Riverfest 2009 focuses on cleanup, restoration

It was a morning of planting, protecting, preserving and picking up.

More than 60 people turned out Saturday for Riverfest 2009, the second annual cleanup event hosted by the Carson City Chamber of Commerce.

This year, the chamber joined several conservation groups as part of Carson River Work Days to prepare for opening of a soon-to-be-acquired property adjoining Riverview Park in the northeast corner.

Chamber Executive Director Ronni Hannaman welcomed participants who gathered at the Korean War Veterans Memorial Park.

"It's a beautiful morning and the leaves are turning," she said. "It's a beautiful fall day for this project. Kiwanis does a big cleanup on another part of the river and we're doing this part."

Dan Greytak of the Carson River Advisory Council said last year's event focused on the Silver Saddle Ranch.

"Today, we'll try to do some restoration work and try to preserve the cottonwoods from beaver damage that we haven't done before," Greytak said.

A technique known as "wrap and wire" will help deter beavers from gnawing down cottonwood trees. Paint also was to be used to adhere sand to the tree bark to discourage the lodge builders, he said.

"None of these methods is 100 percent effective, but if it saves a few trees for reseeding, then we're helping this cottonwood gallery corridor that is the signature of this area," Greytak said.

Other chores tackled during the work day were hauling away driftwood and debris, tearing down barbed wire fencing and planting willows to help stabilize riverbanks.

Greytak asked participants to keep an eye out for potential usage ideas for the new property, which might be considered along with the trail concepts already in place throughout most of the park.

"The cleanup program is part of the chamber's overall goal to create and maintain pride in our community," said Beverly Eiswert, the chamber's administrative assistant. "We love our volunteers."

Alex Quattrin, a senior at Carson High School who is new to the area, was one of 11 participants from the Junior Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Saturday.

"This is the first time I've been to the river," Quattrin said, "but a lot of us are in different classes, so this helps us meet and get acquainted."

Commanding Officer Freddie Jones, a Senior Naval Science instructor, said civic involvement is good practice for his students.

"As part of our process, we try to instill good citizenship, so we look for service projects we can get involved in," Jones said.

The event was put on in conjunction with the Carson City Parks & Recreation Department, Carson River Advisory Committee, Western Nevada Resource Conservation & Development, Carson Water Subconservancy District, Carson Valley Conservation District, Carson City Elks Lodge #2177 and Kelly Moore Paint.

Dan Kaffer, development coordinator for WNRCD, said the event was one of several Carson River Work Days which typically involve thousands of people in five counties who help to keep the Carson River healthy.

"Our goal is to get people personally involved in restoration efforts," Kaffer said.

Anyone who wants to be part of an upcoming Carson River Work Day can call 883-2292 for more information.

"There are a lot of people who make this whole thing happen," Hannaman said. "It's a chance for making friends, networking, feeling good about the community - and it's healthy."

According to the city's Web site, Riverview Park is a 109-acre open natural area that extends from the Korean War Veterans Memorial Park to the banks of the Carson River. Amenities include dirt trails, a 1.6-mile exercise course, an additional .4-mile nature trail and benches near the river. Wild mustangs occasionally forage in the area. Dogs are allowed off leash during all park hours but are not allowed in the wetland areas, and must be under adequate control of their owners at all times.