YEAR IN REVIEW: 2016
To an extent, 2016 was more of the same: Get a property under contract. Raise money to buy it. Close escrow. Build trails. Open it to the public. Repeat.
While perhaps appearing immodest, the Truckee Donner Land Trust has been so successful, it’s beginning to seem routine.
But wait a darn minute…rest assured, we’re not resting on our laurels.
It is possible, our Board President Jeff Brown reminded me, to have a succession of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, spanning from the Truckee River to Donner Summit, to Martis Valley to the Little Truckee River headwaters.
Below are just a few of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. In 2016 the Land Trust, your Land Trust:
Closed on phase one of the truly incomparable Carpenter Valley acquisition.
Added 300-acres to conservation easements held in the Martis Valley.
Closed and protected Donner Summit’s iconic Black Wall, a rock climbing treasure, and opening other recreational opportunities on the Summit.
Completed the 13-mile Esther and Walter Hewlett Rim Trail at Royal Gorge along with refurbishing and construction of other new trails.
Maintained 25-miles of trail including a installing a awesome new bridge in the Martis Valley.
Handed-off and funded meadow restoration at Van Norden Meadow to the South Yuba River Citizens League and the United States Forest Service.
So, all in all, 2016 has been been anything except business as usual, except that we are so darn busy!
It goes without saying, none of this would have been possible without the support of our donors. I speak for all of the staff and volunteers at the Land Trust when I say. thank you!
Here's to more of the same - more once-in-a-lifetime opportunities - in 2017.
Perry Norris