Saturday Events

Thanks to our sponsors:
Riverdance Farms
Garton Tractor
Sacramento Natural Foods Coop
Tower Garden Supply and Grandma's All Natural Nursery
Organic Valley Family of Farms
Horizon Organic / White Wave
T & D Willey Farms
Royal Blue Organics / Cafe Mam
Sierra Heights Marketing Co.
United Natural Foods Inc.
Lone Willow Ranch
NCGA-Pacific Chapter
Stonyfield Farm
Seeds of Change
California Cloverleaf Farms /Vista Livestock Company
California Certified Organic Farmers
East Merced RCD
Merced River Alliance
Modesto Milling
Foster Farms
Offline Independent Energy Systems
Wildwood Natural Foods
West Marine
Valley Harvest Nut Company
Acres U. S. A.

Sunday June 18, 2006

Merced Rafting Trip
9 am - 2 pm (leaving from Riverdance Farms)

sponsored by
the East Merced Resource Conservation District and Merced River Alliance

Rafters must be at least 6 years of age and MUST know how to swim.
SPACE IS LIMITED

For tickets and information call (831) 763-2111 or (559) 497-5033

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MERCED RIVER CANYON:
The Merced River originates in Yosemite National Park on the crest of the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of 11,000 feet. The river flows wild and undammed until it reaches Lake McClure, formed by the New Exchequer Dam near Merced Falls. From Lake McClure, the river continues into the San Joaquin Valley and joins the San Joaquin River near Newman.
Lieutenant Gabriel Moraga of the Mexican Army named the Merced in 1806 when he and his band of soldiers came upon the river at the end of a 40-mile march. Ingratitude, he called the river El Rio Nuestra Senora de la Merced (The River of Our Lady of Mercy).

The history of the navigable portions of the upper Merced River is one of miners, railroads, and lumberjacks. The gold miners arrived in the 1850’s. The two most productive mines along the river were Hite’s Cove and Clearing House. The Hite’s Cove mine produced more than $3 million in gold. Gold miners still operate dredges on the Merced, especially during periods of low flow and warm weather.

The Yosemite Valley Railroad parallels the north bank of the river. Between 1907 and 1945, the railroad carried passengers from Merced to El Portal, providing the most popular transport to and from Yosemite National Park.
Large stands of sugar pine once grew on both sides of the Merced River Canyon. In 1910, the Yosemite Lumber Company began to harvest this timber and continued to do so until 1942. Logs were transported down from the surrounding ridges, loaded onto Yosemite Valley Railroad cars, and then taken 60 miles to the mill at Merced Falls.

WILDLIFE ON THE MERCED RIVER:
The Merced River hosts an array of wildlife in and around the water. Keep an eye out for:
Birds: The abundant and varied bird life along the river include mourning doves, Cassin’s finches, California quail, dark-eyed juncos, woodpeckers, dippers, great blue herons, scrub jays, and red-winged blackbirds. Red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, cliff swallows, and canyon wrens are plentiful. The common meganser often rests along the river, and occasionally, a magnificent bald eagle may be seen.

Plants: California poppy, white alder, Oregon ash, oaks, poison oak, big-leaf maple, Indian rhubarb, buttonbush, and willow are found along the tributaries of the Merced River. Higher up the surrounding slopes, whiteleaf manzanita and the remnants of once-larger stands of sugar pine can be observed.

Mammals: Most prevalent among the many types of animals found along the Merced Canyon are squirrel, raccoon, jackrabbit, bats and skunk. Observant boaters and campers may be lucky enough to spot less abundant, but nevertheless commonly seen, beaver, mule deer, coyote and, on rare occasion, bobcat.
Fish: Brown and rainbow trout and small-mouth bass are the game fish found in the Merced. Squawfish, hardhead, western sucker and sculpin are common. The Merced also has a fall run of Chinook Salmon.

Hosted by: Sunshine Adventures
www.raftadventure.com/

FOR Heartland Festival TICKETS:
Contact EFA at (831) 763-2111

Ticket Prices: (pre-registration is suggested!)

Adults: $10 before 6/9, $15 after 6/9
Kids (3-12): $5 each or 3 for $10
Kids under 3: free
Slow Food wine tasting: $15 (space is limited! Sign up early!)
Sat. camping: $10 per car
Sun. rafting: $30 (equipment and instruction included)
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Volunteers:

We welcome volunteers!!! Call the office before the festival to sign up as a volunteer - and receive free Saturday admission for a 4 hour volunteer shift! Call (831) 763-2111 to sign up as a Heartland Volunteer! back to top

Food:

Affordable, delicious, fresh organic food will be available at the festival for Saturday lunch, snacks and dinner, and Sunday breakfast. back to top

Booths: Artists, local businesses, educators and more...

Booths are still available for Heartland's Community Marketplace - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm.
Call the Office (831) 763-2111