You can take the survey at the SYRCL office if you need a computer

Next year, SYRCL will turn 30!

As we approach this major milestone, we want to hear from YOU.

Please take our online survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SYRCL2012

We need your help in setting priorities for our Three-Year Action Plan as we re-evaluate our existing programs and projects, and contemplate taking on new initiatives.

This survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. In addition to the multiple-choice questions, there are numerous opportunities for you to add your personal comments as well. Please be assured that your answers are anonymous and confidential.

If you finish the entire survey, you are welcome to enter your name in a drawing for a full Weekend Pass to next year’s Wild and Scenic Film Festival! (This is entirely optional since your responses will no longer be anonymous although they will remain confidential.)

We thank you in advance for your thoughtful response to this survey.

Rorie Gotham, River Monitoring Volunteer

The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) is kicking off a new River Monitoring season and we need you!  We are gearing up for our 12^th consecutive season with volunteers monitoring at over forty sites throughout the Yuba watershed from Donner Summit on down to the lower Yuba River.  Our River Monitors head out the second Saturday of every month from March through November to collect water samples for monitoring temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and turbidity.  Generally, volunteers enjoy a day in the watershed and all of its magnificent beauty while contributing to a good cause.  Use this link to read more information about the River Monitoring program.

If you are interested in getting your toes wet and working with scientific equipment, then please get involved with our citizen-based monitoring program and contact Eric Rubenstahl, SYRCL’s new AmeriCorps River Monitoring Coordinator.  This is an excellent way to show support for the health and integrity of our watershed.  New river monitors will be trained at the end of April.  You can also stop by the SYRCL office to meet Eric and discuss any questions you may have.

2011 Wild for the Yuba

SYRCL’s second annual Wild for the Yuba fundraiser happens April 21 from 6-9pm; mark your calendars for this Wild & Scenic event.  A hand-picked selection of wineries and breweries will delight your taste buds with some of their finest beers and wines, along with scrumptious food, of course.  Our ever popular auction will play a key role, as well.  This silent auction will entice you with items such as art, jewelry, beverages fit for imbibing, and practical goods.  Future editions of Keeping Current in the Yuba will keep you informed, or check our website for more details soon.  Save the Date and plan to attend Wild for the Yuba on April 21 and support SYRCL’s efforts to unite the community to protect and restore the Yuba River.

Cycle the Sierra, an annual cycling event that takes place in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California, has selected SYRCL as a beneficiary of their ride taking place this June. This fully supported, five-day journey takes riders on a 300-mile loop through breathtaking country, beneath granite peaks, through evergreen forests and to alpine hot springs. Cycle the Sierra is a member of 1% for the Planet and has selected five non profit organizations to support–one for each day of the ride.  SYRCL is proud to have been selected and will be the highlighted non profit for the Sierraville to Nevada City leg of the journey.

Each day cyclists will travel roughly 60 miles. At night, they’ll camp together under the stars. Camps will feature delicious food, live music, a beer and wine garden, massage therapists, bike mechanics and other cyclists letting loose on vacation from all over the United States.  Registration for the ride opens February 25, 2012–sign up today and support SYRCL while you recreate.

Yuba Express on steps of the State Capitol, photo by Ivy Photography

On February 8, 2012 SYRCL spearheaded the “Yuba Express” to the State Capitol. More than 100 Yuba River lovers hand-delivered over 10,000 letters and petition signatures to Governor Jerry Brown, Resource Secretary John Laird, Parks Director Ruth Coleman, Senator Doug LaMalfa, and Assemblyman Dan Logue requesting that the South Yuba River and Malakoff Diggins State Parks be removed from the parks’ closure list.

The “Yuba Express” delegation went wild when Secretary Laird announced that the South Yuba River State Park would remain open.  This was big news statewide as only 10 of the 70 parks on the closure list have gotten off so far. Here is a round-up of some of the media highlights:

• Official:  South Yuba River State Park to stay open, The Union
• South Yuba River State Park taken off closure list, Sacramento Bee
• Yuba Express to save the parks, KNCO AM
• School Kids on a Mission to Save State Parks, KCRA News
• Editorial:  School kids show the state why parks should be open to all, Sacramento Bee

We at SYRCL applaud the efforts of the hundreds of volunteers who collected signatures, our elected officials on the Nevada County Board of Supervisors and the City

After announcement of South Yuba River State Park off the closure list, photo by Ivy Photography

Councils of Truckee, Grass Valley and Nevada City who unanimously endorsed this successful community message to keep our Yuba State Parks open.

A very special thank you goes out to the members of the Save our Yuba State Parks committee who volunteered tirelessly since October planning this successful campaign, which included the December 12, 2011 Town Hall Meeting attended by over 400 community members, the successful petition drive which gathered over 10,000 signatures, and the “Yuba Express” day at the Capitol.  Their leadership efforts were key in educating the public on the issue and creating the overwhelming community support that led us to success.

Kudos also go to Grass Valley Charter School students who single-handedly collected over 1,100 signatures, spoke to the Nevada County Board of Supervisors about the issue, made creative and persuasive presentations to Resource Secretary John Laird on December 12^th and returned with the “Yuba Express” last week to hear the good news resulting from their successful advocacy first hand. These young people are the future stewards of our public lands and have shown courage and determination fighting for what they believe in.

