RCLC Fall/Winter 2003 Newsletter

REDWOOD COAST
LAND CONSERVANCY
Dedicated to protection of open spaces and natural resources from the Navarro to the Russian rivers
President’s Report: RCLC at the Crossroads RCLC Projects
by Laurie Mueller GUALALA BLUFF TRAIL: A 500-
foot landscaped path from the bluff
Thanks to generous support from our ties, we have chosen to expand those edge behind Sea Cliff Center to the
local community and the dedicated capabilities by hiring a paid adminis- Surf Motel. Phase II will extend the
work of many volunteers, RCLC has trator. Trail to Oceansong Restaurant.
grown from just an idea to a working To hire staff, RCLC will require a DOBBINS CONSERVATION
land trust that has taken the lead in higher level of funding than we have EASEMENT: Six acres of open space
preserving many local coastal proper- needed in the past. RCLC has tradi- and wildlife habitat along Hathaway
ties. A list of RCLC projects follows tionally obtained operating funds Creek outside Point Arena set aside by
this report. through our newsletter mailings and Peter and Anna Dobbins.
We want to build on our strengths as our annual raffle. While the raffle has
BOURNS LANDING: Coastal access
your local land trust. Interest in pre- been a heartwarming example of com-
easements set aside by the Bonham
serving the remaining open space munity support, this coming year
family. Work is underway to provide
along our coast is high. We see many RCLC plans to concentrate efforts on
a bluff- top public viewing platform
exciting opportunities to work with a major membership campaign to
and access trail down to Cooks Beach
local landowners and funding agencies bring in a steady source of operating
from the Bourns Landing headlands
to set aside conservation and trail ease- income.
on Old State Hwy. 1.
ments. The next few months will tell us how
HEARN GULCH: A 3.5 acre portion
We also see that we can no longer rely successful those efforts have been. We
of the Hearn Gulch Headlands south
on our current structure as an all-vol- hope to have funding for a staff per-
of Point Arena. This acquisition,
unteer organization if we want to take son in place by early next year so that
RCLC’s first land purchase, will assure
on new projects. Each project we un- we can move ahead on several projects.
public access to a broad bluff-top over-
dertake can require dozens, and in If you would like to support this ef-
look, a sheltered ravine, and a sandy
some cases, hundreds, of hours of work fort and help keep
to acquire funding, negotiate ease- your local land
ments, conduct surveys, develop man- trust strong, please
agement plans, prepare permit appli- use the envelope in-
cations, supervise work and monitor cluded in this
easements. newsletter to send
Our organization is at a crossroads. If in your member-
we want to manage our current com- ship gift today.
mitments and, at the same time, re-
Thank you,
spond to new opportunities that arise,
we will need to hire a part-time staff
person. This is an important decision
for a small land trust to make. Rather
than being limited by current capabili- Laurie Mueller Winter stream at Hearn Gulch. Photo by Rosemarie Hocker

P.O. Box 1511, Gualala, CA 95445-1511 • (707) 785-3327 • email: rclc@mcn.org • website: www.rc-lc.org
page 2 RCLC Fall/Winter 2003 Newsletter

