HELLO, 2017

The Truckee Donner Land Trust is rolling into 2017, pedal to the metal. We anticipate wrapping up a number of projects that have been in the works for years, if not decades. The most important of these is Lower Carpenter Valley, a bio-diversity “hot spot,” as our partners at The Nature Conservancy describe it. 

Carpenter Valley was at risk of being subdivided into several estate homesites. Instead its meadows, seral forests and unique fens and springs will be protected forever. The Land Trust is in the final phase of closing out this $10.4 million campaign; only $550,000 is left to raise! 

When the Land Trust closes escrow this summer, the property will be open to the public for the first time in a 150 years.  We’ll keep you posted.

Other great news to share:

In 2017, Webber Lake Campground will open, another amazing property heretofore closed to public. Plans are underway for a large campground, including boat-in only camping and a day use area complete with a boat ramp. A trailhead six miles of trail are also open to the public.

Additionally, restoration of Van Norden Meadow on Donner Summit will begin. Like most Sierran meadows, Van Norden Meadow has withstood the impact of legacy uses – road building, grazing, the railroad and a dam – that have left it severely impaired and degraded. Van Norden Meadow is one of the most important alpine meadows north of Tuolumne Meadows and serves as headwaters of the South Yuba River. Restoration efforts by our partners at the Forest Service and South Yuba River Citizens League will raise the water table and keep water in the meadow longer, resulting in improved habitat, water quality and improved fishing, for our angling friends.

This year will also mark the opening of the Walter and Esther Hewlett Royal Gorge Rim Trail. This multi-use 13-mile trail to Point Mariah will no doubt become one of Donner Summit’s most popular outings. New trails will also be opening in the Martis Valley and at Perazzo Meadows. 

And this is not to mention a number acquisitions we hope to announce in 2017! 

Please stay tuned to news in our email newsletter and please keep in touch. This is your Land Trust and we welcome your input.

Respectfully,

Perry Norris, Executive Director