SHAVER — Fire prevention efforts are being organized this weekend and next near Shaver, CA. These communities were wrecked by the Creek Fire and need help rebuilding. Volunteers will assist by hauling dead and excess woody debris to a chipper. The volunteer work supports rebuilding and protects structures at risk for the upcoming fire season. Both projects are on private ...

OAKHURST — Sierra Foothill Conservancy (SFC) is thrilled to announce its latest acquisition – the 1,729-acre Wright Ranch conservation easement! Located in western Madera County along the Fresno River, the Wright Ranch’s immense conservation values includes working rangeland, annual grassland, oak woodland, chaparral, mixed conifer forest, cultural and historic resources, wildlife and habitat resources, open space, and scenic views – ...

Kaleidoscopic splashes of yellow here, mounds of orange there and then a little later, oceans of purple, sometimes with some red to liven up the wildflower colors as I hiked up new trails with the Sierra Foothill Conservancy. At the top of the Ruth McKenzie Table Mountain Preserve vernal pools were especially beautiful, ringed with white meadowfoam. Where: Sierra Foothill ...

Frogs and birds were singing their tunes and turtles were basking in the sun on a beautiful day as I hiked with the Sierra Foothill Conservancy (SFC), exploring trails in the Stockton Creek Preserve. Recent land acquisitions have expanded this preserve, a partnership with SFC and Mariposa Public Utilities District (MPUD), to 700 acres and grants have improved and added ...

I really missed those wonderful hikes with the Sierra Foothill Conservancy and when they listed a few of them recently as part of fundraising for land conservation efforts, I jumped at the chance. I had been on several hikes to and up on top of the Table Tops in the spring but never when the wildflowers weren’t the star of ...

Sally and I chose one of the coldest days this year to get out, hiking Stockton Creek Nature Preserve and we had those trails all to ourselves. Not too far from home, not too difficult, this hike was a short one. Where: Mariposa Public Utilities District, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Stockton Creek Nature Preserve Distance: 2.83 Miles Difficulty: Easy to Moderate ...

I had never gone birding. I don’t know why. I just never did it. I had never been to Clark’s Valley, not far from Jerseydale, but I had seen it on a map. The Sierra Foothill Conservancy was offering a class with both of these new adventures and I headed out on their Docent-led hike to learn something new. I ...

A little rain didn’t damper our enthusiasm as we learned about archeological sites, spotted Sierra Newts, said hello to cows, saw wildflowers galore and experienced an incredible view from on top of Table Mountain while hiking on a docent-led adventure on the Ruth McKenzie Preserve. We didn’t encounter any rattlesnakes, which was just fine with me, but they are out ...

Any day out on one of the Sierra Foothill Conservancy’s Preserves is a special adventure but when I attended a class to understand more about range management on the McKenzie Preserve with spring wildflowers painting the hills, I came away with a better appreciation for the complex relationship of the soil, sun and things in between. I will return soon ...

FRIANT – If you want to get some exercise and enjoy beautiful scenery, here’s the perfect opportunity. Sierra Foothill Conservancy is hosting a hike through Fine Gold Creek on Saturday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The hike will be over the easy-to-moderate loop trail along Fine Gold Creek with amazing views and wildflowers that are soon coming into ...