REDWOOD COAST beach through which flows a small gulch, ocean cove and cozy beach
LAND CONSERVANCY creek. where the creek flows into the ocean.
PRESIDENT: Laurie Mueller
VICE PRESIDENT: Shirley Eberly
ST. ORRES CREEK and BEACH: OTHER PROPERTIES UNDER
SECRETARY: Cecilia Moelter John and Mary Sue Erickson have gen- CONSIDERATION: The RCLC is
TREASURER: Bob Rutemoeller
DIRECTORS: Rosemarie Hocker, Ray Van de Water
erously granted an access easement actively negotiating the purchase or ac-
HISTORIAN: Ramona Crooks along St. Orres Creek across from St. ceptance of conservation easements for
BLUFF TRAIL COMMITTEE: Cecilia Moelter, Fiona
O’Neill and Bill Wiemeyer
Orres Inn and Restaurant, the well- other coastal properties with outstand-
ADVISORS: Sharon Burningham, Roger Dingman, Kristen known local landmark on Highway 1 ing scenic and ecological values.
Drake, Vivian Green, Doug Hammerstrom, Jerry Immel,
Mary Sue Ittner, Ray Jackman, Jim Lotter, Fiona O’Neill,
to provide public access to a scenic
Brian Regan, Mary Rhyne, Barbara Russell, Dorothy
Scherer, Doug Simmonds, Kristine Thomure, Florence Van
de Water, Jan Venolia, Julie Verran and Bill Wiemeyer
WEB DESIGN: Ivan de la Garza ART IN THE REDWOODS AWARD By Rob Elder
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Rosemarie Hocker
Last winter, fierce storms Still, I had dozens, and
WEBSITE EDITORS: David and Charlotte Scholz
MAILING VOLUNTEERS: Dwight and Shirley Eberly, ripped away parts of the determined then and
Rosemarie Hocker, Cecilia and John Moelter, Laurie
stairs to Walk On Beach there to share their
Mueller, Bob Rutemoeller, and Ray and Flo Van de Water
TRAIL MONITORS: Shirley and Dwight Eberly, Kristen at The Sea Ranch. beauty.
Drake, Mary Sue Ittner, Sue and Bob Lease, Harry and
But the second of those Polished and combined
Lois Lutz, Cecilia Moelter, Laurie and Leigh Mueller, Bob
Rutemoeller, Kathleen Sandidge and Flo and Ray Van de storms also left hundreds with sea glass, drift-
Water, Marian Van de Water and Julie Verran
of small stones, unlike wood and feathers
CONTRIBUTORS to this issue include Lois Lutz,
Cecilia Moelter, Laurie Mueller, Rosemarie Hocker, Bob any I have seen before or from other walks, they
Rutemoeller
since, colored in shades became my assemblage
RCLC is a member of the National Land Trust Alliance,
of mauve, peach, purple “Ocean, Earth and
California Land Trust Council, Redwood Coast Chamber
of Commerce. and ivory, often swirled Sky,” winner of the Art
together in the same in the Redwoods
RCLC OBJECTIVES rock. I filled my pockets Award for Excellence in
The specific purposes of this corporation include, but are
and came back next day Portraying the Coastal
not limited to:
(a) The conservation of lands for recreational, educational, for more, but the ocean Environment. Thank
ecological, agricultural, scenic and open space opportuni-
had reclaimed them. you, Redwood Coast
ties. Conservation of lands shall be accomplished by ac- Rob Elder with Ocean, Earth and
quiring real property or partial interests therein, including Sky. Photo by Rosemarie Hocker
Land Conservancy.
conservation easements as defined in California Civil Code
Section 815.2, and recording appropriate instruments nec-
essary to protect in perpetuity the physical environment WHY RALLY? By Lois Lutz and Cecilia Moelter
of the area for wildlife, ecological and aesthetic purposes
beneficial to the public interest; Five RCLC members joined land trust cause was stimulating indeed!
(b) To promote, activate and develop public coastal ac- staff and volunteers from all over the Rally reinforced the need to build a
cesses to the ocean, rivers and other natural or scenic fea-
tures, including developing trails, paths and walkways; nation at the annual Land Trust Alli- strong land trust to ensure the perma-
(c) To study, project and develop plans for future needs in ance Rally held in Sacramento in Oc- nence of our properties and conserva-
respect to public recreational lands, accesses and facilities;
(d) To determine open space and conservation needs in tober. Rally provided a sense of the tion easements, and to seek collabora-
the coastal areas of Mendocino and Sonoma counties and larger conservation picture, as well as tion with other land trusts and orga-
to arrange for necessary stewardship and conservation by
easements, agreements or other mechanisms; invaluable training in the many aspects nizations to do more strategic conser-
(e) To publicize local needs of the type mentioned above of land preservation. Multiple work- vation. When residents understand
and to raise funds by public subscriptions, grants or other
means as necessary to meet such objectives. shops and speakers over a four-day and support the work of a land trust,
period covered topics such as ethics, great things happen.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR fundraising, stewardship, and tax is- Our attendees, Cecilia Moelter, Lois
NEWSLETTER LABEL sues. As the president of the Land Lutz, Bob Rutemoeller, Shirley Eberly,
If there is a “02” or “03” in front of your name, that Trust Alliance put it, “Rally is a Town and Dave Scholz, all learned a great
means you have sent RCLC a contribution or mem-
bership donation for that year. If there is no number Meeting of a National Movement.” deal and have returned reinvigorated
to the left of your name, or if it shows a contribution And as at a town meeting, the ex- and ready to put our learning into ac-
for 2002, please consider helping us this year. A con-
tribution form is printed on the return envelope in change of ideas and opportunities to tion.
this issue. Thanks for your help. meet new people involved in the same
 RCLC Fall/Winter 2003 Newsletter page 3

