happy spring

Happy Spring!

Spring has sprung on the C&C Ranch, an MLLT 180-acre ranch in Jackson, CA. On a recent sunny March day I took an early spring monitoring walk to observe the greening up of the property and document conditions.

Monitoring is an important part of a land trust’s work. It involves the inspection of a property to ensure its conserved values are protected. Typically notes of observations and photos are taken to document conditions or changes.

This year, house finches, acorn woodpeckers, jays, geese, turkey, deer, and signs of coyote were spotted. Blue dicks, rusty popcorn flower, common fiddleneck, and buckbrush ceanothus are some of the early wildflowers in bloom.

We are getting ready to monitor the rest of our conserved properties throughout our five-county service area and are looking for volunteers to help us out. Volunteers get a chance to visit some amazing, protected areas while doing meaningful work. It involves driving to site (sometimes remote), meeting with landowners, walking around the property, documenting changes, and taking photos. Volunteers can choose which sites they want to visit. Contact Amanda if you think this is an opportunity for you (amanda.motherlodelandtrust@gmail.com).