http://www.wildplaces.net/donate daily 0.75 2021-10-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1479274160379-OSC71IMAVCYMCT9XJX60/donate.jpg Sponsor-a-Sequoia http://www.wildplaces.net/home daily 0.75 2017-10-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1497981025097-1I2TYOU91WU9NZ2K84HY/group3.jpg Home A better world Starts with a choice Join Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1500422296485-YC23HOMIMY355YYMDJKS/30665875603_b11f2c51cf_o.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1500422687503-O8VNXD9JGMYKISZNUAL3/fullsizeoutput_389.jpeg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1500422922414-397LR80X0AJU2W41A5Y2/23949050945_e626533601_o.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1497980455015-N1C728WV549816BQYCT7/back+up+drive+pics+2055.JPG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1497980779823-JP0OBE1TS9GC87E4KEWZ/back+up+drive+pics+098.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1508056753074-VUFHH7XUTZ4KN5VIOOCE/IMG_0597.JPG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1508056757338-JXPBL5D9VEMLTSKW65NT/Sequoia-Tree.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1508056763326-SEG5SSP71JR8NEVA2WI5/DSC00440-168x300.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1508056775465-APLRJ7S9XHNWIC0QJML5/21270802_10214306136071733_3243898510345233186_n.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1508056786617-IK4OOGXABML181G9GEYK/18557448_1805393509491321_3330106046329440917_n.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1508056788805-IWTIQE20CKAYC2U3U1CY/12644806_1163808410316504_8026768898510929098_n.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1508056795479-TXGO8FDAQ3EMU6JHMVZ9/Group_web_about_us-300x225.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1508057000712-AIO7VJQ74VWCBCYBPDIY/memoowlbox.JPG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1508057003409-YDTJ6SEVGBNY8R7A8HSE/CrewTrkRrClnup081606.JPG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1508057021548-ALKUN5WNOEVAFR192V8R/Back+to+the+Picture+4.JPG Home http://www.wildplaces.net/about daily 1.0 2023-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1633607194408-YDXEH4L02ZET421DAC0Y/18557448_1805393509491321_3330106046329440917_n.jpg Our Mission, Our Vision - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1513654927456-30P1ZE1LGFT8ZT7KLV78/image-asset.png Our Mission, Our Vision A few tools, an old truck, and even one volunteers make a day great https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1530844945608-HADJR4WOCTBR5IA778D5/sequoia_map_large.jpg Our Mission, Our Vision https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1539955962084-9MZEBVLA6ZB65R1F18X1/15192547_1514939315203410_475190011793210925_n.jpg Our Mission, Our Vision http://www.wildplaces.net/artboles daily 0.75 2017-10-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1499661293595-ZEKFECVOMM5CELREN5JT/image-asset.jpeg Artboles Project Victor Cervantes facilitates a mural project on the local community center in Porterville, CA: Comisión Honorífica Mexicana Americana (CHMA) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1499659530322-LYY7BHFSA8VFUXRRBJR4/mural.jpg Artboles Project Erik Gonzalez leads aerosol art workshop with students from Vine St. Community Day School. The recycling container is located off of highway 190 as one enters the Sequoia National Forest boundary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1502819905630-I1UWCWGMBH3XAXQKEDDP/IMG_2778.jpg Artboles Project http://www.wildplaces.net/rio-limpio daily 0.75 2022-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1480357846653-53BGMF0V1BGFKS3UP0B2/WP_RioLimpio_092798_OVDCgroup.jpg.JPG Río Limpio: Community Rivers Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1480358108765-1ZCM3Y50PKCSI92HI8WB/Dump++5.JPG Río Limpio: Community Rivers Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1480358350679-9NG6P0KKFGTSNTJCEEZR/Graffiti+8.JPG Río Limpio: Community Rivers Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1480358387316-S50MXKW5LC6XU92Y0FGF/P5300759_0005.jpg Río Limpio: Community Rivers Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1480358516099-EM73ITVDD8IKMSR97YSQ/DSC_3451.JPG Río Limpio: Community Rivers Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1480358625606-JA3Y2P5OTYKUQ60XREE6/DSC_3463.JPG Río Limpio: Community Rivers Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1480360105982-NIS5K4VXD7M79GZUOGXT/Graffiti+14.JPG Río Limpio: Community