Sisson Meadow Wetland and Pollinator Restoration Project

Thank you to our incredible volunteers for coming out and helping with our meadow pollinator habitat restoration efforts! Volunteers, guided by SLT staff, Board, and Rick Poore of StreamWise, constructed willow weirs in the Sisson Meadow creek bed. As explained by Rick, “Willow weirs are intended to slow flow velocity in slightly incised channels. The small willow barriers will tend to collect sediment and reverse the downcutting process when placed at regular intervals along the channel. Keeping flow elevation near the meadow surface sustains the wetland vegetation.” It has been years working through the process to see this project become a reality and Rick has been our volunteer hero through it all. Thank you so much Rick! Your knowledge, expertise and graciousness with your time has been tremendously appreciated over the years.

This meadow enhancement project was proposed and funded years ago, and is now in its final implementation stages this year. SLT received support from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Partners Program to develop and implement this project. Next up is non-native plant removal and installation prep for pollinator plants!

In addition to Sisson Meadow enhancement and biodiversity projects funded by the FWS grant, SLT has applied for support through the McConnell Foundation to improve accessibility at entrances to the meadow. McConnell Foundation visited the meadow for a site visit to consider the SLT grant proposal for funds to assist with hardscaping the Castle Street entry and adjustments to the Alder Street entrance for wheelchair turn-around and access. We anticipate hearing back from the foundation in June about grant awards. SLT also submitted a grant proposal to Mt. Shasta Rotary to support Sisson Meadow enfacement projects. These funds would help support SLT project management for the pollinator and invasive weed removal components. SLT is seeking additional funding sources to renovate and enhance the Sisson Meadow boardwalk.

LuginBuhl Ranch Preserve

Siskiyou Land Trust is thrilled to announced the successful acquisition of LuginBuhl Ranch Preserve! This stunning 320 acre headwaters property was acquired with funds from Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) and the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB). SLT Board and staff are getting to know the property and are working on a management plan. Stay tuned for community open house this fall 2024! Please note, SLT is not currently in full possession of the property.  Prior landowner partners are currently caretaking the land and homes during the transition of ownership.

Yreka Phlox Protection

SLT is working on three more acquisition projects to protect the endangered and endemic Yreka Phlox in partnership with landowners, FWS, and CA Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). As the state freezes funds for Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) projects, SLT is also reaching out to the community to help conserve and steward these important properties moving forward.

State Funding Update

Amid positive momentum to support SLT capacity and our 30×30 conservation goals, the State of California is experiencing a budget crisis that appears to be impacting one of our major funding sources, Wildlife Conservation Board, and could affect several SLT acquisition project timelines. The Governor’s office is proposing to freeze all spending related to any projects not yet approved for funding, including projects that are on slated for approval at the May 2024 Wildlife Conservation Board meeting. This would impact two SLT CE projects with proposed matching funds from WCB ($2+million). Click here to view a letter from non-profits to the Governor. Members of State Assembly are also working to pass legislation to prevent funding freezes to projects slated to go to the Wildlife Conservation Board this month that have been years in the making.  SLT’s Executive Director, Kathleen Hitt and Board members are conducting outreach to elected officials. If you would like to support this outreach, please call the Governor’s office to advocate for the state’s vital support for land conservation efforts in California. 

Wherrit Demonstration Forest

Wherrit Demonstration Forest

Forest Stewardship work at SLT’s Wherrit Demonstration Forest is underway! Land trust staff is working with our forestry partners Shasta Valley Resource Conservation District (SVRCD) and Jefferson Resource Company (JRC) on implementing forest health practices. This forest stewardship work includes forest fuel reduction, removal of dead and dying trees, and re-establishing a shaded fuel break on the ridgelines.

Staff have been engaging with community members and conducted outreach meetings to describe the forest management practices. We also have had follow-up site visits with our forester partners to review the proposed treatments on the ground.  Registered Professional Foresters (RPF) showed SLT staff signs of stress to trees from drought and beetle infestation such as loss of needle density, dead tops, and excessive tree pitch expression. Similar to the forest behind Mt Shasta, Rainbow Ridge has many trees that are experiencing these symptoms.  SLT and JRC staff have also surveyed and marked potential nest sites, habitat trees, snags, and other large trees that will be retained as wildlife habitat. Tree species biodiversity, oak release, and managing an uneven age forest are also goals.  These treatments will also aid our efforts to return low intensity, ecological fire back to the landscape. These efforts aim to make the property and the surrounding neighborhoods safer and forest more resilient to drought, wildfire, and climate change.
For everyone’s safety during this forest stewardship work, the Wherrit Demonstration Forest is closed until further notice. Please stay tuned for future notice about reopening once work is complete.