Friends of Sausal Creek |
"What am I offered for this Mimulus aurantiacus?" shouted auctioneer Mark Rauzon at the Friends of Sausal Creek (FOSC) summer fundraiser at the Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, Oakland's oldest residence. Bids flew for the Native Color Garden sticky monkey flower (common name for the above plant in English), pearly everlasting, evening primrose, and California fuchsia. Ten collections of California native plants with colorful titles like Wood's Edge Garden, The Dappled Light Garden, and The Native Plant Starter Kit were auctioned. |
"What can I do with these native plants?" asked Councilmember Jean Quan."Just add water," joked Rauzon.The fundraising event netted over $2,000 for Friends of Sausal Creek, with the native plant auction bringing in close to $500. This first-ever FOSC plant auction offered many of the 200 species of native plants found in the Sausal Creek watershed. Peter Kvalen, Peralta House Board member, told of the history of the Peralta House and its environs and described plans to create a fourth-grade onsite curriculum focusing on the historic role of Peralta Hacienda for Oakland Public School students. Many companies besides the Peralta House Board, which generously provided use of the building and grounds, donated items to make the event a success, including K.P. Corporation, which covered printing and mailing postcards to FOSC members, and Kermit Lynch Winery, which donated wine. The Joaquin Miller Native Plant Nursery, managed by FOSC since 2001, produces quality native plant stock for restoration projects in the Sausal Creek watershed. Every plant in the nursery, located high on a hill in Joaquin Miller Park above the Woodminster Theater, was started from seed gathered in the watershed. On Saturdays volunteers work at the nursery moving plants, weeding, pruning, and collecting seed. For the past four years, Oakland school children have participated in propagating plants at the nursery. "Anyone who likes to mess around with plants and dirt would love this work," commented longtime nursery volunteer Karen Paulsell, who helped choose and arrange the native plant offerings for the auction. Last year the nursery provided more than 4,000 plants, including 3,000 to the Sausal Creek watershed and 1,000 to other places such as school gardens, civic organizations, and other creeks. A group can volunteer time in the nursery as barter for receiving plants. Asked why native plants are important, FOSC Board member Rauzon, an ornithologist for over 30 years, said that natives provide food for butterflies and insects, which attract birds. "By planting what is appropriate to this area, we promote biodiversity and preserve the natural landscape." Selling and auctioning native plants to the public is something the Friends of Sausal Creek is investigating with the City of Oakland. The Peralta House party only covered the Friends of Sausal Creek budget for two weeks. "We have a funding problem," said Sheelah Weaver, president of Friends of Sausal Creek. "If we can get permission to sell native plants commercially, it could go a long way to solving that problem." For more information about Friends of Sausal Creek, visit www.sausalcreek.org, call 501-FOSC, or e-mail coordinator\@sausalcreek.org. Monthly meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Dimond Library. Half of every meeting is devoted to an educational speaker. |