Rivers Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1480360138982-A04K7DJ18VNCYPFQKU6J/P5300787_0030.jpg Río Limpio: Community Rivers Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1499670326118-PUD9KTZ5FNENID9JR19E/river+closure.jpg Río Limpio: Community Rivers Program - Local organization responds to closed river access: Staff, board, and volunteers of WildPlaces offer sincere condolences to the families and friends of the drowning victims on the Tule and Kern Rivers during recent high waters. In addition to the loss of human lives, these accidents have tarnished the reputation of the rivers as places of respite and relaxation. Enforcement and management agencies will close many if not all sites including trails in an effort to "protect" the public. These sites (above and below "The Stairs") are the only free sites, which WildPlaces’ Rio Limpio program adopted over 8 years ago in an attempt to increase personal responsibility and understanding of the critical role rivers play in our communities’ health. Prior to these tragic accidents, WildPlaces’ position in light of increased use on the river and resulting environmental impacts plus reduced federal budgets was to agree to the temporary closure of no more than 1/3 of the sites, allowing WildPlaces to oversee the remaining. Now any such discussion will be difficult. “I don’t think that closing the sites entirely is the best response”, says Mehmet McMillan of WildPlaces. "What is needed is more, not less, exposure to and education about this single most important element of the region – the Tule and Kern Rivers. The last thing we want is for people to stop coming here. Already we are dealing with generational gaps in getting communities outdoors. Taking use away will only exacerbate the problem.” The Rio Limpio program has made significant headway by inspiring responsible recreation use. It is a progression of education that some feel will falter when access is denied. In response to these recent events, WildPlaces will conduct Swift Water Safety workshop that are available to the public. Additionally, WildPlaces has secured financial support to design and strategically place signage that reminds folks that risks are present and how to manage those risks to reduce incident. The first workshop will occur on May 13th from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. during the annually scheduled two-day WildLeaders Guide Training in Springville held May 13 – 14, 2017. (See: www.wildplaces.net and fb for details and to sign up. Space is limited.) This is an introductory workshop and is not to replace full Swift Water Rescue Training taught by certified trainers. The WildLeaders Training will also cover basic risk management in field settings, orienteering, and first aid. Cost is free to WildPlaces' volunteers and $10-25 (sliding scale) for all others. Participants must register by reaching Mehmet at 760.447.1702 and mehmet@wildplaces.net. “We must always respect nature,”says WildPlaces’ volunteer Arturo Rodriquez.” With all the beauty and free serves provided by the river like air and water, we cannot simply close it off to the world. Let’s learn from this terrible sacrifice to become better, more prepared river warriors!” Rìo Limpio is a program of WildPlaces and is made possible by support from US Forest Service, Sequoia Recreation, Rose Foundation, and individual donors like you. WildPlaces is a project of SEE.Local organization responds to closed river access: Staff, board, and volunteers of WildPlaces offer sincere condolences to the families and friends of the drowning victims on the Tule and Kern Rivers during recent high waters. In addition to the loss of human lives, these accidents have tarnished the reputation of the rivers as places of respite and relaxation. Enforcement and management agencies will close many if not all sites including trails in an effort to "protect" the public. These sites (above and below "The Stairs") are the only free sites, which WildPlaces’ Rio Limpio program adopted over 8 years ago in an attempt to increase personal responsibility and understanding of the critical role rivers play in our communities’ health. Prior to these tragic accidents, WildPlaces’ position in light of increased use on the river and resulting environmental impacts plus reduced federal budgets was to agree to the temporary closure of no more than 1/3 of the sites, allowing WildPlaces to oversee the remaining. Now any such discussion will be difficult. “I don’t think that closing the sites entirely is the best response”, says Mehmet McMillan of WildPlaces. "What