2015 Annual Report - Friends of Lakes Folsom and Natoma

2015 Annual Report
2015
Annual
Report
President’s
Message
Linda and Roxy
As Americans, we have been blessed by citizens who came before us, intent on setting aside public lands,
including parks, wilderness areas, monuments and refuges. In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill
granting Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to the State of California. Just over 150 years ago, a system
of State Parks—and later National Parks—was born. Today, California has 280 State Parks with more than
340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites and 4,500 miles of trails, all
providing wonderful recreational, educational and inspirational opportunities for more than 67 million visitors each year.
Here at FOLFAN, we feel it is a great privilege and responsibility to take excellent care of the incredible natural, cultural and recreational resources we share. As a State Park Cooperating Association, we are motivated
by our love for parks—and that keeps us moving forward.
I want to thank our all-volunteer Board for their dedication in 2015. In a small organization like ours, Board
Members help make each event and activity a reality—from our planning meetings and cleanups to the Electricity Fair and our Folsom Farmers Market booth.
Our newest officer is Treasurer Beth Graybill, who brings to the Board her experience as former Chief Deputy
Director of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. At her suggestion, we’ve begun tracking
our fundraising separately from general donations; it amazed me to see how this simple accounting change
helped to validate our efforts in a new way. Our fundraising activities in 2015 included the annual Big Day of
Giving in early May and a new event—a “Fun-raising” dinner at Pete’s Restaurant and Brewhouse in Folsom.
FOLFAN continued to improve and expand as a not-for-profit organization during 2015 thanks to you—
members, donors, fans and volunteers. We look forward to a fantastic 2016, as together we continue our
support of Folsom Lake State Recreation Area.
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2015 Adopt the Parkway
Financial Sponsors
Who We Are
Friends of Lakes Folsom and Natoma (FOLFAN) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with Folsom Lake SRA (which includes
Lake Natoma), a unit of the California State
Parks System.
FOLFAN is managed by a volunteer board
of directors whose mission is to enhance education and recreation opportunities for the public
and protect the wonders and resources of Lakes
Folsom and Natoma.
Additional information about FOLFAN, including its strategic plan, upcoming events and
membership, is available at:
• McDonald Plumbing, Heating
and Air Conditioning
• The Tailgaters
• Michael and Sandra Holman
• Aerojet/GenCorp Foundation
• 3QC enlightened buildings
• Jeff Schmitt and Deric Treon
www.FOLFAN.org
P.O. Box 257 Orangevale, CA 95662
Facebook Page
FOLFAN keeps its members, fans and friends informed of events and happenings affecting the Folsom
Lake State Recreation Area through regular posts on
our Facebook page. We post status reports on trail repairs, announce cleanup events and guided hikes, offer
information about Folsom Lake water levels and highlight our participation in educational events, among
other things.
Often our Facebook posts are shared by other organizations and individuals, resulting in exposure of
Parkway user meets parkway resident.
PARTNERSHIPS
The American River Parkway Coalition is a group of
individuals affiliated with Parkway stakeholder groups,
neighborhood associations and interested members of the
public who meet monthly to discuss issues concerning the
Parkway. The group’s mission is to provide a forum for
continuing communication, collaboration and coordination in order to protect and preserve the natural and recreational resources of the American River Parkway and
to monitor and implement the American River Parkway
Plan. One of our Board members regularly participates in
the Coalition as a representative of FOLFAN. Although
the Coalition’s sphere of interest does not directly include
Lakes Folsom and Natoma, we share many issues and
concerns with the Lower American River, including resource protection, illegal camping, recreational use and
misuse and law enforcement activities. This “upstream”
representation provides State Parks and FOLFAN with
useful regional information.
FOLFAN to many hundreds of people. We are committed to expanding our use of social media to reach
the widest possible audience and invite you to help us.
Go to our website www.FOLFAN.org to sign-up
for our Facebook page.
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Big Day of Giving 2015
For the second year, FOLFAN participated in the Big Day of Giving on May 5th. The “Big Dog” as it’s called, is a
huge effort by the Sacramento Regional Foundation, in partnership with GiveLocalNow, Placer Community Foundation, Yolo Community Foundation and other partners, to raise money for worthy nonprofits.
