2006

A generous grant from Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program helped to fund the restoration and education project for Duck Island for 2006.  High School students are our future stewards of watershed protection and to involve them in understanding the reasons for restoration and clean water is important.   This event had many students involved from planning to actual restoration.  

The schools that participated included students from American, Washington, and Mission High School in Fremont and Moreau High School (Hayward).   We also had participants from the community and California State University, East Bay.

In July we decided on 3 workdays on Duck Island, development of some educational material, and an educational event on Make a Difference Day on October 28, 2006.   The event at Lake Elizabeth increased awareness of flood control, stormwater pollution prevention, and the importance of Duck Island in the middle of Lake Elizabeth.  

Booths along the pathway across from Duck Island including a storm water display for children to participate in.	Posters and information on Duck Island by Ranger Sandy Ferriera and Sue Nogare of City of Fremont

On each of the workdays we planted trees, tules, and sedges to help erosion caused by storm waters entering Lake Elizabeth during the winter.  Two Girl Scout Troops (1714 and 2076)  organized by Theresa Calabretta helped design an informational brochure to help educate other students. 

While people where learning onshore......	students and community members were restoring Duck Island

Environmental Services and Parks and Recreation of City of Fremont all participated in the event.  Tri City Ecology Center helped us advertise the event with an article in their newsletter.   Early in the project we had a wonderful article written by Argus staff on Duck Island.  It helped to advertise the plight of the island.  It was in all the East Bay papers which helped reach our audience.  We received many inquires on how to help and where to see the island.

Most of the work on Duck Island had to do with coordinating tree planting along the banks of the island.  We planted over 25 trees (willows and bald cypress) and seeded the banks with sedge seeds to help with erosion. 

Students painting signs to warn boaters of sensitive area	Planting of trees to help restore the banks

Special thanks to Sandy Ferreira,  Sue Nogare, Val Blakely. and Michele Pelayo (City of Fremont) for making Make a Difference Day an event worth repeating!

After a long day waiting to go back on the boats provided by the City of Fremont	Fremont Councilmember Bob Wieckowski inspected our work with a surprise visit

 

partial funding provided by