When native wildlife in the North Bay runs afoul of humankind, it’s almost always the animal that comes out second best. That’s when Sonoma  County Wildlife Rescue steps in.

Even after more than 25 years of doing this, there are still surprises, says Executive Director Doris Duncan, including two species that each appeared  there for the first time earlier this year.

 Although she has been caring for all kinds of native animals throughout the organization's 18 year history, Duncan says each one is different.

Whenever possible, the treated creatures are released back into the wild, as close as possible to where they came from.

Expanding the educational opportunities for children in poor, rural parts of Nicaragua and El Salvador is the focus of a low profile Sonoma-based non-profit.

Seeds of Learning was started 18 years ago by two Sonoma County men, Todd Evans and Patrick Rickon, based on their own experiences in Central America.

Although they are no longer involved in running the daily operations of the organization, Executive Director Annie Bacon says both men continue to actively participate in the group’s international projects.

The Seeds of Learning volunteers have been warmly, if somewhat quizzically welcomed by the people in Nicaragua and El Salvador, Bacon says, with little regard for the region’s difficult history with the United States government.

Equador

KRCB's mission is to encourage full participation in society and community. We do that by providing educational, informational and cultural telecommunications services in partnership with the community.  Like every organization with a mission, we like feedback - how are we doing?

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) requires every public broadcasting organization to have a group of community members who can effectively provide input to the station's governing board about the station's programming, community service and impact on the community. At KRCB this group is called the  Community Advisory Council (formerly the Community Advisory Panel), which meets four times a year (sometimes more) to talk about how KRCB is doing in terms of meeting our mission and goals. It is a lively group with good ideas and lots of energy.

At this time we are seeking to expand the membership of our Community Advisory Council. We are particularly looking for people who can represent the following communities: Petaluma,  Sonoma, Kenwood, Cloverdale, Healdsburg, and Windsor,  as well as outlying unincorporated areas of Sonoma County such as Roseland. We would also welcome our supporters from Marin County who could help us connect with their communities.

Please give Cheryl a call at (707) 584-2005 if you think you would be a good candidate for the Community Advisory Council, or if you would just like more information (curiosity is good!) You can e-mail me at cheryl_scholar@krcb.org  You will need to fill out an application and submit it to the station before the end of August. We anticipate final appointments will be made by our Board of Directors at their first meeting in September.

Permaculture - an idea that began around sustainable agriculture - is moving into the urban environment.

  You can also learn more about this subject at the Oakland-based Urban Permaculture Guild.

Dave Henson, Executive Director of the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (right), explains that interest in permaculture arose in part in response to the widespread dominance of "monoculture," or large-scale farming of a single crop.

One of the enduring examples of crop integration is indigenous to Mexico and the American southwest, and known colloquially as the "three sisters."