Wrapping Up a Productive Year

Annual Meeting

Pee Wee Audubon

Summer Vacation

Thank You

Observations

Midweek Walkabout Results

Pee Wee Report

Volunteers Needed

Planning for Pee Wee

City Backs Off Kelly Farm

Welcome New Members

Annual Financial Report

Birdathon Sponsors

Backyard Birding: Birds in Your Yard

City Backs Off Kelly Farm

With the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation strongly opposing Santa Rosa's proposal to locate a new golf course at Kelly Farm, the City appears to be "shifing its focus to the 170-acre Matteri Ranch bordering Petaluma Hill Road," according to the May 7 Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

The Kelly Farm proposal was opposed by Madrone Audubon and other environmental groups as well, but it was the vehement opposition expressed in a May 4 resolution by the usually non-activist Laguna Foundation that apparently caused the City to rethink the proposal. Councilman Dave Berto, a member of the City Council's golf course subcommittee, was quoted as saying, "It's not worth the fight."

As reported in the March, 1998, Leaves, Madrone representatives had visited Kelly Farm and found that a golf course could not help but damage existing wetlands and vernal pools. Golfing birders are hoping the Matteri Ranch or another property will turn out to be both feasible and environmentally appropriate.