The Napa Sierra Group joined other environmental organizations to celebrate Earth Day in American Canyon on Sunday, April 21^st.  The Napa Group was headed by Kate Bit--a Sierra Club Napa Group student intern--Nick Cheranich, the Napa Group ExCom Chair and its newsletter editor, and Scott Thomason, Treasurer of the Napa Group. (Photo: At the Napa Group Booth: Cheranich, Bit, and Thomason)

The event was hosted by the City of American Canyon and the American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation. “Earth Day was a wonderful experience for everyone involved,” stated Cheranich.  It was great to have so many environmental groups showcasing their individual expertise and getting adults and children involved in celebrating this hugely important, annual event,” Cheranich continued.

The Napa Group’s theme was Sea Level Rise and its importance to the Napa River wetlands.  Ms. Bit, a Sophomore at American Canyon High School, pictured below, demonstrated to participants how a watershed works and discussed its importance in carbon sequestration and in protecting homes in American Canyon from rising seas. She also added various ways in which people could advocate for the watershed’s protection, such as not polluting around them, and speaking/writing to their local politicians. To see a short video of Ms. Bit's presentation, click here.

Ms. Bit’s demonstration drew in small children who were fascinated by the model she used to represent their town and the wetlands. She was able to educate both young and old with her diverse teaching skills. “I thought the lessons went very well. I liked it when little kids would ask hard questions, and I’d have to really think about how to answer them,” Bit explained. (Photo: Bit, using the wetlands model, teaches about sea level rise in the wetlands)

The event drew hundreds of people who traveled from all over the Bay Area to take part and enjoy the festivities.  Other exhibitors included the Napa Audubon Society, UC Master Gardeners of Napa County, Napa Resource Conservation District, Marin Clean Energy, Recology of American Canyon, Napa Wildlife Rescue, Napa FireWise, American Canyon Arts Foundation, Canyon Oaks/Donaldson Way Garden Clubs, the Napa Transit Authority and Helping Hand Indo-American. (Photo: a view of the Wetlands)

The day’s activities included a beginning bird walk, tour of the American Canyon water reclamation facility, live music throughout the morning and an environmental art bike ride. 

Key Points About Our Wetlands. They help to

1. protect against flooding by dampening wave action during storms.
   1. we need to allow space for marsh migration, so we shouldn’t build new housing or warehouses around the tidal areas.
2. remove (sequester) CO2 from the atmosphere.
   1. photosynthesis removes carbon, and adds oxygen to the atmosphere.
3. filters out pollutants (like our kidneys do for us).
   1. climate change allows for more algal blooms that can kill aquatic life.
   2. Wetlands buffer against saltwater intrusion into groundwater.
4. maintain vital habitats for over 1,000 species of animals and plants.
   1. more than a million birds use SF Bay habitat during migration.
   2. loss of habitat will increase the extinction of important species.
5. make our lives more rewarding as a form of enjoyable recreation.

How to help:

enjoy the wetlands and share your experiences with others, including your elected officials. Protect wetlands against increased development.