Violets thriving at Stornetta Public Lands. Photo credit: Anna Bride

Hello Friends,



April is Earth month—and Spring is well and truly here! From the blooming interior, greening hills, vineyards, farms, and grasslands of Mendocino County to the spindrifts glimpsed from our rugged coastline, we are celebrating this season of renewal—and finding every excuse we can to get outside and enjoy it. We hope you are too. We have upcoming outings and events to spark your seasonal joy, including a birding walk at Old Smith Ranch and an inspiring film all about re-wilding and wonder at the Mendocino Film Festival. 

Seeking wild spaces and finding time in nature feels even more compelling right now. We are living in a challenging moment with rapidly shifting federal policies, particularly around conservation, environmental programs, and public lands. It’s a lot to take in. While federal funding is threatened across the board, Mendocino Land Trust remains strong. We are committed to finding broad and varied sources of support, particularly at the State level, from private foundations, and from individuals like you. Every bit of support helps us to protect land in Mendocino County, provide public access to beautiful spaces, and restore wildlife habitats. We also believe that land protection, conservation, and ecological preservation strengthen our local economies. Public access to our astonishing natural resources attracts our many visitors, and our work to protect these resources is vital to our tourism trade and its supporting businesses. This is why local, individual support for our work can help to keep our communities strong and resilient, despite the challenges we face. We are confident we can meet this moment together. 

Now, more than ever, it’s time to act locally. We are but one of a number of worthy, hard-working conservation groups that could use your help. Volunteer, donate, and share on social media—your support matters!

As always, we’d love your feedback. Reach out at info@mendocinolandtrust.org

To learn more about conservation easements, public access, habitat restoration, and how you can support this vital work, visit our website: mendocinolandtrust.org

MLT Welcomes Three New Trustees

Deborah Wilson, MD

Deborah is a Gynecologist in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she owns her own practice employing 27 people. She delivered over 5,000 babies as an obstetrician before moving into her gynecologic surgery practice, specializing in Advance Laparoscopic Surgery, which she also teaches.

Deborah brings extensive business and nonprofit experience to the MLT Board. Deborah founded the nonprofit organization Circle L Ranch Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Prescott Valley, Arizona, and remains a passionate advocate for animal welfare. A lifelong animal lover and vegan, she writes and lectures on vegetarianism and healthy living, and is a certified yoga instructor. 



Deborah and her partner Lloyd Fickett reside primarily in Scottsdale, but spend time on the Mendocino Coast after purchasing a home in Little River in 2024. Here they enjoy hiking, gardening, local wines, and gorgeous sunsets

Ankur Shah

Ankur Shah is a seasoned hospitality professional with a robust background in finance and operations. He began his career at KPMG, spending eight years in the audit department and advancing to the role of senior manager. During this time, he honed his skills in financial analysis, risk management, and strategic planning.

Currently, Ankur oversees multiple hotels, where he manages daily operations, budgeting, and long-term business development. His hands-on approach has deepened his understanding of community engagement and sustainable business practices.



Ankur's passion for land conservation and public access to natural spaces aligns with the Mendocino Land Trust's mission. He is committed to leveraging his financial expertise and industry experience to support MLT's efforts in preserving the natural beauty of Mendocino County for future generations.

Paul Miller

Paul is a retired transportation planning consultant who specialized in long-range planning studies, including pedestrian master plans and ADA Studies. Paul is currently focused on accessible trail planning, design, and funding. He uses a power wheelchair and a specialized all-terrain wheelchair for outdoor and trail use.



Paul is passionate about inclusion. He is President of the Sacramento Audubon Society and chairs their Accessibility and EDIB Committees. Paul brings invaluable professional and personal insight to MLT as we work to increase accessibility on our existing trails and public access sites for everyone. His experience will help to inform our planning on our projects in development so that we can provide more outdoor recreational opportunities for our entire community.

