We hope you are having a good summer so far! Things have been busy on the coast and HOT inland. There is a lot going on at the Land Trust this summer AND plans are in the works for some great events this fall. Keep reading to find out more. |
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Happy Trails to Monika!
Our Conservation Coordinator is Moving On
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MLT is starting July with bittersweet feelings. Our fabulous Conservation Coordinator, Monika Richardson, is moving on. We are happy for her as she grows and explores other options but also not sure how we are going to fill her work boots!
Over the last year and a half, Monika has been the person who ensures our trails are in good condition. Monika was instrumental in readying the Old Smith Ranch preserve and trails for its public opening in July of 2020. Additionally, she worked with volunteers at Hare Creek, Navarro Point and Old Smith Ranch, helped plan and survey for upcoming trail projects, worked on our big recent land protection projects, and monitored conservation easements.
Starting with MLT a few weeks before the pandemic put a halt to everyday life, she watched as people found solace in open spaces and trails were used more than ever...
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MLT is Hiring!
Seeking a New Conservation Project Coordinator
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The Mendocino Land Trust (MLT) is looking for a Conservation Project Coordinator who is passionate about land conservation and is interested in growing with our organization.
Job duties include monitoring conservation easements, coordinating volunteers at monthly volunteer events, performing trail maintenance and construction as well as participating in organizational fundraising and outreach activities. Must be proficient with GIS mapping and advanced use of office suite software such as G Suite or Microsoft Office. Candidates must be able to work independently and as part of a team in a variety of different settings including outdoors, a shared office space and remotely. Excellent communication skills are key. The position requires a driver’s license and regular performance of strenuous activity in rugged outdoor terrain. The position may require occasional overnight camping as projects are spread throughout Mendocino County.
Permanent, full-time position available immediately. Based in Fort Bragg.
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Meet the Interns
Conservation, Video Production and Community Outreach
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Our Summer 2021 Interns (Left to Right: Tauren Brown, Digital Intern; Esme Plascencia, Outreach Intern; Finn Newman, Salmon Restoration Intern)
In 2014 the Mendocino Land Trust began an annual and evolving summer internship program to provide hands-on educational opportunities for students interested in conservation. Though modest at first, in recent summers, donor funding has enabled multi-student internships, providing environments that vibrantly showcase the value of teamwork and experiential diversity. This year's internships build upon these ideals. For the summer of 2021, thanks to generous donors, we have added, on top of the annual Paul Siegel Salmon Intern sponsorship, two new positions: 1) a digital media intern (creating informational and inspiring content) and 2) an outreach intern (focusing on engaging the Latino community in outdoor activity and conservation through a newly-founded North Coast chapter of Latino Outdoors).
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Photo Contest
We'd Love to Feature YOUR Photos!
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Exciting news! We are redesigning our website. This brings a unique opportunity to the photographers who enjoy MLT trails: a photo contest. Winning shots will be featured on our website with photographer attribution.
By winning a spot on our website, you will be contributing to land conservation while gaining ideal exposure for your work or passion to an audience that especially loves what the photographs depict.
Bonus: The photographer who wins staff favorite in any single category will receive an MLT T-shirt or tote bag! (Limit one prize per photographer.)
What we’re looking for:
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Beaches: Highlight the beauty of Seaside Beach or Hare Creek Beach.
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Bluffs: Capture the beautiful views seen from Navarro Point, Mendocino Bay Overlook, Pelican Bluffs or other MLT trails and preserves.
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Rivers: Ten Mile River, Noyo River, Big River, Little River - MLT is involved in protecting and enhancing habitat in these watersheds.
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People enjoying MLT-protected lands: We’d love to highlight the various ways people connect with the outdoors in Mendocino County - from hiking trails, enjoying a view, playing on a beach, kayaking a river, walking the dog - all the ways people appreciate the lands we work to protect.
Requirements:
- Images need to be high-quality - ideally at least 4,000 pixels wide. (File size should be at least 3MB.)
