News
Whether it's the grand opening of a new trail or an exciting new program, there's always something newsworthy going on at American River Conservancy. Come see how we're making an impact. Please check back regularly for updates.
New Belgium Brewing Co. awards a grant to ARC's stewardship program
The purpose of New Belgium's Local Grants Program is to serve and connect with the local communities where they sell beer. In order to cultivate relationships and support those making an impact, NBB offers grants to non-profits whose missions help support their goal of improving the health of the natural environment and inspiring others to joyously embrace sustainable choices. The American River Conservancy received a $2,000 grant from NBB to support our watershed stewardship efforts, including the Great Sierra River Cleanup, habitat restoration and trail maintenance.
Conservancy awarded grant from Tourism Cares
The Gold Hill Wakamatsu Park is an important cultural heritage site, and the location of the 1869 Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony, the first Japanese colony in the United States, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The $10,000 Tourism Cares Worldwide Grant will support an educational program to enhance visitors’ understanding of the story of Japanese Immigration at the time of the Gold Rush in the late 1800s. This includes the creation of three interpretive kiosks and a self-guided interpretive tour. The project has matching funds from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment, and the endorsement of both the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce Visitors Authority Council and Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Conservancy Seeks Proposals from El Dorado County Teachers
The fund is currently seeking projects that stress interaction between the human and environmental community and integrate environmental education into the curriculum, with a large part of each project being carried out beyond the classroom.
Read the Press Release
Women's Fund El Dorado Awards Grant to ARC
The American River Conservancy received $3,333 in the Environmental Community Service Projects by Youth category. The grant will be used in the restoration of Gold Hill Ranch. The restoration is taking place with the help of 400 students from Gold Hill School in Placerville.
Read about the grant
REI Awards Restoration Grant to Gold Hill Wakamatsu Ranch Project
The American River Conservancy was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from REI, Inc. to fund the Gold Hill Ranch Restoration Project. ARC will be conducting restoration of wetlands and native plants while involving the local community during various stewardship days. We greatly appreciate the continued support from our local REI store in Folsom.
The North Face Explore Fund Awards Grant to Epic Sierra Adventures
The Conservancy’s Epic Sierra Adventures supports a national effort to increase outdoor participation among youth. These funds will provide scholarship opportunities to youth of all socio-economic backgrounds. For details about our Summer 2011 schedule, visit www.epicsierra.org.
Read the Press Release
Royal Robbins Inc. Sponsors Adventure Essay Contest for Epic Sierra
April 4 - If an outdoor adventure is what you seek this summer, Epic Sierra is the trip for you. Royal Robbins Inc. and the American River Conservancy are offering an opportunity to win a two-week ‘Epic Sierra Adventure.’ High School youth, ages 14-18, are encouraged to submit an essay describing their ideal outdoor adventure and the importance of preserving wilderness areas. One winner will be selected to receive a full-price scholarship ($1,750 value) for one of our 2011 summer adventures. Transportation to and from Coloma, CA is included in the award. Entry deadline is April 30th, 2011 with a winner to be selected in early May. For information about our 2011 trip schedule, along with full contest rules, visit www.epicsierra.org.
Read the Press Release
Sunset Magazine highlights the South Fork American River Trail
April 2011 Issue, Northern California Editor's Picks (Near Sacramento):
The American River minus the paddles
For years, kayakers and rafters have had the scenic southern stretch of the American River all to them-selves. Not anymore. The newly cut South Fork American River Trail spreads 25 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian paths from Folsom Lake to Coloma. Near Coloma, walk a 1-mile burst past blankets of poppy and lupine. Or, if you're feeling hale and hearty, catch the trailhead at Solmon Falls ($5 parking) and climb steep switchbacks through chaparral and oak woodland. Wildlife tip: Keep an eye to the sky, as bald eagles and ospreys are know to frequent the area. arconservany.org
American River Conservancy Receives Patagonia grant for Watershed Restoration
January 31 - The American River Conservancy staff conducts volunteer coordination and restoration activities in the American and Cosumnes River watersheds. With generous support from Patagonia, ARC will use funding to purchase restoration materials, publicize events and coordinate field activities on local public land. Patagonia’s $3,000 award will help with the many goals of the ARC’s Volunteer Outreach and Habitat Restoration programs.
