May 28, 2009 Chapter Meeting at Jasper Ridge

Where: Stanford University's Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve
4001 Sand Hill Road, Woodside, CA (see directions below)

When: Thursday, May 28th, 6:30 – 9:00 pm (hike to begin at 5:30)

Why: To network with local conservation biology students and professionals, learn something new about on-the-ground application of conservation biology in central California, hear about upcoming programs and field trips, have a great meal, and have fun!

Because this program will focus on the future of Searsville Lake, we’ve scheduled a walk to Searsville Dam starting at 5:30. If you can’t make it for the walk, networking in the field station will begin at 6:30 pm. The business meeting will start at 7:00 pm with dinner at 7:30 pm. The program starts at 8:00 pm.

Dinner will be pizza from Pizz’a Chicago in Palo Alto (approximate cost ~$10/person). Please RSVP by Tuesday May 26.

Program: Our program format will be a bit different from prior programs, as we’ll have two speakers addressing different perspectives on a local conservation issue. Dr. Philippe Cohen, director of Stanford University’s Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, and chapter co-president Matt Stoecker, director of Beyond Searsville Dam, will be presenting “San Francisquito Creek and Searsville Dam: what can the future look like?”

As the administrative director of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, Philippe is responsible for the continuing ecological health of the Preserve and support of research and educational programs there. Philippe has been actively involved in studies of the effects of siltation on Searsville Lake, the alternatives for addressing siltation issues, and the future of the lake and dam.

Matt is a principal biologist and owner of Stoecker Ecological, a natural resources assessment and restoration consulting firm based in Portola Valley and Santa Barbara. Having grown up in Portola Valley, Matt has a long history of involvement in local stream and salmonid restoration issues, and he is director of the recently formed Beyond Searsville Dam, a nonprofit group promoting the removal of Searsville Dam.

An RSVP is required so that we can plan dinner. Please RSVP Click Here*. If you cannot attend the meeting but wish to join the chapter, please see the chapter website.

We hope you can join us! For more information on the meeting, the chapter, and upcoming programs and field trips, please see our chapter website or contact Matt Stoecker (matt@stoeckerecological.com) or Don Arnold (darnold@valleywater.org).

Please forward this email and get the word out to interested friends and colleagues!