Almost 200 volunteers from groups like PG&E and Oracle descended on Angel Island April 14th to participate in Earth Day activities. Sponsored by the California State Parks Foundation, activities ranged from painting, picnic table assembly, to a good ol’ fashioned beach cleanup.

Working closely with a Park staff member, volunteers also cleared culverts and helped to build new railings on McComas Pier in Ayala Cove, to provide visitors with a safe and beautiful spot to lunch or wait for a ferry.

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to work and hopefully many will come back with family and friends this summer!

Angel Island Conservancy has been selected as the non-profit recipient of the May 9th Community Giving Day at Whole Foods Market. On Community Giving Day – also known as a “5% Day” – Whole Foods donates five percent of its net sales to a deserving, local nonprofit.

It’s easy to give, all you have to do is shop at Whole Foods Market, Miller Avenue on May 9th and Angel Island Conservancy will receive much needed funding for its programs in support of Angel Island State Park!

So please visit the Whole Foods Miller Avenue location on Wednesday, May 9, and bring a long shopping list with you. Not only will you get your shopping done, but you will learn more about Angel Island Conservancy and the work we are doing to create an awe-inspiring visitor experience on Angel Island.

All May 9th Whole Foods shoppers will be eligible for a raffle. The winner receives an “Angel Island Fun Package” – a trip for four to Angel Island, including ferry ride, Whole Foods lunches, and a guided Diggler scooter tour of the island.

This opportunity is only available
at the Whole Foods Market located at:

414 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA
8:00am – 8:00pm

Angel Island Conservancy works in partnership with Angel Island State Park to raise funds and develop programs for a local treasure that has something for everyone. We do this with our community for our community. Whether we’re offering a scholarship funding visits for underserved students or helping implement a master plan to revitalize the entire island, we are working with our park partners and supporters to transform Angel Island into one of the Bay Area’s must-see destinations.

Whole Foods Market is the world’s largest retailer of natural and organic foods, with stores throughout North America and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods on Miller Ave will be celebrating its 20th year anniversary this July. Whole Foods’ team members are part of the local community and are passionate about supporting the local causes that are important to Whole Foods shoppers and neighbors.

Backcountry was inspired to make the film when they read about the proposal to build a six-lane toll road through San Onofre State Beach in Orange County. David Vassar, Co-founder of Backcountry Pictures, pointed out that, “If we are having a “reasonable discussion” about building a freeway through a state park, then there is a serious disconnect.” David thought it was the right time to make a television program that would remind people of the priceless legacy that state parks protect and to celebrate the individual citizens who worked so hard to preserve them.

After nearly a year of scouting and writing, Backcountry began shooting in October of 2009. Their most difficult decision was how to narrow down the list of 278 parks. They eventually decided to highlight the natural preserves and historic sites that best represent the crucial turning points in the history of California State Parks. Beginning in Yosemite in 1864, the story moves through redwoods, coastal lands, deserts, the Sierra Nevada, and yes,it also includes our beloved Angel Island State Park.

After 61 days of shooting in 47 different parks over two years, and months of editing, they completed a 75-minute film, brought the program to KQED thinking they would be interested in presenting it to a California audience. KQED recommend to cut it down to a PBS hour and broadcast to a national audience. Backcountry was delighted by their enthusiasm, but after discovering the embarrassment of riches held in California State Park story, Backcountry feared a single, one-hour episode would not do the story justice. KQED agreed, and off they went to produce Episode Two; a collection of contemporary short stories that illustrate the challenges that parks are facing now that will become common in the future.

As of today, Backcountry has completed a 75-minute film that is enjoying screenings in festivals, as well as two, one-hour episodes, that will screen in sneak previews and film festivals before airing on PBS this Fall. Backcounry is still raising funds to conform the program to the PBS “template” as well as funds for promotion and publicity. They are now well on their way and shared with us the excitment of their journey.

We also urge you to share this news and the website for CALIFORNIA FOREVER with all your family, friends, and colleagues. With the imminent closures scheduled for this summer, our treasured California Parks are further in danger of abandonment.

