| Public Education | List of educational projects sponsored by FOAM |
| Wetland on Wheels | The Wetlands on Wheels (WOW) school outreach program |
| Science Fair | Prize for best project related to wetlands |
| Research Grants | Financial support for Humboldt State University student research |
| Student Bird Art Contest | Countywide K-12 competition co-sponsored by the Audubon Society |
| Godwit Days | Family nature activities, information booth, tours |
| Art Shows | Monthly displays by local wildlife and landscape artists and photographers |
| Special Focus | Occasional tours and public lectures |
| Permanent Exhibits | Ten exhibits explaining water and wildlife at the Marsh |
FOAM furthers public education by:
Left: Docent training, September 2005. Right: Docents on a training tour.
- Training and providing docents for Arcata Marsh tours, which are held every Saturday at 2 p.m. Tour focus varies with the expertise of the leaders.
- Staffing special-request group tours during weekdays, serving schools and community groups
- Sponsoring a research grant program for Humboldt State University and College of the Redwoods students
- Underwriting a prize at the Humboldt County Science Fair
- Co-sponsoring, with Redwood Region Audubon Society, an annual Student Bird Art Contest at the Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival
- Curating a monthly art exhibit at the interpretive center focusing on wildlife and marsh landscapes
- Co-sponsoring with Redwood Region Audubon, a day-long session in the Wildlife Biology week of the Arcata Recreation Department's Natural Resources Science Camp, that taught 9- to 12-year-olds about birds and microscopic water-dwelling invertebrates
- Participating in community events such as Godwit Days and Pastels on the Plaza
- Purchasing a computer and environmental education software for the interpretive center
- Scheduling special focus tours or lectures
- Funding some interpretive center exhibits and providing input on content
- Commenting on plans that could affect the Arcata Marsh (e.g., water quality hearing, homeless shelter site selection).
- Partnering with the City of Arcata to sponsor Invasive Plant Removal Days at the Marsh, by recruiting volunteers and publicizing the events.
Wetlands on Wheels
Exploring the science of wetlands.
The Wetlands on Wheels (WOW) school outreach program was started in 1998 with impetus from then board member Melinda Bailey. Instructors have come from several sources, including the national AmeriCorps program in 2000-01. Currently, instructors are Humboldt State University students. During the spring, WOW travels to between 25 and 40 third- and fourth-grade classrooms throughout the county. The 70-minute program is loaded with fun activities to enrich the elementary science curriculum: a slide show; hands-on stations examining pond water, bird adaptations, and marsh plants; and a skit where students act out the wastewater treatment process. The latest successful season of WOW concluded in June 2007 with 9 schools, 29 classrooms, and 690 students served. WOW also participated in a Science Night held at Ferndale Elementary, enjoyed by many children and parents. FOAM's collaboration with the Redwood Science Project at Humboldt State has been critical to WOW's continuation. The WOW program is currently inactive
In 2002, the Eureka office of the California division of the American Automobile Association selected FOAM to receive the proceeds of its Great Battery Roundup held each April. The money has been used to support FOAM's WOW program. During the first eight years of the Roundup -- based on the number of dead car, boat, and motorcycle batteries turned in by Humboldt County residents -- AAA donated $13,613 to FOAM.”
Science Fair
Left: FOAM judge Sue Leskiw with winning entry from 2007. Right: Winning entry from 2008.
In 2006, FOAM initiated a $50 award at the Humboldt County Science Fair for the best project related to wetlands.
The 2006 award went to Pavlina Crowley of Kneeland. Her project examined water quality in various regions of the United States, comparing the extent of contamination in rural and urban sources.
The 2007 winner was Jennie Kaplan-Woodson, an 8th-grader at Sunny Brae Middle School. The purpose of her project, entitled "Baywatch," was to find out what would be the worst petroleum product to fall into Humboldt Bay - "maybe not the worst chemically, but the substance with the farthest spread rate over time and the most difficult to clean up."
The 2008 award went to Piper Bazard, a 5th-grader at Freshwater School. Her project. "Drains to the Bay", examined which areas of the community -- residential, schools, or shopping areas -- have the greatest percentage of permeable and impermeable surfaces.
The 2009 award went to Tanner Doan, a 6th-grader at Blue Lake Elementary School. His project. "Oil Spill," examined which material - rubberizer, polypropylene, diatomaceous earth, human hair, cotton, or sawdust -- will work the best to clean motor oil off the surface of water.
