By ELIZABETH HOLTZ We are delighted to be in good company with the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust and the Great Valley Center in supporting Proposition 84 on November's ballot ("San Joaquin River conservationists flowing behind water project bond," Aug. 30, Page B-3). Proposition 84 would further responsible water management by funding programs for water supply, quality, flood control, ecosystem restoration and river parks. For Stanislaus County, it would fund improvements to the quality and safety of our river parks. As part of the Tuolumne River Trust's work to raise awareness of these issues, we had a river festival at Tuolumne River Regional Park in early September. Eighty residents planted California poppies, made fish printsnative animals. The festival helped bridge the gap between residents and the river. Through education, we become more aware of the value of our river systems and regional parks. With greater awareness comes empowerment and greater support for the river. On Thursday, the Tuolumne River Regional Park breaks ground on the Gateway Parcel, heralding a new and beautiful component to this regional greenbelt for seven miles on the Modesto and Ceres sides of the Tuolumne River. This project underscores the desire of Stanislaus County residents for clean water, park and recreational space and economic development. With more emphasis on the benefits of local riverine treasures, we can turn our riverfront areas into bustling community gathering spaces, boasting native habitat for wildlife, and informational and cultural centers. The Tuolumne River Trust is proud to have aided in the advancement of the park; we see a bright future for our region's river parkways. The cities of Ceres and Modesto have done a beautiful job planning a fantastic place to play; support from the state has been critical. But the key to making this future a reality is our community. The Tuolumne River Trust invites and welcomes the public to explore and learn about the river in our own back yard. Through public involvement we are demonstrating to our elected officials that we support careful management of our natural resources, parks and open space. At the same time, we're having fun. Ultimately, we will have more recreational parkland in Stanislaus County, safer places for families to play and a thriving Tuolumne River. Holtz is a program associate with the Tuolumne River Trust Central Valley. |