Reflecting on 25 Years of Conservation

It’s hard to believe that the Northcoast Regional Land Trust’s (NRLT) 25th anniversary year has already come to a close. From advancing the permanent protection of local lands to hosting stewardship days with community members and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards through our education programs, 2025 was truly unforgettable. As we step into 2026, we’re taking a moment to reflect on some of our favorite highlights from this milestone year.

Land Conserved

At the heart of NRLT’s mission is the conservation of the wild and working lands we all depend on. In 2025, we continued progress on a number of conservation projects across Northern California. NRLT is currently working toward the permanent protection of 53,615 additional acres, building on the 69,254 acres already conserved. This critical work would not be possible without the dedicated landowners, community partners, and supporters like you who help make our mission a reality. You can visit our website to learn more about these properties and to learn about our most recently completed conservation easement, Lindsay Creek. 

Restoration Efforts 

In August of this year, NRLT and project partners broke ground on the Wood Creek Phase III restoration project at Freshwater Farms Reserve. Building on more than a decade of restoration work in the Humboldt Bay watershed, this project will restore tidal connectivity, create over 7,500 feet of salmon rearing habitat, enhance 12 acres of wetland habitat, and reduce flooding—benefiting wildlife, working lands, and surrounding communities for generations to come. This project would not be possible without the dedication of landowners Sean and Kathy O’Day and the incredible support of Mike Love & Associates, GHD, Thomas Gast & Associates, Pacific Earthscape, Samara Restoration, GR Sundberg, and many others. This project is supported by funding from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW’s) Cannabis Restoration Grant program (CRGP), Point Blue Conservation Science’s Roots Program, the State of California’s Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). 

This year, NRLT and partners are also moving forward with the Butte Creek/Buck Mountain Forest Health Project, a new effort to reduce wildfire risk in the Little Van Duzen River watershed. This project treats over 1,500 acres of wild and working lands by thinning crowded forests, removing dry brush, establishing shaded fuel breaks, and restoring native oak woodlands—protecting both natural resources and nearby communities. Developed in collaboration with Cottrell Ranch, LLC, and supported by CAL FIRE’s Forest Health Grants Program, this work builds on the Cottrell/Moore family’s commitment to conservation and complements ongoing stewardship across the region. By pairing on-the-ground restoration with long-term conservation easements, this project helps safeguard the land, wildlife, and communities for generations to come. Learn more about this project here! 

 

Education 

This year, we proudly continued our Cows & Cattails education program, which highlights the coexistence of working farms and wetlands for elementary school students in our region. More than 400 local students participated in hands-on field trips at Freshwater Farms Reserve, where they learned about soil health, fisheries, hydrology, and biodiversity.

Students from Cal Poly Humboldt also visited Freshwater Farms Reserve to learn about the Wood Creek Phase III Restoration Project, conduct water quality testing, and explore restoration science in action. Connecting students of all ages to the land through immersive, hands-on experiences is one of the most impactful ways we can empower future stewards to protect these special places.

25th Anniversary Event Series

What better way to celebrate 25 years of NRLT than by connecting with our community every month? With so many incredible gatherings throughout the year, it’s hard to pick favorites—but a few events truly stood out:

Freshwater Farms Reserve Fall Fest
Thanks to Shakefork Community Farm and funding from the California Coastal Commission’s Whale Tail Grant, families carved pumpkins and placed them along the Nature Trail to get into the spooky spirit at Freshwater Farms Reserve.

Pint Night at Paskenta Mad River Brewing
This July event featured foot-tapping tunes by Billy & the Flames, great brews, and community connection. One dollar from every pint sold went directly to supporting local conservation efforts, thanks to the generosity of Paskenta Mad River Brewing! 

Steward’s Circle Coffee Social
Held in March, this gathering celebrated the Steward’s Circle members whose monthly donations sustain NRLT’s conservation work and community programs. We truly couldn’t do this work without them, and starting the year by honoring our Steward’s Circle felt especially meaningful.

Community Support

Thanks to our incredible community of conservation supporters, NRLT hosted 22 events in 2025 that helped connect people to local lands while supporting conservation across the region. We are deeply grateful to our partners, including the Humboldt Trails Council Volunteer Trail Stewards, Latino Outdoors, YES Humboldt, the Cal Poly Humboldt Triathlon Team, Watershed Stewards Program, Lost Coast Pride, and many more who helped make these events possible.

Fundraising Success

Our 7th Annual Summer Celebration was one for the books—a completely sold-out event that raised over $16,000 for local conservation! With lively music from the Oyster Baes and headliner Huckleberry Flint, the evening was filled with dancing and smiles all around. We’re also thankful for the generous local vendors who supported the event, including Humboldt County Cattlewomen, Los Giles, Dick Taylor Chocolates, Freshwater Family Farms, Paskenta Mad River Brewing, and Fieldbrook Winery.

In October, we raised an incredible $85,000 at our Annual Boots & Birkenstocks celebration. This event was a wonderful opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life who support NRLT’s work and to come together over our shared love for conservation. It was an evening well spent enjoying delicious food by Dorris & Daughter Catering and beef from Pete Bussman, music by All Wheel Drive, and incredible auction items donated by local businesses and artists. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and business sponsors, the Summer Celebration and Boots & Birkenstocks Annual Celebration supports ongoing wild and working land conservation efforts throughout the region..  We couldn’t do this without your support– thank you!

Final Reflections

The lands conserved, communities reached, and students inspired this year are all made possible by supporters like you. Your continued generosity and encouragement keep NRLT moving forward, even during challenging times. As we enter our 26th year, we are filled with gratitude—and excitement for what’s ahead.

P.S. Want to learn more about what we’ve been up to? Check out our 25th Anniversary Short Documentary Film, now available on YouTube (or click here!).