Summer 2021 Newsletter
Hearn Gulch Cove, Photo by Ethan Applegarth
Friends of RCLC,
Welcome to the Summer RCLC Newsletter. The board of directors has been busy working on the multi-pieced Mill Bend project. In addition, we hired an Outreach Coordinator- Joel Freston, and the organization has been busy with trail planning, grant writing and much more.
In July, we will be honoring the many volunteers who help, with a Volunteer Appreciation event. Also in the summer, we anticipate heavier public use of RCLC properties, so upkeep is ongoing. Thank you to those of you who help out with stewardship and monitoring.
As always, we are grateful for your continuing support!
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What’s in this newsletter
- RCLC President’s Message
- Dramatic Hearn Gulch–come visit!
- Moods of Mill Bend Photo Contest
- Historic Cemetery gets a cleanup
- View Wildlife photos below
- RCLC Wish List
- Our Business Partners- Thank you!
RCLC President’s Message, Tina Batt
Friends, supporters, and new residents,
We are all looking forward to summer on the North Coast! Summer brings warmer weather (sometimes!), time spent with family and friends, and increased opportunities to enjoy our natural surroundings.
For those people who are new to the area, or just visiting, I want to take some time to explain the role of RCLC as a community-based land trust conserving our local land and water. Continued
Hearn Gulch, Photo by Anne Hanlon
Hearn Gulch Preserve
It doesn’t get much more dramatic than the bluff vistas, deep cove, thundering blow hole, and rocky sea stacks of Hearn Gulch Preserve.
This little gem of a property has been with RCLC since the first of several parcels was acquired in 2001 with the help of the State Coastal Conservancy. Continued
Mill Bend in Winter, Photo by Don Hess
Moods of Mill Bend Photo Contest
Redwood Coast Land Conservancy welcomes all photographers! The photo contest runs June 1- August 31, 2021. See more details.
“We want our community to get to know this amazing property with all its hidden treasures and beautiful vistas,” remarked Cheryl Harris, contest organizer and a board member for RCLC.
Photographs must depict scenery, wildlife, flora, or people at the Mill Bend property to win a prize (local gift certificates). There will be six awards including a Grand, Scenic/Landscape, Wildlife, Humans in Nature, Black & White, and Youth prizes.
Contest and submission details are available here and include a map of the Mill Bend Preserve. Register to receive contest updates and notices about upcoming Mill Bend tours for interested photographers.
Volunteers mount historic sign at Gualala Pioneer Cemetery, Photo by Dave Shpak
Gualala Pioneer Cemetery
gets a cleanup
The Gualala Cemetery was established in the late 1870s on what is now the Mill Bend uplands property on land set aside by Zemri Heywood, owner of the Heywood Lumber Mill. The site contains 62 recorded burials as well as an unknown number of additional unidentified and unmarked graves. Documented burials extend from 1877 through 1995, although only 3 interments have occurred since 1945. Continued
Fox, Photo by Craig Tooley
Male Flicker, Photo by Paul Brewer
RCLC Wish List– Got spare tools?
RCLC is in need of tools for our vounteers to help take care of our conservation properties. Since property maintenance is ongoing, we would love donations of new or used tools in good condition for volunteers to use.
See the current Wish List >>
Paddler, Photo by Craig Tooley
Business Partnerships help RCLC
protect the coast
RCLC has a new Business Partnership program. Our business members and partners help us protect the Mendonoma coast and wildlife with annual donations. Public access to wild and scenic lands brings in tourism and creates a stronger economy.
If you have a business, we invite you to join us. Business memberships start as low as $250/ year and partnerships start at $1,000/ year. Business Partners receive promotions to our community of 800+ members. To apply, contact us at (707) 884-4426 or send your business contribution to our address at the bottom of this page. The business program PDF form is here.
We thank Business Partner Cindy Kennedy of Kennedy and Associates for supporting RCLC.
We welcome new Business Partners who contributed goods, services or cash. Thank you!
Robert L. Andersen, Contractor
Sophia Mitchell and Associates Environmental Consultancy
To discover more about opportunities for businesses to partner with us, visit the Business Partners page.
Reminder– During COVID-19 times, please practice physical distancing when near others on RCLC properties.
Thanks for helping us keep our public access properties safe for all.
We’d love to hear from you
- Share photos of RCLC properties, especially with people
- Tell us what you’d like to hear about in future articles
- Send comments or questions to rclc@rclc.org
Editor: Robin Applegarth
