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| IN THE PRESS: Conservation groups feel economy's budget squeeze |
By Matt Weiser
Nonprofit conservation groups have preserved tens of thousands of acres of land in California – wild places where both hikers and animals roam. Now, some of them say the economic slump could force them to scale back. Others say lean budgets make it harder for them to scrutinize land use proposals for environmental effects – a key role such groups play in the state's push-pull development process.
Most groups don't like to talk about their financial difficulties, but one, the American River Conservancy, recently took the unusual step of going public. In an email to members and supporters, the group confessed that "times are hard" and it needs to raise $250,000 by year-end or it will be forced to cut programs in 2012.
"What is happening to our organization is happening to a lot of organizations. We're just being honest about it," said Alan Ehrgott, the conservancy's executive director.
A major factor is the squeeze on government programs that provide money for land acquisition and education. In addition, private foundations that give grants to environmental groups have seen their endowments shrink substantially as the stock market has struggled.
Read more of this SacBee article here.
| SAVE THE DATES: Gold Hill Wakamatsu Festival & TrailFest 2012! |
Saturday, May 19th 2012
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| NEW 7-day Epic Sierra Trip and Registration is OPEN |
In two short years, the Conservancy has seen the Epic Sierra program grow and attract national and international participants to the South Fork American River and surrounding Sierra range. Near capacity in 2011, this year we’ve added a shorter, 7-day option for teen participants. We will continue with two 2-week Rivers, Rocks and Ranges tours: Trip 1 – July 8th – July 21st and Trip 2 – July 22nd – August 4th. Our 7-day Wild West Slope tour will take place July 1st – July 7th. It is our hope to offer scholarships again to make the program affordable for all participants.
Visit Epic Sierra’s website for trip details, prices, and scholarship details.
| Recent Awards |
New Belgium Brewing awards a Watershed Stewardship grant to ARC
ARC receives a $10,000 grant from Tourism Cares for the Gold Hill-Wakamatsu project
REI awards a restoration grant to ARC
1% for the Planet approves American River Conservancy as a non-profit partner
Watch Saving a River, the Story of the American River Conservancy
A film by Janice Stanley of Todd Stanley Productions
Catch Saving a River at Siskiyou FilmFest
The Siskiyou FilmFest, a production of the Siskiyou-Klamath Wild Lands Center, will be showcasing Saving a River this January. The ARC film will be shown along with several other environmental documentaries.
| ARC Announces Next Round of Funding for IEE Grants |
The Conservancy is accepting new grant applications for the spring funding cycle of the Innovations in Environmental Education fund. The IEE grants are designed to encourage teachers to introduce innovative environmental education programs into their classes, schools and communities. Deadline to submit a proposal is February 24th, 2012.
| Featuring Gold Hill Wakamatsu Ranch |
Per your request, we expanded our website coverage of the Gold Hill Wakamatsu Ranch Project! Learn all the latest details, including the fascinating history of the site, maps to download, the vision of the Gold Hill Wakamatsu Park, how you can schedule a tour, and ways you can get involved in the project. Visit the new Gold Hill Wakamatsu Ranch pages.