The 2010 award went to Ryan Thomas, a 7th-grader at the Laurel Tree Learning Center of the Mattole Valley Charter School. His project, “Water Quality of Little River, Moonstone Beach, as Reflected in Bacterial Counts,” tested water samples for bacteria, nitrates, and pesticides. He found that the number of coliform and E. coli fluctuated weekly, rising after rainstorms. Although total coliform remained below the state standard, Ryan found levels at the mouth of Little River to be at least triple that of a toilet bowl.
Research Grants
In 2004, FOAM initiated a program to support Humboldt State student research projects related to the Arcata Marsh. The program is funded by a bequest from the estate of Sylvia Fisher, on behalf of her late son, Marcus, who enjoyed visiting the Marsh. In 2006, the program was expanded to include students at College of the Redwoods.
In 2004, Ginger Tennant, a graduate student with Frank Shaughnessy in the Humboldt State Department of Biological Sciences, was awarded $400 to support her study of the role of nutrient limitation in determinating eelgrass shoot density in Humboldt Bay. [Ginger provided the FOAM library with a copy of her master's thesis in spring 2006.]
In 2004, Jesse Conklin and Tia Adams, graduate students with Mark Colwell in the Humboldt Wildlife Department, were awarded $300 for their investigation of winter roost site fidelity by dunlin.
In 2005, Corey Jones was awarded $175 for his project investigating the effects of antibiotic concentrations on nitrogen uptake in duckweed. He is a graduate student advised by Kristine Brenneman in the Humboldt Department of Fisheries Biology's Waterwater Utilization Program.
In 2005, Eric Zielke, an undergraduate in Humboldt's Environmental Resources Engineering Department, received $100 to further his project investigating microbial fuel cell technology using Arcata Marsh water. His adviser is Charles Chamberlin.
[NOTE: An award of $725 given in 2005 was not used when the student left school.]
In 2006/7, Erin Atkin received $750 to support her project investigating genetic variation and dispersal of northern California's coastal river otters. Erin will collect otter scat from six study sites, including the Arcata Marsh, and extract DNA to determine genetic variation. This will provide insight into factors (such as geography) that influence genetic divergence, as well as estimate population size. Her adviser is Brian Arbogast of Humboldt's Department of Biological Sciences.
In 2006/7, Melissa Kreye received $250 to support her project investigating metal accumulation in steelhead reared in reclaimed wastewater. She is a graduate student advised by Kristine Brenneman in the Humboldt Department of Fisheries Biology's Wastewater Utilization Program.
In 2009, Mary Burke received $2000 to support her project to assess the Arcata Marsh for carbon sequestration potential. She plans to assess each component of the wetland as a source or sink of carbon. If the marsh is determined to be a net sink for carbon, it could potentially be registered as a carbon offset project. Her advisor is Robert Gearheart, emeritus professor of Environmental Engineering.
On completion of their studies, recipients are expected to present their findings to FOAM via a written report or a poster to display at the interpretive center or a public lecture.
Student Bird Art Contest
Left: Grade K-4 winners, 2008 Student Bird Art Contest. Right: Student art by Cody Wolfberg.
Since 2004, FOAM has co-sponsored a student bird art contest with Redwood Region Audubon Society. Students in grades K-12 throughout Humboldt County are invited to submit a drawing, painting, collage, or sketch of one of 40 selected birds. Wildlife artists and educators judge the results, with all entries displayed during the Godwit Days festival in April and copies of the winners posted at the interpretive center during May.
As of 2010, nearly 3,000 pieces of bird art have been submitted and 192 cash prizes (plus 111 honorable mention certificates) awarded. Awards for "Best Depiction of a Bird in Its Habitat" were added in 2008.
Godwit Days
Left: Making peanut butter bird feeders. Right: Stringing water cycle bracelets.
For many years, FOAM has staffed an information booth, coordinated family nature craft activities, and led Marsh and wastewater tours at the Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival. In 2004, the Godwit Days organizing committee selected FOAM as its first spotlight organization. "FOAM has supported Godwit Days from the beginning, by offering several tours and family activities during the festival," said Michael Behney of Arcata MainStreet. "This is a chance for our registrants and tour leaders to support FOAM, by earmarking 5 percent of the basic registration fee or donating a portion of their stipend to that organization." FOAM received $785 as the spotlight organization.
