Updates from EYNC Leadership

Dear ARNHA Volunteer,

You most likely have observed some physical changes to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center these past few months.

One of the most significant and legal necessities was moving Fund Development and Marketing Department into the old catch-all storage and printer room. We did this because we needed a discrete and secure space for Finance staff to process informational sensitive tasks such as payroll, cash drawer and deposit counting/money handling, prepare tax documents, print checks, and for employees to privately meet with our Human Resources consultant regarding confidential personnel needs (benefits, pay changes, PTO, evaluations, archive files, etc.)

Performing these processes out in the open in the back main office was not best labor code and/or cash handling processes. It was not respecting the valued employees of the Nature Center.

Marketing and Fund Development are now moved into the freshly painted new space (adjacent to the lobby) with a few more upgrades and surprises to come, which works splendidly because if visitors have membership or donation questions…they are right there to assist! (Also, if you haven’t already caught Kalee’s contagious, incredible laugh, you will now! GRIN)

Finance and Administrative Department (Belle and Team) are in process of moving into Fund Development’s old space. They are getting upgrades with paint and such very soon.

This also allows some of our Naturalists and Office Volunteers that have been crammed into nooks and crannies to move into now vacant real desks/cubicles! Which clears up the fire/emergency exit path through the office. (That’s a MetroFire and Cal OSHA win for us!)

Volunteers will also benefit from the switch as well, with spacious, new lockers to securely hold your backpacks and purses. Just bring your own combo lock!

The Discovery Gift Shop has also been remerchandised for Spring Cleaning and to maximize sales; just last weekend, we had almost $1800 in merchandise sales in two days (not including memberships or ARNHA wholesale book orders, wholly our store stock!)

While these “housekeeping” updates have been long coming to our ARNHA Board and EYNC staff with much planning and logistics, I recognize that to some Volunteers, they may feel sudden or abrupt. We appreciate your patience and kindness as we professionalize the Nature Center. Even bigger, more dynamic changes will be coming soon as the EYNC staff execute previously awarded revitalization grants, donation-funded projects, and County provided ADA renovations.

The Effie Yeaw Nature Center, a community outreach initiative of the American River Natural History Association, was awarded a substantial 2022 California Museum Grant: Nature Museum Renovation and Revitalization Project from the California Natural Resources Agency to overhaul our Nature Center, Gift Store, Welcome Area and Natural History Museum. Additionally, Sacramento County Regional Parks is contributing significant funding for many of the ADA elements that demand state and federal compliance. Lastly, other private donations for specialty components such as indoor/outdoor classroom/idea lab/multipurpose space, culturally appropriate exhibitions with indigenous stakeholdership, and American Zoological Association recommended animal enclosures will piggyback on this massive undertaking.

These changes may feel different at first, but at the end of the day, we all want our visitors to have an equitable, enjoyable, and enlightening experience at the new Effie Yeaw Nature Center. This initiative is truly going to change our Nature Center’s organizational trajectory. The renovations are to be completed by Winter 2025.

Many Thanks,

Rachael

Rachael Greve

Executive Director, Effie Yeaw Nature Center

2850 San Lorenzo Way

Carmichael, CA 95608

Office: (916) 875-3913

Mobile: (512) 709-8559

Volunteer Opportunities

If you do not have an access to VicNet (Online Volunteer Information Center) you may call, (916) 875-3912, or reply to this email to sign up for available service opportunities. Thank you for your time and consideration!

LINK to EYNC's VicNet login page

VicNet is an online feature that provides volunteers quick access to news and updates from the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Volunteers can review the scheduling calendar, sign-up for assignments, self cancel within 5 days of a service assignment, review their service history, and more: anytime, and from any device.

Volunteers needed to support the Effie Yeaw Nature Center's annual Bird and Breakfast events on

Saturday March 16 & Sunday, March 24, 2024!

Thank you for your time and consideration.

OPEN Positions for Traditional Bird & Breakfast.

Saturday, March 16.

