The Outer Ring
The Outer Ring features flora and fauna native to Putah Creek. This imagery honors the indigenous people and original natural landscape of our region and it celebrates the restoration of the creek. The fertility of the land surrounding Putah Creek was the reason the original homesteaders established their farms in this area. However, the creek was later diverted to prevent flooding, and it eventually it went dry. As a result of the stewardship and engagement of local citizens over many years, the dams were eventually required by law to maintain natural stream flows. And, due to devoted restoration efforts, the result has been a remarkable increase in various riparian species, including birds, beaver, and otter, and the return of spawning native Steelhead Trout and chinook Salmon. The revival of Putah Creek is considered a model for habitat restoration, and, further, it is a stellar example of cooperation between the City, the University, non-profit organizations, citizen volunteers, and private businesses. This ring of the seal is interrupted by two intersecting panels, and this interruption in the creek’s flow represents an important concept for an idealistic city: Sometimes we lose our way—as individuals, as societies, as cities, as nations. However, if we have Aspiration, if we have Community, if we have Cooperation, Engagement, Vision, and Leadership, we can find our way once again.