October 2026

Historic Co-Management Agreement Echoes On-The-Lake Conservation Work Currently Done by Lake County Land Trust and Tribal Partners

By: Marlene Quilala*

Clear Lake was both the scenic backdrop to and the center of a historic agreement to co-manage Clear Lake Hitch in the Clear Lake watershed among 23 entities- 7 Lake County tribes, 4 local governments, and 12 state agencies. This formal agreement took place on Friday September 11, 2026. It is the first agreement governing a watershed under the care of tribes. With this agreement, the decisions of how to conserve and restore the vital resources within the Clear Lake basin, will be a collaborative process involving all partners with a goal to improve the health of the watershed, the lake, and hitch habitats.

Lake County Land Trust attended this historic event held at Big Valley Rancheria, with a booth between partners at Pacific Union College and the Redbud Audubon Society, and were able to showcase our current hitch habitat restoration and protection efforts, with a focus on the large Manning Creek and Delta restoration project on the Kuhla’Napo Wetland Preserve.

This agreement put to paper what has already been taking place here in Lake County between tribes and different organizations, like the Lake County Land Trust. Indigenous residents have been and continue to be active stewards of the land, the lake, and the sensitive species that also call Clear Lake and Lake County home, and the LCLT is continuously grateful in partnering with so many great tribal partners, departments, councils, and staff, as we push to conserve and protect the valuable land and waterscapes of Lake County.

Learn more about our work with tribal partners and the Kuhla’Napo Wetland and Manning Creek Restoration Project at a public presentation at the Tuesday October 20th Lakeport City Council Meeting.

The LCLT, Big Valley, and consultants from Flowwest will present the Manning Creek Delta Hitch Habitat 30% design plan. This project is expected to recreate 3,860 ft of restored creek channel connecting to the delta and Clear Lake and add about 18 acres of tule wetland created on lakeshore.

*My name is Marlene Quilala and I had the privilege of this monumental event being the first outreach event I attended, as the NEW Lake County Land Trust and Lake County Resource Conservation District’s shared Communications and Outreach Specialist.

Lake County Land Trust Fundraisers: Afternoons of Appetizers, Refreshments, Music, and an Opportunity to Gather in Fellowship with Community, who Create Environmental Change

Our live music benefit concert at the Soper Reese theater in Lakeport was a success on August 9th. This concert had the musical stylings of the very talented Trio Americana (Lincoln Andrews, bass; Gabriel Yanez, percussion; and Matt Rothstein, soprano saxophone and vocals), poetry recitation, and a chance to gather our community for the love of our natural resources. You can watch some amazing moments and hear music from the event on TrioAmericana’s youtube playlist.

Missed out? Don’t worry you can celebrate with the Lake County Land Trust South County Fall Fundraiser on October 10, 2026! The Lake County Land Trust is only able to protect and preserve Lake County lands and waters because of dedicated donors and supporters like you. Reservations are limited! Join us and buy tickets below.

Buy Tickets

NEW educational fact sheet series found at the Rodman Nature Center: 'Wild and Wanted'

The Land Trust wants to highlight the native wildlife species that call the wildlands of Lake County home and can be found on the Lake County Land Trust's properties . In this series, there will be some facts about these critters, their significance to Lake County, and what to do if we encounter them. First of the series, is the coyote. The flyer can be spotted at the Rodman Nature Center and if you take a walk around the Rodman Preserve, you may spot a few coyotes too!

Listen to Lake County Land Trust's Executive Director on KPFZ 88.1 FM

Birds Migrating to Lake County: Redbud Audubon Field Trip and Guided Walk

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Kuhla'Napo Preserve

As fall migration approaches, more than 200-300 bird species will be flying through Lake County.

The Lake County Land Trust’s Kuhla’Napo Preserve, an important part of the Big Valley Protection Plan, is valued as a preservation-priority parcel because of its benefit to Clear Lake and its watershed’s health, and is also an Important Bird Area (IBA). IBA’s are designated locations important for critical conservation of bird populations.

Kuhla'Napo Preserve offers essential habitats for breeding, feeding, and migrating birds. The Preserve is home to California quail, wild turkey, raptors, and waterfowl such as white pelicans, grebes, as well as so many other amazing species.

Golden Crowned Kinglet

White-Tailed Kites

Hermit Warbler

On October 17, 2026, the Redbud Audubon Society will have a field trip to the Lake County Land Trust’s Kuhla’Napo Preserve and join us on our monthly guided walk to observe these wonderful birds as they migrate. Because of the fall migration, we will see at least 50 species!

Bring your birding binoculars to traverse the property with us and in the company of President of the Redbud Audubon Society, Donna Mackiewicz, who can identify these birds by sight and sound!

Learn more about our Guided Walks here.

Photos by Dave Woodward

Join us for Land Tending at the Rodman Preserve!

Sunday, October 18, 2026

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM