Creek Week 2022

CREEK WEEK

Join us for Creek Week, September 17-24! Celebrate throughout the week with fun and engaging activities for all ages. For over a decade Creek Week has offered educational events and volunteer creek cleanups. Creek Week coincides with the California Coastal Commission’s big Creek to Coast Cleanup Day, an event that has now spread worldwide. For Creek Week in Santa Rosa, we invite you and your family to signup for one or more of our in-person events, or participate virtually by completing the activities below. 

CREEK WEEK ACTIVITIES

Prince Memorial Greenway Cleanup 

Sat., Sept.17 | 9-11:30AM | Register

Guided Nature Walk at Flat Rock Park 

Sun., Sept. 18 | 10:30AM-Noon | TOUR FULL: WAITLIST ONLY

Downtown Underground Tour  

 Tues., Sept. 20 | 6-7PM | TOUR FULL: WAITLIST ONLY

Thurs., Sept. 22 | 6-7PM | TOUR FULL: WAITLIST ONLY

Laguna Treatment Plant Tour 

Sat., Sept. 24 | 10-11:30AM | TOUR FULL - WAITLIST ONLY

Sat., Sept. 24 | 10:30AM-Noon | TOUR FULL: WAITLIST ONLY

Children’s Museum of Sonoma County Creek Week Event

Sat., Sept. 24 | 10AM-Noon | Learn More

Virtual Creek Week Activities

Website_line2


Prince Memorial Greenway Cleanup 

All ages are welcome to join us for a litter busting party at the Prince Memorial Greenway, as part of the annual Coastal Cleanup Day. This restored section of Santa Rosa Creek is really a gem in the heart of downtown with an active trail system. Large trees and deep pools are home to a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial species including heron, steelhead trout, and river otters! We’ll make trash cleanup extra fun and satisfying with a competition and prizes for your finds. This is a popular event with a big positive impact.

  • Saturday, September 17, 2022 
  • 9-11:30AM                      
  • Olive Park Footbridge Near 1698 Hazel St.
  • REGISTER
Website_line2


Guided Nature Walk at Flat Rock Park

Join our naturalists for a guided, picturesque walk along the beautiful upper section of Santa Rosa Creek. You’ll learn about the fascinating history of the region, dive into the wonders of the plant world, look for birds and wildlife, and observe several different stages of creek restoration that are improving the creek and riparian (streamside) habitat. Footing is relatively flat but may be uneven along the way. For many people, this tour will allow discovery of a hidden jewel right in your backyard. If you already know this site, you’ll discover new facets that make it even more beautiful. Most appropriate for ages 6 and up.

  • Sunday, September 18, 2022
  • 10:30AM-Noon                      
  • Meet at Flat Rock Park (Flat Rock Park Circle or Yulupa Circle)
  • TOUR FULL - WAITLIST ONLY
Website_line2


Downtown Underground Tour

Did you know there is a creek flowing running beneath your feet when you’re near Santa Rosa City Hall? Take a twilight tour of the huge underground culvert and fish ladder where Santa Rosa Creek runs under Downtown Santa Rosa. This event is thrilling and fascinating in equal measures and usually fills up fast. We’ll descend to the creek bed down a slope and over large rocks and walk across the creek (the water may be several inches deep). Wear your sturdy, closed toe, waterproof shoes, no sandals. Bring your own flashlight. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Limited availability, registration required.

TOUR 1 - TOUR FULL

  • Tuesday, September 20, 2022 
  • 6-7PM                
  • Meet at Prince Gateway Park (Santa Rosa Ave. and Sonoma Ave.)
  • TOUR FULL - WAITLIST ONLY

TOUR 2

  • Thursday, September 22, 2022
  • 6-7PM                
  • Meet at Prince Gateway Park (Santa Rosa Ave. and Sonoma Ave.)
  • TOUR FULL - WAITLIST ONLY
Website_line2


Laguna Treatment Plant Tour

How much do you know about the epic journey that your used water takes after it leaves your house? What happens to this finite resource and where is its final destination? Join us for a tour of the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant and learn about recycling and beneficially reusing water. Ages 10 and up. Limited availability, registration required. Two separate tour times available. 

TOUR 1

  • Saturday, September 24, 2022
  • 10-11:30AM                                        
  • 4300 Llano Rd.
  • TOUR FULL - WAITLIST ONLY

TOUR 2

  • Saturday, September 24, 2022
  • 10:30AM-Noon                                           
  • 4300 Llano Rd.
  • TOUR FULL - WAITLIST ONLY
Website_line2

Creek Week Event at Children’s Museum of Sonoma County 

Join in a very special Creek Week event at the Children’s Museum with fun, engaging creek activities for kids and their families! Event will kick-off with a very special, one-time only dedication and unveiling of the Museum’s new “Ours to Protect” sign. Museum CEO Collette Michaud will be there to host the brief dedication of this iconic sign that will permanently shine atop the beautiful Little Russian River waterway exhibit! 

 We’ll then flow into a variety of special creek-themed activities, fun for all ages. Come explore the living creatures of Little Russian River, help make the world better by stopping the dreaded Polluting Pirates and give your children an opportunity to be a Litter Critter! This new Children's Museum pop-up program is designed to give children a hands-on experience with good stewardship. Children will use specially provided tools to practice picking up trash and sorting it by feeding the hungry recycle robots! 

