Pale Swallowtail nectoring on wild radish, Big River Haul Road, June 18, 2025

Photo credit: Elizabeth Tallent

Hello Friends,

Summer in Mendocino County is a gift, and we are determined to enjoy it – including the famous June Gloom that keeps the coast cool if not downright chilly. In defiance of inland heat and coastal fog, our gardens are bursting; farm stands and markets are abundant; and music, art, and events are popping up everywhere you turn. We’re ready!

Mendocino Land Trust’s stewardship team, interns, and volunteers are busy on the trails keeping up with the rapid surge of greenery and invasives. Speaking of interns, read on to learn about two intrepid college grads joining us for 10 action-packed weeks. Also below, learn about two emerging college-bound conservationists, and please join us in welcoming our newest Trustee, Mary Norris.

We’ve got events and outings in the works – including the ninth annual Noyo Headlands Race on Aug. 9 in Fort Bragg and special volunteer days through the summer and fall.

We hope you find time to get out to a forested or coastal trail, appreciate a sidewalk garden, find a seat at a music festival, or simply take a moment to appreciate how lucky we are to have such a rich array of natural and cultural resources at our doorstep.

Public access to beautiful and wild places is a foundational value at Mendocino Land Trust. As we continue to expand and steward our preserves and trails, we want to learn from you how we can enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for our whole community: what keeps you – or your friends, family, and neighbors – from accessing MLT trails and preserves? What can we do better? What would you like to see more of?

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

Albion Headlands – A Coastal Gem Worth Preserving

A messge from Conrad Kramer, Executive Director

When the spectacular 84-acre Albion Headlands came up for sale last month, your Mendocino Land Trust staff sprang into action. The town of Albion has virtually no public access, so creating a coastal trail and preserving open space would be a clear win for the local community. We would also love to protect the viewshed from Albion and Highway 1 by preventing development on this acreage. The public listing for this parcel has garnered a lot of attention in local and regional press, for good reason – this undeveloped stretch of coastal land is much-loved by the Albion community, who don’t want to see it fall to development and are vocal about saving it. MLT is encouraged by the press coverage of our intention to purchase this property and by the engagement of local Albion activists who are raising awareness (and funds) around a potential acquisition.

If acquired, MLT hopes to build a coastal trail along the top of the bluffs, including a spectacular viewpoint atop a hill with a 360-degree view of the Albion River, coastlines to the north and south, and endless ocean beyond. We plan to make some of the trails ADA-accessible, and we will construct a small parking lot with an outstanding view that can be enjoyed by all.

There are significant, but not impossible, hurdles to overcome before making this property into a public MLT preserve – including the $7 million price tag – but we are exploring every option to secure funding to meet the seller’s timetable. Donor support for this important project will be vital to its success – while the annual support of our donors is always incredibly important to our work, if you see your way clear to making an extra gift now, we could certainly use the help to acquire this magical place.



The Albion Headlands would make an absolutely stunning addition to MLT’s already impressive lineup of remarkable, scenic properties and trails along the coast, preserving a beloved but threatened portion of the Albion coastline for both residents and visitors.

MLT Welcomes New Trustee Mary Norris

“I was honored to be elected Chairwoman of the Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria, a role I proudly served for two three-year terms. That experience sparked a deep passion in me – a commitment to care for the land and to ensure a better world for our children and future generations.”

Mary has long found her heart in Mendocino County. She has lived in Laytonville for 38 years, raising her family and always welcoming friends to her home. Mary applied her education in business administration to her family enterprise, Bailey’s – then located in Laytonville – taking on many roles over almost 30 years. When the business relocated, Mary chose to remain in Laytonville, making a significant career shift and completing a four-year program in Agriculture at Mendocino College, with the goal of opening a nursery. Mary ultimately launched a landscaping business in response to the realities of climate, drought and resources.

Her hobbies include gardening and needlework, but her children and grandchildren are the center of her world. Mary is happy to continue her service to Mendocino County by joining Mendocino Land Trust’s Board of Trustees.

MLT’s 2025 Summer Interns

We are delighted to report that our Summer College Intern program is back. Out of 41 outstanding candidates, two brave souls were selected for the 10-week program. Please welcome Natalie Marrewa and Logan Duggan!



Their summer will include lots of trail work, habitat stewardship, volunteer days, event support, and exposure to the ongoing work of land protection, conservation, and outreach – and quite possibly poison oak! Natalie and Logan will be taking over our Facebook and Instagram feeds to bring you Trail Day Tuesdays and the popular Friday Intern Report, so you can follow along with their adventures. We are thrilled to have them join the MLT team this summer!