Learning opportunities extend far beyond the classroom, but schools are finding it more and more difficult to fund student trips to museums, historical sites and cultural organizations.  Field trip grants help give children these unique, firsthand learning experiences.

Thanks in part to generous donations from the community, AIC has awarded “scholarships” to qualifying low-income schools to visit Angel Island State Park for educational purposes as well as to participate in volunteer service opportunities in which they help to maintain and restore this unique environment.

At the average cost of $1,500 per group, to date, funds received have made visiting possible for over 1,300 students and their 200 chaperones. Below is a list of recently awarded “scholarships.”

• River Glen Middle School (San Jose), 58 students & 20 chaperones
• Commodore Sloat Elementary (San Francisco), 63 students & 12 chaperones
• Gordon J.S. Lau Elementary (San Francisco), 31 students & 4 chaperones
• Hercules High (Hercules), 100 students & 15 chaperones

The outcome of this program is an increased number of young Bay Area citizens who not only gain awareness, appreciation and connection to nature and history, but also contribute to restoring, maintaining and creating future support for one of the Bay Area’s most treasured cultural and natural resources.

These opportunities would not be possible without the communities financial support of Angel Island Conservancy.  Thank you!

 
Angel Island Conservancy’s newsletter the Halo is back with a new look and new contributors!

For many years the Halo was a monthly newsletter for the park’s volunteers and supporters. Today it returns, written by Park Staff with a similar purpose, but information for everyone whether you are staff, a volunteer, or a supporter.

Along with updates on programs and activities, you will find some useful information on ferry schedules, parking garage information, important phone numbers, plus updates on happenings both on and off the Island. As we move into the high season, a calendar of events will also be added so you can plan to join us in the fun!

As always the Halo is for you, so if you have topics you would like to see covered, would like to contribute an article, have a question, or would like to be added to the distribution list, our email box is always open.

Check out the first two editions!

• Edition 1
• Edition 2

Pictured above - S3 team member Shannon Fiala, AIC Board member Lisa Klairmont, S3 members Krisitan Lau and Erin Koehler, AISP Superintendent Amy Brees, S3 members Frank Ma and Uday Tennety

 
February 5, 2012 was a memorable day for Angel Island Conservancy (AIC)’s S3 team from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business: Thanks to AIC Board member Lisa Klairmont and her husband, Harold, the S3 team got a 360 degree view and personal tour of Angel Island State Park on their power boat “Andiamo”.

Each fall ten nonprofits are selected to participate in Haas’ Social Sector Solutions (S3) Program, a 15-week strategy consultation during which a team of consultants works with the nonprofit on a mutually agreed-upon project. As part of this S3 project, our team, in partnership with McKinsey & Company, is tasked with determining the staffing and funding components necessary for AIC’s sustainable growth strategy. The tour of the island was intended to help the team members (Erin Koehler, Frank Ma, Kristian Lau, Shannon Fiala, and Uday Tennety) get a personalized in-depth view of the island, as well as its history and geography.

The day began with freshly brewed coffee at the San Francisco Yacht Club. Shortly, we were joined by AIC Board President Gail Dolton and her husband, Doug, and Park Superintendent, Amy Brees, and were off in our boat to Angel Island. We circled the island, and got a glimpse of the historical monuments and strategic locations of the important sites on the island. Once on Angel Island, we were able to see the operations of the island, and developed an understanding of the infrastructure needs. Amy gave us a detailed tour, narrating the entire history as well as explaining the significance of places and events.

What was eye-opening to the team was how close in proximity Angel Island is to San Francisco, and how it offers a quick get-away option from busy city life. We were amazed by the breathtaking views and the peacefulness of the island. The historical significance reinforced why it is critical to preserve, restore and enhance Angel Island State Park.

Thanks to Lisa, Harold, Gail, Doug, and Amy, the S3 team had a wonderful day, and is looking forward to working on this strategic project for AIC.

