AUDUBON CANYON RANCH’S JUNIPER COMMITTEE HONORED AT SONOMA VALLEY FUND STARS CELEBRATION

ANNUAL EVENT FEATURES EXCEPTIONAL SONOMA COUNTY COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, LEADERS & NON-PROFITS

October 24, 2011–Glen Ellen, CA –Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR), a leader in conservation science, habitat protection and restoration, and environmental education, announced today that The Juniper Committee of Bouverie Preserve was honored at this year’s STARS event on Sunday, October 23, 2011, at The Hanna Boys Center.

The Juniper Committee is a group of trained volunteers that contribute over 500 hours of service each year to implement ACR’s Junior Naturalist Program.  The Junior Naturalist Program starts each year with the selection of 25-35 motivated 5th graders, and teaches them the natural history of the Bouverie Preserve.  The program also teaches the students how to identify the plants and animals of the Preserve, and introduces them to natural science methods.  Upon graduation, the students then assist and participate in a wide range of naturalist activities, including assisting adult guides, mentoring younger Junipers, going on investigative field trips, and participating in research projects, such as the Bouverie Preserve’s annual “newt count.”  The Juniper Committee is essential to the success of the Juniper Young Naturalist Program.

More than 200 community members regularly attend the annual STARS event, which honors exceptional volunteer activities and groups across Sonoma Valley.

For more information, visit www.egret.org. 

ABOUT SONOMA VALLEY FUND

Sonoma Valley Fund (SVF) was established in December 2006 as an affiliate of Community Foundation Sonoma County. Its mission is to strengthen our community through philanthropy and legacy giving. SVF is a resource for donors who wish to make charitable gifts, especially as part of their estate planning, to preserve and enhance the quality of life in 

Sonoma Valley.  Donors may make gifts through a variety of programs to benefit specific causes or rely on SVFʼs Board of Directors who are long-term, active residents of Sonoma Valley. Since inception, it has awarded more than $185,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.sonomavalleyfund.org. 

ABOUT BOUVERIE PRESERVE

The 535-acre Bouverie Preserve in Glen Ellen’s Valley of the Moon in Sonoma County, is home to diverse native ecosystems including oak woodlands, mixed evergreen forests, riparian, chaparral and grasslands.

Throughout the year, the preserve hosts numerous education programs that serve thousands of kids and adults every year. Programs include Guided Nature Walks, Backyard Naturalist Programs, Science Salons and its elementary school education program. These programs are inspired by David Bouverie, who donated the property to Audubon Canyon Ranch in 1979. Mr. Bouverie was enthusiastic about ACR’s education programs and wanted his lands to be used to educate and inspire children.

Bouverie Preserve’s numerous conservation science and habitat restoration projects are focused on grasslands, vernal pools, wildflowers and amphibians. The preserve is open to the public on selected Saturdays in the spring and fall.  For more information visit www.egret.org or call 707-938-4554.

ABOUT AUDUBON CANYON RANCH

Audubon Canyon Ranch protects nature through land preservation, environmental education and conservation science.

ACR’s Preserves include the Cypress Grove Research Center on Tomales Bay, the 535-acre Bouverie Preserve in Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon near Glen Ellen and the 1,000-acre Martin Griffin Preserve near Stinson Beach, which is home to one of the San Francisco Bay Area's most studied Great Egret nesting sites.

ACR recently announced an agreement with Jim and Shirley Modini to acquire the 1,725-acre Modini Ranch property, located in the Mayacamas Mountains in Sonoma County.

ACR is an independent non-profit organization with 501(c)3 status and has received Charity Navigator’s highest rating, 4 Stars. ACR is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society.

ACR’s programs are made possible thanks to the contribution of thousands of hours of volunteer service, and donations from caring individuals, foundations and businesses. For more information, call 415-868-9244, email acr@egret.org or visit www.egret.org.

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