Rediscovering the shoreline

October 30, 2007 – Chris Treadway

A LOT OF GROUPS and individuals that put year-round effort into studying, cleaning and restoring waterways and Bay shoreline in West County are inviting the community to spend an entertaining and informative afternoon and see what it’s all about.

The third Richmond Shoreline Festival, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, will offer activities for all ages, interpretive hikes and a barbecue at picturesque Point Pinole Regional Shoreline in Richmond.

The day will include informational displays, conversations with public officials and an open mic poetry slam.

The free celebration is being staged by more than a dozen environmental and community organizations that do environmental work in the city. Sponsoring groups include the North Richmond Shoreline Open Space Alliance in partnership with Citizens for East Shore Parks, Community Health Initiative, Golden Gate Audubon Society, Natural Heritage Institute, North Richmond Municipal Advisory Council, Parchester Village Neighborhood Council, the Sierra Club, Urban Creeks Council, the Watershed Project and West County Toxics Coalition.

“They do a lot of events. This is probably the most fun one,” said Rich Walkling, operations manager and senior restoration planner for the Natural Heritage Institute in San Francisco. “It’s a good-time event. Everything else is work, for the most part.”

As evidenced by the number of sponsoring groups, there is a growing interest in Richmond’s shoreline as a natural and recreational resource. Saturday’s event is intended to increase awareness.

“It’s one of those things we try to do to get people out and witness the shoreline firsthand,” Walkling said. “A lot of people don’t know about Point Pinole or what it has to offer.”

Point Pinole is an example of a shoreline area once used for industry and now returned to a more natural state. The festival will include a ranger-led tour of the park as well as an Audubon Society bird walk and a marsh walk led by the Watershed Project.

To reach Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, turn onto Giant Highway from Richmond Parkway and proceed to the park entrance.

Source: Contra Costa Times
For details on the festival, contact Walkling at rpw@n-h-i.org or
415-693-3000, Ext. 109, or visit http://www.shorelineacademy.org.