tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370234642009-07-01T13:21:01.587-07:00<p align="center"><img src="http://www.malode.com/img/ECOS-banner.jpg" border="0" alt="ECOS - Experience Connect Observe Stewardship" title="ECOS - Experience Connect Observe Stewardship"></p>Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-9979835536255490522009-03-17T07:41:00.000-07:002009-03-17T09:57:41.700-07:00

In keeping with the Mother Lode River Center’s commitment to environmental stewardship, we are proud to announce the most recent addition to our Outdoor Education curriculum: Sustainable Practices; Experiential Education for a Changing Planet.Beginning in 2007 the Mother Lode River Center enacted a Greenhouse Gas Action Plan (GAP) as a means of reducing our carbon footprint. Since then we have “

Josenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-49230697367554725282009-03-04T10:41:00.000-08:002009-03-17T07:39:05.843-07:00

Shoveling:It's been pouring rain here for the last few weeks, and during the small breaks in the storm, we've managed to put some of the finishing touches on our garden expansion. We've also started seeds in the greenhouse--carrots, broccoli, lettuce, peas, tomatoes, corn, and herbs of all sorts are all getting off to a good start. But I have to admit, a few days ago, after lifting what felt like

scotty scheuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343356440095485310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-1191162399711468282009-03-01T12:09:00.000-08:002009-03-11T17:54:37.755-07:00

Last season, when we made the decision to eliminate the use of bottled water at Mother Lode and use coolers and cups instead, we had our reasons. Now those reasons, and a lot more, were included in this article on bottled water Emily recently wrote for The High Country News. If you are interested in her other posts, check out the "Goat Blog" at HCN.org or look for her articles which appear in

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-70415681901451048582009-03-01T11:24:00.000-08:002009-03-28T09:48:29.988-07:00

Toward an Ecological Approach to Health Scott Underwood, M.D.In the United States human health has traditionally been viewed in isolation from its ecological context. During my medical training and subsequent career in Emergency Medicine, issues such as climate change, habitat destruction, species extinction, pollution and the depletion of fresh water supplies

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-69650849278976030172009-02-05T09:56:00.000-08:002009-02-09T09:43:40.342-08:00

One of several new projects you'll see when you come whitewater rafting at Malode this year is our solar heated planting bed. By heating the root zones of the plants we hope to significantly enhance our production and, with the help of our greenhouse, lengthen our growing season.The mechanics of it are pretty simple: the sun heats water passively in our black reservoir storage tank. The hot water

scotty scheuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11343356440095485310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-20843940712160494682009-01-14T12:07:00.000-08:002009-02-05T14:36:01.583-08:00

Jan 2009 Greenhouse Action Plan Progress Report.In 2008, the GAP helped bring about many changes around camp here on the American River, and we are happy to report a significant reduction in total carbon emissions per guest (people who stayed but did not participate in our whitewater rafting, ropes course or other outdoor education programs were not counted). In 2007, we measured the three major

pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762819200287263568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-20074414095948359912008-10-20T23:28:00.000-07:002009-02-05T15:41:37.131-08:00

For those of us prone to nail-biting, it has been a rough few months, what with the impending election and the economic crisis. However, at Mother Lode, we’re feeling pretty optimistic and excited about the future. The River Center, as always, inspires us to stay positive and look for practical solutions, and we know that there is more exciting, important work to do than ever before! Let’s take a

pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762819200287263568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-86378320056900351402008-05-26T13:57:00.001-07:002009-02-05T15:51:53.287-08:00

What is a Solar Trifecta? This is it!Picturesque is not what you necessarily think of when you mention solar power, yet this view of Highway One just south of Monterey is about as close as it gets. How is it a "Solar Trifecta"? Check this out:First, the Dodge truck you see here pulling the trailer is soon to become the main gear shuttle vehicle

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-44640467893934349122008-05-08T21:21:00.000-07:002008-05-26T17:59:19.280-07:00

Archer School Students Write Letters to their LegislatorsWhat better way to conclude your freshman year in high school than by rafting, hiking and camping on the historic and beautiful South Fork of the American River in Coloma, California? For five days this week, the Mother Lode River Center and Santa Barbara Adventure Company played host to seventy members of the freshman class of the Archer

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-38597248121700657062008-04-21T13:12:00.000-07:002008-05-08T22:59:17.712-07:00

As you can see, the Exploratorium benefited from the artistic talents of Allen Carrozza whose Earth portrait exceeded our expectations by several parsecs! The Moon portrait is even more remarkable and the "Earthrise" behind the Moon is truly outstanding. You must see it. It is rare to find someone who is an expert in solar installation, an artist, a sculptor and who knows what else? Stay tuned

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-21995466754208100972008-04-07T13:04:00.000-07:002008-04-07T23:22:53.481-07:00

Solar Energy Exploratorium Heats UpToday we added PV (photovoltaics) to the Solar Energy Exploratorium! Notice the two new PV panels located just above the solar hot water heater that Greg and Charlie are standing next to. As we mentioned last week in this blog, the thermal hot water heater pictured here is capable of pumping out 28,750 BTUs of solar energy and we are pleased to report it is now

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-51491595977751198912008-04-02T14:54:00.000-07:002008-04-04T14:48:57.490-07:00

Growing Organic Food for Whitewater Eco Rafters on the South Fork of the American RiverWhen we established our original garden twenty years ago it was small and located next to the main kitchen. Occasionally the garden thrived, mostly it died, but the herbs, basically a form of weed after all, took over. In 2007, as part of our Greenhouse Gas Action Plan (GAP), we decided to reinvent the garden.

