Spring is a time of growth.The Mendocino Land Trust is growing by leaps and bounds in recent years, increasing our capacity to conserve land, restore habitat, build trails, and secure public access to the beautiful places in Mendocino County and beyond. We are excited that we will be welcoming two new staff members to our team this month.

There will be big news in June, as we close on a very large conservation easement that has been in the works for a long time. We are honored that we will soon be responsible for ensuring that conservation values are maintained on nearly 15,000 acres of land.
Join the Fort Bragg Blue Economy
Symposium and Festival May 19 to 22
The Blue Economy Symposium begins on Thursday, May 19! This is a collaboration between the City of Fort Bragg and California Sea Grant focusing on exploring the needs and potential for developing a resilient and vibrant blue economy in and around Fort Bragg. This symposium will bring together local, state and federal agencies to develop pathways forward for the community. Learn more

The Learning Festival weekend (May21-22) promises a wide variety of opportunities to celebrate ocean-related activities and learn about the sustainable economic future of the Mendocino Coast. All the Activities!

As part of the offerings, the Mendocino Land Trust is hosting a special stewardship day at Hare Creek Beach on Saturday May 21 beginning at 10 am. Meet up with MLT staff and volunteers at the Mendocino College Coast Center parking lot (map).
Mendocino Land Trust Launches New Website
More to Explore!
We are excited to unveil our brand new website! Launched on May 2, the new site is fully ADA compliant and the modern design looks great on computer screens and mobile devices. Click on over and you will find interactive maps and detailed information about the projects your support has helped make possible.

This portal provides a wealth of information about conservation work and public access opportunities in Mendocino County. AND yes, it continues to feature our much-loved trail guide featuring 32 places to explore along the coast from Gualala to Usal. Much thanks to Planeteria for the amazing design work on this project.

MLT Outdoor Social Club
Our May Adventure at Noyo River Redwoods
Thanks to all who attended the "soft open" of the brand new four-mile loop trail at Noyo River Redwoods! Currently, this Mendocino Land Trust preserve is only open by guided tour. The protected 423-acre area includes an estimated 30% of all remaining old-growth redwoods in the Noyo River watershed. This important site became an MLT preserve in 2012 Thanks to funding from the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Save the Redwoods League and conservationists like you.
Art and Sonya inspect a newly built bridge. Art was the oldest participant on our trip - he's 95! Sonya is much younger!
Purple Iris with forested background
It's not just the trees that are protected. The area is important wildlife habitat and hosts a variety of lovely flowers like this iris.
Anthony Castaños of Save the Redwoods League and MLT's Nicolet Houtz talk about how this special area was protected.
Watch this newsletter for info when we schedule the next MLT-guided walk of this remote property four miles west of Willits.

View the events page on our new website!
June MLT Outdoor Social Club:
Butterflies at Bruhel Point (Saturday, June 11)
Join the Mendocino Land Trust Social Club and butterfly enthusiast Asa Spade to learn about butterflies at Bruhel Point. We will meet in the parking area and enjoy some snacks as we chat about butterflies and view some specimens. Guests will be invited to join us for a walk along the bluffs in search of butterflies. We meet at noon and expect to be back at our cars by 1:30 pm.

Asa Spade is Senior Biologist at Wynn Coastal Planning and Biology, a California Naturalist, and Master Gardener. Asa has been hooked on observing, photographing, and documenting butterflies since 2010. At the event we will encourage Asa to share the fascinating story of how he and his wife Teresa were able to locate seven federally endangered Behren’s silverspot butterflies after other biologists had not had been able to document any sightings in several years.

Upcoming Volunteer Days!
Help Improve Habitat at MLT Preserves
Thursday, May 12 from 10 am - 12 pm
Dress to get dirty. Bring gloves and water. Tools will be provided. Activities will include hacking out invasive thistle and taking in the gorgeous views. (View meeting location in Google Maps)

Hare Creek Beach, Fort Bragg
Saturday, May 21 from 10 am - 12 pm
This special volunteer day is part of the Noyo Ocean Collective's Blue Economy Symposium and Learning Festival. This month we need volunteers to help with beach cleanup and invasive plant removal. Dress to get dirty and bring gloves and water. Meet at the south end of the Mendocino College Coast Center parking lot. If you arrive late, wander across the field and down the trail along the creek and you'll find us!

Ten Mile Stewards at Old Smith Ranch is cancelled for May. We'll be back at it the third Saturday in June!

Questions? Send an email to info@mendocino.org
Nature Appreciation:
Pollinators
In April, our Wednesday posts focused on interesting facts about pollinators seen in Mendocino County each spring. Click on an image to learn more.
What is this long-horned bee doing? And where does it lay its eggs? (Hint: Not in a hive!)
What looks like a bee, moves like a bee, sounds like a bee but is not a bee?
Which pollinator built this strange nest?
This video shows the fascinating emergence of the young.
How many of these butterflies have you seen? And did you know some flowers have evolved to "smell sexy" to attract winged pollinators?
Join us on Facebook or Instagram in May for
#WednesdayNatureFacts about "May Mamas" and their nests.