Our community came together for 24 hours to support the work of nonprofits through a coordinated social media
campaign. All donations were made via a special portal, which linked to our Giving Edge profile. Donors were assured
that their investments would go farther in supporting their favorite nonprofits because the Big Day of Giving is generously supported by incentive partners whose added dollars served to boost the overall giving.
Our region’s 2015 Big Day of Giving raised more than $5.6 million for 529 participating nonprofits and engaged
23,000 donors. Donations to FOLFAN more than tripled from last year for a total of $1,375. FOLFAN thanks all 13
donors, including the Golden 1 Credit Union for its $500 donation.
The Trouble with Bollards
Bollards are those posts installed in bike trails designed to keep vehicles from driving on the trail. The
trouble is that bicycles occasionally collide with these obstacles, resulting in potentially serious injuries. To make
matters worse, older bollards have a sleeve that protrudes
from the trail after the post section is removed for park
vehicle access.
After considering several issues raised by Adopt-theParkway volunteers, the Board voted to fund the replacement of 10 bollards on the bike trail at a cost of $5,513.
This project was made possible by our 2015 Adopt-theParkway Financial Sponsors. This project began in late
2015 and all the new bollards should be installed by the
end of January 2016, weather permitting.
The new bollards are safer in many ways. They will
These steel posts are being replaced with new
and safer bollards designed to keep vehicles out
but allow bicyclists to pass through more easily.
be visible day and night, using bright paint and reflective
decals. Access points will be redesigned so that only one
bollard (instead of two or more as often used now) will
be located in the middle of the trail. The new bollards are
locked at the top so that employees and emergency personnel do not need to bend over to unlock them. The former bollards were padlocked at the bottom, and the locks
would often clog with dirt. In addition, there will be no
protrusion from the surface of the trail when the bollard
has been removed, and the hole will be covered by a cap.
Folsom SRA maintenance workers Mellissa
Tidwell (left) and Cheryl Sanford begin the process of removing and replacing the old bollards.
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Folsom Farmers Market
of a nature coloring book, State Parks maps and brochures
and information on how they can help improve our local
environment. There were a surprising number of Folsom
newcomers who stopped by and were amazed at the outdoor recreation opportunities in the area.
Folsom’s Farmers Market began a number of years
ago with a few booths and took place only during late
spring through early fall. For the past few years it has been
expanded to a year-round event enjoyed by both locals
and out-of-towners. One of the nice features of the Market is a community booth area, which is where FOLFAN
sets up shop several times each year. We’ll be out again on
several Saturdays during 2016. Stop by and say hi!
During 2015, FOLFAN Board Members periodically joined the 40-plus venders at the Folsom Historic District Farmers Market that is held every Saturday. Many
area residents visited our booth and took away free copies
FOLFAN Board Member Beth Graybill in our
Farmers Market information booth.
Earth Day Kayak Klean-Up
The Annual Earth Day Kayak Klean-up held on
Sunday April 19th, brought out 30 enthusiastic volunteers. The weather was warm and sunny, so several folks
brought their kayaks or borrowed tandem kayaks offered
by the CSUS Aquatic Center. We hauled in a lot of trash
and water hyacinth from the west end of Lake Natoma.
Through this annual event, we honor Earth Day and feel
that we’re getting the summer recreation season off to a
good, clean start.
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Above: Bringing in another load of trash.
Left: Several of 2015’s Kayak Klean-Up participants pose with their day’s trash removed from
Lake Natoma.
Invasive Species Removed by
Park Champions
Board Member Peggy
Dalton with a full load
of harvested invaders.
During the summer of 2015, FOLFAN volunteers joined with the Park Champions program, which is sponsored
by the California State Parks Foundation, to assist in the removal of invasive plants found within the Folsom Lake
State Recreation Area. They focused on removing water hyacinth, milfoil, star thistle and stinkwort. Their efforts were
extremely helpful to our parks, as well as enjoyable for the participants. We anticipate partnering with Park Champions on future eradication events during 2016.
