From the President
by Peter LaTourrette
Life at the Committee is never dull. As you can see in our spring issue of Green Footnotes, much has happened over the fall and winter—some things anticipated, others not.
We mourn the sad loss of our co-founder and the "first lady of the environment" Lois Crozier Hogle, remembered here in Zoe Kersteen-Tucker's article.
Our advocacy work on parks and the Santa Clara County initiative proceeds much as anticipated. But the Stanford trail situation has taken a turn for the worse. And we were "blindsided" by the announcement of Menlo Park's plans to gut Bayfront Park for a golf course and playing fields. In this issue, Lennie Roberts writes eloquently about Bayfront, but I would like to add a personal note.
Why I believe we must preserve Bayfront Park
As some of you know, I am a serious (compulsive?) bird photographer. I have in my files a 35mm slide of Western Sandpipers in flight taken in 1979 where Bayfront Park now stands. Twenty-five years later I revisited Bayfront to see and photograph a rare bird (Lark Bunting) that had been discovered wintering there. Last fall I returned for another rarity, a Rusty Blackbird. I made several visits, at least a dozen, not only for the rare blackbird, but for the Burrowing Owls, for the waterfowl and shorebirds, and simply to walk the trails and see more of the park.
I am always blown away by the "natural" beauty and wildlife habitat on this skillfully reconfigured landfill. But, to me, most impressive of all is the high level of public use, not necessarily by birders like myself, but by individuals and families from nearby communities—Redwood City, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, and unincorporated areas of the County—many of whom may never set foot on a golf course. I think it would be the height of mean-spiritedness to take this park away from them!
CGF Board Retreat
In December, our Board of Directors held a retreat that was skillfully organized and facilitated by many, but especially CompassPoint consultant JR Yeager and CGF Interim Executive Director Judith Steiner. Many issues, both "outward" and "inward," were considered and discussed, some leading to decisions, others opening more questions. Among the open outward questions are whether to extend our program area through and beyond southern Santa Clara County, and whether the Committee should take a position on housing issues. We welcome feedback from our members on both of these questions.
Inward issues include board governance in general, and the need to form additional committees both to spread the workload and to increase overall board participation. One of our new committees will focus on our advocacy programs, and ways we can encourage member participation.
FreePledge.com
FreePledge is an online shopping service that is the brainchild of several Stanford students and alumni—founded to help nonprofit organizations raise funds through innovations and technology. It acts as a gateway to more than 100 online retailers, including Amazon, Apple, Macy's and Target, and each purchase generates a donation to your nonprofit of 5% or more of the purchase price at no price increase to you. CGF joined FreePledge in November, and I have managed to use it for most of my online shopping since then.
When buying online, please check out the FreePledge site first, because your purchase there will make a donation to CGF. To reach the site, go to http://cgf.freepledge.com or click the FreePledge icon at the bottom of CGF's home page. But we do encourage you to support independent local businesses as much as you can.
Our challenge continues
CGF's work is never easy…and it never ends. In December, on a day that I think back on as "Black Tuesday," the Boards of Supervisors of both counties made decisions that went against our positions. But we do not give up, and with the encouragement and support of our membership and the community, we will continue our efforts to preserve the open space that surrounds our communities and makes living here so special.
Published April 2006 in Green Footnotes.
Page last updated May 12, 2006.
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