is needed is more, not less, exposure to and education about this single most important element of the region – the Tule and Kern Rivers. The last thing we want is for people to stop coming here. Already we are dealing with generational gaps in getting communities outdoors. Taking use away will only exacerbate the problem.” The Rio Limpio program has made significant headway by inspiring responsible recreation use. It is a progression of education that some feel will falter when access is denied. In response to these recent events, WildPlaces will conduct Swift Water Safety workshop that are available to the public. Additionally, WildPlaces has secured financial support to design and strategically place signage that reminds folks that risks are present and how to manage those risks to reduce incident. The first workshop will occur on May 13th from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. during the annually scheduled two-day WildLeaders Guide Training in Springville held May 13 – 14, 2017. (See: www.wildplaces.net and fb for details and to sign up. Space is limited.) This is an introductory workshop and is not to replace full Swift Water Rescue Training taught by certified trainers. The WildLeaders Training will also cover basic risk management in field settings, orienteering, and first aid. Cost is free to WildPlaces' volunteers and $10-25 (sliding scale) for all others. Participants must register by reaching Mehmet at 760.447.1702 and mehmet@wildplaces.net. “We must always respect nature,”says WildPlaces’ volunteer Arturo Rodriquez.” With all the beauty and free serves provided by the river like air and water, we cannot simply close it off to the world. Let’s learn from this terrible sacrifice to become better, more prepared river warriors!” Rìo Limpio is a program of WildPlaces and is made possible by support from US Forest Service, Sequoia Recreation, Rose Foundation, and individual donors like you. WildPlaces is a project of SEE. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1476659013173-T9LA2M7J9SK2W77V90C5/image-asset.jpeg Río Limpio: Community Rivers Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1499666830052-PL6SZ9HBIA95YVT3S7UJ/IMG_0079.JPG Río Limpio: Community Rivers Program http://www.wildplaces.net/100-giants daily 0.75 2019-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1547663441599-ELY81266ZPNUEW9OIY53/15192547_1514939315203410_475190011793210925_n.jpg 100 Giants Project * https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1540491016432-JK1HN9I6OF0N9S4K1ZTT/image001+%281%29.jpg 100 Giants Project https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1540491436478-PMA3VI0Q3P4PFQY6872X/Screen+Shot+2018-10-25+at+1.16.04+PM.png 100 Giants Project https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1481128220087-KEUAP0JKOP19N6ZE19VY/seedlings3.JPG 100 Giants Project Thank you, volunteer Sheldon Forbes, for two year of painstaking detail and endless love needed to have collected seeds, propagated them to seedlings, recruiting Otis College students and staff to raising them, AND finding WildPlaces to do the planting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1540490286532-I8K0IT8I5ZNG3VASCLQT/15192547_1514939315203410_475190011793210925_n.jpg 100 Giants Project http://www.wildplaces.net/early-projects daily 0.75 2016-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1479274777846-BX05BMCPEM9UOAZHQ7WY/image-asset.jpeg Early Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1479274687365-VLKGZAAZ1EHDFAN6UXUP/image-asset.jpeg Early Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1476658651076-YY25PQQRETGRWEJSPG3S/image-asset.jpeg Early Projects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1499804050504-S4J1B5TV1BL3NVO1OXOC/IMG_2443.JPG Early Projects http://www.wildplaces.net/wildfire-recovery-project daily 0.75 2022-08-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1497327020051-Q9Z99QWQL3UQJ7WVQ3XR/image-asset.jpeg Post-Wildfire Meadow and Giant Sequoia Recovery Project - Sequoia Roots Restoration Corp will bottomline the trail and tree planting activites for WildPlaces. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1494490376847-PSV9USJ6XTXZ0R9YR7E9/image-asset.jpeg Post-Wildfire Meadow and Giant Sequoia Recovery Project - According to SNF resource managers and the Rough PostFire BAER, suppression cuts and trail repair is the first phase of recovery efforts and needed to return the affected area to pre-fire conditions. Controlling erosion and run-off from fire suppression containment lines and damaged recreation trails are high priorities for the Forest Service to ensure healthy watersheds. According to SNF resource managers and the Rough PostFire BAER, suppression cuts and trail repair is the first phase of recovery efforts and is needed to return the affected area to pre-fire conditions. Controlling erosion and run-off from fire suppression containment lines and damaged recreation trails are high priorities for the Forest Service to ensure healthy watersheds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1496856752130-CJ0KAFL9IIFHW5ERNNQW/image-asset.jpeg Post-Wildfire Meadow and Giant Sequoia Recovery Project - This project is an immediate first response to protect and repair fire-impacted meadows and sequoia groves by improving/restoring meadow resiliency to soil erosion, headcuts, and vegetation decline . Secondly, the project hopes to lessen future wildfire damage to the surviving giant trees through fuels reduction and mapping. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1497326704551-ZSEAB78MH8TZBCE9JQ6N/IMG_3670.jpg Post-Wildfire Meadow and Giant Sequoia Recovery Project - Trail recovery is not beginners work. These Sequoia Roots Restoration Corp members must complete Wilderness Ranger Academy and pass the Crosscut Saw Certification. All of our corp members and volunteers have done so. Congrats Miguel Pena, Josh Moore, Daniel Mejia, Pedro Garcia and Liz Rivera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1499800438110-6X46N5RIMPKBORRD9WFP/IMG_3448.JPG Post-Wildfire Meadow and Giant Sequoia Recovery Project http://www.wildplaces.net/sequoia-roots-restoration-corp daily 0.75 2017-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1496316544663-ZFUUN76GO55NKFCWCQPI/IMG_3299+%282%29.jpg Sequoia Roots Corp https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1496352324481-VOUYKT3N095B6O7OSD88/IMG_3299+%282%29.jpg Sequoia Roots Corp http://www.wildplaces.net/sequoia-roots-corp daily 0.75 2020-03-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1502308793220-RTYYESTOK8TK2LDJB025/IMG_4758.JPG Sequoia Roots Corp http://www.wildplaces.net/cultural-identity daily 0.75 2022-12-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1513672172519-BZ31I7WRWVNOQLGNPD7Z/Chico.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1613166113509-Y3TNQHHV5P9MKRGWHTD7/imagejpeg_0004.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program - Artist Honorarium Recipient: Daniel Mejia Daniel Mejia Avelar. Artist/artesano, ambivert, danzante, drummer... San Joaquin Valley raised by parents from Nochistlan, Zacatecas. Creating culturally relevant art is therapeutic, sharing that art is a cathartic offering hoping the viewer receives some goodness. Having images pertaining to ones ancestral culture in public view in a society that developed at the detriment of Indigenous communities seeks to revitalize and reinforce the integrity of our communities. As an artist I feel that it's important to assist in the process of putting those images out there and its been an honor to collaborate with such amazing painters, organizers and visionaries to make that happen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1572690010474-HDPRTHANJFK3K2HMLLEF/Picture3ajac.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1572690023253-AHGQT4P3QKXQM8YVJXVT/animal3.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1572690031111-JINP7QAVQ9GTRQ69GSD4/Picturecircle.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1572690039189-NETTR3GHEJJIAMQ19IZW/vinemtns.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1572690047217-3C64R49JK5ON7A7LER2T/animal1.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1572690060883-6H7E12KOSPZ27V9DGSU5/logo.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1572690184396-33GOUYAX5COAB03OW3K1/IMG_0682.JPG Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1572690211809-2V5OOIUMXKD0HDJZDP5I/15202518_1515017591862249_3639943632271685019_n.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1572690236763-EUJ8BWIWCGE3RGWYKG0R/IMG_2985.JPG Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1572690254979-22X9KWSSJ1OTGS145FOL/IMG_2987+%281%29.JPG Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1572690328212-N78CUHXG1MU6WUE5R6HV/IMG_2988.JPG Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1501268216029-YF8Q5G7QO2U2LM7ZFY94/image-asset.jpeg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1531043657780-ENEB66CWRX3YYS49CD4T/31494050_2249024448461556_6218022311325335552_o.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1531043676867-0GAVORO921O3AXC3ONK7/31454068_2249025068461494_2256177785519210496_o.