Dear Friend,
I know this is a difficult time for so many throughout the region and around the world. I hope that this message finds both you and your loved ones staying safe, healthy, and connected during this crisis. We have been lucky here at the Northcoast Regional Land Trust to be able to continue our work from home—and we are very fortunate that we are able to continue working with so many amazing people during these physically distant times.
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As we continue to grapple with the widespread effects of the coronavirus, our Land Trust’s mission remains as important as ever.
Land nurtures us in so many ways – feeding us, sheltering us, providing clean water, sustaining livelihoods, offering solace, and providing a home for so many plants and wildlife that bring value to our lives. Ensuring that land is kept whole and conserved today, means that future generations will continue to benefit from the vital farms, forests, and other open spaces we so depend upon now.
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It’s a busy time for conservation in our region and I want to take a moment to tell you what NRLT has been up to:
- We recently received the great news that our Wagner Forest Conservation Easement project was selected by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for funding up to $5 million thanks to their Proposition 1/68 grant program. Combined with a previously awarded CAL FIRE Forest Legacy Program grant, we now have full funding to acquire a conservation easement on this 3,300-acre property! We are very excited to work with the Wagner family to complete an exciting project that will add to an already expansive block of privately conserved lands in a critical watershed for salmon. Check out the map below which shows just how well this project fits in relation to other conserved private holdings and public lands within the South Fork Eel River watershed.
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- We just received news that our ~12,000-acre Travis Ranch Conservation Easement Project was ranked 16th in the nation for federal funding through the US Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program. Although it is looking hopeful that we will be awarded, we will have to wait until summer before federal funds are fully appropriated. If awarded, we will be halfway to securing the full funds necessary for the easement acquisition.
- Three new easement projects have been approved by NRLT’s Board of Directors. Upon finalizing details with the respective landowners, NRLT staff will begin working on these projects. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!
- We are approaching the finish line on the Diamond D Ranch Conservation Easement, in partnership with the Dunn family, and we are on track to complete the 2,960-acre project by mid-year.
- On the Outreach & Education front, NRLT staff have done a great job adapting to our present circumstances by offering a Facebook livestream series to help people connect to the outdoors while sheltering in place. We’ve also been able to continue our Cows and Cattails education program for local elementary school students by providing virtual field trips to Freshwater Farms Reserve. Here's last week's livestream video featuring a coastal wetland tour with NRLT Project Manager, Karlee Jewell:
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- After a very competitive hiring process, we are excited to announce that we have hired our new Project Manager, Andria Townsend, whose first day will be May 11th! Andria holds a Master of Natural Resources degree from Humboldt State University, has substantial research and field experience, and an enthusiasm for private land conservation that we know will play a large role in moving forward exciting projects and advancing NRLT's mission overall.
We know that this crisis is hitting everybody differently, and we hope you are doing well amidst it all.
Some of our supporters have asked what they can do to help the Northcoast Regional Land Trust continue to thrive during this moment.
I will be candid that, while NRLT intentionally maintains diverse funding streams (e.g. grants, rental income, fee-for-service work, and individual giving) and while we are somewhat insulated in difficult times such as these, our invested funds that support our conservation easement monitoring efforts took a big hit this last quarter.
The easiest way to help is by making a gift to support our conservation and education efforts.
Any size gift is welcomed and appreciated, but I did want to let you know that as part of the recently passed CARES Act, every American can donate up to $300 tax-free, whether or not you itemize deductions.
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If you can help, we’d love to hear from you. For those who are not in the position to do so, please don’t feel any pressure. We know this is a challenging time.
Please feel free to email us directly with any questions you may have or thoughts on your mind regarding our work.
I very much value connecting with supporters individually as it informs our Land Trust’s work and helps to keep me going, especially now.
Thank you for all you do to support the Northcoast Regional Land Trust. I hope you are finding the time to connect, in whatever way you can right now, with the places that provide us so much.
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Dan Ehresman
Executive Director
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