Nevada County Land Trust Is Now Bear Yuba Land Trust
Moves Office to North Star Historic Site in Grass Valley
Aug. 5, 2011 -- In recognition for the important northern Sierra foothills landscape in which we work, Nevada County Land Trust (NCLT) has changed its name to Bear Yuba Land Trust (BYLT). Bear Yuba Land Trust’s unique value comes from 20 years of working within the foothills from the Bear to the Yuba Rivers, and from the western crest of the Sierra peaks to the Sacramento Valley floor. Animal migration corridors, special habitat areas, watersheds and river canyons do not stop at the geopolitical county line, nor should conservation efforts.
The land area served by NCLT lies within the Bear and Yuba River watersheds. A watershed is the region or area drained by a river or stream. Too few people know that this watershed is one of the most significant natural and biologically diverse regions in the world. It comprises annual grasslands, blue oak woodlands, montane hardwoods, and conifer forests, plus riparian corridors, rivers and wetlands. In these landscapes we find working ranches and timber forests, privately-owned lands, small towns and very few publicly held parks and open spaces. In growing recognition of the importance of watershed protection and all that it implies NCLT chose to rename itself after the local watershed.
“When Nevada County Land Trust passed our 20th anniversary in 2010 we reflected on the needs of the community in which we serve,” said Fran Cole, president of Bear Yuba Land Trust. “We have struggled over the years with the way our name has caused some misperceptions with certain people. First, there is a misperception that we are a part of the Nevada County government. We are not funded, directed or a functional part of the government. We are a non-profit, public benefit corporation, funded entirely by tax deductable donations, public and private grants, and fees for services we provide. Secondly, there is a misperception that we operate only in Nevada County. In fact we have landowner partners, land conservation partners and projects in adjacent areas of Yuba and Sierra Counties.”
BYLT is not changing its geographical reach, strategy, mission or charter. Eastern Nevada County is served by Truckee Donner Land Trust. Sierra County is served by the Sierra County Land Trust. Placer County is served by Placer Land Trust. Trust for Public Land has some large-scale projects in this region as well. Bear Yuba Land Trust has partnerships with some of these land trusts, regional landowners and funding agencies to best meet goals and apply the right resources to any conservation project, no matter where it is located. At the same time, the name change will indicate to landowners outside Nevada County borders yet within the Bear and Yuba watersheds that BYLT not merely Nevada County bound.
The name change official date is August 5, 2011. However it will take many months before the name change news will reach all constituents and community.
In addition, BYLT has moved its office from its longtime Brunswick Basin location on Joerschke Drive to the North Star Historic District in Grass Valley just a half mile from the Nevada County Fairgrounds. This is the site of the 1905 Julia Morgan-designed North Star House which was donated to the Land Trust in 2003. On the 14-acre grounds of this mansion is the historic Gardeners Cottage where BYLT now locates its offices. The new address is 12183 Auburn Road, Grass Valley, CA 949949.
Bear Yuba Land Trust is a 501c3, for the public benefit organization. Bear Yuba Land Trust exists to create a balance between nature and the needs of the people who make a life and a livelihood here. Our mission is to enrich the deep community connection with our land ‐ today, tomorrow and forever.