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Why CA's Prop 4 Deserves Your Support

Photo credit: Don Hess

This November, California voters will have the opportunity to make an historic investment in California’s natural environment by casting a Yes vote on Proposition 4.

As a Redwood Coast Land Conservancy supporter, you are well aware of the challenges we face in this climate crisis era. The threats are already here and will likely grow, impacting California’s environment and our place within it. There are no easy fixes, but there are steps we can and must take now. 

If passed, the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, and Protecting Communities and Natural Lands Act will generate $10 billion to fund wide-ranging, tangible conservation efforts intended to counter or adapt to the climate crisis in California. Prop 4 guarantees future funding for state responses to natural resource protection while also providing citizens with protection from extreme weather events. 

What would it mean for us on the North Coast? Among other investments, $1.2 billion would fund coastal resilience projects, including $765 million dedicated to the California State Coastal Conservancy. RCLC currently has two Coastal Conservancy grants supporting our restoration efforts at Mill Bend Preserve. As we move from planning to implementation stages, the Coastal Conservancy will continue to be an essential partner in our long-term restoration and development efforts. 

As is often said, to learn what an organization or government administration values, look at its budget. November will offer California an opportunity to invest $10 billion on behalf of its environmental values.

Please join Redwood Coast Land Conservancy, and numerous other California land trusts and conservation organizations, in voting Yes on Proposition 4.

Visit yesonprop4ca.com for more information.



Restoration in Progress

Mill Bend Preserve restoration efforts are underway, as technical teams partnering with RCLC staff make progress on the Gualala River Estuary Enhancement Plan and Public Access Design and Restoration Plan.  

With funding from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the State Coastal Conservancy, environmental science and design consulting firm Prunuske Chatham, Inc. (PCI) has been collecting data to craft strategies to improve habitats and enhance the visitor experience at Mill Bend Preserve. The Conservation Plan continues to provide high-level guidance, but these efforts are a deeper dive into how we intend to proceed with restoration, including answering questions that will accompany the permitting process.

The work ahead includes restoring highly degraded portions of the land and estuary; developing public access opportunities while protecting and enhancing sensitive areas; managing the everyday needs of plants, wildlife, and human visitors; and supporting the site’s resilience to changing environmental conditions.

Recently, technical and science staff from PCI, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, kayaked the Gualala River estuary to evaluate current conditions and consider potential sites for habitat enhancement. This was a crucial step in determining what additional analyses would be necessary before the conceptual phase of the Habitat Enhancement Plan could begin. A key gap the team identified was the need for resolution topographic data to document site conditions. The PCI team is in the process of acquiring 3D models of the geography which will benefit the Salmonid Habitat Enhancement project, as well as the Upland Restoration and Access Design Plan. 

We are eager to see the first draft of their recommendations, and will share updates on the continued progress. In the meantime, visit our website for more information about the Mill Bend Preserve Conservation Plan.



RCLC in the Community

At RCLC, our actions are all about engaging with and benefiting the community. Whether we’re exploring the biodiversity of our region through educational bird and nature walks, researching the history of the Gualala Cemetery, maintaining the Gualala Bluff Trail and Cook’s Beach Bonham Access Trail, or tabling at local events, community is at the center of everything we do. 

On most first Saturdays, you’ll likely see Chris Braley chatting with visitors at the Pay 'n' Take in Gualala and sharing information about what is happening at Mill Bend Preserve. Chris and Board President Mark Escajeda have been updating the community on our restoration projects at many local events, such as the Fringe Festival, the Fourth of July Festival, and Fisherman’s Festival in Point Arena. 

Recently, we traveled across the river to Gualala Point Regional Park for the Annual California Coastal Cleanup on September 21. The debris that was collected did not amount to much (which is good news!), but the community spirit was great. Roberta Chan from Sonoma County Regional Parks and Chris Braley made it a successful event.

Where else have you seen RCLC? If you braved the foggy conditions in Manchester and attended the “I am Democracy” event on September 28, you would have found RCLC Board members and others promoting the passage of Proposition 4.

If you haven’t been able to catch us at any of these past events, we would love to see you at the next one. Visit our website for more information.



RCLC Continues to Grow

With the acquisition of Mill Bend Preserve, and the additional grants we’ve received for restoration and access improvements, RCLC is in a period of growth. We are restoring native habitats, designing an expanded trails network, and connecting with the community through programming that fosters a deeper connection to our rugged coastlands. There’s a lot to do. To advance our mission to preserve, restore, and share the natural wonders of this region, RCLC is thrilled to have recently hired two new staff members.

Sophia Pisciotta is RCLC’s new Restoration Ecologist! Sophia’s top priorities will be to protect, improve, and manage RCLC properties. This includes restoring native plant and wildlife habitats, and ensuring safe and enjoyable visitor experiences to RCLC’s publicly-accessible properties and trail easements. 

Sophia was raised in inland Mendocino County, where she developed a passion for plants and the natural world at an early age. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. During her studies, she conducted fieldwork focused on native plant species, deepening her appreciation for the flora of the California coast. 

With over 20 years of professional experience in horticulture, Sophia has worked at distinguished gardens such as Filoli in the Bay Area and, more recently, at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, where she served as Nursery Manager for over five  years. During this time she grew native trees and perennials, including Bishop and Shore Pines, for onsite restoration projects. She also held leadership positions at two native plant nurseries, where she developed measures to prevent the spread of diseases such as Sudden Oak Death, and worked to ensure the genetic diversity and resilience of plants for restoration projects.

To further our outreach efforts, Rachel Gagnon just joined to lead communications for RCLC! Rachel's priorities are to manage, amplify, and further refine the organization’s public-facing messaging, inform our supporters of ongoing projects, and expand RCLC’s presence online, in the press, and directly within the community. 

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Rachel’s career began in the museum field where she led communications, digital strategy, publications, and outreach efforts at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Over a decade ago, she moved to California to be closer to the landscape she loves. Most recently, Rachel led content design teams at technology companies, including Airbnb and Instagram.

She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Environmental and Water Law from the McGeorge School of Law. Rachel completed the California Naturalist certificate program and is a Certified Community Mediator through the SEEDS Community Resolution Center in Oakland, California. She currently serves on the board of Coastal Seniors, and previously contributed writing to The Sea Ranch Soundings, as well as having volunteered with RCLC and The Stream Team. 

In addition, RCLC is currently hiring a Restoration Technician who will work closely with Sophia to implement restoration strategies, such as invasive plant removal, and assist with maintenance tasks on RCLC properties. Please spread the word about this role, and help us welcome the newest members of the RCLC team!