Audubon California has sold McVicar Preserve to the State of California. Using the sale price, Audubon has established an endowment to benefit the state park system.
“Audubon California sees our state parks as a legacy that we all need to support,” said Glenn Olson, vice president and executive director of Audubon California. Olson will be the guest speaker at this month”s meeting of the Redbud Audubon Society, taking place 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at Kelseyville High School.
The McVicar Preserve is adjacent to Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. Redbud Audubon publicist Roberta Lyons reported that in 1978, the McVicar family donated 245 acres of marsh woodlands to the National Audubon Society. “Over the past 29 years, Redbud Audubon provided ongoing stewardship of the sanctuary.
“Chapter members created and maintained nature trails through the sanctuary and offered field trips to enjoy the beauty of this important wildlife and bird habitat. Members who carried out these faithful responsibilities will be honored during this meeting.”
Chapter President Marilyn Waits said that the local Audubon chapter was involved with the sale of McVicar and its transfer into state ownership.
“The sale of the property closed in early July,” said Garrison Frost, director of marketing and communications for Audubon California. “The purchase price was $700,000. We created our endowment shortly thereafter.”
The endowment will provide long-term financial assistance to California State Parks to support important conservation, restoration and public outreach projects.
Olson is presenting a slide talk on 20 years of Audubon California achievements in conservation and environmental protection. Following his presentation, everyone is invited to share a McVicar celebration cake and refreshments.
Lyons said that the public is invited to join Redbud Audubon in this important and meaningful evening. For more information, call Marilyn Waits at 279-1242 or visit www.redbudaudubon.org.
Contact Cynthia Parkhill at cparkhill@clearlakeobserver.com.
