MLT News Summer 2026 - Time to Celebrate!

Time to Celebrate!

MLT’s 50th Anniversary Party on June 20th in Mendocino

Our volunteers, donors, and community have supported Mendocino Land Trust since 1976. Now it’s our turn to honor and thank all of you. Join us on Saturday, June 20th in Mendocino Village for our 50th Anniversary Celebration Party!

The event will feature live music by the FlatWheelers and complementary beverages while they last. There will be delicious food for purchase from Los Primos Taco Truck, Big Foot Ice Cream, and Caletta Fire wood-fired pizza, along with lawn games, flower crafts, and a retrospective display presented by the Kelley House Museum.

Raise a glass, kick up your heels, and enjoy an afternoon of music, food, fun, and community with MLT – it all starts with you, and the party starts when you get there!

Saturday, June 20th
1-5 pm
Palette Drive, Mendocino Village, on the lawn across from Hill House Mendocino Trailborn Hotel
Parking at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church of Mendocino on Lansing St.

Emerging Conservationists

Educating Young Explorers

In April, MLT sponsored 78 fifth-grade students from Dana Gray Elementary School in Fort Bragg, sending them on a four-day adventure to the Mendocino Outdoor Science School (MOSS) at the Mendocino Woodlands. Their immersive week of Environmental Education was infused with community building, cooperation, hiking, music, and friendship. Through carefully guided activities, the program fosters a deep connection to the forest that is aligned with the 5th-grade curriculum, incorporating elements of history, science, math, theater arts, writing, and self awareness. This program was funded through MLT’s Redwood Protection and Restoration Fund, an endowment established to help safeguard our redwood forests and promote education specifically related to Redwoods and the ecosystems they support. MLT is currently exploring additional funding to ensure it continues.

Students, teachers, and parents all had high praise for the program. Dana Gray 5th Grade teacher Ms. Green reported that the experience was “wonderful and magical. Students are learning new things and making new friends. It is sweet watching them make new connections.”

The children also had positive things to say: 5th grader Tyren reported, “At the start of the week, I was scared but then I met Root and it was nice having him. Me and my friends were singing “Tan Oak” and we had LOTS of sun. Now that we are at the end of the week, I’m gonna miss the views, Root, and the singing.” Sandra added, “Camp is a safe place to be yourself and have fun. You could possibly make new friends, too.” Hayden was contemplative, “The stream. I feel really connected and part of the stream when I am near it. I really like the stream because I feel calm, focused and wanted when I am at it. I feel like the stream has so many cool insects and creatures, like salamanders, dragon flies, and fish. I feel like it is my safe spot.”

Supporting College-Bound Scholars

In 2024, MLT established the Mendocino Land Trust Natural Resources Conservation Scholarship, awarding two Mendocino County students a financial boost as they aim for careers in conservation. The scholarship fund has grown each year to give these future conservationists as much support as possible.

Gabriella Breen

2026 Ukiah High School graduate Gabriella Breen has been immersed in, and fascinated by the natural world all her life. “Growing up on a farm, surrounded by complex ecosystems, habitats, and life, the value of the natural world was instilled early on. I spent my childhood roaming barefood, adopting lizards and birds, and tending to the vibrant life around me. I understood everything the natural world gave me, so it only made sense to give back everything I could.” Despite setbacks, Gabriella’s determination to make our world a more sustainable place for all life to thrive has held fast. And we could not be happier to support Gabrielle as she heads to UC Berkeley majoring in English with the intention of a career in Environmental Law. “It will allow me to further my advocacy for the environment, but on a legal level.” Congratulations, Gabriella!

Ryan Welter

“Dirty Hands, Clean Future” is 2026 Fort Bragg High School graduate Ryan Welter’s philosophy, and the title he gave to his college application essay – and it describes him perfectly. Ryan developed diverse skills and has shown a commitment to agriculture with his long participation in Future Farmers of America, raising and showing prize-winning steers. Ryan learned a host of adjacent skills like welding and diesel and agricultural mechanics, all while competing in sports and maintaining a strong GPA. “I would love to be located in Central or Northern California and be a Fish and Wildlife warden. With the help of scholarships I will be attending Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, where I was accepted into the freshman in transition program, living and studying with Ag students and participating in lots of activities to start our connections quickly.” Best of luck on your journey, Ryan!

Upcoming Events and Outings this Summer

Saturday, July 4th - Mendocino Village Independence Day Parade: 12pm We will be at the parade with a rolling butterfly display! Don't miss this iconic, quirky, joyful one-of-a-kind parade that always demonstrates the unique spirit of Mendocino and all of our colorful characters and amazing organizations. Get there early for a good viewing spot on Main Street! Or join our friends at the Kelley House Museum for their annual viewing party on the lawn.

Saturday, July 25th - Caspar Pond Trail Opening: 11 am- MLT is thrilled to announce that we have completed the public access easement for the Caspar Pond trail in Caspar. While this trail has been an informal community trail, the formalizing of a public access easement means that the trail around Caspar Pond will remain open to walkers and bird-watchers in perpetuity. MLT will maintain the trail to ensure it stays in good condition. Located just off Hwy 1 at Fern Creek Road between Mendocino Village and Fort Bragg, the trail is easy to find for residents and visitors. Join us as we celebrate the trail opening with a group walk and a bit of bird watching.

Saturday, August 8th - 10th Annual Noyo Headlands Race! Join us on Saturday, August 8, 2026 for the 10th annual Noyo Headlands Race. This year, we'll have a half marathon, 10K run, 5K run, 5K fun walk, and a half-mile kids' run along the stunning coastal trail in Fort Bragg, CA. Enjoy some of the most remarkable scenery Northern California has to offer and have a great time running with your friends! The oceanfront trail consists of asphalt and soft track, is fairly flat, well maintained, and commonly used by runners year-round. The first race starts at 8 am.

The Noyo Headlands Race is MLT’s annual fundraiser, supporting our mission to conserve and restore habitat, scenic areas and working lands, and offering abundant public access to beautiful and wild places in and around Mendocino County. The NHR always puts the FUN in fundraiser - and it all starts with you! Come out to run, walk, stroll, or just cheer on your friends!

Full details and registration info here.

We invite businesses across Mendocino County to help us host the race. Your sponsorship will support our work year round and help us to offer free race registrations to local high school students. Sponsorship perks include recognition and promotion of your business, complimentary race registration, and our eternal gratitude!

Submit your sponsorship here!