The recent National Land Trust Census from the Land Trust Alliance shows that conservation by land trusts in America increased 27% from 2005 to 2010, all while the federal conservation program added 500,000 acres and a tragic 38% cut in funding.
Over the past year land conservation in our community parallels the national trend, with virtually no public money. Our current work includes conservation of 18,000 acres of PG&E land, 40 beautiful oak-studded acres in Alta Sierra, and an option to purchase Rice’s Crossing –2,700 acres on both sides of the Middle Yuba River between New Bullard’s Bar and Bridgeport. Plus we are working to stop the Garden Bar Dam on the Bear River.
Thank you for supporting one of our most successful years ever and we ask for your continued help with our Annual Appeal.
Trek: Spenceville's WWII Bunkers SOLD OUT
Saturday, Feb 4, 9:00am-4:00pm
Join Clarence Motter for a tour of the historic WWII bunkers in the Spenceville Wildlife Preserve. There are numerous structures tucked away off the beaten track in the preserve, wartime remnants from 65 years ago. This 4.5 mile trek will visit 10 military bunkers, the "Cabbage Patch" cemetary and the strange structure known as the "Dragon's Teeth." Level: Moderate. Cost: $12 for Land Trust members, $17 for Not-yet members.
Read more.... Sorry, this trek is full.
Armchair Trek: Fly Fishing
Basics
Friday, Feb 17, 7:00-8:30pm
Madelyn Helling Library Community Room
Curious about fly fishing in Nevada County? This is
your opportunity to ask the experts - professional
fishing guides Frank Rinella and Clay Hash. They will
discuss how to get into fly fishing, present a slide show on the sport, talk about their experiences, and be available to answer your questions. Suggested Donation: $10. Read more....
Snowshoeing with Cathy Anderson-Meyers
Sunday, Feb 26, All Day
When was the last time you did something for the first time? If you've never been snowshoeing before (or even if you have but you'd like a refresher with an expert), this is the trek for you! Cathy has been leading showshoeing outings for over a decade and is now REI's Outdoor School snowshoeing instructor. Cost: $50 (includes snowshoes and poles). Sorry, no passes or discounts. More info....
Nevada County Board of Supervisors Votes to Oppose Garden Bar Dam
On December 13, after a brief public hearing, the Board of Supervisors authorized a letter, drafted by Board Chair Ed Scofield, clearly affirming the importance of the Garden Bar Region and opposing the dam as a threat to the County's natural, cultural and agricultural heritage. Read more....
Big Gains in Voluntary Land Conservation Despite Recession
A new report called the National Land Trust Census from the Land Trust Alliance shows that land conservation by nonprofit land trusts across the United States is thriving, with more than 10 million acres conserved from 2005 to 2010. That’s an increase of 27 percent in just five years. A total of 47 million acres—an area over twice the size of all the national parks in the contiguous United States—are now protected by land trusts. Read more....
Bear Yuba Land Trust to hold the Conservation Easement on 2,021 acres of PG&E Lands in the Fordyce Lakes Area
The Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council is a private, nonprofit foundation established in 2004 as part of the PG&E bankruptcy settlement was set up to ensure that its 140,000 acres of California's pristine watershed lands are conserved for the public good. This past year Bear Yuba Land Trust (formerly Nevada County Land Trust) has been working with the Stewardship Council to facilitate the permanent protection of more than 10,000 acres of land in the Bear River and Yuba River watersheds of Nevada and Yuba Counties. Another 7,000 acres is located in adjacent areas of Placer County. Read more....
New Name, New Location
Welcome to Bear Yuba Land Trust, formerly Nevada County Land Trust. In growing recognition of the importance of watershed protection, we have renamed our organization after our local watersheds of the Bear and Yuba Rivers. We're not changing our geographical reach, strategy, mission or charter. We're still YOUR Land Trust. Read more about our Name Change....
Our office is now located on the North Star House property. The new address is 12183 Auburn Road, Grass Valley CA 95949. Directions: From McCourtney Road, turn onto Auburn Road (opposite Gate 3 of the Fairgrounds), drive 6/10 of a mile and watch on the left side for a driveway with a big orange and green gate. Pass through the gate and take the next right (sharp turn). At the end of that tree-lined road, turn left and you'll see a white cottage with our banner on the front railing. Come by and say hello!