Two Salmon Habitat Restoration Projects to Resume in Jackson Demonstration State Forest

Chamberlain Creek -

MLT was recently awarded $1.3M in grant funding from The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to proceed with the Chamberlain Creek Fish Passage Project for habitat protection and restoration. While MLT had previously worked on the design and planning phase of this project, the new CDFW funding will allow us to move ahead with removing and replacing the old culvert to allow all manner of aquatic species, including salmon species and Pacific Lamprey, unimpeded passage up and downstream. Importantly, Coho Salmon and other aquatic species will soon be able to access an additional 1.6 miles of spawning and rearing habitat that could help bring back their numbers. MLT will be engaging heavy equipment operators to begin the work in the coming year.

Existing Culvert at Chamberlin Creek

Culvert construction in JDSF

Brandon Gulch - Instream salmon habitat restoration will resume at this site in June with the California Conservation Corps. This project will add spawning and rearing habitat enhancements to this tributary of the Noyo River. Historically, logging and other activities have rendered many of our streams and rivers barren of the nooks and crannies that salmonids and other species need to spawn, rest, and thrive. By adding woody enhancements, such as logs, back into the habitat, this type of restoration re-creates the natural movement of streams, improves complexity and pool frequency, and encourages re-naturalization of fauna habitat and vegetation diversity. Specifically, this project will install 35 in-stream structural enhancements to almost 4,000 feet of Brandon Gulch. Director of Stewardship Nicolete Houtz wrote the grant for this restoration project, which is funded by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

MHS District Counselor Anna Levy, with MLT staffers Emily Griffen, Anna Bride, and Chase Ahrens, organized the Navarro Point work day. 10 students from sophomore through senior classes built a 12-foot section of boardwalk along the central trail of the Preserve to span a muddy dip in the trail. They did a fantastic job hauling timber, setting up the work site, using power tools, and working as a team to complete the job in one afternoon. This piece of the trail is one of several where new boardwalks will be installed this year as part of MLT’s ongoing stewardship plan.

Mendocino High School’s AE Week is an experiential learning opportunity offered each April, giving students an opportunity to “explore the richness of the world beyond the classroom.” From local experiences like our boardwalk building day to adventures farther afield—including theater in Ashland, backpacking, sailing, and mountain climbing—AE Week programs build community through shared experience while expanding the comfort zones of participants. We are so happy to be part of this program, and look forward to working with the incredible, enthusiastic MHS students again next year!

MLT Hosts 2025 Environmental Partners Potluck

MLT hosted the annual Environmental Partners Potluck on March 22, at the Mendocino High School Student Union. MLT’s Director of Stewardship Nicolet Houtz was honored with the 2025 Matt Coleman Environmental Service Award, with 50 representatives from eight environmental groups gathering for a high-spirited potluck lunch.

The Environmental Partners have been gathering annually to share information, learn about current and upcoming projects, and connect with peers for almost 30 years. This community has grown from its original four partner organizations to the eight groups included this year, including Mendocino Land Trust, MendoParks, Mendocino Coast Audubon Society, Dorothy King Young Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, Noyo Center for Marine Science, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Jug Handle Farm and Nature Center, and PEEC: Pacific Environmental Education Center.

Nicolet was honored for her 11 years of outstanding work with MLT in stewardship, trail design and building, habitat restoration, as well as her solid, hand-on experience and applied education in Environmental Planning and Geography. Nikki’s work is fueled by her love and respect for the landscapes and coastline of Mendocino County, and finding the balance between preservation of these assets and public access to them.

Inspiring guests shared their work and progress on a wide variety of environmental projects around our public spaces, educational initiaves, and protecting and documenting our wildlife. We were reminded how fortunate we are to be doing this work here in Mendocino County, where local, tangible, mutual support of our peers upholds our shared conservation values, mirroring our own passion for this work. Big thanks to everyone who helped make it happen!

Join us for the 9th Annual 2025 Noyo Headland Race



Business Partner Sponsorships Available!

Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025

Time: 8 am to Noon

Where: Noyo Headlands Park, Fort Bragg, California

MLT is thrilled to host the 9th Annual Noyo Headland Race!

Last year 141 participants ranging in age from 6 to 82 ran, walked, and strolled in four different categories including the 5K, Run, 10K Run, 5K Fun Run, and Half Mile Kids Race.

The Half Marathon is back in 2025!!

