Who
we are: Sequoia Riverlands Trust is a
community-based non-profit, comprised of residents
and partners conserving the natural and agricultural legacy of
the southern Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley by focusing on the land and water in the Kings, Kern, Kaweah, Tule and Fresno river areas.
What we do: Sequoia Riverlands Trust believes in a flexible, non-confrontational approach to conservation that helps protect the quality of life cherished by residents. We engage willing landowners in land protection, stewardship and restoration efforts, drawing on the best available science to care for the land. We educate local youth and the community about the value of conserving natural and agricultural resources; showcase on-the-ground conservation; and participate, as appropriate, in public planning efforts that keep our communities vibrant, thriving and beautiful.
Why we care: Our region features rare beauty, including majestic giant sequoia trees, clear-flowing rivers, unique oak woodlands, wetland prairie, spectacular fields of wildflowers and a rural culture that has helped maintain this landscape. Tulare County is also one of the largest agricultural producing counties in the United States. We believe that achieving balance between community, the economy and nature allows all systems to flourish.
We own and manage seven preserves,
protecting 4,565 acres:
• The 1,820-acre Homer Ranch Preserve protects one of the largest sycamore alluvial woodland communities in the world, as well as threatened blue oak woodlands and critical wildlife habitat.
• The 1,147-acre Blue Oak Ranch near Springville features rolling blue oak woodland, chaparral and portions of Sycamore Creek, nestled among Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Park.
• The 725-acre James K. Herbert Wetland Prairie Preserve contains the greatest density of Northern Claypan Vernal Pool habitat in the southern San Joaquin Valley.
• The 324-acre Kaweah Oaks Preserve contains the
largest protected example of valley oak riparian forest on the
Kaweah River Delta.
• The 300-acre Westside Preserve, amid the convergence of several creeks, rivers and sloughs, protects alkali vernal pools in the proximity of Tulare Lake's ancient shoreline.
• The 152-acre Dry Creek Preserve, a former gravel mine, now conserves sycamore alluvial woodlands and foothill grassland habitat. SRT is restoring the site, providing the first example of an ecologically-based aggregate mine reclamation in Tulare County.
• The 110-acre Lewis Hill Preserve, a grassy hill with rock outcrops, protects foothill grassland and two rare and beautiful wildflower species, the striped adobe lily
(Fritillaria striata) and
San Joaquin adobe sunburst (Pseudobahia
peirsonii).
Through partnerships with dedicated landowners, we hold 14 voluntary conservation agreements, protecting 2,654 acres:
• Five properties in Springville protect 1,799 acres of rolling blue oak woodland and sensitive riparian habitat along the North Fork of the Tule River
• In partnership with the City of Porterville, a 7.3-acre property contains examples of the riparian forests and adjacent grasslands that were once typical of the Central Valley
• Five properties in Three Rivers protect 411 acres of Kaweah River streamside habitat, wildlife corridors, the rare Kaweah brodiaea (Brodiaea insignis), and sweeping, scenic vistas
• One property on Dry Creek safeguards 17 acres in the rare and unique sycamore alluvial woodland community
• A property near California Hot Springs protects 360 acres of blue oak woodland and streamside habitat along Tyler Creek, a significant tributary of Deer Creek
• A property in Fresno County protects 60 acres of oak woodlands, natural stream courses, and native plant and wildlife habitat, including the threatened shrub tree anemone ( Carpeteria californica)
Sequoia Riverlands Trust's Conservation Leadership
Board of Directors: Julie Allen, Jill Cherneff, Bill Christian, John Colbert, Joe Cusenza, Karol Flynn, Robert Hansen, Barbara Kidd, Terry Manning, Brian Newton, Mike Olmos, Cliff Ronk, Scott Spear
Advisors: Gordon Bergthold, Mike Chrisman, Charley Clouse, Dan Dooley, Russell F. Hurley, Jim C. Johnson, Dennis R. Keller, Philip B. Laird, Jane T. Olson, Roland L. Olsen, Amy Pack, William C. Tweed
Staff: Sopac McCarthy Mulholland, Executive Director; Dan Bell, Associate Director; Jane Allen, Education Director & Volunteer Coordinator; Hilary Dustin, Land Steward; Nathan Higgins, Land Steward; Rita O'Brien, Information
Technologist; Amy Silveira, Development Director; Erica Tootle, Communications Coordinator;
Frances Tweed, Executive Assistant; Teri Van Huss, Director of Finance & Administration