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1531043694057-NMS1OWKOG0E2CSYPMUUD/31444698_2249023385128329_8218334751694520320_o.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1531043711324-DEMDP8FM4DXTZ08HX0T7/31444550_2249024425128225_3158022257985454080_o.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1531043790087-QP0VG2RUF24NC5WHOY31/31143723_2242686932428641_1546503245231292416_o.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1531043724901-CGF37MH9SECTYBDCK31N/31416740_2249024931794841_4098364412111355904_o.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1531043818470-5OGXE2VVI2NY847DZCYA/31179931_2242687065761961_7356599217869029376_o.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1531063980934-ABICLWWW5FSHDV20QV0O/31429612_2249023361794998_7492690835805306880_o.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1531063989511-7AP9R13D6IC7FIEY5V8A/FullSizeRender.jpg.jpeg Culture Identity and Arts Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/faeb45e3-3e58-45c7-8eda-fb1b10c867ac/xico+regalia.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1613169220196-J2Z7ZCVER0R2EDU93F88/150015305_536513787265262_7052142527878779992_n.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program - Artist Honorarium Recpient: Caroline Reynoso Martinez A fragment of my heart and spirit are held within every concept my hands are capable of putting into vision. My art is carried out with great passion, it’s an honor to share it and place it where others are able to walk by and appreciate it at a larger scale. I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to inspire others to collaborate alongside me and create beautiful artwork together. Many cherished memories were formed doing what we love and I’m excited for the new opportunities that await. I’m proud of our finished products, proud of myself and everyone else that played a part. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1531043486948-OIVHCHTXHGPUV7PQM6JB/31454068_2249025068461494_2256177785519210496_o.jpg Culture Identity and Arts Program http://www.wildplaces.net/yaudanchi daily 0.75 2019-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1553776156930-56OM7GUCQHH0SJQOUPIU/topper.png Yaudanchi Ecological Reserve Who closed Yaudanchi Ecological Reserve? Posted on February 6, 2019 by Catherine Doe Campbell Moreland Ditch running through Yaudanchi Ecological Reserve. Courtesy/Bobby Kamansky/Kamansky Ecological Consulting In a bucolic little corner on the south eastern edge of Porterville exists a piece of Tule River floodplain that has never felt the till of a plow or the heard the hammering of a nail. The place is the Yaudanchi Ecological Reserve (YER.) The reserve is an outdoor classroom for the Porterville public school system and a recreational area for the community. The 164 acres got their official designation as an ecological reserve in 1975 and was named in honor of a branch of the Yokut tribe that lived in Northern Tulare County. The state owns the land and the reserve was well managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to the satisfaction of all. So why was Yaudanchi closed? Gates were locked and signs removed Laurie Schwaller, a founding member of Friends of the Yaudanchi, was the first to notice there was something amiss. While responding to a Monache High School student’s request to use the reserve for research, Schwaller noticed that the YER had been removed from the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (DFW) list of ecological reserves. The mysterious knot began to unravel when she discovered that the Porterville Development Center (PDC,) a state hospital for the disabled, closed the reserve in October of 2017. The state has owned the property since 1945 and built the PDC on the southern end, leaving the northern section that would become the YER untouched. When Schwaller asked Theresa Billeci, assistant to the Executive Director of PDC, why the reserve was closed she was told “because of a pipeline.” Schwaller then discovered that Vandalia Water District (VWD) decided to replace the earthen ditch that runs the length of YER with a metal pipe. The pipeline was to be 42″ and 2,602 feet long and would almost completely block the reserve’s access to water. The reason for piping the ditch was that farmers were losing too much irrigation water to seepage. According to a statement given to the Porterville Recorder by Steve Drumright, the general manager for Vandalia Water District, “Our