FRLT Blog
Our work is more than just protecting land. It is also about conserving and enhancing human connections to the Feather River region. Read the stories below to learn more about your local Land Trust and the lands and waters we all love.
Latest News
November 22 | Volunteer Training
For docents that will be helping guide guests around the Sierra Valley Preserve Nature Center.
Grand Opening | Nature Center at the Sierra Valley Preserve
We can't wait to welcome you to the Sierra Valley Preserve Nature Center!
November 16 | Nature Journaling with John Muir Laws
Join John Muir Laws for a nature journaling workshop all about Sierra birds!
November 16 | Book Launch with John Muir Laws
Celebrate the launch of John Muir Laws' newest book about Sierra Birds with this special event!
Learning Landscapes Program Evaluation
Twenty years after establishing our K-12 outdoor education program, we want to hear from our community about the impact of the program.
Home & 101 Ranch Conservation Story
Home & 101 Ranches, owned by timber company Sierra Pacific Industries, are now protected with conservation easements.
Impact Reports
From protecting headwaters and biodiversity to enhancing access to nature, learn what our supporters make possible.
2023 Conservation Successes
Take a look back at 2023 with us and celebrate all you helped make possible this year in the Feather River Watershed.
Protecting PG&E Headwater Lands
We worked with PG&E and Maidu Summit Consortium to protect 43,000+ acres of important Maidu homelands, headwaters, and habitats for public benefit.
Lake Almanor Conservation Story
Lake Almanor is one of northern California’s most beloved gems. The PG&E owned reservoir and its diverse wildlife habitats are now protected forever with a conservation easement.
FRLT Preserve Coloring Pages
Our gift to you - coloring pages of all five of our preserves, illustrated by an FRLT staff member.
Puma Robles Ranch Conservation Story
The 5,530-acre Puma Robles Ranch in Long Valley supports exceptional biodiversity. Its habitats support over 500 plant species and a tremendous a diversity of birds and wildlife.
Straw Bale Insulation at the Sierra Valley Preserve Nature Center
Straw bale insulation has been installed at the new Nature Center, thanks to many volunteers and staff!
What is a Conservation Easement?
FRLT uses conservation easements to protect important land and water in perpetuity. But what is a conservation easement?
2023 K-12 Leadership Summit
Led by Rob Wade and FRLT, a national cohort of land trust folks are working to raise up the next next generation of earth stewards and building equitable, accessible, and community-driven programs for kids where they live.
Sierra Valley Preserve Nature Center Updates
Watch this page for frequent construction updates and pictures as we create the new Sierra Valley Preserve Nature Center.
Wildlife and Fire
Sierra Nevada wildlife biologists, Paul Hardy and Ryan Burnett, share the impacts of wildfire on native wildlife species.
Invest Your Values: Legacy Planning Webinar
Webinar Recording: Learn how creating a will can have positive long-term impacts on your family and favorite charities.
2023 Events
Get out and experience the beauty of the Feather River Watershed with FRLT's events. From birding and botany to history and building community there's something for everyone!
2022 Conservation Successes
Take a look back at 2022 with us and celebrate the successes made possible by our supporters. It was a fulfilling year of community, collaboration, and conservation success!
Church Ranch Conservation Story
The 653-acre Church Ranch has been worked by the Church family for five generations. The property is a piece of agricultural history and its wet meadow and forest habitats support a diversity of wildlife.
Why Meadows Matter
The Feather River Watershed is home to some of the largest wetlands and montane meadows in California and FRLT is on a mission to conserve them.
Kids in Nature Highlights 2022
It's been a busy year for Feather River region's mountain kids—connecting to nature through Learning Landscapes, field trips, and land stewardship.
Fire Recovery Progress Update
In 2022, we're one year into our three-year fire recovery initiative to mitigate the damage on 57,000 acres of FRLT-owned or conserved lands from the Dixie and Beckwourth Complex fires.
A new Nature Center at the Sierra Valley Preserve
A new Nature Center and Preserve headquarters is planned where visitors and locals alike can experience the wonders of Sierra Valley and deepen our understanding of the natural world and our place in it.
2022 Events
Get out and experience the beauty of the Feather River region with FRLT's events on the land. From birding and botany to history and learning about Dixie Fire recovery, there's something for everyone!
K12 Leadership Summit
Led by Rob Wade and FRLT, a national cohort of land trust folks are working to raise up the next next generation of earth stewards and building equitable, accessible, and community-driven programs for kids where they live.
2021 Conservation Successes
Take a look back at 2021 with us and celebrate the successes made possible by our supporters. While it was a challenging year in many ways, we still have great things to celebrate in the Feather River region.
New Learning Landscapes Trail for Kids
On October 4, 2021, C. Roy Carmichael students and teachers held a special ceremony—a “tred-ication—to break in the newest addition to their beloved Learning Landscapes site, Kids Creek Forest.
Bucks Lake Conservation Story
Protected in 2021, Bucks Lake is a Plumas County treasure. Surrounded by public lands and the PCT, the PG&E owned reservoir offers exceptional outdoor recreation and its habitats support a remarkable diversity of wildlife.
Fire Recovery & Restoration in the Feather River Watershed
We've created an Emergency Fire Response Initiative—a 3-year effort that changes the way we do business in light of climate-driven megafires. Learn more about our plan that's already underway.
The Next Generation of Conservation Professionals
AmeriCorps in action in the Feather River Watershed. Two SNAP members served at FRLT to monitor conserved lands, wildlife, and implement new data driven practices.
Dixie Fire and Beckwourth Complex
The Dixie Fire and Beckwourth Complex burned over 1 million acres, impacting Feather River communities and conserved lands. We're working with response teams and landowners to mitigate impacts.
