Uncategorized – Northcoast Regional Land Trust

Highlighting Our Coastal Conservation Efforts

August 21, 2024

At the Northcoast Regional Land Trust, we’re thrilled to see our work recognized in the Land Trust Alliance’s recent article, Coastal Connections: The Economic Benefits of Conservation to Coastal Communities in Maine and California, published online and in the Summer 2024 Saving Land magazine. This piece highlights the critical role that conservation plays in supporting the economic health and resilience of coastal communities, including our own here in Northern California.

One of the featured projects is our ongoing restoration work at Freshwater Farms Reserve. This unique 74-acre property, located between Arcata and Eureka, has been a focal point for our efforts to restore and enhance critical coastal wetlands, while maintaining local agricultural production. This landscape provides essential habitat for a variety of wildlife, including fish, birds, and other species, alongside seasonal grazing lands for cattle production.

Our work at Freshwater Farms Reserve includes the restoration of tidal channels, the removal of invasive species, and the replanting of native vegetation. These efforts not only improve habitat quality but also contribute to the overall resilience of the coastal environment. Additionally, the Reserve serves as a community space where visitors can learn about the compatibility of conservation and agriculture through educational programs and guided tours.

The article underscores how restoring natural landscapes like Freshwater Farms Reserve not only safeguards the environment but also enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. From boosting local economies through eco-tourism to protecting the natural resources that coastal communities rely on, conservation is a powerful tool for ensuring a sustainable future.

We’re proud to be featured alongside other organizations making a difference and are grateful to the Land Trust Alliance for their continued support of land trusts like ours. Together, we’re protecting the local ecosystems that sustain us.

Thank you to the Land Trust Alliance for including us in this important work!

Read the full article here: Coastal Connections: The Economic Benefits of Conservation to Coastal Communities in Maine and California.

NRLT is a proud, accredited member of the Land Trust Alliance, a mark of distinction that signifies our commitment to excellence, accountability, and the enduring stewardship of the lands we protect.

Thanks for a great Summer Celebration!

July 29, 2024

Thank you to all who came out to celebrate and support local land conservation on Saturday, July 20, 2024! The Northcoast Regional Land Trust hosted its sixth annual “Summer Celebration” benefit concert at NRLT’s demonstration property, Freshwater Farms Reserve, 5851 Myrtle Ave., Eureka. Over 400 people were in attendance and helped us raise over $15,000 for important land conservation projects in our region.

The event featured local favorites, Huckleberry Flint, with an opening performance by Canary & the Vamp. Family friendly activities included face painting by Lela Annotto Arts, a kid play area by the Ukeladies (friends & family of Freshwater Family Farm), and a cake walk fundraiser for NRLT. Food and drink were available from Los Giles, Fern Mountain Eats, Freshwater Family Farm, Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate, Fieldbrook Winery and Eel River Brewing.

Huge thanks to attendees, performers, vendors, and volunteers who made this event the celebratory success we look forward to every year!

Lots to Celebrate at Freshwater Farms Reserve

July 5, 2024

Can you believe it’s been almost 20 years since NRLT first took on stewardship of the Freshwater Farms Reserve (FWFR)? In that time, we’ve seen countless individuals, agencies, school groups, organizations, families, and more take part in making this the rich community resource it continues to be today.

Already this year at FWFR, there have been several volunteer workdays with various partners (including Cal Poly Humboldt, the California Conservation Corps Watershed Stewards Program, and Humboldt Trails Council), a bilingual family event, multiple Cows & Cattails field trips—and that’s just the NRLT hosted activities!

The California Native Plant Society continues to nurture a vibrant nursery under the gentle hands of their dedicated volunteers; Freshwater Family Farms diligently grows microgreens to sell to the community at large; and the North Coast Community Garden Collaborative with Redwood Community Action Agency is off to a full growing season with lots of work put in by their staff and Cal Poly College Corps interns.

