Placer Land Trust’s board member Jim Haagen-Smit has strong beliefs when it comes to trails. Belief in partnerships is a basic tenet of his and it has served him well as he forged relationships during REI’s 2015 Every Trail Connects campaign. This campaign supported trail networks that connected to communities.
Jim knew he wasn’t the only one who cared about trails in the Sierra Foothills community where he lives; so he made sure people in his community knew about the campaign too. When he wasn’t out hiking or mountain biking on some of the best trails in Northern California, he was working diligently emailing and posting on social media, urging his buddies to vote on the REI website for the Placer Land Trust trail project.
His enthusiasm paid off with the Coon Creek to Bear River trail project winning over $20,000 in votes, which was awarded by REI. Then, he put his partnership-building skills to the real test, getting the trail built. The real work began with connecting the right people at the table.
While Jim’s favorite thing isn’t being indoors sitting at a conference table, he understands this is a critical step of a trail project – where dots are connected and the right people get engaged to make it a success. As the environmental field review was underway, professional trail builders were interviewed, volunteer lists were built and nurtured, staff was involved, and more fundraising began in earnest.
The outdoor work was equally intense, but Jim says he loves this part of the project. His wife Cathy can attest to the number of hours he spent in the field flagging trail. She joined him a few times, especially when a foggy afternoon was followed by a spicy bowl of soup, or a hot evening was topped by a perfect sunset. Jim and Cathy often ride their bikes or tandem to the Placer Land Trust property. He says riding from your front door to a trail is the best connection ever.
Our Coon Creek-Bear River trail project makes REI’s Every Trail Connect campaign come true. Recently completed segments are already being enjoyed by trail lovers. We continue to offer monthly docent-led hikes, often with various themes such as geology or wildflowers. Some of the hikes geared to school age children, and other hikes take in stellar sunsets and mystical moonrises.
REI holds outdoor classes at our Taylor Ranch Preserve, and organizes trail runs on the completed segments. Volunteer trail work sessions are a big hit! Nothing makes Jim happier than seeing all these activities on trails he’s been so involved with, connecting the community with the outdoors – except of course when he’s out riding or hiking himself. And the promise of new miles in the pipeline keeps him happier than ever.
For a list of our upcoming hike opportunities, visit the event calendar on our website.
October 2016
