YOLO BASIN FOUNDATION

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1 Annual Report 2014

YOLO BASIN FOUNDATION MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR: Dear Friend of Yolo Basin Foundation: With the strong support and assistance of our partner, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, great

4 YOLO BASIN FOUNDATION MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR: Dear Friend of Yolo Basin Foundation: With the strong support and assistance of our partner, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, great volunteers and staff, Yolo Basin Foundation (the Foundation) has completed another successful year! My thanks to all contributors, volunteers (including my fellow board members) and staff who have done so much heavy lifting to help bring this year to a successful conclusion! As we enter our 25th anniversary year, the Board is planning for our future to keep the Foundation as successful as it has been to date. Through the effort of over 50 volunteers, the Discover the Flyway school program was able to educate almost 4,000 students on the value of wetlands, wildlife and agriculture at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. With generous private grants, the Foundation provided 46 buses for Title I schools from Yolo, Solano, El Dorado, Placer, Nevada and Sacramento Counties. This program is a highlight of our efforts. The most widely publicized program continues to be Bat Talk and Walks with over 2,000 friends and sponsors attending 45 evening fly-outs (and the first ever fly-in). The Flyway Nights speaker series engaged scientists and other professionals who shared their relevant and compelling expertise with the community. This last year, the Foundation s dedicated volunteers led over 25 tours in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and the City of Davis Wetlands. California Duck Days was the best attended in recent years, with great weather and engaging activities. Perhaps the highlight event of the year was our most successful Bucks for Ducks ever, held at a new location on the University of California, Davis campus (UCD). Over 600 people attended this dinner! Thank you to UCD for your help in sponsoring this venue. This year we honored our long time Board Member Betsy Marchand and four teachers who have been bringing their students on Discover the Flyway field trips for over 15 years. With the Foundation entering its 25th year, I know I join the rest of the Board in looking forward to making 2015 even brighter. I look forward to seeing you at a Yolo Basin Foundation event in the coming year. Pete Bontadelli Chair, Board of Directors

Dedicated to the appreciation and stewardship of wetlands and wildlife through education and innovative partnerships MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Dear Friend of Yolo Basin

5 Dedicated to the appreciation and stewardship of wetlands and wildlife through education and innovative partnerships MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Dear Friend of Yolo Basin Foundation: Twenty-four years ago a handful of people came together with a notion to recreate the wetlands of the Putah Creek Sinks. This group of people became the Yolo Basin Foundation and their vision is now the Vic Fazio Wildlife Area (Wildlife Area). What started as a local project has taken on national stature. It s been celebrated by thousands of people and inspired others to continue conservation efforts. A lot has happened since That early vision for the Wildlife Area didn t just stop with the initial purchase of 3,700 acres by the Wildlife Conservation Board in The Wildlife Area is now a 16,800- acre complex of restored wetlands, vernal pools, grasslands, rice fields, row crops and irrigated pasture, all owned and managed by the CA Department of Fish & Wildlife. It is loved by those who spend time watching the diversity of birds and marveling at the beauty of the wetlands. Each winter, tens of thousands of birds migrate along the Pacific Flyway, feeding and resting in the Wildlife Area s flooded rice fields and wetlands. Yolo Basin Foundation has an important presence in the Yolo Bypass that continues its conservation work that began in the 1990s. It is the organization that brings farmers, wetland managers, elected officials, and flood control and wildlife agencies together to work on finding solutions to expanding flood protection and salmon habitat while maintaining the successful mosaic of wetlands and agriculture that exists today. We have a healthy, growing organization with a bright future! Nine staff members work with about 150 volunteers to provide an impressive diversity and depth of programs that inspire people to discover wetlands and wildlife right in their community. In 2014, volunteers contributed over 7,000 hours to Yolo Basin Foundation programs! A few of them have volunteered with us for over 20 years. This year Yolo Basin Foundation launched a new easy-to-use website that is providing improved, up to date program information and new opportunities for people to discover the wonders of the Wildlife Area. There is a growing community of artists that find their inspiration at the Wildlife Area. Photographers and painters share their beautiful work with us everyday. You can find their images on our website, Facebook page and at our annual Bucks for Ducks event. This year Yolo Basin Foundation staff and volunteers worked with professional artists to launch the first ever community-built mural at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters. Artists donated hundreds of hours painting a lovely Wildlife Area scene with wetlands, rice fields and an abundance of wildlife. Every morning students are introduced to their Discover the Flyway activities with the mural as a wonderful backdrop. I am inspired every time I look at the mural from the office window. We hope that you will take the time in the coming year to find your own inspiration at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Please let us know how we can help! Sincerely, Robin Kulakow Executive Director

DISCOVER THE FLYWAY Here at Yolo Basin Foundation we believe everyone can be a partner in

Discover the Flyway, our award winning education program, provides students with outdoor

6 DISCOVER THE FLYWAY Here at Yolo Basin Foundation we believe everyone can be a partner in protecting the environment. Discover the Flyway, our award winning education program, provides students with outdoor experiences that give them an appreciation for the wetlands and wildlife at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Discover the Flyway offers K-12 students a chance to explore their local environment through engaging, hands on activities that support Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. Many students experience nature for the first time on a Discover the Flyway field trip!

Our students returned and brought back to school more than we anticipated.

A field trip with Yolo Basin Foundation is worth 100 days of teaching in the classroom.

is the best field trip ever! is heard from at least one child per trip.