We are proud of all that has grown out of this humble ambassador property, and all the ways it continues to bloom. We are particularly excited about the addition of three new benches, funded by a grant from Eureka Rotary Club and made and donated by Monument Settings, and an owl nesting box built and installed on the North side of the Graham-Long Dairy Barn by NRLT supporter, Gary Falxa. These projects represent the committed involvement of our local community, who continue to show up for and invest in the people and wildlife who visit this special place.

Join us on July 20th, 2024 as we host our Summer Celebration at Freshwater Farms Reserve, and you can see all these projects and connect with our conservation community! Tickets and more information available at givebutter.com/huckflint2024.

Year in Review: 2023

December 28, 2023

As we bid farewell to 2023, let’s look back on the highlights and achievements that have marked this year for the Northcoast Regional Land Trust (NRLT). In 2023, we made significant progress in our mission to conserve, protect, and promote wild and working lands, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our volunteers, landowners, board members, staff, and partners. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Conservation Efforts

In addition to eight conservation easement projects already in progress at the start of the year, we began work on three new projects in 2023— two of which we just learned will receive full funding thanks to the Department of Conservation’s SALC program! Altogether, we are working towards the protection of over 56,000 acres of productive forestland, expansive rangelands, critical salmon streams, vital habitats, and open spaces that make our region so unique.

And that is in addition to the 60,000 acres of already protected land.

Community Engagement

In our efforts to foster a strong community for conservation, we partnered with numerous individuals and organizations to host 16 stewardship workdays and interpretive events in 2023. Big thanks to our partners (including Humboldt Trails Council, Friends of the Dunes, Echales ganas!, CCC Watershed Stewards Program, Cal Poly YES, Umoja Center for Pan African Student Excellence, SJEIC, Office of Student Life, Center for Community Based Learning, Environmental Science and Management Dept., and Wildlife Dept., Point Blue Conservation Science, Salmonid Restoration Federation, and Planwest Partners, Inc.), and our stellar volunteers for supporting coastal farmland stewardship and engagement for all.

Additionally, over 450 people graced our biggest Summer Celebration yet at Freshwater Farms Reserve in August!

Educational Initiatives

We believe in the power of education to ensure the legacy of land stewardship in our region. To this end, we led 19 Cows & Cattails field trips, educating over 750 elementary students about the compatibility of wildlife habitat and agriculture. We also reignited our High School Biological Monitoring Program in the spring, thanks to botany help from Tony LaBanca and collaboration with the Botany and Environmental Science teachers at Alder Grove Charter School.

Fundraising Success

We are incredibly grateful for the generous support we received from our community this year. Every dollar makes a difference to protect wild and working lands in our region. During our Annual Celebration, Boots & Birkenstocks in October, we raised over $60,000 for wild and working land conservation. These funds will play a significant role in our conservation efforts in 2024.

Strategic Planning

Our Board and Staff took a deep dive into our strategic plan during a retreat in Southern Humboldt in June. This retreat enabled us to reassess our goals and strategies, setting us on a clear path toward achieving our mission. It also served as an opportunity for Board and Staff to get out on the lands that sustain us with a tour of a prospective easement property!

Appreciation

Northcoast Regional Land Trust would not be what it is today without you — our dedicated volunteers, landowners, board members, staff, and partners. Your commitment and contributions have been instrumental in our accomplishments this year.

We extend additional thanks to our 2023 Annual Sponsors for their unwavering support: Wildberries Marketplace, Humboldt and Mendocino Redwood Companies, and North Fork Lumber. Look for our full list of donors in the next newsletter, coming spring 2024.

Looking Ahead

As we step into 2024, we are excited and optimistic about what lies ahead. This is an exciting time to be part of NRLT—with more active projects than ever before, and a strong and supportive community that continues to grow. Thank you for being part of a special group of people dedicated to protecting our shared values in northwestern California—a love of the land, the community, and our way of life. Here’s to another year of conserving the lands we love! Happy New Year!