2008 Year-end Review

A TIME FOR GIVING THANKS - 2008 REVIEW

Looking back over 2008, it is clear we have plenty for which to be thankful. See 2008 Donor List.

In February Huell Howser was our guest to film an episode of California's Gold. We could not have picked a better day - the weather was gorgeous and the views of the snow-capped San Bernardino Mountains in the background were spectacular. Huell and his team did a marvelous job of conveying both the beauty and the ecological importance of Upper Newport Bay (UNB), and the essence of the preservation, restoration and education performed by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), California Coastal Commission (CCC), Orange County Parks (OC Parks) and the Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends (NBNF). Thank you, Huell and your team.

NBNF is a volunteer-driven organization. Our Naturalists routinely contribute over 10,000 documented hours of volunteer service a year at UNB. In March we said au revoir, but hopefully not goodbye, to Naturalist Tom Fox as he prepared to embark on a road trip across the USA to spread his can-do attitude to grass-roots conservation and restoration.

Tom, who received the OC Wild Lifetime Award in 2007, epitomizes the spirit of volunteerism. He is admired by all the many agency staff and other volunteers with whom he has interacted. His enthusiastic, positive approach inspires those around him. Tom is a graduate of the Naturalist Class of 1992. Since then Tom accumulated over 5,000 volunteer hours here at UNB. Although this contribution is in itself remarkable, what makes it even more remarkable is that Tom lived and worked in San Bernardino County. Thank you, Tom. And thank you to all of our many other dedicated volunteers.

In May the opening ceremony was held for the Back Bay Science Center (BBSC) - a 13,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility built through a partnership of DFG, the City of Newport Beach, the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA), and the University of California Irvine (UCI). Its mission is to provide a hands-on facility where students and the public can study and enjoy the estuarine ecology of UNB - the largest remaining natural estuary in southern California - and the marine ecology of the ocean; and to promote natural resource conservation and stewardship throughout the watershed.

The facility includes the HCA water quality lab responsible for bacterial analysis of water samples collected at the local beaches, and a teaching lab equipped for research-based science education. Here high-school students will be able to work side-by-side with some of the region's top scientists. We are proud to be a major partner in the BBSC. Thank you to Miocean, State Coastal Conservancy, Pacific Life Foundation and The Irvine Company for providing the financial support that enabled construction to be completed during a time of dramatic worldwide escalation in the cost of concrete, steel and other building materials.

Over the years UNB has been a magnificent source of inspiration for artists of the Southern California Plein Air Painters Association (SOCALPAPA), and its members wanted to give something back to the Bay. This led them to organize in 2003 the first annual "Paint Back Bay" Fine Art Exhibition and Sale to benefit NBNF, with 30% of all sales going to support the restoration and education programs we conduct at UNB.

This year the event moved from October to July and the paintings by more than 60 artists on display at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center highlighted the Bay in its spring and summer colors. Additionally this year, there was a separate competition to select a plein air painting to be recreated at mural size as part of a stunning new exhibit at the entrance to the Interpretive Center that will introduce visitors to the concept of an estuary. Nearly 40 SOCALPAPA artists submitted entries. The winner of the $5,000 purchase award was local artist Greg LaRock. We look forward to working with the OC Parks staff to transform the Interpretive Center in 2009. Thank you SOCALPAPA, and all who bought paintings at the event.

In September our 19th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day was held at UNB. This event showcased a great partnership between DFG, OC Parks, CCC, the City of Newport Beach, the Newport Sea Base, the Newport Aquatic Center, the Rotary Club of Newport Balboa and other local Rotary Clubs, NBNF and other organizations. Thank you to all of the event organizers, sponsors and the over 1,000 members of the public who helped us collect more than 20,000 lbs. of trash and recyclables from around UNB.

In October we held a donor cultivation event at the new Back Bay Bistro in the Newport Dunes Resort to seek funding to complete the outfitting of the BBSC teaching lab and allow it to reach its full potential. Middle and high school teachers throughout Orange County and beyond eagerly await the opportunity to bring their classes to the BBSC. Nearly 200 science teachers responded to a comprehensive survey seeking input on 30 lab and/or field activities that may be offered here. Once fully equipped we will be able to show high-school students from under-served areas how easy it is to become real researchers engaged in rigorous scientific inquiry in an important and inspiring context, and provide opportunities for higher level students to perform world class research. Thank you to those whose attended the event and/or have made a donation.

In November we commemorated 40 years of "Friends Tours" at UNB with the official opening of Vista Point and the unveiling of a lasting tribute to Frank and Frances Robinson, who were instrumental in the creation of the UNB Ecological Reserve in 1975. The old "Friends Lookout" site at the corner of Eastbluff and Back Bay Drives has been completely re-landscaped, terraced bench seating installed, and a Robinson memorial plaque erected.

Jay Robinson and Lane Koluvek at Vista Point

Thank you to the many Friends who contributed in one way or another to the preservation of UNB. And thank you to all those whose financial and other support has allowed this important project to be completed.

As we approach the end of 2008, we wish to say a special thank-you to Congressman Ed Royce for championing the allocation of $12.2 million in the fiscal 2010 federal Continuing Resolution budget bill to fund completion of the UNB Ecosystem Restoration Project.

Though Upper Newport Bay is not within his congressional district, he appreciates its significance as an educational, recreational, ecological and commercial resource of regional and national importance and has spent time to ensure that it gets the priority it deserves. Thank you Congressman Royce and all those who have worked to obtain federal and local funding of this vital undertaking.

As a non-profit organization, NBNF operates with the generous financial and in-kind support of individuals and families, corporations, foundations and partnering organizations. We thank you all.

If you are already a Friend, we hope that you will continue that support by renewing your individual or family membership for 2008. If you are not yet a Friend, please take this opportunity to join us by completing and returning the Friends membership form. Perhaps you know someone who would be interested in becoming a member. Pass on the form or take out membership in their name as a holiday gift.

For more information on our Friends and Corporate Membership programs and other giving opportunities, please call (949) 640-1751.