Explore Conservation Projects - California Land Trusts

We were thrilled to offer optional field trips on the first day of the 2025 California Land & Water Conservation Conference, providing a unique opportunity to explore collaborative community and conservation projects and areas of interest near Tenaya Lodge.

These guided tours immersed participants in the innovative work being done to protect California’s land and water resources while offering hands-on insights into local community conservation and restoration efforts.

Field Trip Highlights

Educational Tours: Guided by experts in the field, participants learned about the strategies and success stories behind these conservation and community collaboration projects.
Scenic Destinations: Participants explored stunning natural landscapes and sites of importance near Yosemite National Park.
Convenience Included: Participants enjoyed seamless transportation to and from the field trip locations, along with a provided lunch.

Photo Courtesy of David Hunter Photo

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Field Trip Description:
Experience Sierra Foothill Conservancy’s dynamic flagship Preserve, the 2960-acre McKenzie Table Mountain Preserve. The day’s Preserve exploration features a moderately strenuous hike that is about six miles round trip with a 1000-foot elevation gain to reach the tabletop, taking approximately 5-6 hours.

Along the way, hikers will encounter stations with presentations given by local experts on unique Preserve features including SFC’s robust Rangeland and Grazing program, fascinating geologic features of McKenzie Preserve and Table Mountain, Indigenous history and culture of this significant Yokut site, and highlights of SFC’s McKenzie Youth Education program.

Most of the hike is an easy, gradual uphill climb with a steep and somewhat strenuous climb in the last ¾ mile to the tabletop. As you reach the top, you’ll be treated to sweeping, unforgettable views of the Central Valley, peaks of the nearby Central Sierra Nevada Mountain range, and the San Joaquin River. You will also be treated to a presentation on the Preserve’s rare Tabletop vernal pools which are home to protected species of flora and fauna. Boxed lunches and beverages are included.

Speakers:
Bob Pennell – TMR Cultural Resources, Native American Life Ways - stipend
Craig Poole, SFC Board of Directors, Geology
Billy Freeman, SFC Rangeland Manger, Grazing and Rangeland Program
Allyson Brooks, SFC Community Engagement Manager, Youth Education

Photo Courtesy of Rodney Olsen

Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service

Click here to see a recap of this Field Trip >>

Field Trip Description:
Yosemite National Park’s largest sequoia grove is right up the road from our conference. Join CCLT, staff from Save the Redwoods League and other members of the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, Yosemite Conservancy, and Yosemite National Park staff on a guided tour of Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, weather permitting*. Giant sequoia trees are the largest trees by volume in the world, and Mariposa Grove is home to over 500 of them.

National Park Service staff will provide an informational tour of Mariposa Grove covering the 2015-2018 restoration of the Grove, the changing role of fire on the landscape, the 2022 Washburn Fire that burned near the grove, and stewardship treatments that affected how that fire burned. This field trip is appropriate for people with hiking and snowshoeing experience. The hike will be between 2-6 miles round trip with 200-500 feet of elevation gain depending on whether the hike starts at the Welcome Plaza or the trailhead up the road.

Field Trip Description:
The Mariposa Creek Parkway Project showcases the transformative potential of cross sector partnerships working together to conserve, restore, rematriate, and help connect and heal land and people in the heart of the Mariposa community.

Participants will enjoy a walk through the Mariposa Creek parkway interacting with project partners from the land trust, local tribe, county government and local arts council. Project elements include Tribal partnership work creating access and programs that return Indigenous stewardship and principles to the land, including fire, co-creation of management plans & establishing tending and gathering spaces; partnering with local government in multibenefit planning and implementation efforts that integrate conservation, restoration, trails, and housing; and engaging communities in conservation through art & education partnerships. Participants will learn about planning and implementing fire and flood climate mitigation & riparian restoration, creative placemaking to tell the unique stories of local land and people, place; inquiry-based education programs with local school districts and how housing solutions can be integrated into a whole community approach to conservation.

The Mariposa Creek Parkway’s suite of projects create space for community members and visitors to experience and connect with the restored landscape, help cultivate future stewards of the land, ensure equitable outdoor opportunities for all, and return access and stewardship to the Indigenous community whose roots throughout these lands date back thousands of years.

Speakers:
Bridget Fithian, Sierra Foothill Conservancy Executive Director & Board Chair of CCLT
Tara Fouch-Moore, Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation Council Secretary and Director of Landscape Stewardship
Cara Goger, Mariposa County Arts Council Executive Director
Ben Goger, Mariposa County Senior Project Planner
Jessica Thompson, Operations Director/Biologist for Sierra Foothill Conservancy

Photos Courtesy of Heidi Isner

Contact Information
Karin Winters, Program Director
E-mail: conference@calandtrusts.org
Phone: 916-497-0272 x2