Placer Land Trust preserves North Fork American River land
The Wild & Scenic North Fork American River in Green Valley below Moody Ridge, as viewed from the newly protected Bailey North Fork Preserve.
Placer Land Trust is very pleased to announce that it has acquired 40 acres of gorgeous land along the North Fork American River at the bottom of Green Valley Trail in Alta.
The land was donated by the heirs of Matt & Betty Bailey, and will be protected as natural and recreational land by Placer Land Trust, forever.
The property is named “Bailey North Fork Preserve” not only in honor of the land donation, but also in recognition of the decades-long effort that the Bailey family, among others, sustained to see a 38-mile stretch of the North Fork American Rover awarded with the important and prestigious National Wild & Scenic River designation in 1978.
The property transferred to PLT on April 6, and publication of this newsletter was held up to bring you the good news!
“Our connections to Green Valley and the North Fork American River span a long period of time, and run deep,” said Heidi Youmans, one of the heirs who donated the land to PLT.
“Our family places importance on the intrinsic values of natural landscapes and the multitude of ways such places contribute to quality of life for current and future generations. Donating this land to Placer Land Trust is simply the right thing to do.”
PLT obtained funding for the ongoing stewardship of the property in part through a generous bequest from George H. Peterson of Foresthill, and from a grant from the
Taking a break from river clean-up work, AmeriCorps NCCC Blue 2 team member Jessi Maniglia enjoys lunch above the wild and scenic North Fork American at the newly-protected Bailey North Fork Preserve.
Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust.
“There is much more to this story, and we ask you to stay tuned to learn more about the past, present, and future of the Bailey North Fork Preserve,” said PLT Executive Director Jeff Darlington.
“To the Bailey family – notably heirs Lisa Balmain, Gretchen Dyson, and Heidi Youmans – we thank them so much for this donation, and for trusting Placer Land Trust to carry on their family’s legacy in this special place.”
As its first act upon taking title to the property, PLT staff and a crew of volunteers from the AmeriCorps NCCC Blue 2 team hiked down the Green Valley Trail on April 7th (the day after PLT acquired the property) to pack out 280 pounds of trash along the river and trail.
Bailey North Fork Preserve can be visited by the public anytime, as it is situated near the end of the Green Valley Trail, a trail made public by the Towle family as part of the ongoing effort to protect land and river access in the Giant Gap area of the North Fork American River.
Stay tuned for more details!
Welcome John Marin, and Thank You Tom, Gina & Gregg!
In December 2015 Placer Land Trust appointed John Marin as the newest member of our Board of Directors.
John Marin
A native Californian, John was born and raised on a small farm in Martinez. He graduated from Cal Poly Pomona, School of Environmental Design, City/Regional planning Program.
For most of his career, he worked for Placer County holding multiple administrative positions. John started his career with the County in the Planning Department as an architect in 1979, and went on to manage multiple departments including the Community Development Resource Agency. In his last position, he was the Placer County Board of Supervisor’s Administrative Officer. He retired in 2008 after more than 30 years of employment.
“One of my goals is never to retire,” said Marin. “I want to leave a legacy of open space, both improved and in a native state for future generations throughout California.”
John is active within the Placer County community. He is currently Chairman of PlacerArts, a non-profit organization committed to the arts and humanities. On Tuesdays, he can be found at the homeless center located at the Seventh Day Adventist Church where he hands out clean clothes, food, and cleans showers in support of the homeless population of the area.
He is an avid hiker, backpacker, kayaker and snow skier, and he recently climbed Mt. Whitney.
He lives in Christian Valley with his wife Therese and they have two grown children. John has been a member of PLT since 2012 and has also volunteered on several occasions. He was recommended to the Board by long time PLT Board member Tom McMahan, who stepped down at the end of 2015 after serving on the board for 12 years.
“We are excited to have John join us,” said PLT Board President Fred Yeager. “We hope his leadership experience and connections will help engage and inspire the community to share in his passion for the outdoors.”
