February 2026 E News

SLT braved the wind with our friends at MSBEC to check out the winter birds at Lake Shastina
Image credit E. Williamson

Nature Walk Series and Winter Dark Skies Shine

Even as temperatures drop, winds howl through, and ice gathers on the edges of the lake, there is still plenty of wildlife and splendor to be spotted around Siskiyou County. Stewardship Manager and local Audubon Society President, Laura Bradley, led three trips to start out the year- two out to the shores of Lake Shastina and one winter night sky viewing with volunteer astronomer, Barbara Paulson.

Birders at Lake Shastina
Image credit L. Bradley

Siskiyou Land Trust’s work to conserve headwaters and watersheds plays an important role in making our community a safe haven for raptors, waterfowl, and riots of American robins, plump with this year’s mash of Juniper berries. Siskiyou County’s dark skies are emblematic of this safe haven, protecting nocturnal wildlife and migratory species from disorientation caused by light pollution.

Whether it’s the rare wintering Long-tailed duck, a striking cedar waxwing (pictured below), or brilliant Jupiter and her moons, there is always something fun to see when you’re out on the land at an SLT event.

Winter skies over Siskiyou County
Image credit L. Bradley

Cedar waxwing
Image credit L. Bradley

Welcome Gwen Michael-Jones, SLT’s Newest CCAC Fellow

Gwen joins Siskiyou Land Trust and its California Climate Action Corps from sunny San Deigo, CA. She’s looking forward to learning “more about the biodiversity of the region directly from the locals who care deeply.”

CCAC is a state-level service corps created to take meaningful actions to safeguard the climate through wildfire resiliency, urban greening, and food waste recovery. Gwen, a lover of all plants and animals, joins Anna, Gabriel, and Keegan as they continue to care for the land and develop new skills with SLT.

Make sure you say ‘Howdy!’ to Gwen when you see her out in the field. Welcome to the team, Gwen!

Thank You, Jessica

At the beginning of the year, SLT bid farewell to Acquisition Project Manager and Excel superstar, Jessica Matthews. But she didn’t go far! SLT is proud to announce she stayed in the Land Trust family and accepted a position with California Council of Land Trusts, an organization dedicated to supporting the needs of Land Trusts throughout California.

We’ll miss Jessica’s exceptional work and smiling face around the office but can’t wait to build our relationship with her in her new role as CCLT Grants Program Manager.

A Life Beautifully Lived

Last Saturday, on a gorgeous winter day, over 100 family members, friends, colleagues, and admirers came together to celebrate the life of long-time Siskiyou Land Trust supporter, Gary Sanda. It was a joyous gathering, with more laughter than tears, and was just the sendoff that Gary’s wife, Belinda (a former SLT Board Member), had envisioned.

Gary and Belinda moved to Redding from Southern California in 1978 and, through their love of outdoor adventure, were drawn to the rivers and mountains of Siskiyou County. They owned a second home here for many years and connected with SLT through volunteering at river cleanup days and participating in nature walks and outings.

The speakers at Gary’s service celebrated not only his rich professional life as a bio-medical engineer, decades of volunteerism with Cal OES, the Suicide Hotline, the Cascade Theater, and Shasta County Search and Rescue, but also his kindness, sense of humor, and spirit of adventure.

Gary will be deeply missed by so many, but his love for nature and wild places lives on in the conservation work he and Belinda so generously supported in Shasta and Siskiyou Counties.

Explore Local Trails & Help MSTA Complete the Gateway Trail Network

Our beloved Spring Hill Trail, where Siskiyou Land Trust holds a Trail Easement, had a near miss with the Spring Fire last year. Despite some damage, this remains a great trail with even better views. Why not give it a visit along with a couple other local favorites? Get outside and get involved stewarding this beautiful place we call home!

Click here to learn more about the 2026 Mt. Shasta Trail Challenge

Stand up for what you value. Stand with this community working to protect our beautiful home. Stand up for conservation.

Photo by Steve Huckabone

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Your tax deductible donation is so appreciated! Help Siskiyou Land Trust’s mission of long-term stewardship for agricultural, forest, and wildlands in Siskiyou County.