Tuleyome celebrates 10 years

Details

What: Tuleyome’s 10th anniversary celebration

When: 5;30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15

Where: Davis Odd Fellows Hall, 415 Second St.

Tickets: $55 general, $45 members; call Mary Hanson at 530-350-2599 or visit www.tuleyome.org

For the past 10 years, Tuleyome members, friends, supporters and partners have built and maintained trails, worked to protect public lands and rivers, led hikes for youth and adults, eradicated invasive weeds and protected land.

Now, Tuleyome supporters prepare to celebrate as they plan for the next 10 years.

“I grew up hiking and wanted to share that experience with others,” says Andrew Fulks, Tuleyome’s president. “As one of the founders of Tuleyome, it’s rewarding to see the organization now recognized as a regional leader in conservation.

“Not only have we completed some fantastic projects, we’ve helped build a strong community of people who love the land and wildlife as much as we do! Tuleyome was formed to accomplish that mission while also protecting our agricultural farmlands.”

The 10th anniversary celebration will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Davis Odd Fellows Hall, 415 Second St. in downtown Davis. Founded in 2002 as a volunteer advocacy organization, Tuleyome’s focus is protecting the wild and agricultural heritage of the Northern Inner Coastal Range and the Western Sacramento Valley for current and future generations.

Its major program is the permanent protection of the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region. Tuleyome leaders have built strong local grassroots support throughout the region and, on May 8, Reps. Mike Thompson, John Garamendi and Lynn Woolsey introduced the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act of 2012 in the House. Soon thereafter, Sen. Barbara Boxer introduced a companion bill in the U.S. Senate.

“It is an amazing place in which we live,” says Bob Schneider, Tuleyome’s senior policy director. “You can hike and explore year -round with fantastic wildflower displays, tule elk sightings and mountaintop views from Snow Mountain.”

Tuleyome’s successes includes spearheading wild and scenic river designation for upper Cache Creek and acquiring key properties at Ireland Ranch, Cold Canyon and Goat Mountain. The group also helped obtain the Berryessa Peak trail easement and continue to build and maintain public trails at Cold Canyon (Annie’s Trail), Berryessa Peak and Valley Vista; eradicate invasive arundo and tamarisk weeds along the wilderness run of Cache Creek; and worked with Thompson to successfully designate Cedar Roughs and Cache Creek Wilderness Areas and additions to Snow Mountain Wilderness.

“Together with our friends, we have accomplished much,” said Executive Director Sara Husby-Good. “But, most importantly, we are now working to reconnect Americans with our great outdoors. I am particularly pleased with the direction of our Home Place Adventures. This program brings together our Youth Outdoors Exploration Program, Nature’s Theater developed by Lyndsay Dawkins and Jeff Falyn, and our adult and family hiking and trail-building events.”

All are welcome to celebrate with Tuleyome on Nov. 15. Guests will enjoy an evening of appetizers featuring local produce and food products, as well as local Northern California wines.

Auction items will range from an assortment of gift items from local businesses to an array of outdoor adventures, including rock climbing, horseback riding lessons, a week’s stay at an Oregon cattle ranch or a 9,000-foot skydive. Signed photographs of the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region by nature photographer Jim Rose will be available for purchase.

Proceeds from the event will enable Tuleyome to continue serving local youths, enhancing local trails and working on conservation projects in the region.

Tickets are $45 for members or $55 for the general public. To purchase event tickets in advance, call Mary Hanson at 530-350-2599 or visit www.tuleyome.org. Tickets also will be available at the door.