Art Shows
Left: A mixed-media art piece by Yael Bentovim. Right: Mike Anderson shows his photos.
FOAM has curated monthly art shows at the interpretive center since 1999. This changing exhibit gives visitors something new to see, while showcasing local wildlife and landscape artists and photographers. Sometimes, a reception is held for the artist. Winning entries in the student bird art contest are displayed during May.
The following artists have participated (as of 5/10): Carol Andersen, Jo Anderson, Leslie Anderson, Mike Anderson, Barbara Armstrong, Louise Bacon-Ogden, June Beal, Julia Bednar, Yael Bentovim, Gary Bloomfield, Mary Bobillot, Susan Bornstein, Jay Brown, Suzie Bulger, Clarke Historical Museum (Arcata photographs curated by Art Barab), Dorothy Cline, Rachel Coyote, Eureka Photoshop Users Group, Jill Faulkner, Ferndale Art Cooperative, Missy Fiedler, Gigi Floyd, Fortuna Ars Council, Susan Fox, Chris Frolking, Libby George, Shawn Gould, Benjamin Green & She'ifa Punla-Green, Pete Haggard, Beverly Harper, Mary Harper, Michael Harris, Sonia Haws, Robert & Martha Haynes, Ralphie Hendrix, Roy Irving, Ken Jarvela, red Jioras, Alan Justice, Yvonne Kern, Susan Kohl, Mariana Kratiger, Rick Kruse, Ellen Land-Weber, Ron LeValley, Darlene Marlow, Marsha Mello, Jan Meninga, Amanita Mollier, Shelly Mortensen, Michelle Murphy-Ferguson, Kathy O'Leary, John Palmer, Linda Parkinson, John Pelafigue, Jan Ramsey, Leslie Reid, Yevonne Reynolds, Rich Ridenhour, Patricia Sennott, Campbell Shepard, Sara Starr, Valan Stieler, Todd Telander, Marsha Thonson, Coco Thorpe, Gary Todoroff, Bob Tonjes, Lance Torgerson, Bill Twibell, Dana Utman, Bill Van Fleet, Marjorie Van Meter, Jinx Victor, Karen Wehrstein, Jim Welsh, John Wesa, Ann White.
Special Focus Tours and Lectures
Left: David Couch leads an oyster focus walk in June 2002. Right: "Look what I found!"
In 1998, FOAM launched a series of "Masters Tours" that stretched through 2000. In the lineup were: Dr. George Allen, "Salmon, treated sewage water, and the Arcata Marsh"; Dr. John Hewston, "Fall bird migration through the Marsh"; Dan Hauser, "Political history of the Marsh"; Ron LeValley, "Wildlife photography"; David Couch, "Native oysters"; Cheryl Seidner, "Wiyots"; John Corbett, "How Arcata Marsh changed water quality law"; Dr. Kristine Brennemann, "Fisheries research at the Arcata Marsh Aquaculture Facility;" Bill Pinches, "Woodcarving"; Dr. Robert Gearheart, "Arcata Marsh's past and future"; Dr. Stanley Harris, "Birds of the Marsh."
May 1999 marked the 20-year anniversary of Humboldt County's wastewater victory. FOAM hosted a reunion to honor those individuals whose "creativity, knowledge, dedication, and hard work brought about the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary and other realistic wastewater solutions." More than 50 people attended the event on May 23, including founding participants Bill Bertain, Bob Gearheart, Dan Hauser, George Allen, Frank Klopp, Roger Storey, Sam Parisi, and John Corbett. Other luminaries were Arcata mayor Bob Ornelas, county supervisor John Wooley, and Margaret Azevedo and Martin Cohen of the California Coastal Conservancy.
In April 2000, FOAM sponsored a "Plant Native Day" celebration with a lecture by Pete Haggard and a walk led by Melinda Bailey.
In October 2000, FOAM board member David Couch led "Canoe the Goo" and "Canoe the Slough" trips. He repeated canoe trips to the native oyster reef in Arcata Bay in July 2004.
In November 2000, Art Barab instituted his annual Thanksgiving morning walk at the AMWS.
In January 2001, "No Name Pond" was dedicated to Dr. Stanley Harris.
In 2001, FOAM changed the name of the Masters Tours to Focus Walks. The lineup included Dr. Sean Craig, "Mudwalk and invertebrate hunt"; Dr. Stanley Harris, "Bird walk"; Pete Haggard, "Butterflies"; David Couch, "Native oysters"; Ron LeValley, "Nature photography"; Gary Bloomfield, "Field sketching techniques."
