Parks Foundation

Field Notes: Transforming a Public Works Yard Into the Napa River Ecology Center By Tim Carl

Thank you to Tim Carl of Napa Valley Features for this great article about the Napa River Ecology Center and the Foundation's ongoing programs.

open.substack.com/pub/napavall...

Native pickleweed growing into the space that was once invasive iceplant.

The dividing line between the saltgrass growing into the area, iceplant was removed, and the invasive plants we are pulling next.

Invasive iceplant has yet to be removed, with native saltgrass happily growing in the area from which we removed the iceplant.

We held our first invasive iceplant removal day this past April. It is inspiring to see how well nature bounces back when a harmful plant is removed. We can't wait to get our next group of kids out to pull more iceplant and reseed with native plants. Learn more about our programs at acparks.org

We are deeply grateful for the support of our community. Thanks to the incredible energy of volunteers, sponsors, donors, and friends, our 9th Annual Fundraiser was a huge success! Together, we’ve shown what’s possible when community comes together with purpose.

theaccurrent.com/a-sold-out-e...

Ready for our last Watershed Explorers trailer day of the school year!

Putting more good into the world. Our third and final day of Watershed Explorers for Napa Junction 4th graders. We had a great time!

Watershed Explorers in action!

Working hard to make the world a better place. Today we brought our Teen WILD volunteers and the community together for our very first invasive ice plant removal day at the wetlands . Thanks to all who helped! #napariverecologycenter #naparcd #cityofamericancanyon

Last night, Teen WILD members were honored to receive the Earth Day Proclamation from the City of American Canyon. The youngest Teen WILD member, Quinn, gave an update about Teen WILD events and projects and invited City Council and community members to their first invasive plant removal day.

Prepping for invasive plant removal at the American Canyon wetlands on the Napa River.

Four staff members on the green trail at Skyline Wilderness Park.

We are making things happen in Napa County. Parks Foundation staff joined Napa County Resource Conservation District and the Land Trust of Napa County Napa Land Trust at Skyline Wilderness Park to discuss field day planning for two Napa 4th-grade classes. @napariverecocenter.bsky.social

American Canyon Wetlands at the Napa River. Still and blue day with thousands of birds.

Siblings walking and in hand at Newell Open Space, the sun is low in the sky, the trail and hills are golden.

Teen WILD volunteers enjoying their new office space

We love our community and the outdoors! How about you? Share your love of nature with us.

Getting the Teen WILD volunteer space ready to welcome our kids!

Watershed Explorer is trying fennel for the first time. 4th grader in a puffy jacket and glasses, happily hold his fennel.

Whale Tail grant program for the California Coastal Commission logo. Says " Whale Tail License Plate, Protect our COasts and Oceans Fund"

We are excited to announce that the California Coastal Commission’s Whale Tail Grant Program has voted to award a grant to the Parks Foundation for our Watershed Explorers and our new Watershed Protectors programs, providing funding through Spring 2027!

We are making progress. Baby steps and giant steps.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Napa River wetlands.
#dayofservice #trashcleanup #doinggood

Ecology center in American Canyon expected to start construction late 2025. Here’s what is planned The project is envisioned as an education hub, with teaching gardens, community courtyards, offices and an outdoor deck overlooking the wetlands.

Thank you to the Press Democrat for the great article about our Napa River Ecology Center Project. www.pressdemocrat.com/article/napa...

#napariverecologycenter #pressDemocrat #ParksFoundation #JoyHilton #NapaValley #environmentalED

7th graders silhouetted with the Napa River experiencing an extreme high tide on a glass beach.

The last group of 7th graders was able to get out into the wetlands between the rain! They even got to experience the (almost) king Tide. We served over 340 7th graders this fall! #environmentalED #getouside #handsonlearning

Ready for the Napa County Watershed Symposium. Our ED, Janelle Sellick will give a presentation about our Eco Center project. #napa #napariverwatershed

Teen volunteers with reindeer antlers and a green Reindeer Run counter t-shirt dancing with a volunteer in a Rodoulph costume.

We are running to the start line for the 14th annual Reindeer Run!
So many festive activities are planned this week, including packet pick-up events, dine & donate Restaurant, and the BIG event on Sat, Dec 7th, at Wetlands Edge Trail. Visit runsignup.com/Race/CA/Amer... #reindeerrun #outside

It's a beautiful morning in American Canyon. Do yourself a favor and try to get outside for a minute.

Green Friday Community Oak Planting Day - Napa County RCD 9-11:30am  •  Alston Park Join Us for Green Friday—Let’s Opt Outside for the Oaks! Looking for an awesome way to get outdoors, give back, and have a blast with your community? Come join us for Green F...

Napa RCD - Community Oak Planting Day
Friday, Nov 29 - 9-11:30amAlston Park, Napa
Celebrate Green Friday by joining RCD for a fun, hands-on day of giving back to the environment! Help Napa's oak trees thrive—perfect for all ages and abilities. NapaRCD.org/OakDay24 .

We have the week off for Thanksgiving. We are thankful to get kids outside, away from their screens, and learning in nature.

Two coyotes crossing the trail on a raining Friday morning. One is paused, looking at the person taking the photo.

Today, a community member saw two beautiful coyotes on the wetlands trail (zoomed pic). Here are a few quick tips to keep people and wildlife safe. 1. Never feed wildlife. 2. Keep your dogs on leash. 3. If you feel they are too close, make some noise, clap your hands, etc. 4. Keep your distance.

Young teen standing on a log above a tidal marsh beach. The sun has almost set behind him, and the sky is pink and light blue.

It's a rainy day in the Bay Area, so we are sharing this reminder of warmer days. The Napa River and American Canyon Wetlands love to show off at sunset.

I know there is no bad weather, just bad clothing. Unfortunately, not every kid can access good rain gear, so we must reschedule our next two Wetlands field days. MMMM.... Maybe there is a grant idea in there.

We would love to be included!

7th-grade students learning how to skip rocks at the American Canyon Glass Beach. Beautiful blue sky and calm Napa River waters.

We had a great time getting ACMS 7th graders out to the American Canyon Wetlands on Monday. Unfortunately, we might have to reschedule the planned trips for tomorrow and Friday. We don't want them wet and miserable in heavy rain and 20 mph winds. That is not the introduction we are going for.

Our Teen WILD volunteers were busy on the Wetlands Edge Trail, teaching the community about King Tides and why they happen. Today was great, and we are so proud of our volunteers.

Tidal wetlands, surrounded by Tule reeds. Six swans are in the background while ducks and shorebirds fill the brackish water. A stand of eucalyptus trees line the horizon.

It's a beautiful day in American Canyon, CA. The Napa River wetlands are an inspirational spot just to be.