AMERICAN RIVER PARKWAY FOUNDATION INCORPORATED
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Mission Statement
The American River Parkway Foundation (APRF) leads and inspires the community to conserve and nurture the American River Parkway as a unique, accessible resource for everyone to enjoy. The American River Parkway is a 23 mile 4,800 acre stretch of land that runs through the urban core of the Sacramento region. The Parkway is enjoyed by 8 million visitors a year whether it is for a family picnic or a recreational outing. The Parkway has something for everyone!
About This Cause
The American River Parkway Foundation (ARPF), established in 1983, serves the Sacramento community with programs that span a 23 mile, 4,600 acre expanse of land, water and nature. Our vision is to preserve and improve the parkway as a sustainable natural resource to all. To that end, the Foundation coordinates multiple programs year-round and works with thousands of volunteers to foster environmental stewardship, facilitate volunteer opportunities, as well as fund and implement critical Parkway projects. The main goal of all Parkway Foundation programs is to ensure the Parkway is here for future generations which is why we focus on Parkway restoration: Through our many and diverse programs ARPF restores the American River Parkway. From infrastructure improvement to the American River Ecosystem ARPF is there to help our greatest community asset. By organizing dedicated volunteers to remove invasive plants, reduce waterway pollutants, increase the presence of native plants, and rebuilding decaying parkway infrastructure ARPF consistently provides a service that benefits the great American River Parkway. ARPF Programs and the Benefits they provide: Pups in the Parks: ARPF provides “mutt-mitts” along the American River Parkway in 12 separate locations to reduce the amount of animal feces present along the American River. The main benefit this program provides is apparent in our beautiful and clear waters of the American River. With thousands of dogs present on the American River Parkway every month, these stations help in the reduction humans and their “best-friends” can have on the landscape. Clean-ups: Parkway Clean-ups consists of a variety of individuals or groups willing to go out into all areas of the American River Parkway searching and collecting debris to eliminate trash and debris that should not be littering our environment. Associated benefits are a reduction in plastics, metals, carcinogens, fecal material, and other contaminates from our land and waters associated with the American River Parkway. This program provides a more aesthetic appealing parkway, a cleaner environment for our native plants and animals, and it helps to build a better sense of community within this 23 mile urban green space. Invasive Plant Management: Management of invasive plants along the American river parkway is accomplished in several ways: 1) Hand removal by invasive plant stewards who have adopted sections of the American River 2) College Interns who map and remove invasive plants along the American River. 3) By large groups of volunteers who focus on a section of highly disturbed by invasive plants. 4) Select herbicide application by ARPF staff and consultants. Controlling invasive plants reduces competition between native and non-native plant species, reduces the amount of water used by non-native plants, increases accessibility to the American River Parkway, reduces potentially poisonous plant materials, increases habitat quality for native animals, and engages the community in active stewardship. Adopt-A-Grove: Starting in 2003 ARPF began planting acorns in 20 locations along the American River Parkway to aid in the restoration of open space to oak riparian woodland habitat. Currently ARPF has 12 locations in which we are focusing on adding understory vegetation. The long term benefits of this program will be increased air quality, increased available shade, increased native animal habitat, increased water percolation into the soil, increased erosion resistance, a reduction in non-native species, and an increase in community adoration for the American River Parkway. Native Plant Garden: Located adjacent to the ARPF office, our native plant garden serves several purposes: 1) To demonstrate the practical use and drought tolerance of native plants in the home garden. 2) To provide a seed source to restore native plants on the American River Parkway. 3) To provide a space to enjoy and experience native plants in a constructed setting. The native plant garden is an asset to restoration, community engagement, and native plant appreciation along the American River Parkway. Wildfire Restoration: When wildfires occur along the American River Parkway they are damaging to native habitat and unappealing to the eye. The American River Parkway Foundation in conjunction with Sacramento County Parks and local Universities works to address these issues to develop research and restoration plans. This work is to restore native plants to areas of the parkway that have been damaged by wildfires and also gain critical knowledge from researching wildfire and its effects along the American River Parkway. Benefits from this program are larger than just native plant restoration. Engaging universities, professors, and students in a project that informs parkway managers and restores the environment is a win-win for the future of parkway. Trail Maintenance: Providing access to the American River Parkway is critical to preserving the legacy in which the American River Parkway stands on. Trail maintenance of the multi-use trail is essential to access as it serves as another point of entry and use to the American River Parkway. Our goal is to maintain the multi-use trail at an appropriate height for equestrians, and an appropriate width for two runners. The multi-use trail allows better access for people that would like to live a healthier outdoor life style, experience the parkway environment from a different perspective, and allow the community to enjoy just one more facet of beauty the American River Parkway has to offer. Campfire Property: The Foundation is rebuilding a 10 acre campsite with Rotary District 5180. The Foundation is working with Sacramento County Office of Education to provide outdoor environmental education to the children of the region from grades 3-12.