ARC staff trains volunteers in practical habitat restoration and field science techniques to establish baseline data for future monitoring efforts. Volunteer residents will become invested in the restoration and stewardship of “their” land (i.e. public land) through action.
The program’s goals are to plant and maintain 100 native plants along local trails and waterways, remove non-native invasive plants from approximately 5 acres of public land, including numerous trails, and remove approximately 1 ton of hazardous waste and debris from local waterways.
ARC officials hope to involve at least 250 community members and residents in the local environment, engaging them in issues affecting wildlife and rivers and encouraging individual action to protect resources. The ARC will facilitate the formation of local action-oriented stewardship groups to steward public lands.
In addition to its river and land restoration programs the American River Conservancy provides environmental education and field science programs to schools and the public and provides land stewardship and habitat enhancement services in partnership with public agencies. Membership and volunteers are essential to the maintenance and stewardship of ARC’s programs and projects.
Executive Director Alan Ehrgott honored with Sierra Vision Award
The Sierra Business Council honored Alan Ehrgott, Executive Director of the American River Conservancy, with a 2011 Sierra Vision Award. The award recognizes leadership in the Sierra, honoring community members as their work continues to demonstrate community vitality, environmental quality, economic prosperity, and social fairness. You're invited to attend the free award ceremony on April 6, 2011, at the Leland Stanford Mansion in Sacramento. To register for the ceremony and to see a list of other winners, visit www.sbcouncil.org/sierravisionawards
Acquisition of First Japanese Colony Site
On November 1, 2010, the American River Conservancy ("ARC") purchased the 272 acre Gold Hill Ranch, site of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony. The ranch, located one mile south of Coloma and the Marshall Gold State Historic Park, is, to the best of our knowledge, the first Japanese colony in North America.
The ranch contains the gravesite of Okei Ito, the first Japanese woman buried on American soil, and is the birthplace of the first naturalized Japanese-American. This ranch is an interesting mosaic of springs, streams, wetlands, blue and live oak forest, sweeping vistas and prime agricultural soil. Ranch ponds and the small lake is a draw for wildlife, particularly migratory waterfowl during the winter and early spring.
ARC purchased this ranch with grant funding from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, private donations, and with bridge loans. The bridge loans must be paid off within two years (October 2012). Now we need your help to pay off the bridge loan that is required to protect this unique site forever.
Read the press release
Make a donation to help protect this site.
South Fork American River Trail Opens
Coloma, California - Over the past 20 years, the American River Conservancy (“ARC”) and the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) have worked together to protect a spectacular and pristine river canyon from the impacts of subdivision and development. The South Fork American River conservation initiative was launched in 1990 to protect native fisheries, wildlife habitat and the high quality of water flowing to Sacramento and 22 million water consumers downstream.
Open October 1, the trail takes hikers, fisherman, bird watchers, mountain bikers and equestrians through pine and oak landscapes to river side and scenic overlooks of the lower South Fork American River Gorge.
Read entire press release.
Download a trail map.
Announcing a New Partnership Wth 1% for the Planet
The American River Conservancy is now an official non-profit partner of 1% For the Planet. 1% For the Planet exists to build and support an alliance of businesses financially committed to creating a healthy planet.
American River Conservancy Receives REI Grant for EPIC Sierra
REI recently awarded a $10,000 grant to help fund scholarships for EPIC Sierra. Read the full article.
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Hear a Capital Public Radio Interview about the South Fork American River Trail
Watch KCRA News Coverage of the South Fork American River Trail Opening
View the South Fork Trail on the Geotourism Mapguide
View the Current quarterly newsletter
Explore the Natural World
We have hikes, lectures, and informal outdoor programs for every age group that are open to the public. Check our calendar of events.
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