Natalie Marrewa – Natalie is from San Diego and graduated from UC San Diego in 2024, majoring in Public Policy with minors in Urban Planning and Climate Change Studies. Natalie spent the last nine months in Juneau, Alaska, as an Education Department Fellow at the Sealaska Heritage Institute. There she performed policy analysis and GIS mapping of local traditional Indigenous ecological knowledge. She also contributed to STEM educational programming development, supporting local eelgrass monitoring by the Juneau community. Natalie is passionate about stewarding place-based knowledge and creating accessible, open spaces for all to enjoy; she is excited to work in service of these passions this summer at MLT!

Logan Duggan – Logan grew up on a small farm in Point Arena where his love of nature took root. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a major in Environmental Studies. Logan has experience working with youth groups and outdoor environmental education; this winter he helped MLT with a school pollinator planting day at Pelican Bluffs. Logan recently completed the Catalina Island Environmental Leadership Program, where he introduced student groups to coastal ecology through hands-on activities like snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking. Logan likes mountain biking through the redwoods, running along the bluffs and tide-pooling on rocky shores. Moving back to Mendocino post-college provides a full circle opportunity to apply what he learned at school to stewarding our beautiful coast.

MLT’s 2025 Natural Resources Conservation Scholarship Awards

Two college-bound Mendocino County high school graduates have been awarded the Mendocino Land Trust Natural Resource Conservation Scholarship, in recognition of our shared conservation values. This year’s recipients of the $1,500 award are Tahtiana James, from Ukiah HS, and Leo Moratti, Willits HS Class of 2025. Both scholars have been invited to spend a week working with MLT’s Stewardship team this summer.

Applicants for the 2026 scholarships will be considered from high schools across Mendocino County.

MLT Awarded 30K Beach & Coast Accessibility Grant

MLT will soon expand access to local beaches and coastal trails for more of our community and visitors, thanks to a grant from the State Coastal Conservancy and the Orange County Coastkeeper organization. MLT received the maximum award of $30,000 to purchase a beach wheelchair, beach walker and heavy-duty roll-out mats. We will also use the funding for a storage shed. A sign-up page on our website will let folks schedule delivery to coastal locations at no charge.

The Beach and Coast Accessibility Program addresses the need for all California residents and visitors to fully enjoy the state’s scenic coastline without barriers. Importantly, the program seeks to make coastal recreation inclusive and enjoyable at no cost to visitors.

“When someone uses a beach wheelchair for the first time or finally gets on the water in an adaptive kayak, it can be an empowering and transformative experience,” said Genesee Ouyang, education director at Orange County Coastkeeper. “We’ve seen how these moments can be deeply emotional, sometimes even life-changing. That’s what this program is all about: helping more people connect with the coast and experience it on their own terms.”

MLT Trustee, Paul Miller, who uses a motorized wheelchair, adds, “Beach wheelchairs, with their large soft tires, allow those with walking difficulties to navigate both sand and gravel. In addition, there is a seat so you can rest, or enjoy the view, at any time. Years ago, I purchased this exact walker and explored many beaches and trails. The seat was perfect for bird-watching with my binoculars.”

https://www.coastkeeper.org/bcap/

Join us for the 9th Annual 2025 Noyo Headland Race



Registration open! Business Sponsorships still available!

Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025

Time: 8 am to Noon

Where: Noyo Headlands Park, Fort Bragg, California

Last year 141 participants ranging in age from 6 to 82 ran, walked, and had a blast in four different categories including the 5K, Run, 10K Run, 5K Fun Run, and Half Mile Kids Race. This year, we are on track to double that number! Sign up now!

The Half Marathon is back in 2025!!

SIGN UP NOW AT THIS LINK 

Business Sponsorships Available Here!

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.

Business Partners! Join our wonderful Mendocino County sponsors including Blue Zones Project Mendocino County, Mendocino Coast Children's Fund, Kate Erickson LPL Financial, SHN Conlsulting & Engineers, Walmart Foundation,Thanksgiving Coffee, 94.5K WINE & 93.5 MAX Radio Stations, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, the Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers, Stanford Inn, Thompson Gas, Sonoma Clean Power, Westport Hotel & Old Abalone Pub, Beachcomber Motel, Mendocino Grove, B.A.S Roofing, Zodiac Event Displays, Mendocino Art Center, and others!

To support the event as a sponsor and to see a list of our sponsors to date, please click here or contact us at conservation@mendocinolandtrust.org.

Kind Traveler's Every Stay Gives Back

2025 MLT Trail Keepers

With Gratitude for our 2025 Donors

January - June

THANK YOU 2025 DONORS AND SUPPORTERS!!

Thank you to everyone who generously supports our work - with your one-time donations, or with your time at one of our volunteer events, or with your love and support in the community and on our social media.

Every donation supports our mission of protecting and stewarding the natural habitats and working lands of Mendocino County, and providing public access to beautiful, wild spaces. A big special thanks to all our monthly donors!! Here are our wonderful 2025 (so far) donors, listed by location.

Legend: P/S = Business Partners and Event Sponsors, M = Monthly Donor