About the Sacramento Area Creeks Council
The Sacramento Area Creeks Council preserves, protects, restores and maintains the natural streams in our urban communities through education, advocacy, financial support and technical expertise. Our goal is to educate the general public on the aesthetic, recreational, educational, and ecological value of our urban creeks.
Anyone who values the Sacramento Valley watershed — including the natural creeks in our communities — and who would like to participate in the ever-challenging effort to preserve our region’s fragile — and vulnerable — creeks is invited to attend our monthly board meetings and consider becoming a member of the Sacramento Area Creeks Council.
Donations are also welcome. Each donor will receive detailed information about ongoing events and activities supported by SACC. Sacramento Area Creeks Council is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax deductible. Fed. ID # 26-3676166
We seek to promote public and private care of natural streams through education, advocacy and hands-on activity. Educational materials, workshops and field outings are some of the tools we use to achieve our goals. Others include:
- Provide support for creek, open-space and neighborhood cleanups.
- Participation in the decision-making processes that affect the health of area creeks.
- Distribution of educational materials that encourage the teaching of science concepts.
- Participation in the land use planning process to promote creek preservation, sound flood control project design, habitat restoration and effective stream bank stabilization methods.
- Support of on-going volunteer water quality monitoring efforts.
- Co-sponsoring of grants to preserve and restore creeks and their natural corridors.
- Educational and community workshops on creek issues, such as the Aquatic Institute for teachers.
We offer educational materials and participate in neighborhood fairs and public events. We work with schools, neighborhoods, and youth groups to encourage creek clean ups and restoration. We cooperate with city and county efforts to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff and cooperate with other organizations to monitor development along stream corridors. Membership is open to all who want to participate.
Board meetings are generally held the third Monday of each month by Zoom. Please call (916) 454 – 4544 for specific meeting dates and times.
For more information about the Sacramento Area Creeks Council, its programs and how you can get involved:
Organization Documents
Board Members
Alta Tura, President: Alta has worked as a volunteer exclusively since her retirement as an elementary school teacher in 1995. She headed planning for the annual Creek Week which provided volunteers the opportunity to clean Sacramento County creeks of man-made garbage and invasive plants every spring. Alta is Secretary of the Laguna Creek Watershed Council, a nonprofit group whose mission is to protect and restore the many benefits Laguna Creek and neighboring waterways provide. Alta also serves on the Habitat 2020 committee. Updated 4-22-22
Gary Hare, Secretary: Gary is Field Manager and Project Director at hammerdirt California, a non profit that collects environmental data on trash in California waters. He is also Head Groundskeeper and Land Stewardship Coordinator for Soil Born Farms, a non profit organic farm and community education resource in Rancho Cordova. A resident along the American River Parkway for over 40 years, he is an angler, bird watcher and general contractor serving his community and environment through sustainable projects like routine trash surveys at the confluence of Cordova Creek and The American River. Updated 4-22-22
Steven K. Mayer, Vice President: Steven is the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Environmental Coordinator for the former McClellan AFB. Steve oversees all aspects of accelerated cleanup, program management, and disposal of all excess base property, the first privatized clean-up of a Superfund site in the nation. Steve leads the Creek Week volunteer clean-up at McClellan. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering from the University of Minnesota and is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California.
Chad Rinde, Treasurer: Chad is a graduate of CSUS. As President of the CSUS Accounting Club, Chad was a site leader for the Cal Expo Creek Week clean-up site. He also enjoyed leading river rafting trips during that time. He is now busy with his career and raising a family, but continues his involvement with Sacramento Area Creeks Council by serving as Treasurer.
Mark Baker: Mark is fifth generation Californian born and raised in Sacramento. He is a long time building contractor specializing in kitchens and bathrooms and sets and displays. He spent his summers for 30 years building displays at Cal Expo for the CA State Fair, having built over 300 county displays. Mark has lived near and played his entire life along the American River. In 2020, during COVID, he decided
to spend his summer vacation at Sutter’s Landing. Since then he has spent
nearly all of his time cleaning and enjoying the parkway. He is a cofounder of River City Waterway Alliance. Updated 3-21-2023
David Ingram: David Ingram is a graduate of UC Davis and McGeorge School of Law and operates a small law firm in midtown Sacramento. David grew up fly fishing with his grandfather around Sierra City, at the base of the Sierra Buttes. These experiences instilled a deep respect for natural areas and wildlife and the associated desire to preserve and protect them. David began cleaning up near his home on the Sacramento River around 2003, a habit that grew as trash increased. After connecting with several river and creek stewards in 2021, his focus and commitment expanded substantially. More recently, David co-founded River City Waterway Alliance to advance his passion for restoring and protecting local area waterways and riparian habitats.
Ed Clark: A graduate of California Polytechnic University Pomona in Behavioral Science. A Certified California Naturalist, President of the Dry Creek Conservancy. A member of the Sierra Club and the Nature Conservatory. Ed has been active in the Sacramento Area Creeks Council for over 10 years.
Kathleen (Kathy) Stricklin: Kathy was raised in a home nurtured by love, environmentalism and labor, and is dedicated to service. She is serving her third elected term (first elected in 2012) to the board of Fulton El Camino Recreation and Park District. In 2018, Kathy built teams of volunteers to serve the unhoused in Arden Arcade and Carmichael as Mercy Pedaler’s. In 2019, Kathy co-founded Arden Arcade HART (Homeless Assistance Resource Team). She is founder and research historian for the communities of Arden Arcade and Carmichael, and is working on the written history of the former. In 2021 she joined the Sacramento Area Creeks Council, and in April of 2022 joined the board. In July of 2022, Kathy was accepted to a three year term at the Sacramento County Carbon Neutral Task Force with special emphasis on the county’s 4 environmental justice communities. Updated 7-19-2022
Bill Templin: Bill is a retired Environmental Scientist with the California Department of Water Resources and Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. Previously Bill had a 30- year career with the Federal government (U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Forest Service) He served as Watershed Coordinator for the North Fork American River Watershed from June 2004 until October 2007, then began his State career. Bill is actively involved as a Board Member on several non-profit watershed and sportsmen’s organizations in the Sacramento and Fresno areas. Updated 2-04-2020
SACRAMENTO AREA CREEKS COUNCIL BOARD ACTIVITIES
- Attendance at monthly board meetings
- Participation in at least one existing program:
- Oversight of creek clean-ups – planning and execution
- Education/Outreach, i.e. Exhibit, intern management
- Commenting on development issues
- Watershed group participation and/or
- Participation in the planning and development of one new project or program (optional)
- Adopt-a-Creek to facilitate regular volunteer cleanups of local waterways
- Stream restoration
- Fundraising
- Other
A loyal board and planning committee worked for 30 years to make Creek Week one of our region’s premier volunteer stewardship events. Several members are preparing to retire over the next few years. The Creeks Council is transitioning away from a main mission devoted to organizing Creek Week. The focus of our organization is now on conducting and supporting regular year-round clean-up efforts. Individuals, service groups, churches, neighborhood groups, etc. are encouraged to conduct clean-ups. We seek new leaders who want to build on this new focus and shape its future.
Would you consider being a Sacramento Area Creeks Council board member?
Your skills and talents and connections can be used to our advantage.
We meet on the third Monday (fourth Monday if holiday) every month but July and August.
All are welcome to attend our board meetings and learn more about what we do.