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-85878225572737365582008-03-27T17:18:00.000-07:002008-04-03T14:49:30.450-07:00

28,750 BTU Solar Hot Water Heater at MaLodeSolar Energy Exploratorium: Alternative Energy Education on the American RiverThe purpose of the Solar Energy Exploratorium (SEE) is to provide our students hands-on opportunities to encounter the many ways solar energy impacts our daily lives and the phenomenal potential solar power has to transform our society in positive ways. Our food, the weather,

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-56698105419140826882008-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:002008-04-07T07:53:04.699-07:00

For the 2008 season we are pleased to announce dramatic progress toward meeting the goals of our Greenhouse Action Plan. Our "Eco-Bus" is the first 100% waste vegetable oil (WVO) powered bus on the South Fork of the American River, will reduce carbon emissions profoundly each and every time it carries passengers down the highway. On the Chili Bar Run we will achieve up to an 80% reduction from

Josenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-45588908827737457062008-02-08T11:06:00.000-08:002009-02-05T15:58:49.033-08:00

PCL Honors South Fork of the American River HeroesP.S. That probably includes you!The annual meeting of the Planning and Conservation League (PCL) held on January 10, 2008 in Sacramento was a gala event involving 330 activists, planners and attorneys with the theme ”A State of Change: How Californians Can Change the World”. Featured speakers included California’s Lt. Governor John Garamendi;

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03657681737194950021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-52410278208089847512007-08-02T13:22:00.000-07:002008-05-19T13:34:20.767-07:00

As promised, here is the Creme Brulee French Toast Recipe!!Ingredients;1 Stick (1/2 Cup) Unsalted Butter1 Cup Brown Sugar (packed)2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup6 Slices Texas Toast (Crust Trimmed Off)1 1/2 Cup Half & Half1 Tsp. Vanilla1 Tsp. Grand Marnier (or double Vanilla to 2 tsp)DirectionsIn small sauce pan, melt butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup over meduim heat, stirring until smooth and por

Charlienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-20354229155096132772007-06-15T15:19:00.000-07:002008-02-06T17:08:14.607-08:00

It is difficult to watch the news without hearing about human induced climate change and global warming. Although I’ve been aware of this problem since college, I’m not any different than most folks, I could be doing a lot more about dealing with it! (See the entire GAP at www.malode.com/news/scott)The Mother Lode Greenhouse Gas Action Plan (GAP) is our effort to get up to speed on this issue and

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-19439678181751222572007-06-15T13:10:00.000-07:002008-02-06T16:06:50.000-08:00

“Quiche a la MaLode” Saturday Morning BreakfastNew this season for Saturday morning is the “Quiche a la MaLode” breakfast, which features a special quiche recipe. Borrowed from one of California’s finest hotels, this recipe has long been a closely held secret. This delightful combination of cheeses, eggs and spinach is certain to leave you well fortified for your day on the river. To further

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-28596373550399150252007-05-15T14:03:00.000-07:002008-02-06T17:04:42.821-08:00

Well, the humans out here at Mother Lode have made a decision.They have decided to collaborate with The Red Road Equine Experiential Center!The Red Road works with people helping them make positive changes in the way they work, communicate and live.Using horses as their main tool, you'll see an amazing amount of learning... don't take my word for it though - check them out!If you want to find out

Charlienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-70919707495583253912007-02-09T14:11:00.000-08:002007-02-10T16:44:50.091-08:00

Over the years MaLode has supported Wild and Scenic Status for several different California Rivers including the Tuolumne, Merced,etc. These efforts have succeeded in part because of the letters written by MaLode participants. For instance, the Tuolumne River Wild and Scenic campaign coordinated by Friends of the River produced 10,000 letters total. In spite of the fact that we don’t run the “T”,

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-73234697407191817752007-02-09T14:08:00.000-08:002007-02-09T19:10:16.738-08:00

As many of you no doubt recall, during the 2006 season you were asked to write letters to the Board of Directors of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). The purpose was to urge the acceptance of the “Alternative Proposal” for the re-licensing of SMUD’s Upper American River Project (UARP) hydroelectric facilities on the South Fork of the American River. This proposal provided for

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-34286718205370164392007-02-09T13:00:00.000-08:002007-06-15T13:05:18.808-07:00

Let’s Go Boating!As winter turns to spring the reasons to go boating just keep increasing! One of my favorite reasons is all the green everywhere. On the North Fork of the American brilliant yellow poppies punctuate the intense green of the hills, and waterfalls tumble carelessly down the steep canyon walls. The Chili Bar run on the South Fork of the American is also famous for its poppy

Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963994693964473918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37023464.post-1170974427918059222007-02-08T14:35:00.000-08:002008-02-06T16:24:13.353-08:00

Adventurous paddlers in Northern Californiaclick here for more North Fork American Spring Rafting info

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03657681737194950021noreply@blogger.com0