In addition to Tom McMahan retiring from the Board, we also said thank you and goodbye to Gina Giambruno and Gregg McKenzie, who both resigned from the Board due to employment changes.
We thank Tom, Gina, and Gregg for their years of service on the Board and their continued support, and we welcome John!
May 3 BIG Day of Giving
Are you proud of what you have helped Placer Land Trust (PLT) accomplish in the last 25 years? Would you like to see our success continue for the next generation to come? Then we hope you’ll donate to PLT on the BIG Day of Giving—the VERY BEST day of the year to support land conservation in Placer County!
WHAT is BIG Day of Giving?
BIG Day of Giving is an online networking and giving event that provides almost 600 non-profits the opportunity to gain exposure and funding.
“This is a chance for people in the Sacramento region to come together to raise as much money as possible for local charities within a 24-hour period,” said Veronica Blake, CEO of the Placer Community Foundation, one of the event organizers. Organizers are hoping the event raises over $6 million this year in support of the nonprofits that make the region so great.
WHEN is it?
The online event will take place all day on Tuesday, May 3rd, from midnight to midnight.
WHERE is it taking place?
At your computer or on your mobile device. BIG Day of Giving takes place online. On May 3, credit card donations may be made at your convenience via Placer Land Trust’s individual page on the BIG Day of Giving donation website bigdayofgiving.org/npo/placer-land-trust.
WHAT methods of payment are accepted?
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
WHY is this so important to Placer Land Trust?
Placer Land Trust – hopefully one of your favorite charities – can raise tens of thousands of dollars in one day, which will support our mission of protecting the natural and agricultural lands you love, protect vital wildlife habitat, and create outdoor recreation opportunities that increase your access to the most beautiful places in the county. Your donation also automatically renews your PLT membership.
WHY should I donate on May 3rd, rather than some other day?
Incentive funds and cash prizes!
Our local community foundations have raised a pool of “incentive” funds and cash prizes for this event.
The more online donations we raise, the greater percentage of those incentive funds will be given to PLT, and the more likely we are to win special cash prizes. The incentive funds more than make up for credit card fees on this day!
In short, your charitable gift to PLT will accomplish more if made online on May 3!’
In last year’s BIG Day of Giving our supporters gave over $128,000, which was boosted to more than $145,000 by incentive funds and cash prizes. This made PLT the HIGHEST earning nonprofit that day, raising more than the other 528 organizations! Our success that day led to greater exposure to new donors and new partners, leading to even more success!
This year, 570 nonprofit organizations are participating and seeking your support. With more nonprofits in the mix, will you help us reach our goal? Your gift may decide!
Help PLT celebrate our 25th birthday in style!
Please mark your calendars to make a donation to PLT on May 3 and look for more details soon.
Harvego Bear River Preserve – Fuel Load Reduction work
AmeriCorps NCCC crew clearing brush in 2015.
In 2012, PLT received a $300,000 grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy for the Harvego Bear River Preserve Improved Forest Management Implementation Project.
BEFORE (top) and AFTER (bottom) fuel load treatments…
In December, 2015 we successfully completed this project. The grant was a part of the Conservancy’s Proposition 84 funding program for safe drinking water, water quality and supply, flood control, river and coastal protection bond act of 2006. The grant funded 90 acres of fuel load reduction and vegetation thinning on the 1,778-acre Harvego Bear River Preserve to work towards creating a large shaded fuel break.
The goals of the project were to protect water quality in the Bear River watershed through prevention of catastrophic wildfire and associated sediment flow; improve access for wildlife mobility, increase forage and grazing habitat, and the protection of cultural and historical resources on the Preserve.
The 90 acres that were treated on this project were identified as part of the highest risk areas on the Preserve. PLT completed Phase I of a 300 acre planned shaded fuel break that will protect the Preserve and the Bear River watershed. We worked with contractor Bella Wildfire and Forestry Services to plan and create the 90-acre shaded fuel break on the Preserve. After the 90 acre area was identified, crews cut and piled competing and dead understory vegetation that acted as hazardous ladder fuels.
