Effie Yeaw Nature Center
A Community Service of the
American River Natural History Association
 

Effie Yeaw


A leading spirit in the movement for protecting Sacramento's natural environment, Effie Yeaw's vision stimulated powerful support for environmental causes such as adoption of a tree control ordinance, formation of the Save the American River Association (SARA) and establishment of the American River Parkway.


During the 1950's and 1960's, she promoted appreciation for plant and animal life, protecting
our streams and preserving heritage oaks and plant seedlings. She cultivated heightened awareness, especially among young people.


She was a teacher by trade and continued teaching about nature well into retirement; she influenced the lives of thousands of children whom she, and those she recruited, led into the fields, woods, and river paths in search of the living worlds within the natural environment.


When Mrs. Yeaw passed away on January 3, 1970, the organizations she had served so well proposed that the planned interpretive nature center in Ancil Hoffman Park (at the time, no funds were available) be named in her honor. The Effie Yeaw Interpretive Center, erected at the edge of the natural area formerly known as Deterding Woods, was opened and formally dedicated on June 19, 1976.
MISSION
The American River Natural History Association (ARNHA) and the Effie Yeaw Nature Center are dedicated to bringing awareness of the beauty and diversity of the natural world to children, families, and the community through education initiatives that foster appreciation, enjoyment, and stewardship of the unique natural and cultural resources of the Sacramento region. 
HISTORY

In 1955 Effie Yeaw, a teacher, conservationist and environmental educator began leading natural and cultural history walks in an area known as Deterding Woods, located along the American River in Carmichael. Effie Yeaw and other local citizens recognized the value of the natural and cultural resources along the American River and began working with citizen groups to raise interest in preserving the lands along the river. She also trained tour guides and worked with William B. Pond, then Director of the Sacramento County Parks Department, to develop the concept of a "Parkway" along the river that included the preservation of Deterding Woods, now known as the Effie Yeaw Nature Center and Nature Area.

In 1960, the Director of Parks received a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to purchase land along the American River in the area now known as Ancil Hoffman Park, which included Deterding Woods. That was the beginning of many purchases to establish the Parkway, including the Effie Yeaw Nature Area.

In 1965 the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved a Land Use and Development Plan that included an Interpretive Center in Ancil Hoffman County Park to interpret the natural and cultural resources of the American River Parkway. In 1972 Sacramento County voters passed a Park Bond measure that included funding for the Interpretive Center. As a result of public comment and support, in 1973 the Sacramento County Recreation and Parks Commission requested that the County Parks Department plan and develop this facility. In 1974 a citizen's advisory committee studied the feasibility of an interpretive center in Ancil Hoffman County Park. Many of these citizens were introduced to the natural resources of the Parkway by Effie Yeaw herself. They reviewed and revised the 1965 Land Use and Development Plan, and along with many other recommendations, presented updated goals and objectives that were adopted by Sacramento County Parks as part of their October 1975, Effie Yeaw Interpretive Center Prospectus.

Construction of the Nature Center was completed in June 1976 and was dedicated in memory of the teacher whose dedication to nature and children still guide Nature Center activities today. The Nature Center's statement of purpose was adopted as part of the American River Parkway Interpretive Plan on January 11,1978. The Effie Yeaw Nature Center's cooperating association, the American River Natural History Association (ARNHA), adopted the same goals upon its establishment in 1981.


 In July, 2010, the County decided they could no longer fund the Center and it is now operating under the auspices of the American River Natural History Association, a non-profit organization that has supported the Center for 30 years.


Though Effie Yeaw died in 1970, her legacy lives on in the American River Parkway she helped to establish and in the Nature Center whose guiding philosophy is Effie's genuine love for nature and children.
GOALS
  • To provide opportunities for the visitor that will promote awareness, appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of the natural and cultural resources of the Sacramento Region.
  • To provide awareness and understanding of human interdependence within a finite ecosystem and the need to conserve its resources and protect its quality.