MERG NEWS!

The big NEWS is that in October 2000,
MERG celebrates its third anniversary!

MERG -- the Mainstem Eel River Group -- enters its fourth year with a renewed commitment to its dual mission: improving the health of the mainstem Eel River watershed, while building community spirit among the residents.
At left Casterlin students and adults join together to collect trash from stream banks and roadsides in the annual Community Cleanup. Following the Cleanup is always a fun activity like a barbeque, a bonfire or a softball game.

MERG has always been an important part of the ABC Community, meeting monthly at the ABC Community Center in Alderpoint and participating in Casterlin School activities. Now that the ABC community is offcially an independent non-profit organization, MERG shares in that nonprofit status under the ABC umbrella!
Furthermore, MERG has received another SB271 grant from the CA Department of Fish and Game of approximately $12,000, which will help fund MERG activities, including education for adults and Casterlin students.

A particular focus will be to assist landowners in creating salmon habitat improvement projects on their property. This will involve meeting with the landowners to discuss erosion control, ranch road conditions and in-stream fish habitat improvements. Then the group will help locate funding sources including federal and state grants and tax breaks, expert advice and trained crews to do the work quickly and efficiently.

Local landowners are invited to call 926-1025 to find out how MERG can help them with land and stream managenment problems. MERG members working on this project include Norm Fearrien, Ethan Ricca, Buzz Lindsay, April Wilson and Andy Barnett.
Landowner and MERG member Bruce Handley has created three new projects for the Ford Ranch Stewarship Project. This consists of his and four of his neighbors contiguous properties in the Zenia area.
MERG member and Larabee landowner Rob Esher is working with the Larabee Road Association to create projects for Larabee Creek.
Ruth Goodfield of ERWIG will continue to offer advice and encouragement to the MERG project creators.

Marc Wilson and Stephanie Stefano will continue to create salmonid and Eel River educational material, including raising baby salmon in the classroom and going on field trips. Assisting them will be local AmeriCorps staff, and MERG members.
At left, AmeriCorps members Stu McMorrow and Randy Turner share their enthusiasm and knowledge with the 6,7&8th grade class.

Loreena Boswell will act as general MERG coordinator, and be responsible for programming the monthly meetings with help from Carol Rendler, April Wilson and Andy Barnett.
At right is the sign designed by Casterlin students Ashley Humphrey, Christie Pichulo, Kevin Clough and Rocket Carl, and painted by Frank Cieciorka, Karen Horn and Jennifer Wilson. The sign sits in front of the Alderpoint transfer station on Steelhead Road.
For the latest information on MERG activites, call the ABC Center at 707-926-1025.

	MERG -- the Mainstem Eel River Group -- enters its fourth year with a renewed commitment to its dual mission: improving the health of the mainstem Eel River watershed, while building community spirit among the residents. At left Casterlin students and adults join together to collect trash from stream banks and roadsides in the annual Community Cleanup. Following the Cleanup is always a fun activity like a barbeque, a bonfire or a softball game.
MERG has always been an important part of the ABC Community, meeting monthly at the ABC Community Center in Alderpoint and participating in Casterlin School activities. Now that the ABC community is offcially an independent non-profit organization, MERG shares in that nonprofit status under the ABC umbrella! Furthermore, MERG has received another SB271 grant from the CA Department of Fish and Game of approximately $12,000, which will help fund MERG activities, including education for adults and Casterlin students.
	A particular focus will be to assist landowners in creating salmon habitat improvement projects on their property. This will involve meeting with the landowners to discuss erosion control, ranch road conditions and in-stream fish habitat improvements. Then the group will help locate funding sources including federal and state grants and tax breaks, expert advice and trained crews to do the work quickly and efficiently.
Local landowners are invited to call 926-1025 to find out how MERG can help them with land and stream managenment problems. MERG members working on this project include Norm Fearrien, Ethan Ricca, Buzz Lindsay, April Wilson and Andy Barnett. Landowner and MERG member Bruce Handley has created three new projects for the Ford Ranch Stewarship Project. This consists of his and four of his neighbors contiguous properties in the Zenia area. MERG member and Larabee landowner Rob Esher is working with the Larabee Road Association to create projects for Larabee Creek. Ruth Goodfield of ERWIG will continue to offer advice and encouragement to the MERG project creators.
	Marc Wilson and Stephanie Stefano will continue to create salmonid and Eel River educational material, including raising baby salmon in the classroom and going on field trips. Assisting them will be local AmeriCorps staff, and MERG members. At left, AmeriCorps members Stu McMorrow and Randy Turner share their enthusiasm and knowledge with the 6,7&8th grade class.
Loreena Boswell will act as general MERG coordinator, and be responsible for programming the monthly meetings with help from Carol Rendler, April Wilson and Andy Barnett. At right is the sign designed by Casterlin students Ashley Humphrey, Christie Pichulo, Kevin Clough and Rocket Carl, and painted by Frank Cieciorka, Karen Horn and Jennifer Wilson. The sign sits in front of the Alderpoint transfer station on Steelhead Road. For the latest information on MERG activites, call the ABC Center at 707-926-1025.