The We Players, a revolving collective of actors, dancers, and musicians, present performance events that transform public spaces into realms of participatory theater. The We Players bring communities together, reclaiming local spaces for public discourse and civic celebration through art. Extending the transformative powers of performance beyond the stage they invite collaborators and audiences to engage fully and awaken to the spectacular world around us.

In a historic multi-year partnership with the California State Parks, the We Players will bring their unique site-specific, interactive performance work to Angel Island State Park, the largest island in the bay.

We Players‘ adaptation of The Odyssey will unfold across Angel Island throughout the year, with education programs and weekend performances May 12 – July 1, 2012. For details visit the We Players site.

Throughout the month of December, the ‘Angel Lights’ shine from the top of Angel Island. The lights are ‘adopted‘ by community members as a thoughtful thanks to a friend or relative, as a remembrance of a loved one, or as recognition of someone who makes this world a better place to live. In turn these ‘adoptions’ provide financial assistance for the mission of the Angel Island Conservancy in support of Angel Island State Park.

On December 1st the 6th annual Angel Lights Benefit and Countdown to the lighting of the Angel Lights took place at the Corinthian Yacht Club. Back by popular demand, the evening’s host was Doug McConnell, of Bay Area Backroads and OpenRoad.tv fame.

Guests were treated to an array of delicious fare, cocktails, raffle prizes, and entertainment by the Marian Hubler Trio and guitarist Freddy Clarke. The live auction raised funds toward implementing the Park’s recently completed Interpretive Master Plan. And, the Fund-a-Need rally brought in donations to provide dozens of children with the ability to visit the island and experience learning opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.

Angel Island Conservancy is positioning itself to help facilitate a revitalization of Angel Island State Park, starting in the gateway to the island – Ayala Cove. This transformative work would not be possible without the financial support of our community and the work of our volunteers in preserving our legacy.

Thanks to our Sponsors, Benefit guests, Angel Light donors, State Park staff, event host, volunteers & photographer, and the CYC staff for making it such an enjoyable evening!

Event photos courtesy of David Bush.  Click on the images to view their full size.
And, check out Marin Magazine’s coverage of the Angel Lights Countdown Benefit.

‘Adopt‘ an ‘Angel Light’

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Alcatraz Island – aka “The Rock”

Sandwiched between rainy days, the high bidder at last year’s Angel Island Conservancy’s 5th annual Angel Lights Countdown Benefit auction, got lucky once again on the selection of her day for the special tour to explore Alcatraz. It was a glorious day of sunshine and stunning views!

Angel Island Conservancy’s generous Alcatraz tour auction winner shared the experience with “friends of Angel Island” and all were delighted by the “behind the scenes” tour and stories that only someone as knowledgeable and charming as the former Alcatraz National Park Service Site Supervisor (and now happily Angel Island State Park’s Superintendent) Amy Brees could provide.

A pre-tour feast of pastries by Taste Catering energized everyone to climb behind the cage where the guards watched over prisoners, explore the hospital, laundry, and other parts of the prison the public doesn’t get to see. And later, on the boat ride back to San Francisco, the group and ships captain enjoyed scrumptious cookies also by Taste Catering.

Co-hosts and former AIC board members, Guy Lampard & Suzanne Badenhoop, had as much fun as anyone – and they thank Amy Brees, the National Park Service,  Alcatraz Docent Corny Foster, Taste Catering, and Alcatraz Cruises for making the day possible.

You, too, can experience an adventure like this and others – all you have to do is attend AIC’s 6th Annual Angel Lights Countdown Benefit (save the date – December 1st) where attendees will have the rare opportunity to bid on experiences like this one.

Click on the below images to view their full-size. Photos by Suzanne Badenhoop.

About Alcatraz

Alcatraz Island offers a close-up look at the site of the first lighthouse and US built fort on the West Coast, the infamous federal penitentiary long off-limits to the public, and the 18 month occupation by Indians of All Tribes which saved the tribes. Rich in history, there is also a natural side to the Rock – gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and bay views beyond compare.

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