desire was to put a pipeline in because it is the old Tule River bottom and it is pure sand and through that 2,660 feet, we’d lose about 13 percent of the overall ditch flow….” In 1860 the Campbell Moreland Ditch Company dug that ditch and for 159 years the water running through it sustained a Tule River wetlands and natural wildlife habitat that became the lifeblood of the Yaudanchi Ecological Reserve. The Campbell Moreland Ditch, which is run by VWD, runs from the Tule River to sinking basins and farms south of Porterville. Once the construction of a pipeline and loss of water seemed inevitable PDC closed the reserve. As a result, the Department of Fish and Wildlife withdrew from their agreement to manage YER, removing all signs, discontinuing all maintenance, and locked up the parking lot. Friends of the Yaudanchi take action Learning of the public hearing about building the pipeline with only days to spare, the Friends of Yaudanchi quickly organized a response and presented it to the directors of the VWD and Campbell Moreland Ditch Company. VWD’s goal was to build the pipeline and avoid the cumbersome and expensive process of doing a complete Environmental Impact Review (EIR). Their Initial Study, completed by 4 Creeks Inc., concluded that the project would not make a major environmental impact, thus an EIR would not be necessary. But a public hearing is required to give the community an opportunity to respond to the Initial Study before any project on public lands can go forward. During the public hearing VWD was told that the project would make a major environmental impact and thus they were required to do an EIR. The Sierra Club, Audubon Society, Wildplaces, and the California Native Plant Society claimed that the pipeline would cause irreversible harm. “The destruction caused by the removal of water from a riparian and upland habitat and the species that depend on that habitat is irrevocable,” Richard Garcia representing the Sierra Club wrote. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said it “cannot support the(Vandalia Water) District’s support of the project.” The DFW said the pipeline will, “constitute the project-related loss of wetlands and the Site, the loss of riparian habitat and function, and the potential loss of the mature VELB (Valley Elderberry Long Horned Beetle) occupied blue elderberry bush…Absent sufficient flow from the Ditch, the Department has determined that wetland and riparian habitat values on the YER cannot be mitigated sufficiently to be less than significant and that wildlife that depends on these resource values will be severely compromised and impacted.” In addition, YER was used by the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) to mitigate habitat lost during their project’s construction. CALTRANS used the YER to plant elderberry bushes to replace those they destroyed. The elderberry bushes are the main habitat for the endangered long horned beetle. The VWD was possibly faced with mitigating the CALTRANS mitigation if they pursued the pipeline. VWD’s own report said there would be a major environmental impact. The Initial Study’s biological report commissioned by VWD said, “The Project would essentially remove the majority of the hydrology for the Ditch. However, drainage does occur from adjacent sites. Thus, piping the Ditch would not remove the hydrology entirely. The Ditch would remain open and the pipeline would be sited away from the Ditch and associated wetland and other sensitive habitat. Pipeline not worth the hassle Drumright told the Porterville Recorder in July of 2018, “At our last regular Vandalia Board Meeting, we just decided that we would put the project on hold due to the opposition from the environmental community,” He still maintained that the project would have no environmental impact on the reserve. Now that the water supply for the reserve had been saved, the Friends of the Yuadanchi wanted to get the recreational area back open to the public, but it hasn’t been a smooth ride. “In July, we began contacting PDC again, requesting to meet with decision-makers to discuss re-opening and properly managing YER again, now that the pipeline was off the table,” said Schwaller. It took six months, but on January 4 of this year the Friends of the Yaudanchi secured a meeting with Norm Kramer, of the Director of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS,) PDC’s parent company out of Sacramento. Attending the meeting were the executives from DDS and PDC, the groups that opposed the pipeline at the VWD Public