Great American River Cleanup
Every fall, volunteers throughout the state
team up to remove trash from our beaches, rivers,
lakes and streams. It’s part of a larger international
effort sponsored annually by the Ocean Conservancy. An astounding 560,000 volunteers in 91
countries picked up more than 16 million pounds
of trash in the International Coastal Cleanup.
On September 19th, FOLFAN partnered
with the American River Parkway Foundation and
coordinated a part of the Great American River
Cleanup serving as a site captain for the efforts at
Negro Bar. FOLFAN hosted 80 volunteers who
picked up approximately 600 pounds of trash.
Many of these volunteers were teens completing
community service and many were regulars volunteering their time each year to our clean-up efforts.
And since nothing works up an appetite like
picking up garbage, FOLFAN hosted a BBQ
funded by Crystal and Eric Tobias to feed our
hungry volunteers.
A few of the day’s volunteers present a portion of the
600 pounds of trash removed from around Lake Natoma’s Negro Bar facilities.
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FOLFAN’s
Guided Hikes
Each year, FOLFAN Board Members lead hikes
through different areas of Folsom Lake State Recreation
Area. The hikes are open to the public, and on most we
encourage parents to join us with their children.
The Board Members leading the hikes are quite
knowledgeable about the area’s flora and fauna, whether
heading out to Avery’s Pond near Rattlesnake Bar or rambling through the Mississippi Bar area or walking along
some of the many miles of paved bike trails.
During the years when Mother Nature cooperates,
there are plenty of wildflowers and often wildlife to be
seen and photographed.
Board Member Crystal Tobias led a wildflower
walk along the bike trail at Lake Natoma.
There was plenty of time to take photographs.
Itherial spear is a very common spring wildflower
seen throughout the park.
Board Member Peggy Dalton led a wonderful
rambling hike through the Mississippi Bar area.
Spring wildflowers can be quite spectacular!
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Salmon Habitat Restoration
On October 9, 2015, Board Member Peggy Dalton
hosted a field trip for American River Parkway Coalition members to view the salmon spawning rehabilitation project at Nimbus Shoals. The shoals is part of Lake
Natoma’s Nimbus Flat area and is located directly below
Nimbus Dam on the Lower American River.
Lilly Allen of the Sacramento Water Forum described
the great success of that project, resulting in an increase
in the number of salmon nests or “reds” in that area from
approximately 30 in 2014 to 800 in 2015.
Peggy is FOLFAN’s representative on the Parkway
Coalition, helping to maintain open communication
with our “downstream neighbors.”
Lilly Allen of the Sacramento Water Foundation
explains the project to members of the American
River Park Coalition.
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FOLFAN Hike to Avery’s Pond
Avery’s Pond and the surrounding area is home
to birds, deer, and a few non-native species such
as this red-eared slider (turtle).
At least once each year FOLFAN Board Members leads a hike to one of those little known places along Folsom
Lake’s shoreline. In 2015, FOLFAN President Linda McDonald led a 2.8-mile round trip hike from Rattlesnake Bar
to Avery’s Pond. Along the way wildflowers and many birds were seen. Various species of ducks and other water birds
were around and in the pond, along with non-native turtles sunning themselves on logs and rocks.
The pond has been here for well over a century. Rancher and farmer Ira Avery built his pond in the 1880s as part
of an irrigation system for his orchards and other operations. The pond sits about 20 feet above Folsom Lake’s North
Fork high water mark.
Salmonchanted Evening
FOLFAN Board Members hosted a fun evening of
salmon-themed delights on April 11. Food included
salmon patties, salmon dip and salmon-shaped cookies
and candies. The evening’s theme was borrowed from a
song by Kip Addotta from 1988—filled with fish puns.
As you probably know, salmon in the American River watershed have provided an important food source for people for thousands of years. Today, their annual migration
ends at Nimbus Dam and the Nimbus Fish Hatchery.
Salmonchanted Evening, held at FOLFAN President
Linda and husband Vince McDonald’s home, allowed
those attending to enjoy a beautiful view of the adjacent
state park’s oak woodland setting. The evening provided
an opportunity for members to get to know the Board
and vice versa. Board Member Ken and wife Dahlynn
McKowen had recently won the Gold Benjamin Franklin Award for their new travel book Best of the California
Coast; the McKowens signed copies for those attending
and donated the profits from the sales to FOLFAN.
