Sequoia Riverlands Trust

Sequoia Riverlands Trust is a non-profit, community-based land trust committed to conserving the natural and agricultural legacy of the southern Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley in California.

This region is blessed with unique and diverse habitats and species owing to dramatic elevation changes, rivers cascading from high in the Sierra and the seasonal extremes of our Mediterranean climate. The San Joaquin Valley and adjoining foothills also rank among the most productive agricultural regions in the world.

We seek to encourage vibrant relationships among community, economy and nature so all of these systems may flourish. To this end, Sequoia Riverlands Trust works to engage willing landowners in land protection, stewardship and conservation; draws on the best science available to care for conserved land; fosters awareness and understanding of our unique natural heritage; educates local youth and the community about the value of conservation; and showcases the results of effective conservation efforts.

Sequoia Riverlands Trust owns and manages 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 (see photo above) contains the largest protected example of valley oak riparian forest on the Kaweah River Delta. For more details - click here.  

• 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, they 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)

Erica Tootle, Communications Director for Sequoia Riverlands Trust was a featured guest on ‘Champagne Sundays’ Online Radio Show. This show was a special Nature & Wildlife that aired live on April 6^th2008. To listen to the interview, please Double Click on the Play Button below.