by Megan Isadore, January 1, 2026
Every New Year’s Day for 27 years, I’ve made a pilgrimage to Lagunitas Creek to commune with the redwoods, firs, maples, toyon and huckleberry, look for newts mating in the side puddles, seek the bright flash of Townsends warblers, thrill to the call of the bobbing dipper, and above all seek out the ultimate symbol of regeneration and recovery, our wide-ranging and sublimely local coho salmon, returned from their epic journey to the ocean to spawn and begin the cycle anew.
I’ve done this for a long time now, sometimes with large groups of friends and acquaintances, sometimes with just a couple of friends. In past years there were many times where we shared elaborate and always-delicious snacks and drinks. Now we do less, bring water or coffee, maybe some chocolate. Mostly we are happy to be together another year, sharing stories. “Did I tell you about the fat badger? Did you get to the Vaux swifts this year? How many? Did you hear about the coyote flipper nippers? How’s the restoration going?” and so many more. For people who attend to nature there’s always something to exclaim over and there is abundant community, enough to succor a hurting world.
As we begin the new year, I’m thinking deeply about building our sense of community and love for all that nature brings. Our fiercely protective efforts will always be for this kind, generous planet. I’m grateful to you who support our work in so many ways…by showing up to volunteer, sending notes, throwing little heart emojis onto our webinar screens, attending demonstrations with determination and humor, joining our walks, writing letters supporting conservation, lending us your skills and knowledge, teaching us, giving gifts that slay us with your generosity. Never think we don’t notice your gifts, just like we notice nature’s gifts. It is our great privilege to live in a world filled with people who care and show up for nature.
Thank you and Happy New Year!
Megan Isadore, Executive Director