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PRESIDENT'S REPORT
By Peter Ingram
 Each
new year the Board of Directors meets to install newly elected Board members,
elect a Director Emeritus, elect officers and designate an Executive Committee.
In this important annual process, it is the president’s role to formulate our
goals and committee structure for the year ahead, and to gain consensus that the
course is appropriately set. The 2000 roster of Executive Committee members and
their areas of responsibility can be found on page 5. Contact them if you wish
to get involved.
The primary challenges that will receive focused attention in 2000 are:
Weed Management Program
Edgewood is under siege by Yellow star-thistle. In the summer of 1999 we
marshaled our resources and energy to confront this threat and in doing so we
learned anew that this organization, along with California Native Plant society
(CNPS) and the County staff, can make a real difference right where it matters
the most: in the grasslands of the Preserve. We also learned that to achieve
long-term success, we must mount and sustain a significant, sophisticated and
well-planned program that relies on careful experimentation, monitoring and
analysis of results over time. To that end, I had the pleasure of attending a
meeting on January 10th of County Parks staff, Gail Raabe, the County
agricultural commissioner, Don Mayall and Ken Himes from CNPS and Bill Korbholz,
Susan Sommers and myself from the Friends. Bill, Ken and Kathy Korbholz had put
together a superb presentation which highlighted the history of exotics removal,
the results of the 1999 effort and the elements of an approach for the years
ahead. The most exciting part for me was the proposal to form a 3-way
partnership between the County, CNPS and the Friends to design and execute a
weed management plan for Edgewood. I think everyone left that room energized by
the presentation and excited by the possibilities.
Education
The Docent Program is undergoing a significant
transformation this year. A new docent manual has been developed, a stronger
training curriculum implemented and annual “kick-off” sessions have been
conducted for all the docents. Dianne Hunt and Katherine Greene and their ad hoc
task force (John Allen, Carol Belew, Kathy and Bill Korbholz and myself) have
invested many hours assessing docent and participant feedback from last year’s
program and incorporating the learning into the 2000 program.
Last year’s community outreach effort has evolved into the Schools
Outreach Program. I anticipate that there will be a stronger linkage to the
Docent Program this year as a result of the significant increase in request
walks for groups, many from local schools and youth groups. Carol Hankermeyer
will need our help in bringing people resources to this effort as we build on
the successful relationships she has developed with educators in the area.
The Trail Patrol is at an interesting juncture: Many of the blatant
user problems encountered in the past years have subsided, while the ‘stealth
outlaws” continue to slip into the preserve with their dogs or bikes at the
edges of the weekdays. This year, we will continue to make adjustments that will
enhance our ability to be proactive educators while encouraging the County to
increase their enforcement activities. Frank Figoni has stepped forward to fill
the coordinator role for the Friends.
With the appointment of Bill Korbholz to the board of Directors of the San
Mateo County Parks Foundation, the Edgewood Visitor's Center is a step closer to
eventual reality. Bill can leverage his in-depth knowledge of Edgewood to bring
special focus to the Visitor’s Center campaign.
Communication
Whether it is our ever-increasing presence on the Internet, our outstanding
newsletter, or the way we structure better ways to communicate with the County
and other organizations, communication is a vital part of what we do. I have
accepted Ranger Trejo’s invitation to establish monthly field meetings to
improve the level of dialogue on issues specific to stewardship of the Preserve
We will also be meeting quarterly with Director Mary Burns and her staff to
discuss “big picture” issues such as staffing levels and funding.
Recruitment of Volunteers
The structure of the 2000 Executive Committee reflects our best effort to
align our precious people resources such that all of our varied activities will
continue to grow, flourish and stay focused, while we engage in a long-term weed
management effort. I ask that every member seek some way to take advantage of
the many opportunities for volunteerism, which will in turn assist the County in
bringing much-needed resources to Edgewood.
2000 promises to be another active year for the Friends, as we strive to
preserve and protect Edgewood for the future. Let’s go to work! ` | 