today
Your local Sierra Club Chapter and Group needs financial support to carry on our fight to protect the spectacular coast, valleys, and mountains.
We cannot fight for endangered and at risk wildlife without money. We cannot save precious forests, mountains, watersheds, and open spaces without money.
We know that you care about the environment from your membership in the Club. Now we need your help.
Much of the work of the Club consists of non-glamorous, roll-up-your-sleeves labor. Volunteers study EIRs and make comments; activists get government staff reports and keep tabs on proposed developments and policy changes; sometimes the Club files suit.
Please help us continue to protect and preserve the Central Coast. To make a donation please send a check made out to ‘Sierra Club’ to
- Monterey County: Joel Weinstein, treasurer, 140 Carmel Riviera Drive, Carmel, CA 93923.
- Santa Cruz County: Aldo Giacchino, treasurer, 1005 Pelton Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Contributions to the Sierra Club are not tax deductible. To send tax deductible contributions, which mainly support legal actions when they become necessary, make your check out to ‘Sierra Club Foundation’ instead.
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Photo: Suzie Bulger Silverman
The California Red-Legged Frog (Rana aurora draytonii) is on the U.S. Endangered Species list. The Red-Legged Frog, like other amphibians, is highly vulnerable to pesticides. Please don't use toxic pesticides in your garden.
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