March at the Mendocino Land Trust: Lots of News to Share

Community Feedback Needed!

Later this year, the Mendocino Land Trust will be drafting a new strategic plan to preserve what we all love about Mendocino County. Your input will help make the plan as effective as possible to help us achieve conservation and public access.

This Google Form takes just a few minutes to complete and will help focus our work on what is most important to those who love our region and enjoy its valuable resources. Thanks in advance for your input.

Take the Survey

Welcome Back, Volunteers!

Three workdays coming up in March

Thursday, March 11

Navarro Point Preserve 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Where: Navarro Point

What to bring / wear: Dress to get dirty. Bring gloves and water. Tools will be provided.

MARCH MISSION: Seek and destroy invasive bull thistle rosettes. Now is the easiest time to remove them!

Saturday, March 13 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Hare Creek Beach Stewards

Where: Hare Creek Beach Park at the Mendocino College-Coast Center

MARCH MISSION: Lots of ivy to pull! Don't worry, it's not poison ivy, just invasive. If conditions allow we may also give a fond farewell to a burn pile. Bring your own marshmallows!

Saturday, March 20 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Ten Mile Stewards

Where: Old Smith Ranch Trail along the Ten Mile River

MARCH MISSION: Pruning is the name of the game! Plus lots of invasive pulling to be done in the meadow and on the trail.

RSVP: Please contact Monika Richardson at (707) 962-0470 or [email protected] to let her know you plan to attend.

Find out more on MLT's website.

Introducing Esme Plascencia

Fort Bragg College Student Working to Improve Access to Nature for Latino Community

Esme Plascencia grew up in Fort Bragg and has been drawn toward exploring the great outdoors as long as she can remember. Now a college student at Sacramento State, Esme has been working with the Mendocino Land Trust, MendoParks and the Mendocino Woodlands Association on ways to better engage the local Latino community in the great outdoors.

We are excited to announce that Esme has founded a chapter of Latino Outdoors based in Fort Bragg! Esme would love to connect with other members of the Latino community who might be interested in leading hikes and programs or serving as a “social media ambassador” for the local Latino Outdoors chapter. Those interested in helping (or interested in finding out about events when they are scheduled) can contact Esme by emailing [email protected].

If you would like to meet Esme in person, please come to an informal “meet and greet” at the historic Ford House on Main Street in Mendocino on Saturday, March 20. Esme will have a table set up outside the building from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please remember to wear a mask and practice social distancing. See event details here.

We would like to thank the DeLucia Family Fund, a donor advised fund through the Mendocino County Community Foundation for sponsoring Esme's internship with the Mendocino Land Trust.

Read more about Esme and Latino Outdoors on MLT's website

Now Hiring for Summer!

Paid Internship available for a Local College Student

Do you know a coastal college student who might be interested in a paid internship?

The Mendocino Land Trust is seeking a locally-based college student for a ten-week summer internship with a focus on social media and video production.

As our offices are closed during the pandemic, this would be a “work-from-home” position. However, the intern should be prepared to make frequent trips to Land Trust properties to document the beautiful lands MLT works to preserve and highlight the public access opportunities MLT makes possible.

Find the job description and how to apply on MLT's website

Mill Bend Success

Teamwork with Redwood Coast Land Conservancy Preserves Gateway to the Gualala River

We are delighted to hear from our friends at the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) that they have reached a major milestone in the conservation of Mill Bend! On January 29, they closed escrow on the Mill Bend property - a 113-acre site at the mouth of the Gualala River. This estuarine area is home to sensitive habitats and endangered species including coho salmon and steelhead. In addition to providing critical habitat for these fish, the Gualala River estuary is home to Gualala roach and other fish species, as well as red-legged frogs, harbor seals, river otters, osprey and bald eagles. The Mendocino Land Trust was significantly involved in getting this project off the ground, working with its fellow land trust to secure grant funding....

Continue reading on MLT's website

Rails and Redwoods Video is on YouTube!

Thanks to all who attended our very first “Conservation Conversation” via Zoom on February 25. A self-described “Ferroequinologist”, Mendocino Land Trust’s Senior Land Acquisition Project Manager Lawrence Turner gave a fascinating presentation about how railroad history has affected conservation in Mendocino County. His presentation was full of interesting historic photos and maps, and the 68 people in attendance asked fantastic questions. If you missed it, we have good news - the presentation is available on YouTube to watch at your convenience! Find it here: https://youtu.be/TbIp-CLBlZA

Hope you can attend this virtual event!

Nature Appreciation - Bird Month

February was "bird month" on MLT's social media. How many of these feathered friends do you recognize on sight? And do you know the answers to the underlined questions? Click the link to read the fun facts we shared about these birds.