April Update from Supervisor Sackett
County of Marin, California sent this bulletin at 04/30/2025 06:13 PM PDT
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| APRIL 2025 |
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NORTH BAY WATERSHED ASSOCIATION GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE |
Dear Neighbors,
As Chair of the Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA), I had the extraordinary opportunity to join a diverse and dedicated team for five days in the Eel River Canyon - the most remote and challenging stretch of the Great Redwood Trail to restore. Our group included GRTA and State Coastal Conservancy staff, a Wailaki tribal representative, a railroad historian, a bridge and tunnel engineer, trail builders, state and federal land stewards, and even Don Beers, the renowned author on trail and road design for California State Parks. Together, we hiked over railroad bridges, explored collapsed tunnels, and camped beside the Eel River.
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Around the campfire, we shared powerful conversations about restoring salmon habitat, preserving cultural resources and native plants, and creating meaningful economic opportunities for the Wailaki people and the communities of Alder Point and Dos Rios. The experience, from kayaking Class IV rapids to witnessing the resilience of the landscape, deepened my understanding of both the challenges and the promise this restoration project holds.
The vision for the Great Redwood Trail is bold: a 307-mile continuous pathway connecting Humboldt Bay to San Francisco Bay, linking people, communities, and cultures, and offering a world-class experience for hikers, bikers, and nature lovers. Closer to home, you can now see the Great Redwood Trail signs appearing along the SMART pathways right here in Marin County.
| MENTAL HEALTH MONTH |
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May Mental Health Month highlights the importance of connection, healing, and support. With over 10 free events throughout the county—from mindfulness retreats to youth-led wellness days—there’s something for everyone.
Event Highlights:
- Sat, May 3 - Uplift Wellness Day (Sausalito): Art, connection, and community
- Sun, May 4 & 11 - Mental Health First Aid Training (Bolinas): Learn to help someone in crisis
- Wed, May 7 - Suicide Prevention Collaborative Meeting (San Rafael): Focus on youth mental health
- Tue, May 13 - “Power of Connection” Talk (Kentfield): A conversation on recovery and hope
- Wed, May 14 - Caregiver Retreat (Woodacre): Recharge with meditation and movement
- Sat, May 17 - Playback Theater (San Anselmo): Share stories and see them brought to life
- Sun, May 18 - Youth Wellness Festival (San Rafael): A full day of art, film, and celebration
See the complete event list and register here. Call or text 988 anytime for mental health support.
| ALERT MARIN |
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The County of Marin recently upgraded AlertMarin, the emergency notification system used to deliver critical information and potentially life-saving instructions to the community. The County encourages all who live or work in Marin to sign up for emergency alerts at Emergency.MarinCounty.gov
Here’s what you need to know:
• All existing AlertMarin users were migrated; there is no need to sign up again unless your contact information has changed.
• If your city or town still uses Nixle, you’ll continue receiving their non-emergency messages.
• This change was driven by community feedback requesting a simpler, faster sign-up process.
• The new system removes the mandatory user accounts, reducing sign-up time to under five minutes.
• You can sign up in English or Spanish and choose your preferred language for alerts.
Sign up or update your info today.
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Register to join us on Monday, May 12, 5:00 – 6:30 pm at the Mill Valley Community Center for a panel discussion on how to sustain climate leadership for our future.
| POWER OF CONNECTION |
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The Marin County Commission on Aging and ESCOM, the lifelong learning program at the College of Marin, are presenting a public forum: “The Power of Connection: Creating, Building and Sustaining Community as We Age.” The forum is on May 20th from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the Jonas Center on the College of Marin Indian Valley Campus: 1800 Ignacio Blvd., Novato, CA. Registration is required and will close May 16. A light lunch will be served. A suggested donation of $25 is requested to help cover event costs.
The forum is designed to address one of the greatest health risks facing older adults: loneliness and isolation. Attendees will learn practical steps to support themselves and others, and how stronger social connections can significantly improve health, and learn what role housing, transportation, nutrition, family, and friendships play in helping to alleviate isolation and loneliness.
| SAFE PATHWAY PROJECTS |
On the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM), we funded projects to make it easier and safer for kids to walk and bike to school. $6.85 million is being invested through TAM's Measure AA. Projects were chosen through recommendations from Safe Routes to Schools meetings based on school safety needs and student use. The upgrades mean safer routes, less traffic, independence for kids heading to school, and ease for adults walking and biking in their neighborhoods.
