Marin Water/One Tamalpais WATERSHED AMBASSADOR PROGRAM TRAININGS

Watershed Ambassador Training: Save the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii)
Part I: Saturday, March 4th from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.; Virtual [Zoom]
Part II: Saturday, March 11th from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.; Virtual [Zoom]
Part III: Date and times TBA; IN-PERSON [Little Carson Falls, Mt. Tamalpais]

Each year, Marin Water offers its Watershed Ambassador Program for volunteers seeking a more intense commitment. Our Ambassadors complete the three-part training sequence, kicking off with educational presentations on the season’s focus, before putting boots to ground. Outreach and ambassadorship takes place either at on-topic locations or in the Tam Van. Watershed Ambassador training is comprehensive and transferable, designed to help you apply the outreach and interpersonal skills used throughout your volunteering to sharing anything you are passionate about.

This spring, Watershed Ambassadors will continue to raise awareness about the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii). FLYFs are a Federal and California Species of Special Concern, and one critical site for these amphibians is right here in Marin County: Little Carson Falls is a beloved trail on Mt. Tamalpais, yet the same streams that attract so many visitors also serve as vital – and sensitive – breeding grounds for FLYFs. Our Watershed Ambassadors learn about the ecology and natural history of these frogs (Parts I and III) before hiking out and supporting rare amphibian conservation efforts!

Part I: Community Presentation – Learn About Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs in Marin County
Foothill yellow-legged frogs are only found in isolated ranges in California – and nowhere else in the world. They are also important indicators of the health of the fast-flowing streams where they live. Join ecologists at Marin Water and Kleinfelder/GANDA to learn about these amphibians and available volunteer programming. We will cover the natural history, ecology and threats to the frogs, the conservation work going on locally, and how community scientists (read: YOU!) can help.
Our volunteers play a vital role in protecting these frogs by monitoring habitat conditions and educating hikers at Little Carson Falls, a popular and magical hiking destination on the mountain that also serves as important breeding habitat for the species. Frog populations are easily damaged when hikers or their dogs go into the waters around the falls, so Docents engage with visitors during the spring when eggs and tadpoles are at their most vulnerable. Peek at this story map to see what has been happening!

Part II: Ambassador Training
This will be an outreach orientation for those who intend to become a Watershed Ambassador. Join us to discuss techniques for effective communication and public engagement. We also cover safety protocols, how to use outreach supplies and record observational data, and everything else you need to know before signing up for a shift.
9 to 10 am: outreach orientation for new volunteers.
10 to 10:30 am: refresher for returning volunteers.

Part III: Guided hike to the Falls for Ambassadors
Shannon Burke, Naturalist with Marin County Parks, will lead a hike to Little Carson Falls. This hike begins with a slow climb up the Pine Mountain Fire Road through serpentine chaparral. From the ridge we’ll descend through a shaded forest lush with ferns, milkmaids, and fetid adder’s tongue. We will have lunch beside the waterfall, which is one of the few remaining breeding sites in Marin for the rare foothill yellow-legged frog. The trail is rocky and there are several hills along the way. Total miles: 4. Elevation change: 385′. This walk is offered in partnership with Marin County Parks and Open Space. This event is for current volunteers and staff only.

Watershed Ambassador Training: Save the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii)
Part I: Saturday, March 4th from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.; Virtual [Zoom]
Part II: Saturday, March 11th from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.; Virtual [Zoom]
Part III: Date and times TBA; IN-PERSON [Little Carson Falls, Mt. Tamalpais]

Each year, Marin Water offers its Watershed Ambassador Program for volunteers seeking a more intense commitment. Our Ambassadors complete the three-part training sequence, kicking off with educational presentations on the season’s focus, before putting boots to ground. Outreach and ambassadorship takes place either at on-topic locations or in the Tam Van. Watershed Ambassador training is comprehensive and transferable, designed to help you apply the outreach and interpersonal skills used throughout your volunteering to sharing anything you are passionate about.

This spring, Watershed Ambassadors will continue to raise awareness about the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii). FLYFs are a Federal and California Species of Special Concern, and one critical site for these amphibians is right here in Marin County: Little Carson Falls is a beloved trail on Mt. Tamalpais, yet the same streams that attract so many visitors also serve as vital – and sensitive – breeding grounds for FLYFs. Our Watershed Ambassadors learn about the ecology and natural history of these frogs (Parts I and III) before hiking out and supporting rare amphibian conservation efforts!

Part I: Community Presentation – Learn About Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs in Marin County
Foothill yellow-legged frogs are only found in isolated ranges in California – and nowhere else in the world. They are also important indicators of the health of the fast-flowing streams where they live. Join ecologists at Marin Water and Kleinfelder/GANDA to learn about these amphibians and available volunteer programming. We will cover the natural history, ecology and threats to the frogs, the conservation work going on locally, and how community scientists (read: YOU!) can help.
Our volunteers play a vital role in protecting these frogs by monitoring habitat conditions and educating hikers at Little Carson Falls, a popular and magical hiking destination on the mountain that also serves as important breeding habitat for the species. Frog populations are easily damaged when hikers or their dogs go into the waters around the falls, so Docents engage with visitors during the spring when eggs and tadpoles are at their most vulnerable. Peek at this story map to see what has been happening!

Part II: Ambassador Training
This will be an outreach orientation for those who intend to become a Watershed Ambassador. Join us to discuss techniques for effective communication and public engagement. We also cover safety protocols, how to use outreach supplies and record observational data, and everything else you need to know before signing up for a shift.
9 to 10 am: outreach orientation for new volunteers.
10 to 10:30 am: refresher for returning volunteers.

Part III: Guided hike to the Falls for Ambassadors
Shannon Burke, Naturalist with Marin County Parks, will lead a hike to Little Carson Falls. This hike begins with a slow climb up the Pine Mountain Fire Road through serpentine chaparral. From the ridge we’ll descend through a shaded forest lush with ferns, milkmaids, and fetid adder’s tongue. We will have lunch beside the waterfall, which is one of the few remaining breeding sites in Marin for the rare foothill yellow-legged frog. The trail is rocky and there are several hills along the way. Total miles: 4. Elevation change: 385′. This walk is offered in partnership with Marin County Parks and Open Space. This event is for current volunteers and staff only.