Botany Workshop and Walk
June 5th, 2021, at Mountain Meadows: Learn about native plants of the Feather River region with botanist John Stebbins.
Sierra Valley Birder's Guidebook
Get the Sierra Valley Birder's Guidebook, and start exploring the Sierra Nevada's biggest birding hotspot.
Birding in the Feather River region
Workshop Video: Birds of the Feather River region and where to see them with wildlife biologist and FRLT founder Paul Hardy.
Improve Leonhardt Trail
Help improve the Leonhardt Ranch Trail, a beautiful nature trail located in downtown Quincy.
California State Wildlife Areas Expanded
FRLT played a key role in helping to expand two California State Wildlife Areas in Sierra Valley.
2020 Conservation Successes
2020 was an exceptional year for land conservation in the Feather River Country. See what our supporters made possible
Internships grow the next generation of conservation professionals
Feather River College intern Bailey Graham explores "a promising career path" in land conservation and gets hands-on stewardship experience at FRLT's Heart K Ranch.
FRLT Earns National Recognition
FRLT achieves renewed national accreditation, demonstrating a strong commitment to public trust and conservation excellence
Virtual House Party
Watch our recent virtual celebration of conservation in the Feather River region. Learn from guest expert speakers and raise a glass to recent conservation successes your support makes possible!
Nature Photographers Help Conservation
Nature photographers contributed their images to help conserve the Feather River region. We're grateful.
Reflecting on FRLT's Roots
FRLT's founder Paul Hardy reflects back on starting the land trust in 2000 with a small circle of volunteers. Today, FRLT is a nationally accredited land trust, 1,100 members strong, and has conserved over 100,000 acres.
CARES Act Tax Incentives for Charitable Giving
You might be able to save money by helping FRLT. Learn more about the CARES Act signed into law March 2020.
COVID-19 Update
To help ensure that our staff and community stays healthy, the FRLT team is primarily working remotely with limited in-office hours. We continue to work on our many projects.
Sierra Valley Conservation Partnership
We’re conserving working family ranches in Sierra Valley, which hold the Sierra Nevada’s largest wetlands and montane meadows and sustain incredible biodiversity.
Equity Statement 2020
FRLT is ready to take more decisive and clear steps to ensure social and environmental justice within our own organization, and within the land conservation movement.
Sierra Valley Farms Conservation Story
The 65-acre Sierra Valley Farms has been owned by the Romano family for three generations. The property is surrounded by FRLT’s Sierra Valley preserve and includes a certified organic farm and rich wetlands.
Olsen Barn Meadow Conservation Story
Olsen Barn Meadow, conserved in 2015, is 107 acres of meadow and wetlands with a 130+ year old historic barn next to Lake Almanor near Chester, CA.
Mountain Meadows Reservoir Conservation Story
Mountain Meadows is a hidden gem of scenic beauty, fresh water, and habitat for a rich diversity of wildlife and plants. This special Maidu homeland and beloved place for quiet recreation was protected in 2018.
Vision Campaign
We’re on a campaign to conserve 120,000 acres of Feather River headwaters and globally unique wetlands, meadows, and forests for current and future generations.
Sierra Valley Preserve Conservation Story
Sierra Valley Preserve is an ecologically rich 2,575-acre preserve protected for its unique wetland habitats and Feather River headwaters. On the Pacific Flyway, the Preserve offers spectacular birding.
Walker Fire
The Walker Fire started on September 4, 2019 along the Beckwourth-Genesee Road about 11 miles east of Taylorsville and burned for three weeks. By the time it was 100% contained on September 26, it had burned 54,608 acres.
Loyalton Learning Landscape Conservation Story
The Loyalton Learning Landscape protects a working ranch, an important tributary to the Middle Fork Feather River, and outdoor learning opportunities for Loyalton kids.
Heart K Ranch Conservation Story
The historic 903-acre Heart K Ranch boasts scenic mountain beauty, diverse woodland types, montane meadow habitats, and historic and cultural resources.
Our Conservation Impact
Bucks Lake Conservation Story
Protected in 2021, Bucks Lake is a Plumas County treasure. Surrounded by public lands and the PCT, the PG&E owned reservoir offers exceptional outdoor recreation and its habitats support a remarkable diversity of wildlife.
2021 Conservation Successes
Take a look back at 2021 with us and celebrate the successes made possible by our supporters. While it was a challenging year in many ways, we still have great things to celebrate in the Feather River region.
California State Wildlife Areas Expanded
FRLT played a key role in helping to expand two California State Wildlife Areas in Sierra Valley.
Lake Almanor Conservation Easement
FRLT is working to permanently protect PG&E owned lands at Lake Almanor for the benefit of current and future generations. Lake Almanor is one of northern California's most beloved gems.
Annual Report
From protecting headwaters and biodiversity to enhancing access to nature, learn what our supporters made possible.
Protecting PG&E Headwater Lands
We worked with PG&E and Maidu Summit Consortium to protect 43,000+ acres of important Maidu homelands, headwaters, and habitats for public benefit.
Sierra Valley Conservation Partnership
We’re conserving working family ranches in Sierra Valley, which hold the Sierra Nevada’s largest wetlands and montane meadows and sustain incredible biodiversity.
Olsen Barn Meadow Conservation Story
Olsen Barn Meadow, conserved in 2015, is 107 acres of meadow and wetlands with a 130+ year old historic barn next to Lake Almanor near Chester, CA.
Sierra Valley Preserve Conservation Story
Sierra Valley Preserve is an ecologically rich 2,575-acre preserve protected for its unique wetland habitats and Feather River headwaters. On the Pacific Flyway, the Preserve offers spectacular birding.