RCLC PROFILE - Bob Rutemoeller by Rosemarie Hocker

RCLC inter- years of environmental activity, I was Bob: I do a lot of “office” work for
viewed Board attracted to the idea of voluntary land RCLC, but find the outside fieldwork
Member Bob conservation in our local coastal and more interesting and rewarding. We
Ru t e m o e l l e r. forest region. I work professionally as see some beautiful areas and get to
Never one to a financial planner and tax preparer meet property owners who really care
“toot his own and know the tax code has incentives about their land. The prognosis for
horn”. Bob plays for owners to grant conservation ease- large government purchases of land
a number of in- ments and protections for private land. indicates dwindling funds. State and
credibly impor- RCLC: How long have you lived here federal budget deficits will make car-
tant roles in on the coast? How does your life style ing for what they already have more
Bob Rutemoeller, RCLC RCLC. He’s an- here compare or contrast with other difficult. The alternative is for Land
treasurer. Photo by other of our Trusts such as our Redwood Coast
places you have lived? What makes a
Rosemarie Hocker
gems on the special difference and why? Land Conservancy to provide local
coast. Bob: Mary Sue and I came to the support for individual property own-
RCLC: How did you become inter- Mendocino Coast from our home in ers to preserve more of our coastal and
ested in RCLC and what are some of Stockton for vacations. We started go- forest resources.
the things you do for RCLC? ing to the village of Mendocino, but We are very active in providing and
Bob: In 1992 Ray Van de Water re- soon found Gualala and Anchor Bay. improving coastal access. So far we
cruited me and a few other people to We loved staying at the Mar Vista for have accomplished a lot. But there is
put together RCLC’s non-profit corpo- many years. In 1988 we were driving lots more to do. We need more finan-
ration papers. Since then I’ve been the along the ridge in Gualala and hap- cial and volunteer support. We were
treasurer and maintain our list of do- pened upon our future home on helped a great deal by grant funding
nors and friends. As an all-volunteer Ocean Ridge Drive. We had not for our projects, but we need to pro-
group there are always interesting meet- planned to move here eleven months vide for our share of funds (volunteer
ings and projects in progress. We have later, but are very happy we did after help counts, too).
a great cadre of helpers from the Board fourteen years. We always enjoyed this RCLC: Thanks, Bob. We’ll carry on!
of Directors and many others who sup- beautiful region but found even more
port our efforts. But we are always special the people and friends that
happy for more friends to volunteer. makes this a great community.
RCLC: Tell us about yourself. Were RCLC: Are there places on the coast
there early influences that put you on really special for you?
the path toward working with land Bob: It is hard to mention a special
trusts? place - there are so many. My newest
Bob: I was born and grew up in the ‘special place’ is Hearn Gulch that
western (Sunset) district of San Fran- RCLC was able to acquire with funds
cisco. I always enjoyed Golden Gate from the California Coastal Conser-
Park and its many nooks and crannies. vancy. In spring and early summer
We had a distant view of the ocean and there are beautiful wildflowers and the
Mount Tamalpais. After graduating pocket beach is a treasure. Dorothy
from Santa Clara University, I moved Scherer did a wonderful plant survey
to Hayward and began attending Si- and gave us ideas for protecting some
erra Club meetings in Berkeley and of the native plants at Hearn Gulch.
Oakland. That is how I met Mary Sue RCLC: Please tell us why you support
Ittner, my wife. We both enjoyed the the work of RCLC and how you would
beautiful parks in the Bay Area and encourage others to participate in the
Point Reyes on the coast. After many Bob Rutemoeller in the field. Photo by Rosemarie
work of the conservancy? Hocker
 In Memory & Honor TRAIL BLAZING
RCLC thanks each and everyone for their generous donations. by Cecilia Moelter
We cherish the thought of conserving the spectacular lands of Good News! RCLC received a grant of
Northern California’s ridges and coast. Your donations further $38,500 from the Coastal Conservancy on
this precious work. With thanks and deepest appreciation to: August 14th. After submitting the Manage-
W. H. Haines in memory of Dale Wood. ment Plan for Gualala Bluff Trail Phase Two,
Betty and Gillette Bechtel in memory of Beverly Harpster Pettit. the last requirement is a Mendocino County
permit. Then comes breaking ground to con-
Robert L Rasmussen in memory of Siusiadh M. Rasmussen.
struct this continuation of the trail from the
Larry and Pat Delaney in memory of Roy Pratt.
Surf Motel going south to Oceansong.
Barbara Schnieders in memory of Ed and Marje Warwick.
With a bridge, stairs and path to a rock out-
Mary Ann West and Candy Harris in memory of Iola Cabassi. crop overlooking the Gualala River, visitors
Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner in memory of Dwight and residents will be able to watch waves,
Eberly, Jr. whales, otters, seals, birds and sunsets. RCLC
Mike and Ginger Gandes for the Bluff Trail fund in memory of thanks the Coastal Conservancy for this gen-
Dwight Eberly, Jr. erous award that will increase public access
John and Cecilia Moelter in memory of Dwight Eberly, Jr. to a beautiful coastal outlook. Because the
Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner, to honor Florence Van de cost of building the trail will exceed the grant
Water for her special birthday. monies, the need for matching funds is a pri-
Irene Leidner and Bill Davy, to honor Ray and Florence Van de mary focus for this project. While waiting
Water “…true role models for any community - we are so lucky for Phase Two, please enjoy Bluff Trail Phase
they live here!” One and stroll along the bluff from Trinks to
Steve and Gayle Brugler and Rosemarie Hocker for Stewardship the Surf Motel.
Donations for RCLC Projects.

REDWOOD COAST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

LAND CONSERVANCY U.S. POSTAGE PAID
GUALALA, CA 95445
PERMIT NO. 60
P.O. Box 1511, Gualala, CA 95445-1511
(707) 785-3327 • email: rclc@mcn.org
website: www.rc-lc.org

Return Service Requested

Hearn Gulch stream. Photo by Rosemarie Hocker.