Grass Valley Charter School students and others in the Capitol Hearing Room, photo by Ivy Photography

But we can’t stop now – there is more work to be done.  Efforts to re-open Malakoff Diggins State Park must continue and a solar power system is needed to reduce operating costs. Final details on the modest parking fee at Bridgeport must be solidified as well. To support SYRCL’s efforts to continue to Save Our Yuba State Parks, please make a donation today.

Please join SYRCL as a member TODAY to help us make this happen. It’s essential that we keep Malakoff open and we can’t do it without your support.   Thanks for all you have done so far.  Let’s keep the momentum going!

Eric Rubenstahl and Jessica Roberts, SYRCL's 2012 AmeriCorps

The South Yuba River Citizens League is thrilled to announce the arrival of two new AmeriCorps members who will serve until November, 2012.  Please stop by and welcome Jessica Roberts, Watershed Coordinator, and Eric Rubenstahl, River Monitoring Coordinator.  They each bring joyful enthusiasm for their positions and we are glad to have them join the SYRCL team!

Jessica joins us from Washington D.C. where she recently graduated from college at American University.  She has a special interest in working with communities to promote conservation and restoration work.   “I am excited to be starting new SYRCL education programs, helping out with restoration projects, and getting to know a whole new community of inspirational individuals.”

Eric moved to Nevada City just over a month ago from Fort Collins, Colorado and is originally from Connecticut.  Snowboarding, hiking, camping, and rafting are only a few of Eric’s hobbies.  He has been fortunate to hike sections of the South Yuba already, but is excited to explore more of the watershed.  Eric has quickly developed an appreciation for Nevada City and is excited to work with the dedicated and passionate people of the community applying his skills as the River Monitoring Coordinator.

Read Jessica and Eric’s full bio here.

Removing Scotch Broom!

It’s that time of year again: the race to pull Scotch Broom, the terrible invasive species plaguing the Sierra Nevada, has begun. Join The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) from 9am to 12pm at the Burton Homestead to support the fight against Scotch Broom and participate in the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County’s Scotch Broom Challenge. Each day includes a brief introduction to Scotch Broom, such as identification and removal strategies, a few hours dedicated to pulling the invasive plant, and a break for lunch provided by the Bear Yuba Land Trust (BYLT).

SYRCL is partnering with BYLT on the following dates and locations:

• Burton Homestead, 16200 Lake Vera Purdon Rd. Nevada City: March 3^rd
• Hirschman’s Pond, Cement Hill Trailhead :  April 7^th

To register for one of the above dates or for more information, contact Jessica Roberts, SYRCL’s AmeriCorps Watershed Coordinator.

For the full Scotch Broom Challenge schedule and series of events please refer to the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County’s website at http://www.areyoufiresafe.com/index.php/get-fire-help/scotch-broom-challenge/.

The Official Selections from the 2012 Wild & Scenic Film Festival are now available in SYRCL’s video lending library.  Borrowing films is FREE and you must be a current SYRCL members to check out films.  Not yet a member? Did you let your membership lapse?  Not to worry – sign up today: online, in person at the office (216 Main St.), or call Melinda (530) 265-5961 x202.

Details: You may borrow up to three films at a time for one week.  The check-out system is currently the same as it has been and the check-out binder is located with the films.  If you’re new to the process–just ask!  Jane Theobald at the front desk (or any of the rest of us) will be happy to get you oriented.

Happy Viewing!

TITLE:  Development Assistant

REPORTS TO: Director of Development and Wild & Scenic Events

JOB DESCRIPTION:  This Development Assistant position is an excellent opportunity to gain fundraising experience at a well established non-profit organization by supporting SYRCL’s Director of Development and Wild & Scenic Events.  This position requires up to 20 hours per week to perform duties related to our growing membership and donor needs.   Main work hours are Monday-Friday 9 am -5 pm.  The Development Assistant will work directly with the Director of Development and Wild & Scenic Events and will provide membership, donation, database and clerical support.  This individual should plan to take initiative, work hard, enjoy a fast-paced environment and like working as part of a team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Enter new & renewing member information into database
• Enter all other donations into database
• Print  & mail thank you letters
• Update and maintain addresses within database
• File hard copies of membership & donation forms
• Query, Print & mail first, second & third renewal reminders monthly
• E-mail first renewal reminder, where applicable
• Support Wild & Scenic On Tour with weekly mailings of Event Kits
• Telephone lapsed members on a weekly basis to try and get their renewal
• Coordinate periodic volunteer phone bank events
• Tabling to promote SYRCL and membership occasionally required
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience working in a high energy office setting; non-profit work experience a plus.  Ability to work cooperatively with staff and volunteers.  Demonstrates initiative, is conscientious and provides follow-through on areas of responsibility and is detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills.  Computer skills required including proficiency with Word and Excel.  Excellent verbal and writing skills.  Experience with File Maker Pro is a plus.  Bachelors Degree preferred but not required.  Positive, self motivated, and quick learning performer highly valued.  This position requires confidentiality  and a sense of humor is a must.

REQUIREMENTS:

Complex reading and writing, clerical, attention to detail, confidentiality, math skills, good judgment and decision making.  Occasional evening and weekend work is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires frequent computer use and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPENSATION:

This part-time position starts at $12/hour.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

This position is open until filled.

Submit your resume and cover letter electronically to Melinda Booth, Director of Development and Wild & Scenic Events, melinda@syrcl.org.

No phone calls, please.

SYRCL is an equal opportunity employer.