  • Saturday, September 24, 2022
  • 10AM-Noon                      
  • 1835 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
  • LEARN MORE
Website_line2

Virtual Creek Week Activities

Website_line2
Website_Creek Tour

In Santa Rosa there is always a creek nearby to enjoy. Let’s see what surprises our guides find as they explore a few of these creeks. Afterwards, set out on your own safari to find a creek. Creeks run through many parks. Creeks are next to schools. Creeks are crossed by streets more than 200 times. 35 miles of trails follow creeks. There are 20 footbridges over creeks. How many steps to your nearest creek?

Website _ Video IconClick here for a virtual tour of Santa Rosa's creeks!

Website_line2
Website_Creek Week Webinar
Website_line2

Birds of a Feather Flock to our Creeks Webinar

Learn about common birds found along our Santa Rosa creeks. This webinar will cover identification and natural history notes with a highlight on migration.

Website_line2

A Creek Runs Through It - Santa Rosa Creek and How It's Shaped the City

The Historical Society of Santa Rosa is proud to present A Creek Runs Through It - Santa Rosa Creek and How It's Shaped the City with the following presenters: 

STEVE BRADY - Senior Environmental Specialist Santa Rosa Water - Environmental Services - Storm Water & Creeks 

JEFF ELLIOTT - journalist who turned full-time to local historical research after retiring in 2009. He has since written over 750 articles that can be read at SantaRosaHistory.com. 

NICK TIPON - Board member of Point Blue Conservation Science. BILL TURNER -Member of HSSR Board of Directors

Website_line2
Website_Kids Creek Week

Make Mountains to Make Creeks

Investigate the shape of the Earth and how water flows in a watershed by making a 3-D topographic map of your very own. Let’s create a raised-relief landscape out of a piece of paper and markers. Making a map like this builds understanding of how the shape of land creates the flow of water over its surface. With a spray bottle of water, participants can complete this activity by raining down on their maps (go outdoors or place in bathtub/shower) to watch how water really flows over your land maps. PDF Instructions

Website _ Video IconClick here for step by step video instructions!

Website_line2

Nature Sit Spots

Spending time quietly in nature is good for our mind and body. This activity has participants pick an outdoor place and sit quietly on the ground, rock, or log and observe nature for at least 15 minutes. (Use a pad if you wish.) Participants use the Sit Spot journal to record observations and discover connections from the experience. Sitting still in nature takes practice and is a skill, try it today! PDF Instructions

Big Kids - English Journal | Spanish Journal

Little Kids - English Journal | Spanish Journal

Website _ Video IconClick here for step by step video instructions!

Website_line2

Ours to Protect Sign 

We use the iconic “Ours To Protect” image to connect with the theme of “Ours To Protect”. This activity invites participants to find the Our to Protect closest to their home and explore both physically (taking a creek walk) and mentally “What are we protecting the creeks FROM? Who and what are we protecting the creek FOR?”. Engage in the creek art project to recreate the colorful sign or create your own version. 

Personalize your own creek sign and decorate!

Website _ Video IconClick here for step by step video instructions!

Website_line2

Creek Protector Activity Book

Are you interested in learning more about our local creeks and watershed? This exciting series of Creek Protector activities will walk you through fun learning opportunities while exploring local creek trails. Discover local mammals, birds, and plants all while gaining an understanding of how our storm drains and creeks are connected. Download a PDF of the book, or take your phone to your local creek and complete the mobile version of the book. Receive a prize upon completion.


Click Here Icon


Click here to download your Creek Protector Activity Book

Website_line2

Good Natured Scavenger Hunt

The Scavenger Hunt will guide your family’s outdoor adventure while observing nature in your neighborhood and/or local creek. How many of these items can you find? Whether it’s signs left by wildlife, a heart-shaped rock, or something else on the hunt, you’ll be sure to find something “new” that you haven’t seen before!

Use the Good Natured Scavenger Hunt list to check off which items you find (and leave all the nature items right where they were found for nature to keep using).

Note: There are three different versions of this hunt so you can find the one that best matches your family. LONG version has the most categories and items to find and therefore the most challenging. SHORT version has fewer categories/items to find and can be done in a shorter amount of time. SEE and CIRCLE is designed for your youngest pre/new readers with a series of pictures to help guide the hunt.

Long Scavenger Hunt - English | Spanish

Short Scavenger Hunt - English | Spanish

Circle and See Scavenger Hunt - English | Spanish


Website_line2
Website_Creek Critter_Pacific Tree Frog

Pacific Tree Frog (also know as the pacific chorus frog, Pseudacris regalia)

The smallest frog is the loudest croaker!  These thumb size cuties will gather in pools after the first rains and sing loudly into the night.  Pacific tree frogs can appear bright green to brownish earth tones but they are easily identified as our only local frog species with a stripe through the eye. For more information on local critters and ways to prevent pollution in our creeks, visit: srcity.org/CreekStewardship

Website_line2
Website_Creek Trails Map

What Creeks have You Explored?

100 miles of creeks flow through Santa Rosa. Look for the “Ours to Protect” creek identification signs to discover creeks throughout the city. Find the creeks in your neighborhood, 35 miles of creek trails, and more information in the Creek Trails of Santa Rosa Map and Guide.

Creek Trails of Santa Rosa Map and Guide - English | Spanish