RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Preserve the American River neighborhood group is passionate about safeguarding the Lower American River, which flows through Rancho Cordova. It is designated as a “Wild and Scenic” river under both state and federal law, due to both its beauty and its many recreational uses. In addition to drawing thousands of visitors each year, the river and surrounding parkway provides habitat for a variety of wildlife—including fish, deer, bobcats, foxes, coyotes, hawks, eagles, owls, and many more.

Members of Preserve the American River volunteer their time, working to ensure that future generations will continue to enjoy all the river has to offer. Their mission is to “Protect Our River, Protect Our Future.” As part of this effort, the group recently organized a Family Fall Festival to increase awareness about the river’s significance. On October 17, a quiet neighborhood street on Stirling Park Drive in Rancho Cordova was transformed with live music, food, and a variety of family-friendly activities such as arts and crafts, games, and educational speakers.

Nature walks showcased public easements that traverse the adjacent Kassis property—40 acres of privately owned open space along the American River. Many locals only recently learned of these public easements, which were granted decades ago but never marked or maintained. Neighbors brought concerns about inaccessible easements to the City last year, and in May the City determined that some access points needed to be opened to ensure the public could utilize the easements.

Mark Berry, a member of Preserve the American River, guided the nature walks, describing the property as a “remarkable site”.  He said the important ecological habitat along the American River should be preserved—but a proposed housing development on the Kassis property threatens this unique open space. If approved by the City, this 40-acre site of heritage oaks and old walnut trees would be filled in to make room for almost 250 new residences, which could have impacts on the river and the surrounding parkway.

“It’s not just our neighborhood issue,” said Berry. “It’s really a regional issue. American River Parkway affects our entire region. … It’s the crown jewel of our region.” Berry said the Family Fall Festival was an opportunity to remind people that the river is a “treasure.” He asked, “If we don’t take care of it, who is going to?”

Sergio Diaz, another member of Preserve the American River, described the festival as “a day of celebration,” to bring people together to celebrate their right to access “this hidden gem of the American River Parkway.”

More than 400 people from Rancho Cordova and surrounding areas attended the festival, gathering together to celebrate the natural beauty of the river. The festival attracted locals and visitors who frequent the river’s walking trails and bike trails, as well as those who fish, raft, canoe, or kayak in the waters. Attendees and sponsors all had a common purpose: the love of natural open spaces and the hope of protecting wildlife habitats and ensuring clean air and water for all. Jessica Ocenosak, with Preserve the American River, helped organize the event, and she said, “There’s a lot of passion here.” 

In addition to the Preserve the American River neighborhood group, other event sponsors included Save the American River Association (SARA), Sierra Club Sacramento Group, Nature Detectives, Habitat 2020, Friends of the River, Wild Birds & Gardens, American River Grange, California Fire Safe Council, Effie Yeaw Nature Center, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Enterprise Car Sales and Rental, Folsom Cordova Unified School District, Silly Little Mama Music and Publishing, American River Grange, and Brenda Cook Coldwell Banker Realty, and State Assemblymember Ken Cooley.  

Event donors included Seaquest Folsom, Statewide Safety System, Sac State Aquatic Center, The Rink, Kiene’s Fly Shop, and Nations Giant Burger.

To learn more about the festival and the mission of Preserve the American River, visit www.preservetheamericanriver.org.