PLT later worked with the California Conservation Corps (CCC) to burn the brush piles and maintain re-growth throughout the shaded fuel break area through cutting and prescribed burning. PLT will continue working with contractors to maintain the 90 acre shaded fuel break, and expand the project.
PLT is currently working with the CCC on expanding the shaded fuel break and further reducing wildfire risk on the Preserve. We have added an additional 40 acres of fuel load reduction to the existing 90 acres bringing the total acreage of fuel load reduction on the Preserve to 130 acres.
PLT will continue to pursue opportunities to expand the shaded fuel break on the Preserve to reduce potential risk of wildfires and improve forest and watershed health.
Big Bend North Fork Preserve – Placer Land Trust Dedicates Land to California State Parks
North Fork American River at Big Bend
In late March, Placer Land Trust announced the donation of the 417-acre “Big Bend North Fork Preserve” to California State Parks, along with significant funding to ensure that this American River property will be protected forever.
“The American River continues to be an area of special interest for PLT due to its unique value to our region,” said PLT Executive Director, Jeff Darlington. “We’re pleased to protect another stretch of the river through ongoing community support and statewide partnerships, and we’re thrilled to dedicate this property to the public.”
The land was acquired through a partnership between The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and PLT in 2014, in order to protect the habitat and recreation values of the land and transfer it to State Parks for inclusion in the popular Auburn State Recreation Area (ASRA).
However, in 2014 State Parks was not in a position to take title to the property, so PLT was tasked with holding and managing the property until such time as State Parks could accept it.
“We’re very thankful that Placer Land Trust was able to step in and manage the property for a couple of years,” said ASRA Superintendent Michael Schneider. “The property is in great
Jeff Darlington (PLT), Julie Alvis (Resources Agency), Markley Bavinger (TPL) and Michael Schneider (ASRA) celebrate Big Bend’s protection.
shape, and the Auburn State Recreation Area is absolutely beautiful with the wet spring we’ve had. I encourage folks to come out for a visit. ”
The property is located across from Sore Finger Point at Big Bend.
In addition to the land donation, PLT donated a $95,000 endowment to California State Parks – the largest such donation ever made in Northern California.
“It’s important to PLT that State Parks has the financial resources to care for this property and adhere to the conservation restrictions in perpetuity,” said Darlington. “By donating this endowment along with the land, we’re not just adding to State Park’s management burden; we’re actually raising their capacity to care for the land.”
The protection of the land permanently prohibits any residential development into the river canyon, while at the same time protecting the public’s access to the river along Ponderosa Way. In addition to the property’s value as recreational land, it provides beautiful scenery, wildlife habitat and water quality benefits to the public.
Grant funding to acquire and protect the property was provided from the California Natural Resources Agency. Endowment funding was donated by the former landowner, the Foresthill Land Company, and TPL.
Is the trail calling your name?
Meet our newest trail at our Harvego Bear River Preserve.
This particular section of trail is brand new. It’s a reasonable distance away from the trailhead so we won’t be visiting it on our regular docent led hikes just yet, but once this trail system is open to the public, we KNOW it will be loved by trail runners, mountain bikers, and horseback riders – or anyone looking for a longer adventure in the outdoors!
We’re working hard to build new trails as a result of our Trails & Recreation Capital Campaign—made possible by our generous members who contributed to the campaign. This new trail is just one stretch of miles of new trails PLT has built in the last two years. Thanks for your support in making this possible!
Annual Staff Retreat
Justin, Jim, Sarah, Jessica, Kara, Janet, Jeff W. and Jeff D at the Auburn School Park Preserve. Our team is so thankful that we get to spend our days (and a few nights!) working to make our community a better place for current and future generations. Thanks to all of our family, friends and supporters!
In February our staff went on their annual retreat, taking two days away from the office to recharge, brainstorm, and strategize PLT plans for the future.
