For years, locals have known Sugarloaf Mountain as Nevada City’s iconic backdrop.
In December, snow-capped peaks make the short climb to the top especially inviting.
From the summit, at 3,045 feet elevation, visitors are greeted by 360-degree sweeping views that take in postcard perfect snapshots of the historic town in miniature framed by surrounding peaks.
For 30 years, Forestry Extension Specialist Bill Stewart has studied forest health in California. Things have changed a lot during his career. “It isn’t a static environment. What we thought would work in terms of growing bigger trees, improving wildlife habitats and reducing risks in the 1970s may not work now, as many forest stands are more crowded and we see greater risks of mortality from insects and fires,” he said.
Having just walked out of the most transformative conference of my life, I feel that now is the time to reflect on all that I have learned in the last three days. I attended the Quivira Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I had never heard of this organization before, but my boss had heard from reliable sources how important it was and told me, “Just go.” So I went.
Bear Yuba Land Trust has a successful Adopt-A-Trail program to help maintain all of our trails in the Bear River and Yuba River watersheds. Recently one of our trail adopters had surgery and was unable to walk the trail. While talking on the phone with him, he said something that I think we can all relate to.
A new era of land conservation is dawning for Bear Yuba Land Trust as agreements with PG&E, the Stewardship Council and other agencies continue to move forward, permanently protecting iconic lakes and rivers of the Sierra Nevada.
Janaia Donaldson and Robin Mallgren walked beneath towering Ponderosa pine and incense cedar of Lone Bobcat Woods, a 162-acre Open Space Conservation Easement nestled between Round Mountain and the South Yuba River. “We’d like this to become old growth forest someday,” said Janaia.