- MLT reserves the right to use submitted photos on our website, social media and in promotional materials with attribution to the photographer.
- If a person’s face is visible in a photo we will ask you to have them sign a release form if the image is selected for inclusion on the website.
How to enter:
Email up to five photos to amy@mendocinolandtrust.org. You may choose to email a link to the photos in the cloud (Google drive, iCloud, Dropbox or similar).
We look forward to seeing your great photos!
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Save the Date!
September 26, 2021: Through the Trees
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If you’ve been wondering if our always fun “Through the Trees” event will happen this year, the answer is yes! Please mark Sunday, September 26 on your calendar. This fundraiser will include an exciting Skunk Train trip; fun, games and music in Crowley meadow and delicious food and beverages. Guests will have the option of taking a hike in Noyo River Redwoods Preserve and learning about railroad history. Stay tuned for an official invite and event details.
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Guided Nature Walk
with Latino Outdoors at Old Smith Ranch
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All are welcome on this FREE family-friendly walk. Group size is limited, please RSVP using the button below or by emailing e.plascencia@latinooutdoors.org.
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Latino Conservation Week
July 17 - 25, 2021
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Did you know Latino Conservation Week is this month? Disfrutando y Conservando Nuestra Tierra is an initiative of Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF). Latino Conservation Week was created to support the Latino community getting into the outdoors and participating in activities to protect our natural resources. Visit https://latinoconservationweek.com/ to find out about the week of in-depth discussions, videos, virtual hikes, panels, special guests, art, advocacy, community and cultura. If you are active on social media, check out the hashtag #LatinoConservationWeek and join the conversation!
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July Volunteer Days
Get outside, Get Involved, Have Fun!
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Mark your calendars and come on out and lend a hand! You bring enthusiasm, a water bottle and gardening/work gloves. We provide direction and tools.
10 a.m. Thursday, July 8
Join Tom and the gang to seek and destroy invasive thistles at Navarro Point
9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 10
Join Lenny and crew at Hare Creek for a great variety of invasive plant control projects. Meet at the end of the Mendocino College parking lot (look for Lenny's blue Forester). If you arrive after our start time, wander across the field - you’ll find us on the trail.
10 a.m. Saturday, July 17
Finn the Intern hosts a work party at Old Smith Ranch! There’s lots to be done, come and find out how you can help.
More information about volunteering can be found on MLT's website
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This Month's Featured Adventure!
Seaside Beach
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Each month we share an adventure recommendation from MLT staff. This month we are featuring a recommendation from Lawrence Turner, Mendocino Land Trust's Director of Conservation:
"Seaside Beach is one of my favorite places on the coast. Generations of my family have built sand castles here. There’s so much to do! Walk barefoot in the sand down to the mouth of Ten Mile, watch for whales, sit and soak up some sun, skim board on the flat shore, or run with the dogs. If you’re really lucky at low tide, you can hike over to Secret Beach. Staying late for a sunset will never disappoint."
Important note: While dogs are permitted at Seaside Beach owners must take great care not to let their dogs enter or cross the Ten Mile River into the nearby snowy plover nesting area. The success of this threatened species depends upon you.
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Nature Appreciation - Late Bloomers |
In case you don’t already follow us on Facebook or Instagram, here are some of the wildflowers we featured last month. How many of them do you recognize?
Even if you already know their names we hope you will click on through,
there is always more to learn!
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You've probably heard about pesky invasive thistles but do you know this native beauty?
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Have you seen these cute little flowers at MacKerricher State Park?
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Some plants are too cool to photosynthesize. Learn more about the not green wintergreen.
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Is the name "Death Camus" really warranted?
Ask Lewis and Clark.
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With spring faded and summer decidedly here, we will be shifting our focus to
REPTILES of Mendocino County. If you have local reptile photos to share,
and we may feature your shots on social media and in next month's newsletter.
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