November 17, 2010 article by Paul Boerger in the Mt. Shasta Herald

Nearly 100 people attended Siskiyou Land Trust’s Fall Harvest Celebration fundraiser Nov. 10 in Mount Shasta.

The LandTrust says its mission is “dedicated to long-term stewardship of agricultural, forest and wildlands in Siskiyou County by working with willing landowners, agencies and organizations.” The Trust’s goals include the following: · Create and explore opportunities for the appropriate conservation of open space, forests, wetlands, ranches, farms and wildlife habitat; · Protect the rural character and abundant natural resources of Siskiyou County while promoting a diverse array of compatible and sustainable economies; and · Develop and promote educational opportunities to foster long-term land stewardship and conservation in Siskiyou County. LandTrust executive director Janet Zalewski said a primary goal for the Trust is “sustainability.” “We want folks 200 years from now doing the same thing,” Zalewski said. “We want to preserve land in perpetuity.” In an interview, Zalewski described Siskiyou County as “a beautiful and important place.” “John Muir compared Siskiyou County to Yellowstone and Yosemite,” Zalewski said. “We can preserve it, but we can’t do it by ourselves. We need the support and involvement of the community.

Every dollar you donate goes to preserving land.” Zalewski recently completed the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail in a five and a half month journey.

“I just got back from a walk,” Zalewski said to audience laughter.

Land Trust board member Belinda Higuera, emcee for the evening, thanked everyone for coming and recognized Siskiyou Title, business owners David and Lee Collier and their employees, and Tristan Behm for their service to the Land Trust.

Behm was also a member of the swing band that played for the event that had couples up and dancing.

Cafe Maddalena provided the sumptuous food and citizens donated numerous items for the silent auction.

Among the Trust’s accomplishment are the following:

· Sisson Meadow Wetlands and Trails – Obtained a $250,000 grant and purchased a 7.5 acre property near the center of Mt.

Shasta City that along with a $150,000 grant by the California Resources Agency and a $10,000 donation from the Mountain Runners includes a trail system and wetlands enhancement;

· Hammond Reservoir – Accepted the donation of the 67-acre Dwight Hammond Reservoir located at the foot of Mount Eddy between the cities of Mount Shasta and Weed, to protect the scenic and wildlife habitat values of the lake; and

· Trinity River – Through a private donation, acquired a 70-acre conservation easement along the Trinity River to preserve open space, salmon and steelhead spawning areas, and wildlife habitat.

Ongoing projects include the following:

· Scott Valley Conservation Easement – The Siskiyou Land Trust has been working for several years with the Whipple and Plank families in Scott Valley to place approximately 5,500 acres of their land into a conservation easement.

After years of negotiation and hard work, the proposed conservation easement is on the road to approval and completion;

· Viewshed Protection-Working with landowners to preserve Rainbow Ridge;

· Mount Shasta City Park to Downtown Greenway Project – Assisting a group of Mount Shasta organizations that are planning a multi-use trail and greenway to connect the Mount Shasta City park to the downtown business district;

· Ranch and Farmland Conservation – Working with numerous long-standing Shasta Valley, Scott Valley and Butte Valley ranchers and farmers to keep their land in agriculture production, rather than seeing them converted into residential or commercial developments; and

· Stewardship Activities-Annual monitoring and care taking of land and conservation easements held by the land trust.

For more information, visit the website: www.siskiyoulandtrust.org.