Day 1 was spent at Wakamatsu Tea & Silk Colony Farm, a 272-acre farm near Coloma on which PLT holds a conservation easement.
On Day 2 we met at the of Placer County Visitors Bureau and took an afternoon walk to Auburn School Park Preserve, another property protected by PLT.
It was great to get out of the office and visit the properties that we work so hard to protect. Together we created some ambitious goals to take PLT’s impact even further, and we can’t wait to implement these plans in the near future!
PLT bids farewell to Jessica Daugherty after 11 years of service
With one part sadness and one part pride, Placer Land Trust announces the departure of Assistant Director Jessica Daugherty for a new job in the land conservation community.
Jessica, who was recently named Auburn Journal’s “People to Watch”, has been with PLT for almost 11 years. She will be leaving PLT on Friday the 13th of May (really? Friday the 13th?) to take a new position with the Stewardship Council as their new Director of Land Conservation. We are sad to see her go, but happy she’ll be in the conservation community, and we wish the the best with this new opportunity.
In June 2005, Jessica was hired as a Program Assistant, our second ever employee. At that time, Placer County was growing exponentially, and the PLT Board was looking at ways to balance that growth by stepping up the pace of land conservation.
Today, Jessica’s role is similar to that of a chief financial officer and includes overseeing administration and finance, supervising staff and contractors, building relationships and raising funds, as well as leading special projects.
“Jessica’s pursuit of the American dream is inspirational – nothing’s been handed to her other than her natural ability,” says PLT Executive Director Jeff Darlington. “She’s earning the American dream through education, a tireless work ethic, planning, and teamwork. It’s been a real pleasure to see her grow personally and professionally in over a decade of public service with PLT.”
The last two years here have been very successful for Jessica personally. In 2014, she was named one of “40 under 40” by the Sacramento Business Journal for her leadership role in innovative, market-based projects like our oak woodlands carbon project. This project aims to create the first ever oak woodland project to sell carbon offsets, providing stewardship funding to manage the forest, and serve as a model for California under California’s cap and trade program. This project has been Jessica’s “baby” for over five years and is something of which she’s very proud.
“It’s been done with mixed conifer forests and some grasslands, but never with oak woodlands,” she said, “It’s great to be recognized for outside-the-box thinking.”
Last month Jessica gave a presentation in Los Angeles on the carbon project for the California Council of Land Trusts. She also presented the project at the USDA Climate Hub conference in Chicago, as a result of PLT being awarded a Conservation Innovation grant by NRCS, a division of USDA, a few years ago. Our carbon project was one of only 12 projects to be selected to present at this conference.
She says she is very proud of what PLT has been able to accomplish during her tenure. She recalls fondly last May when PLT came out on top of the BIG Day of Giving by raising the most money of all the participating nonprofits.
“I want to inspire and empower others to do excellent conservation work,” said Jessica. “I’m excited that in my new job I’ll still be able to work with PLT, who has become family over these past 11 years, to protect around 6,000 acres through the Stewardship Council process.”
Jessica lives in Georgetown with her husband Josh and their son Wyatt. She is currently working on her MBA in Sustainable Business and will graduate this coming fall.
Best of luck Jessica – we love you!
Vulnerable Treasures, Land ~ Foster Youth ~ Literacy
Check out our website to see the videos of Jeff’s interview and the literacy hike with our nature writers below.
Kings players joined Placer Land Trust and other nonprofits for a literacy hike with local youth at Miners Ravine in Roseville.
Placer Land Trust was honored to win a special prize during the 2015 BIG Day of Giving—a Community Impact game night with the Sacramento Kings! PLT won the Sacramento Kings Foundation’s #DoGood challenge by raising the most money by noon on the BIG Day last year.
As a bonus, we made some new friends by selecting two other nonprofits to share the prize with us. We chose 916 INK of Sacramento, and Child Advocates of Placer County (CASA)—who both do amazing work with kids in the region.