PROJECTS FUNDED IN DISTRICT 1:
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Vallecito-Mark Day School Pathway - construct a multi-use path through Mark Day School to Vallecito Elementary School, allowing students to safely travel the shared Mark Day School access road. I have been working on this project for over a decade. I used to walk along the narrow passageway with my friends Nicki, Jennifer, and Amy, and our kids to Vallecito. We are excited about this upcoming project for today's Vallecito families. |
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Nova Albion Bikeway and Pathway Gap Closure ‐ extend the two‐way buffered bikeway on the west side of Nova Albion Way from Terra Linda High School to Montecillo Road, creating a more secure travel path for both bicyclists and pedestrians to Terra Linda High, Vallecito Elementary, and Mark Day School.
Fifth Avenue and California Avenue Intersection Improvements ‐ closing a sidewalk gap, adding curb extensions, installing green‐backed sharrows, and placing a speed hump at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and California Avenue, a key route to Sun Valley Elementary School.
Rafael Meadows Safe Crossing Pathway Project/ South Merrydale Road Civic Center Connector Project - connect the physically isolated Rafael Meadows neighborhood on the west side of the US-101 freeway to key destinations, including schools like Venetia Valley and Brandeis Marin, the Marin County Civic Center, SMART train station, employment, and open spaces.
District 1 Unincorporated Marin County School Zones ‐ create 15 mph school speed zones for Venetia Valley, Miller Creek Middle, Lucas Valley Elementary, Marin Waldorf, and Mary Silveira Elementary.
| SPRING COMMUTE CHALLENGE |
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Reimagine your daily commute with the Marin Commutes Spring Challenge through May 31! Log your bike, bikeshare, walking, or carpool/vanpool trip to earn an extra entry in the Grand Prize drawing! Sign up and start logging today here. May 8 is Bike to School Day, and May 15 is Bike to Work Day!
| NORTH BAY WATERSHED ASSOCIATION GRANT AND SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE |
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Explore the opportunities available through this North Bay Watershed Association program and submit your application by May 30th, 2025. For detailed information and application guidelines, visit NBWA's programs page. If you have any questions, please contact northbaywa@gmail.com.
| COUNTY CLOSE-UP: DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE |
The Department of Finance manages the County’s finances from budgeting and accounting to ensuring the responsible use of public funds. The Department of Finance serves as the County's auditor, controller, tax collector, treasurer, and public administrator.
- Keeping track of how the County spends money
- Making sure the County follows financial rules and regulations
- Paying employees and vendors
- Calculating taxes, creating bills, and collecting payments
- Helping to manage estates
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Popular Services:
- Property Tax Payments
- Business Licensing
- Transient Occupancy Tax
- Public Administrator Estate Referral
To learn more, visit the Marin County Department of Finance webpage.
| HAVE YOU HEARD? |
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On April 15th at our Board of Supervisors meeting, Marin Youth Poet Laureate Mira Sridharan shared an original poem, "Eyes" (view Mira's reading here at the 04:33 minute mark). This inspired me to revisit some of Mary Oliver's poems. I keep "The Summer Day" pinned above my desk which you can find in Devotions, Mary Oliver's personal selection of her work. You can find the Library's picks for National Poetry Month here. |
Discover Local Art with Marin Open Studios
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Join Marin Open Studios for two weekends of free art and community on May 3-4 and May 10-11 from 11am to 6pm. 275 artists across Marin are opening their studios to the public. Come meet the artists, discover their creative spaces, see artwork up close, and have the opportunity to purchase work directly from the artists. Plan your self-guided tour here.
Please stay in touch,
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| Mary Sackett Supervisor, District 1 (415) 473-7331 Email Mary |
Crystal Martinez Board Aide (415) 473-7342 Email Crystal |
Julia Reinhard Board Aide (415) 473-7354 Email Julia |
| RESOURCES |
My office is here to assist and help make navigating government services easier for you. This section includes some of the most frequently requested resources. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
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Not all events are sponsored by the County of Marin. County of Marin sponsored events are required to be accessible. If you are an individual with a disability and require an accommodation to participate in a County sponsored event, please call (415) 473-7354 (voice), Julia.Reinhard@MarinCounty.gov (email), (415) 473-3232 (TTY), or dial 711 for CRS or email Disability Access at least six work days in advance. Documents in alternative formats are available upon request. | |||
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