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Mark your calendar — this is happening fast! On Sunday, August 9 at 2:00 PM, the historic Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport comes alive with music for a cause, and you're invited.
This summer, the Lake County Land Trust is trading our usual fall dinner for something new: an intimate, soulful afternoon of live music featuring Trio Americana — Lincoln Andrews on bass, Matt Rothstein on soprano saxophone, and Gabriel Yanez on percussion, joined by a special guest. Together they'll take you through jazz, gospel, folk, and American rhythmic traditions in a performance that's less "concert" and more shared experience.
Settle into reserved seating, sip a glass of local wine, grab some concessions, and enjoy an afternoon that sounds as good as it feels — because every ticket goes straight toward protecting, conserving, and restoring the lands and waters that make Lake County home.
🎟️ Tickets: $50 / $75 (reserved seating) — open to the public
👉 Get Your Tickets Here
📍 Where: Soper Reese Theatre, Lakeport
📅 When: Sunday, August 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM
💚 Why it matters: 100% of proceeds fund conservation work across Lake County
Photograph taken from the shores of Kuhlanapo Wetland Preserve
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"There are few places where you can hear hundreds of grebes calling, watch chicks riding on their parents' backs, and witness one of nature's greatest courtship dances—all in a single morning. Kuhlanapo Preserve is one of those special places."
- Donna Mackiewicz, Redbud Audubon Society
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PART 1
Kuhlanapo Preserve: Home to One of Clear Lake's Most Amazing Wildlife Spectacles (Part 1 of 2)
The Sound You Have to Hear at Kuhlanapo Preserve
"Kreeek... creeek... creeek..."
If you've ever walked the trails at Lake County Land Trust's Kuhlanapo Preserve on a calm summer morning, you've probably heard them before you saw them. The melodic, echoing calls of Western and Clark's Grebes drift across the water, creating one of the most unforgettable soundscapes on Clear Lake.
This month, Donna Mackiewicz, Redbud Audubon Society and Scott Butterfield, Blue Ribbon Committee Grebe Grant Lead Scientist from Pacific Union College were thrilled to discover an active nesting colony of Western and Clark's Grebes of close to 3,000 nests just offshore from the preserve. It is a remarkable reminder that Kuhlanapo is much more than a beautiful place to visit, it is essential habitat for Lake County’s most spectacular waterbirds.
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Western and Clark's Grebes are among the most elegant birds on the lake. Famous for their breathtaking courtship dances, these birds perform synchronized "rushing" displays where pairs seemingly run across the surface of the water together. Their floating nests are carefully woven from aquatic vegetation and anchored among tule beds, where they remain vulnerable to waves and wakes throughout the nesting season.
Visitors who spend a little time watching are often rewarded with an incredible show of family life. Tiny chicks hatch onto the floating nests but quickly climb onto their parents' backs, where they ride safely for nearly a month while learning to swim, dive, and eventually fend for themselves. Parents take turns carrying the chicks, feeding them, and fiercely protecting them from predators. From courtship and nest building to chick rearing, Kuhlanapo Wetland Preserve, along with other natural shoreline areas of Clear Lake offers an opportunity to witness nearly every stage of the grebes' fascinating life cycle.
Part 2 will continue in next month's "News and Views:" How the Land Trust and community are working together to protect this colony.
Photographs by Pam Smithstan
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Check out our YouTube channel for some spectacular videos on the Grebe Colony on the shores of Kuhlanapo Wetland Preserve.
Videos courtesy of Brad Rasmussen. Thanks Brad!
| | | | Snapshots of Conservation: Kid's Day, Tribal Partnership, and Tule Boat Festival | | LCLT participated at the Big Valley Rancheria's Tule Boat Festival on July 24, 2026. | |
Beautiful day on the water's edge at the annual Tule Boat Festival with over 65 booths. LCLT was there getting the word out about our conservation efforts.
| | On July 5, 2026 LCLT held 'Kids Day' at the Rodman Preserve. Kids had the opportunity to earn a Rodman Naluralist certificate by going to all 10 discovery stations. | Professor emeritus, Harry Lyons, shared microcopic lake water organisms with Kids Day participants. | | |
On July 8, 2026 LCLT held a Rodman Tribal Partnership Meeting to plan shared stewardship of Rodman Preserve. Partner Tribes included Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake and Robinson Rancheria.
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Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance, or TERA, collects native bunch grass seeds, Blue Wild Rye (Elymus glaucus) from Rodman Preserve to use to reseed fire treated area.
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Saturday
August 15th, at 8am
Guided Hike Details:
- Enjoy a gentle, full trail loop with two stops at the shoreline shaded platforms with benches and educational panels about pollinators, wildflowers, wetlands, Clear Lake hitch, and tules.
- Opportunities to observe the huge colony of nesting grebes, plus see other waterfowl, birds, and wildlife.
- Mosquitos and some ticks may still be around so long pants and sleeves - and bug repellant - are suggested. Sturdy shoes are best and bring water.
- A portable restroom is available on site and only park in designated areas. The birds and wildlife are abundant - bring binoculars!
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