To celebrate, we decided to spend a beautiful February day together for an event that brought each of our missions to life. PLT hosted a short nature exploration hike for a group of kids and adults from CASA and 916 INK, as well as three MUCH TALLER participants—players from the Kings.
916 INK guided the group through a writing activity that allowed the group to reflect on their experience in nature and write a short story or poem about it.
It was so much fun watching the kids start the day completely quiet and star-struck by the Kings players, only to end the outing by peppering them with questions and getting their autographs!
The short stories and poems were published in a small book called Once Upon a Time, which was released at the Sacramento Kings game on March 30th. The three nonprofits were showcased at the game, along with Sacramento’s newest authors, and our very own Jeff Darlington was interviewed on court right before the game.
The Kings also produced a short video about the outdoor literacy experience and the young authors got to see it played on the Jumbotron—they were so excited (and so were we)!
Volunteer Awards – Recognizing our wonderful Volunteers
From left: Rick Caspers-Ross, Janet Voris, and Collin Hobbs
Every year we honor two exceptional volunteers for the amazing work they’ve done helping us. Rick Caspers-Ross was selected as our 2015 “Land Steward of the year”, and Collin Hobbs was chosen as our 2015 “Volunteer off the Year”.
Rick started volunteering with us two years ago wanting to learn more about our docent program. In addition to now being one of our lead hike docents , he’s assisted with various trail work and tree plantings, and scouted the trails in preparation of our popular night hikes. He’s our “go-to” guy to call for help when special stewardship projects. As a former Navy Seabee, Rick had the opportunity to do a lot of traveling. He likes Auburn because there are so many outdoor opportunities – trails, rivers, and natural places.
“I love the outdoors and being in nature is like medicine to me,” said Rick. “As a hike docent, volunteering with PLT allows me to get out and share that passion with others.”
Rick is married to Tricia Caspers-Ross who has also volunteered with us, and together they have two sons and a daughter. In his free time Rick enjoys beekeeping, rock climbing, karate, scuba diving, and just about anything outdoors. He recently purchased a new mountain bike and has been hitting the trails! We are fortunate that in his busy life, he is still able to find time to volunteer.
When we launched our small farm program in Fall 2011, it piqued the interest of Auburn resident Collin Hobbs. Collin and his wife Linda live on a five-acre farm in Auburn not far from Hidden Falls Regional Park, where they have lived since 1985. Collin had heard about PLT years before in the newspaper, but news about our small farm program got him motivated to get involved.
Collin came to our Volunteer Appreciation event in February 2012 to learn more and see if his skills would be helpful to us – and he’s been volunteering with us ever since! As a Realtor, Collin’s expertise and access to real estate information has been an important part of tracking data for our West Placer Habitat Protection Program. For nearly two years, he has generated a monthly report used by PLT staff providing us information that is otherwise difficult for us to obtain, and has resulted in significant value to us. He has also volunteered his services to assist us with appraisals and other real estate assessments.
“I like what the land trust does,” explained Collin. “The work done at Placer Land Trust is important to the community.”
In 2015 we included the volunteer award presentation as part of our annual Placer Conservator dinner and award ceremony event in October at the Blue Goose event center.
Our volunteer program is vital to our organization and we wouldn’t be able to complete as much as we do without our volunteers.
“I was so pleased to present these awards to Rick and Collin,” said PLT Program Manager Janet Voris.
“These two individuals have been so great to work with and I can’t thank them enough for all the time they’ve spent volunteering with Placer Land Trust.”
Thanks Rick and Collin!
We are fortunate to have another AmeriCorps NCCC Pacific Region crew working with us again this spring! The “Blue 2” team arrived in late March and have already been hard at work at Doty Ravine Preserve and Swainsons Grassland Preserve in Lincoln, and caging recently planted trees at Canyon View Preserve in Auburn.
THANK YOU!
“Oest Ranch was built by my great-great-grandfather and continued by a lot of hard work down through the generations. We love the land, and we worked with Placer Land Trust because we want to see our family’s ranching legacy continue for future generations.” – Quote & Photo Credit Loren Oest