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A Lovely Evening
Fun-raiser at
Pete’s Restaurant
and Brewhouse
FOLFAN held its first restaurant-based Fun-raiser at
Pete’s Restaurant and Brewhouse on October 6th. Perfect
weather, great food and service with a smile made this a
very special Tuesday night! The Board would like to thank
owner Sunny Zaighami for the delightful hospitality and
generous contribution of 20 percent of the evening’s food
and beverage receipts. Pete’s is located in the shopping
center on Folsom-Auburn Road at Greenback Lane.
The deck overlooking Hinkle Creek provided a perfect
setting for the 30 people who gathered to support FOLFAN.
We raised $130 in restaurant donations, added new members and had a lot of fun. We plan to make this an annual
early-autumn tradition!
Pete’s dining deck
Folsom Powerhouse Electricity Fair
Board Member Peggy
Dalton (right) watches
as kids get their water
bottles ready to let it
rain!
FOLFAN again in 2015 was a sponsoring partner of the annual Electricity Fair at Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park. This is very much a family event drawing hundreds of people of all ages, but especially kids who love our
hands-on watershed education exhibit. With the drought a big topic during 2015, kids had fun with the squirt bottles
spraying simulated rain runoff on the watershed exhibit. More than a few kids managed to shoot each other with the
water bottles, but it was all in great fun.
Docents also led popular tours of the historic powerhouse, the first ever to transmit long-distance hydroelectric
power (from Folsom to Sacramento). The Electricity Fair is held annually on the first or second Saturday of September.
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FOLFAN Balance Sheet
Beginning Balance Jan 1, 2015
$18,310.37
2015 Income
Adopt-the-Parkway Sponsorship
Adopt the Parkway Sponsorships
Total A-T-P Sponsorship Income
$8,009.10
$8,009.10
Miscellaneous Income
General Donations
Membership
Total Misc. Income
$100.00
$3,640.87
$2,516.20
$6,257.07
Total 2015 Income
$14,266.17
2015 Expenses
Adopt-the-Parkway
Admin./Insurance (5%)
$400.45
Bike Trail Improvements & Repairs $5,513.00
ATP Training/Meetings
$77.38
Signage
$0.00
Supplies
$0.00
Total Adopt-the-Parkway Expenses $5,990.83
General Operations
Dues & Membership Fees
Insurance
Postage
Training & Conferences
Total General Operations
$80.00
$999.55
$156.67
$500.00
$1,736.22
$116.68
$900.00
$397.52
$1,414.20
Program & Event Expenses
Event Food & Beverage
Kids Don’t Float
State Parks Ancillary Programs
Total Program & Event Expenses
Publicity & Outreach
Outreach (Newsletter)
Printing
Social Media & Website
Display Booth
Total Publicity & Outreach
Total 2015 Expenses
Ending Balance Dec. 31, 2015
$28.50
$286.41
$43.70
$31.04
$389.65
$9,530.90
$23,045.64
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FOLFAN Helps
Save Kids Who
Don’t Float
FOLFAN is an ongoing financial sponsor of the
popular Kids Don’t Float free loaner life vest program.
During 2015, FOLFAN purchased 135 life vests for
beaches at Granite Bay, Beals Point and Lake Natoma.
The cost? Well worth the young lives they may have
saved—$900.
This is an annual program, as many of the loaner
life vests disappear during the swimming season (hopefully put to good use) and others simply wear out from
lots of use and constant exposure to Folsom Lake and
Lake Natoma’s hot summer sun.
2016 FOLFAN Board of Directors
Linda McDonald, President
President@folfan.org
Ken McKowen, Vice President
Peggy Dalton, Secretary and
Membership Coordinator
Beth Graybill, Treasurer
Paula David, Member-at-Large
Jim Cassio, Member-at-Large
Communications Coordinator
Trails Coordinator
Michael Fox, Member-at-Large
Sales & Marketing Coordinator
Crystal Tobias, Member-at-Large
We invite you to join us in helping improve
outdoor recreational and educational opportunities at
Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma.
For information about volunteer opportunities
or becoming a FOLFAN member, visit www.FOLFAN.org today!
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