All races are out-and-back runs on the beautiful coastal trail. Please no dogs or strollers on the course during the race for everyone’s safety.

Early-bird pricing for participants is in effect through May 31st

SIGN UP NOW AT THIS LINK 

Business Sponsorships Available Here!

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to connect with our local communities and visitors! Last year our participants came from all over Northern California, the Bay Area, and out-of-state.

This is a broad, active, and diverse audience invested in health, wellness, and outdoor recreation.

Join our wonderful Mendocino County sponsors including Thanksgiving Coffee, 94.5K WINE & 93.5 MAX Radio Stations, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, and the Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers, and others!

Deadline to be listed on 2025 Race T-Shirts is June 30th!

Big Thanks to our Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour Sponsors!

MLT was delighted to see over 150 film-goers at our Inland W&SFF screenings in Willits and Ukiah. Thanks to all our sponsors who helped bring eight environmental and adventure films to our communities. Each film highlighted how community action and creative partnerships can make a difference in our lives, and how they can make adventurous dreams come true.

Platinum sponsors: El Azteca Mexican Restaurant, Walmart Foundation

Gold sponsors: 94.5 K-WINE and 93.5 MAX, LPL Financial Charles Kelly, South Ukiah Rotary Club, WKND Skateboards

Silver sponsors: Mendocino Producers Guild, Pacific Environmental Education Center (PEEC)



Bronze sponsors: Bonterra Organic Estates, Jan Hoyman Studio

MENDOCINO FILM FESTIVAL TO HIGHLIGHT THE FILM “WILDING"

Saturday, May 31, 10 am, Festival Tent, Mendocino

Sunday, June 1, 10 am, Coast Cinemas, Fort Bragg

Every year the Mendocino Film Festival highlights narrative and documentary films. This year, with the support of the Mendocino Land Trust, the festival will highlight the new film WILDING. Based on Isabella Tree’s best-selling book, WILDING tells the story of a young couple that bets on nature for the future of their failing, four-hundred-year-old estate. Battling entrenched tradition, they rip down fences and entrust the land’s recovery to a motley mix of animals both tame and wild. It is the beginning of a grand experiment that will become one of the most significant rewilding experiments in Europe.

The screening on Saturday, May 31 will be followed by a discussion with

Mendocino Land Trust Executive Director Conrad Kramer and others.

Act Locally: Two New Programs to Benefit MLT

1% for the Planet

Mendocino Land Trust is now a proud Environmental Partner of the 1% for the Planet program. 1% for the Planet is a global network with thousands of incredible businesses and environmental organizations working together to support the planet and the organizations working to make sustained, positive change. Participating businesses donate that 1% of their profits directly to the environmental partners of their choice. MLT is grateful to TrimTab Media and Heather Paulsen Consulting for supporting our mission through this unique platform. If you are a Mendocino County based business who would like to join this program to benefit MLT, call us today at 707-962-0470 or email us at conservation@mendocinolandtrust.org! You can find out more about 1% of the planet and MLT partnership here.

GridSavvy Rewards Program via Sonoma Clean Power

Sonoma Clean Power has recently committed to match donations to MLT accrued through its GridSavvy Rewards program. This program allows MLT supporters to earn rewards for saving energy during periods of high electricity demand, and helps SCP power the grid with more local, clean energy. That’s a win-win for all of us!

Sign up today and receive a $25 bonus just for enrolling.

By signing up, you’ll get notified when the power grid needs help—like on hot days when energy demand is high. You’ll earn $2 for every kilowatt-hour you save when the power grid needs help. There’s no penalty if you don’t reduce your energy use, just rewards when you do.

Even better, you can donate these earnings to Mendocino Land Trust, turning your energy savings into real support for local conservation efforts.

SCP will double your impact with a donation match.

• $25 bonus just for signing up
• Earn rewards for saving energy - $2 per kWh conserved
• No special equipment needed, just shift or reduce energy use however you can
• Make an impact, act locally, and sign up to donate your rewards to support our work in Mendocino County.

Sign up today!

Questions? Contact SCP at gridsavvy@sonomacleanpower.org or call 1-855- 202-2139.

2025 MLT Trail Keepers