United for the Yuba During COVID-19

Dear SYRCL Family,

Just another check in from us to you during this challenging time.  I hope this note finds you and yours in good spirits and good health. We continue to think of you, and all our members, holding you in our thoughts as we all navigate these uncertain times.

SYRCL continues to be fully operational.  Today marks one full week of telecommuting for our entire staff; boy are Slack and Zoom essential to keeping things going!  Our Board of Directors met last night on a video conference, in fact.  We sure do miss our sunny, open office with many of you dropping by for a meeting, or to borrow a film or two; we hope to see your faces again soon.

But the important work of protecting and restoring our watershed moves forward.  Just in the last week we have worked to finalize a lower Yuba restoration project grant contract, secured funding to present several virtual water assembly programs in Yuba County, joined the County’s COVID-19 Business Task Force, virtually attended a NID meeting, and presented our Growing Green work to academics and policy makers. 

As you’ve likely figured out, we’ve had to cancel or reschedule all of our events and trainings, in addition in person meetings, through the end of April, including our April 22nd State of the Yuba open house event. Also top of mind is the impact to our events planned for May and June. Our Wild for the Yuba fundraiser is tentatively set for June 20 … will we have to push this? We’re trying to stay positive and flexible and act in good measure. If there are significant changes, we’re posting them in real time on the website and social media.

We hope you are faring well.  And encourage you to get out and enjoy the variable spring weather; just while writing this note it has been cloudy, it has hailed, and now it is sunny and breezy.  It’s a great time to let the power of nature rejuvenate you.  Nature heals and eases restlessness and feelings of being overwhelmed. Birdwatching, wildflower gazing, river walks, and sweaty hikes – these can help us get through this public health crisis together.

Thank you for your commitment to SYRCL and the Yuba. Having a beautiful river system during this stressful time is a blessing. Please know we’re working hard to safeguard it even now. It’s our mission and now it’s our stress therapy, too.

Thinking of you,

Melinda Booth
Executive Director