Siskiyou County Biodiversity Continues to Astound
We have had a string of amazing trips exploring the biodiversity of Siskiyou County this summer. A memorable morning at Gumboot Lake with dragonfly experts, Kathy Biggs and Sandra von Arb, saw the first male Flame Skimmer recorded at this site in 25 years! Steve Huckabone, Barbara Peck, and Jane Cohn, one of the authors of the book Mount Shasta Wildflowers, joined us last week for a Naturalist Hike up Mt. Shasta where we were treated to bird, butterfly, and wildflower sightings galore! Siskiyou Land Trust is so grateful to these experts in their fields for sharing their knowledge with our supporters. Every species we encounter on our Nature Walks is a testament to this region’s phenomenal biodiversity.

If you would like to engage more with the staggering biodiversity of Northern California, read more about CA Biodiversity Week below. 

Siskiyou Land Trust is proud to be a part of a community of individuals and organizations working together to conserve and steward the irreplaceable wild places, watersheds, and working lands that are the heart of Siskiyou County. Check out a couple of upcoming events where you can join SLT and other local land stewards in protecting and exploring the biodiversity and splendor of our beautiful home. 

 

Are you ready to celebrate California Biodiversity Week?

The Challenge:
Using the iNaturalist app, observe 30 species in the Mount Shasta Bioregion between September 6th and 14th. Observations and exploration can be made at any park, wilderness area, or neighborhood in the bioregion!

Why it matters: 
This statewide biodiversity challenge creates a snapshot of the state’s incredible biodiversity and contributes to California’s 30×30 Initiative. Not only does a bioblitz celebrate natural spaces, but it empowers “citizens to better understand and protect biodiversity,” according to the National Geographic Society’s website.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) explains, “Thriving biodiversity is necessary for healthy ecosystems, without which we wouldn’t have a secure food supply, clean water, essential medicines, or, ultimately, a habitable climate.” The more diverse an ecosystem, the more abundant its resources, and the more likely it will be able to withstand stress related to climate change, such as drought, disease, flooding, etc. Every ecosystem contains species that rely on each other for shelter, food, water, etc. Biodiversity is critical for these codependencies.

Thu, Sept 4 (6–7 pm) – Kick things off at Mount Shasta Public Library with a FREE Citizen Science Workshop—learn how to use iNaturalist, CalScape, & field guides, then explore Sisson Meadow in preparation for the following bioblitz events.

Sat, Sept 6 (10:30 am–2 pm) – Adventure through Sáttítla Highlands National Monument with a sensory nature walk, journaling, and a bioblitz; enjoy lunch and an optional swim at Medicine Lake.

Sat, Sept 13 (9 am–12 pm) – Gather again at Siskiyou Land Trust’s Luginbuhl Ranch Preserve for guided walks, more bioblitzing, and a BBQ (hot dogs, burgers & veggie options) on a beautiful headwaters forest preserve.

Let’s observe, learn, and celebrate biodiversity together. Siskiyou Land Trust is proud to join Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center and California Native Plant Society on this biodiversity adventure!
Register for CA biodiversity Week here
 

Join SLT Staff on Saturday, September 27th for a river clean-up! Gloves, bags, and trash-pickers will be provided at this family friendly opportunity to give back to the waterways that play such an important role in our local ecosystems. Thank you to the Dunsmuir Rotary Club & the Dunsmuir Chamber of Commerce for supporting this event.

Luginbuhl Ranch Preserve, an SLT conserved property, is home to the headwaters of the Sacramento River. With the cool, fresh origins of this centerpiece of Siskiyou County protected forever, SLT invites you to engage in some downriver stewardship. We’ll meet at the Dunsmuir City Park parking lot by the ballfields to check-in, then gather post clean-up at the Botanical Gardens for a community picnic. We hope to see you there. 
Click here to learn more about the clean-up
The People of SLT
For years, Chris and John Kelly have been essential volunteers supporting stewardship projects on lands conserved by SLT. They show up consistently with radiant smiles on their faces to support invasive weed management in Sisson Meadow, donating their time, energy, and trusty truck to haul an incredible amount of bagged invasive Canada thistle from the meadow. In addition to their work in the meadow, John merges his expertise in silviculture and love for Wherrit Forest to support SLT’s vision for healthy forest stewardship.

Thank you, John and Chris, for all of your hard work and dedication- the land thanks you and so do we! If you’d like to join the Kellys and our other superstar volunteers at an SLT workday, check the schedule below. 
Help keep invasive species out of the places you love, promote native plant growth, and connect with local conservation-minded folks. 

Tuesdays in the Garden Greenway
Meet at the SLT office, 522 E Alma, Mt. Shasta  8:30am
Email [email protected] to be added to the volunteer list for updates and any schedule changes.  

Wednesdays in Sisson Meadow
Meet at the kiosk in Sisson Meadow 8:30am
Email [email protected] to be added to the volunteer list for this day

Fridays at Wherrit Demonstration Forest
Meet at Wherrit Forest, 1917 Wyehka Way, Mt. Shasta 9:30am
Email [email protected] to be added to the volunteer list for this day


Sign up for the Dark Sky Tour here

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