Earth Day in the Oaks - Sat. Apr. 23, 2011

The public is invited to help celebrate “Earth Day in the Oaks” on Saturday, April 23rd when the Clarks Island Sustainability Initiative (CISI) will be launching a Living Dock Kayak Launch at Clarks Island in downtown Clearlake Oaks.

A day full of varying festivities and activities is planned, from Hwy 20 Cleanup, free Shannon Ridge wine tasting, shoreline cleanup, paddlefest, a community potluck, the Clarks Island “Living Dock Kayak” Launch and Planting, Natural Building demonstrations, informational booths, and the grand opening of the Clearlake Oaks Visitor Center.

Beginning at 9am until noon, volunteers can help clean up debris along Hwy 20 in Clearlake Oaks. The cleanup is organized by the Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Business Association. Refreshments and snacks will be provided, and the first twenty kids to pitch in get free t-shirts! If you wish to volunteer, please contact Bill Stone at 994-8800 or email

At noon is the Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting of the new Clearlake Oaks Visitor Center, which is operated with volunteers under the direction of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce. The Visitor Center is located next to Nylander Park on Hwy 20.

Beginning at 12:30, Clarks Island - located on Hwy 20 between the Tower Mart and the Clearlake Oaks Boat Launch - will be the host to a number of activities:

Natural Building: Massey Burke will continue with Natural Building demonstrations. Volunteers can help finish plastering the bench, make up adobe bricks, or watch Massey create a “fish lantern” sculpture. Volunteers will also be working on the bench roof, and finishing off the sign lettering.

Floating Islands: From 1pm to 3pm, will be a Plant and Launch of the newly built “Living Dock” Kayak Launch. Representatives from Floating Island West, and Lakeport’s The Dock Factory - who both have donated much of the design time and production of the Kayak Launch - will be available. The Dock Factory will be placing the Living Dock into position on Clarks Island, and volunteers can help plant the floating side panels with a variety of plants picked for their water cleaning power, color and habitat provision. The dock plant design was created by Stacy Plummer of Aquatic Artscapes, and will include rushes, grasses and flowering plants.

Paddlefest: Noon on. Paddlers of all ages and types are invited to bring their vessel of choice - kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, rafts, floats, paddle boards, dinghies and dragon boats - and celebrate the day by paddling around Clarks Island during the Launch and Plant or paddle the 4 mile loop Rattlesnake Island Water Trail - trail maps will be available. Paddlers (and landlubbers) are also encouraged to help with the planting, trim back cattails on the current floating island, and help pick up “winter flotsam.” We are hoping to have kayak rentals available - updates later.

There are three places to launch. Park at the Clearlake Oaks Boat Launch and either launch to the east towards Clarks Island, or launch from the Clearlake Oaks Beach and then paddle under the Island Drive bridge to Clarks Island. Additionally, kayaks can be launched from the Short St. ramp across from Nylander Park.

General: There will be informational displays on floating islands, a proposed Science Island project, natural building, Lake County Water Trails, lake ecology, the environment and more. Supervisor Denise Rushing will hold a solar cooking demonstration, weather permitting.

Organizations, businesses, community groups and others are invited to set up informational booths or demonstrations - it’s free, but please contact 998-0135 or rtnc@sonic.net to reserve space, help organize, get involved or to make suggestions for events!

Also from 1pm to 3pm, Shannon Ridge will be offering free wine tasting on select wines in their outdoor picnic area. The tasting room is located in downtown Clearlake Oaks across the street from Nylander Park, but it's also available via water by paddling from Clarks Island down to the Short Street ramp.

To finish the day, from 3pm to 6pm, Transition Lake County will hold their monthly Community Potluck on Clarks Island. The public is welcome - bring some food to share! Music, conversation, information exchange and a complimentary glass of Shannon Ridge wine, which was donated to the event.

Clarks Island is located on Hwy 20 in between the Tower Mart and Clearlake Oaks Boat Launch.

See what's been happening at Clarks Island on the CISI facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clarks-Island-Sustainability-Initiative/131571996892818.