7:30-10 AM. Bird Guide (5 open positions) to lead 6-12 participants on a 60-90 minute walk.
7:30-10 AM. Scope Monitor (2), to setup a tripod and scope for participants to view bird nests.
7:45-8:45 AM. Welcome Table (1), to check-in guests and provide name badges.
8-11:15 AM. ARNHA Publication Table (2), to display ARNHA books, ACORN Magazine, and share membership information.
8:30-11:30 AM. Silent Auction Table Assistant (1), connect with guests and provide information on how to participate in the silent auction.
10:45 AM - 12:45 PM. Event Cleanup Assistant (1).

OPEN Positions for Family Day Bird & Breakfast.

Sunday, March 24.

7:30-9 AM. Bird Guide Coordinator (1 open position) communicates with Bird Guides to review routes, set order of departures, assign guests to their guide and their meeting location.
7:30-10 AM. Bird Guide (5) to lead 6-12 participants on a 60-90 minute walk.
7:30-10 AM. Scope Monitor (2), to setup a tripod and scope for participants to view bird nests.
7:45-8:45 AM. Welcome Table (1), to check-in guests and provide name badges.
8-11:15 AM. ARNHA Publication Table (2), to display ARNHA books, ACORN Magazine, and share membership information.
8:30-11:30 AM. Silent Auction Table Assistant (1), connect with guests and provide information on how to participate in the silent auction.
10:45 AM - 12:45 PM. Event Cleanup Assistant (1).

Visit VicNet to view all available event positions. Thank you!

Photo of Red-shouldered Hawks captured by Jim Hargrove.

All About Birds, Red-shouldered Hawk

Landscape Maintenance &

Project Work Dates

Join in to support landscape maintenance tasks and special projects around the center.

Must signup in advance of the work date, space is limited.

Friday, March 8, 2-5 pm.
Friday, March 22, 2-5 pm.

Pictured: Volunteer, Iliana Fuentes, supporting the January 4, 2024 workday.

Pictured: Melanie Loo, Marti Ikehara, MaryAnn Robinson, and Elena Carissimi removing non-native plants in the nature study area on June 24, 2023.

Habitat Restoration

Work Dates

The Habitat Restoration Team (HRT) at EYNC invites you to attend a work day event. Must signup in advance. The below dates and times are scheduled work days, weather permitting.

Monday, March 11, 2-3pm HRT meeting via Zoom.
Saturday, March 23, 9am-12pm.

You are invited to the third annual Full Moon Social Hike on Monday, March 25, from 6 - 8:30 PM. Please signup on VicNet or confirm attendance with Jacqueline.

Free Onsite Learning Opportunities at EYNC

Link to Register for the February Workshop

During this workshop on 2/24, UC Davis graduate students Sage Madden and Ian Haliburton will introduce you to the apps iNaturalist, eBird, and Merlin.

Saturday, March 9, Giving Nests our Bests: Volunteer Training to Document and Protect Nesting Birds in the American River Parkway and Beyond (Free workshop).

Link to Register for the March Workshop

Links above to register for the February 24 and March 9, workshops hosted by UC Davis Graduate Students Sage Madden and Ian Haliburton.

Thursday, March 21, 11am-12pm, Lyme Fight Foundation presentation in the Assembly Building. Please signup on VicNet or call the nature center to confirm your attendance.

Under the Oaks Book Club

Sunday, March 3, 11 AM

An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by author Ed Yong

For more information or to join the mailing list, contact carries@sacnaturecenter.net

VicNet is available as a mobile app!

VicNet is the online volunteer portal that allows volunteers to login from their phone or computer to self-schedule, receive important updates from EYNC, update their profile information, and more.

VicNet Login button can be found on the top bar of the SacNatureCenter.net webpage!

Thank you!

Jacqueline Ramirez | Certified Volunteer Administrator

Manager of Volunteer Programs

JacquelineR@SacNatureCenter.net

Direct: (916) 875-3912

Office: (916) 876-4918