January MLT Monthly
We hope 2022 has been good to you so far. THANK YOU to all who donated at year-end to support conservation in Mendocino County. Your donations help protect wildlife habitat and ensure public access to beautiful places. We could not do what we do without YOU!
Great News for Coho Salmon
Brandon Gulch Stream Enhancement Project Funded
The Mendocino Land Trust has received a grant from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to improve salmon habitat in Brandon Gulch. 

Thanks to the hard work of Nicolet Houtz, MLT’s director of stewardship, and a long history of successful partnerships with the California Conservation Corps (CCC), the organizations have established a reputation for being an excellent team to complete salmon habitat enhancement projects. For this project, MLT has combined efforts with the CCC’s fisheries specialists to design a salmon restoration project for Brandon Gulch.

Brandon Gulch stream is a tributary of the Noyo River. Water from this small stream enters into the North Fork Noyo 11.34 miles upstream from where the Noyo River empties into the Pacific Ocean in Fort Bragg. The redwood and Douglas fir forests in the Brandon Gulch area have been managed for timber production since 1862, to the detriment of the watershed’s health. One of the major issues is that the stream is lacking in the woody debris that provides ideal habitat for coho spawning (egg-laying) and hatchling salmon...

Read more on our website
King Tides Walk at Big River
"MLT Outdoor Social Club" Starts the Year on a High Note
On Jan. 2, about 30 people joined Mendocino Land Trust staff and board members to celebrate the new year and gawk at Big River, swollen at the highest of the king tides. With the tide 7.5 feet above normal, it was quite a sight to see. The people who gathered ‘round the MLT truck for coffee and donuts from Fort Bragg’s Drop In Donut had come from all over the county and beyond. While the majority were coastal residents, there were a good number from Hopland and Willits. And one notable attendee now calls Quincy, California home but has a long history with Big River. 

It was a return to old stomping grounds for Lukas MacMath. He had seen an announcement of the event and declared to his family that they were going. He came with his son from Santa Rosa and his daughter who was visiting from New Orleans. Lukas recalled living near the mouth of Big River in the 1940s and shared some historic photos. Lukas said a strong memory for him is having to ford the rising waters of Big River when they flowed over the drive to his house during the highest tides of the year. He pointed out that the parking area was all built upon fill that kept the mouth from flooding like it used to.
Big River of course holds a special place in the hearts of many, especially longtime supporters of the Mendocino Land Trust. In the early 2000s, MLT headed up an effort by conservation groups, state and federal agencies, private foundations, local businesses and 1,400 individual donors to raise $25.7 million to purchase the 7,334-acre property and save this beautiful area from likely devastating timber harvest.

After the donuts, coffee and conversation, those who were interested in hiking walked about 2.5 miles up the haul road before turning back. Meanwhile, senior board member Chet Anderson led an impromptu “old timers circle” back at the MLT truck. Chet, Lukas, a woman with a hurt knee and a few other folks enjoyed swapping stories and watching the river slowly recede to its normal levels.

We had so much fun we’ve decided we would like to offer an informal outdoor event each month of 2022 as long as it remains safe to do so. Stay tuned to this newsletter and our Instagram and Facebook pages to find out about the next event for the “MLT Outdoor Social Club.”
Your Comments Welcome!
Mendocino Land Trust Applying for Reaccreditation
We invite our supporters and partners to submit comments as we apply for reaccreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

The Mendocino Land Trust is very proud of our accredited status. Accreditation assures our donors, our partners and the public that we are trusted to permanently protect our beautiful part of the world and to make it an even better place for our residents and visitors and their families. Accreditation is a rigorous process that strengthens our organization by assuring sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance and lasting stewardship.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments requested by March 20, 2022. Mailing address and more info can be found by using the link below.

Read more on our website
Upcoming Volunteer Days!
Help Improve Habitat at MLT Preserves
Did your New Year’s resolutions involve spending more time outdoors, looking for opportunities to socialize safely, or increasing your volunteering / connection with the community? Well, even if not, please consider joining up with the MLT volunteers this month! Bring a mask for times you may be in close contact with others.

Thursday, Jan. 13 from 10 am - 12 pm
Dress to get dirty. Bring gloves, water and a mask in case you need to work closely with others. Tools will be provided. Activities will include hacking out invasive thistle and taking in the gorgeous views.

Ten Mile Stewards at Old Smith Ranch
Saturday, Jan. 15 from 10 am - 12 pm
Dress to get dirty. Bring gloves and water. Tools will be provided, but if you have a pair of hand clippers that you like using, feel free to bring them. Activities will include pruning along trail and removal of invasive pampas grass.
Nature Appreciation:
Holidays Represented in Nature
Just when you thought the holidays were over... we keep bringing them up! In December we posted about holiday-themed organisms in nature. We share them here just in case you want to start compiling holiday conversation starters for next year ;)
Join us on Facebook or Instagram to catch our FUNgal Nature Fact Wednesdays during the month of January... or watch for the recap in the next MLT Monthly =)

Confidential to those who don't like using Instagram/Facebook:
We will be launching a modernized MLT website in the next few months 👏. Once that is live, we plan to post our Wednesday Nature Facts there for the enjoyment of those who avoid social media.

Thanks to Sue Griffin for the newt photo!