7 Our students returned and brought back to school more than we anticipated. Parent chaperones were equally enthusiastic and amazed at what they actually learned. A field trip with Yolo Basin Foundation is worth 100 days of teaching in the classroom. Ann Alamares and Kathy Zezulak, Gibson Elementary School, Woodland, CA According to our docents, This is the best field trip ever! is heard from at least one child per trip. A day at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area truly is an unforgettable day for students, parents, and teachers alike. 4,730 PARTICIPANTS 58 SCHOOLS 6 COUNTIES 144 CLASSES 15 SCHOOL DISTRICTS

DISCOVER THE FLYWAY 2014 DISCOVER THE FLYWAY SPONSORS: Arata Brothers

Morgan Foundation, Monsanto Community Fund, PG&E, Strong Foundation,

8 DISCOVER THE FLYWAY 2014 DISCOVER THE FLYWAY SPONSORS: Arata Brothers Trust, Albert & Elaine Borchard Foundation, Gannett Foundation, Kinder Morgan Foundation, Monsanto Community Fund, PG&E, Strong Foundation, Stuart Foundation, Sacramento River Cats, Teichert Foundation, Umpqua Bank, U.S. Bank, Wallis Foundation, Walmart Foundation, West Sacramento Foundation OUR SPONSORS PROVIDED: 46 BUSES 1,424 FOR STUDENTS FROM 59 TITLE I CLASSES

Jazmin, 4th Grade Class, Twin Rivers Unified School District, 2014 3,599 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS Title I Special Needs English Language Learners

9 I had a terrific time. We dissected owl pellets. We also got to put on water proof boots and fish around in the pond looking for insects. I learned that dragon flies live in water when they are babies. Clearly, we had fun and learned a lot! Jazmin, 4th Grade Class, Twin Rivers Unified School District, ,599 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS Title I Special Needs English Language Learners Traditional Incredibly low student trained adult ratio: 4 Students: 1 Trained Adult Our unique adult-student ratio of 1:4 allows for each child to receive maximum attention, guidance and feedback from adult instructors.

BATS IN THE BYPASS The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is home to over 250,000

At least 7 species of bats feed on insects each evening in the Wildlife

educational trips and fly-out viewings all summer long.

participants than ever before over 2,000 individuals visited the Yolo

10 BATS IN THE BYPASS The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is home to over 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats who live in the I-80 Causeway expansion joints! At least 7 species of bats feed on insects each evening in the Wildlife Area. Yolo Basin Foundation s bat expert, Corky Quirk, facilitates educational trips and fly-out viewings all summer long. In 2014 we held a record number of Bat Talk and Walks with more participants than ever before over 2,000 individuals visited the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on a Bat Talk and Walk. 45 BAT TALK & WALKS 2,198 PARTICIPANTS 250,000 MEXICAN FREE-TAILED BATS

VOLUNTEERS 150 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS 7,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS Yolo Basin

2014! Volunteers help lead public tours of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife

program, and support administrative needs.

11 VOLUNTEERS 150 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS 7,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS Yolo Basin Foundation volunteers gave over 7,000 hours to support our programs in 2014! Volunteers help lead public tours of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and the City of Davis wetlands, facilitate the Discover the Flyway program, and support administrative needs. We are proud and grateful to have so many dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers. It s really nice to see children asking questions and getting really interested. I think children are crucial for the future of the wetlands and our environment. If they have a good understanding about nature they can make meaningful decisions in the future. Maria Sanchez, Discover the Flyway Education Associate

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES INCOME Membership and Program Donations 160,957 41% Bucks for Ducks 88,765 23% Foundation Grants 78,015 20% Government Contracts 34,282 9% Investment Revenue 19,526 5% Sales

12 STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES INCOME Membership and Program Donations 160,957 41% Bucks for Ducks 88,765 23% Foundation Grants 78,015 20% Government Contracts 34,282 9% Investment Revenue 19,526 5% Sales 6,036 2% Total Revenues 387,581 Membership and Program Donations Bucks for Ducks Foundation Grants Government Contracts Investment Revenue Sales EXPENSE Programs & Education 289,776 78% Operations & Management 83,711 22% Total Expenses 373,487 Programs & Education Operations & Management

BECOME A YOLO BASIN FOUNDATION PARTNER Thank you to all of our members,

Wildlife Area: SHARE EXPLORE VISIT LEARN CONTRIBUTE We both feel that

13 BECOME A YOLO BASIN FOUNDATION PARTNER Thank you to all of our members, volunteers, and supporters who help sustain our environmental education and conservation work! There are many ways to support wetlands and wildlife in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area: SHARE EXPLORE VISIT LEARN CONTRIBUTE We both feel that volunteering is fulfilling and important. Sharing our love of the outdoors and knowledge, especially with children, is very meaningful to us. Rick and Oleta Melnicoe

YOLO BASIN FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS Pete Bontadelli (Chair) Marge Kolar (Vice-Chair) Scott McElhern (Treasurer) Bill Ziebron (Secretary) Randy Beaton Terry

14 YOLO BASIN FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS Pete Bontadelli (Chair) Marge Kolar (Vice-Chair) Scott McElhern (Treasurer) Bill Ziebron (Secretary) Randy Beaton Terry Colborn Mike Deas Jack DeWit Lucas Frerichs Mike Lien Steve Macaulay Whit Manley Betsy Marchand Don Morrill Jan Smutny-Jones Lindsay Weston Jim Provenza, ex officio

15 PHOTO CREDITS: Ching Chang Dave Feliz Shari Goldfarb Marilyn Hodges Jan Lightfoot Mike Reinhart David Robertson

16 printed on 100% post consumer waste paper PO Box 943 Davis, CA

The effects of the winter flooding at

Volume 26, Issue 3, Fall 2017 A Publication of Yolo Basin Foundation Wildlife Area News After the Flooding The effects of the winter flooding at the Wildlife Area have continued to be felt all summer and