In 2001, FOAM launched a Monday night lecture series at the interpretive center. Speakers were Dr. Milton Boyd, "Ecology of Humboldt Bay"; Denise Homer, "Full moon walk"; Mary Maloney, "Owls"; Louise Bacon-Ogden, "Bees"; Jennifer Rice, "Potential Humboldt Bay trails"; Dr. Dawn Goley, "Marine mammals"; Dr. Nathan Sanders, "Invasive plants"; Dr. Vanessa Metz, "Water pollution/urban runoff"; Susan McBride, "Humboldt Bay research: fish, eelgrass, and crabs"; Rhonda Wiedenbeck, "AmeriCorps fisheries and educational efforts."
May 2003 marked the 10th anniversary of the interpretive center. A celebration was held on May 21 with a lecture by Dr. George Allen. Key people involved in the creation of the Arcata Marsh led walks throughout the month: Dan Hauser, Frank Klopp, Dr. Stanley Harris, Dr. Robert Gearheart, and David Couch.
In March, 2004, FOAM cosponsored a free public symposium organized by the Humboldt Bay Stewards on the physical and biological processes of Humboldt Bay. Speakers included FOAM board members Dr. Sean Craig and Dr. Frank Shaughnessy, both of the Humboldt State Biology Department.
In winter 2007, the City of Arcata received a NOAA/Nature Conservancy grant to look at colonization, survival, and growth of native oysters at four sites within the City's tidelands jurisdiction. FOAM is a collaborator on the pilot project, along with Humboldt State and California Sea Grant. FOAM's role is to lead monthly education walks that will include a stop to view one of the native oyster sites, one canoe excursion, and one public lecture.
In May 2007, FOAM cosponsored two special walks in recognition of Wetlands Month: a family bilingual bird walk with Redwood Region Audubon Society and an invasive plant walk with the California Native Plant Society.
In January 2009, Jenny Hanson instituted an annual New Year’s Day Ramble around the Marsh.
In September 2009, FOAM Board members Bob Rasmussen and Art Barab conducted a limited-mobility tour of the Marsh, to provide an outdoor experience for those unable to keep up during regular Saturday tours.
In October 2009, in recognition of Coastweeks, FOAM sponsored three free lectures and one public forum. HSU chemistry professor Matt Hurst relayed final results of his study of water samples from the Arcata Marsh and Humboldt Bay; HSU graduate students Teresa Persons and Mary Burke presented on their research at the Marsh; and HSU graduate students Julie and Robert Koeppel and FOAM Board member David Couch provided an update on the native oyster restoration research ongoing at the Marsh. FOAM and the City of Arcata hosted a public forum on the invasive dense-flowered cordgrass, Spartina densiflora.
Permanent Exhibits at the Interpretive Center
Left: The Water Cycle Center. Right: How Water Becomes Wastewater
- Wetlands Habitat painting, 1995, designed by Larry Eifert, funded by the Carl & Ellen Wright Memorial Fund of the Humboldt Area Foundation (replacement copy in 2002 funded by the Gerald Hansen Memorial Fund)
- "How Marshes Treat Wastewater," 1996/7, designed by Gary Bloomfield, funded by the Carl & Ellen Wright Memorial of the Humboldt Area Foundation
- "The Pacific Flyway,"1997, designed by Gary Bloomfield, funded by the Arcata Foundation
- Marsh Diorama, 1997, designed by Steve Carr, funded by the Carl & Ellen Wright Memorial Fund of the Humboldt Area Foundation
- Interpretive Center Solarization, 1998, funded by Waldo Kell in memory of his wife. Upgraded in 2008 by Roger.
- "How Water Becomes Wastewater" and "How Arcata Cleans Up Its Wastewater," 1998, designed by Amy Uyeki, funded by grants from the US Environmental Protection Agency, Pacific Gas & Electric, the North Coast Co-op, and FOAM
- Humboldt Bay Salt Marsh History Wooden Puzzle, 1998, created by students in HSU's Advanced Interpretation class
- "Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment? The Enhancement Issue," 2001, designed by Amy Uyeki, funded by the Arcata Foundation and FOAM
- "The Water Cycle," 2002, designed by Gary Bloomfield, funded by the Mel & Grace McLean Foundation
- Map of Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, 2002, designed by Amy Uyeki, funded by FOAM