Hearing, representatives from the Tule River Tribe Council and Porterville Unified School District. Kramer made clear at their meeting that “he can’t imagine anyone in DDS wanting to do anything with that land.” According to Schwaller he said “We (DDS/PDC) don’t do land. We do patients” “We would love to see the land used as it has been, but can’t give resources from PDC to do it.” Kramer emphasized that the Friends of the Yaudanchi would have to do the maintenance, ensure the safety of the public, get their own insurance, and indemnify the state of any liability. “Put forth a viable option to take PDC off the hook. Make it something good for the community to use,” Schwaller said was Kramer’s suggestion. Going Forward On January 28 PDC unlocked the gates and let the Friends of the Yaudanuchi and members of the Tule River Tribe take a tour of the reserve. Though the recreation areas were all grown over and the pond was empty the group was hopeful that it wouldn’t take much funding to bring it back to what it was. The goal of the group is the removal of invasive plants, refill the pond, maintain the trails, repair the gazebo, restore the signage, open the parking lot and bring back the porta-potties. From discussion during the tour with Frank Chandler, Chief of Plant Operations for PDC, YER is going to set up tour dates in the spring and possibly create a special use permit between PDC and YER for access to the reserve. During the meeting with Kramer on January 4 Schwaller asked, “Would DDS/PDC consider turning the YER land over to another agency?” She reported that Kramer said, “We would be glad to turn it over. Let’s make a deal locally.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1513359096682-H98SPK36ZZY9IW810WS9/2867558_orig.jpg Yaudanchi Ecological Reserve Native people lived and gathered food and material from YER. Yaudanchi Yokut recently inhabited this land. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1531068849073-IPQVQGOZHZYCZI2X6OWN/34928559_2291507620879905_5448668697948323840_o.jpg Yaudanchi Ecological Reserve The irrigation ditch in question has provided water for the YER since the Chinese built it in late 1800's https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1531066459545-O4KVEEC7Z8NR6VAPT9J6/34728579_2291507827546551_4095605767502036992_o.jpg Yaudanchi Ecological Reserve Citizens got involved with CEQA regulations that the Vandalia Water District, Campbell-Moreland Ditch Company, Porterville Developmental Center, and CA Department of Fish and Wildlife must follow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1513359198257-U7RX3CT30NNNMYSCERX5/3063834_orig.jpg Yaudanchi Ecological Reserve WildPlaces youth volunteers planted native oaks on YER in 2009 as well as began a self-guided nature trail as part of its effort to create more outdoor classrooms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1531069275213-1UUTIUAH1OQINJWLASUU/photo1.jpg Yaudanchi Ecological Reserve Biological survey revealed myriad of plant and animal species dependent on the water the escaped the irrigation and percolated into the sandy soil of this piece of the Tule River watershed and flood plain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1513359509841-HRRRK0P90ZLIRFLVEFCI/1790637_orig.jpg Yaudanchi Ecological Reserve http://www.wildplaces.net/new-page daily 0.75 2019-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1512771446400-PGIZTXLD5FYG8LIG3ENQ/signseqtrail100.jpg Giant Sequoia National Monument https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1512769359595-JI3X3BFZLG9P3U4Z01JZ/sign+2.jpg Giant Sequoia National Monument http://www.wildplaces.net/crossing-barriers-to-the-environment-symposium daily 0.75 2018-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1520480738638-7K5RUFMFB2RTLSCKMAIJ/CBEflyerjpeg.jpg Crossing Barriers to the Environment Symposium http://www.wildplaces.net/sustainable-groundwater-management-act daily 0.75 2019-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1549114831176-DW1OQV9M2IC91ZAW4GJ2/eastern-tule-gsa-entity-map-pp.jpg Sustainable Groundwater Management Act EAST TULE GSA ENTITY MAP https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/1549112345201-BH28ZSU8FQC1R06AWA8A/blob Sustainable Groundwater Management Act http://www.wildplaces.net/updates daily 0.75 2022-12-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/570c6749cf80a178016ec38b/91eb8ecc-f37b-4ad9-abef-99efe7618657/Three-Fires-giant-sequoia-trees.jpg Updates for Sequoia Planting 2019-2020 - 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