Land Trust hosts festivities at Heart K
The Treasures of the Heart K Ranch, sponsored by the Feather River Land Trust, will feature a nature walk from the Maidu perspective, a country style lawn sale, festive music, a historical tour, one fabulous drawing prize and more. The event takes place Saturday, July 1.
The nature walk, titled “Water is Life,” will be led by Trina Cunningham, a Maidu descendent from Genesee Valley, who has been working to bring awareness of the Maidu culture to the general population. Recently, Cunningham has been sharing her traditional ecological knowledge in order to impact state and regional policies.
The walk will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning at the Heart K ranch house. The trail is fairly level, but there is uneven terrain so bring plenty of water. There is no charge but donations are encouraged by the Land Trust to compensate for Cunningham’s time and expertise.
A local restaurant will prepare lunch, including a vegetarian choice, available to those who pre-register by Friday, June 23. Registration is available online at frlt.org. Attendees can bring a picnic lunch. Water and lemonade will be provided and other drinks will be available for sale.
During lunch, a number of brief presentations will include information about the Land Trust and the innovative stewardship practices on the Heart K Ranch. Sloop-Rickett and Ken Cawley and friends will provide music throughout the afternoon.
At 2 p.m., Betsy Kraemer, local Heart K historian, will lead a historical tour of the ranch, including anecdotal stories from years past. Buildings on the tour will feature the ranch house, granary, bunkhouse, the 100-year-old barn and the old water system.
From noon until 4 p.m., a lawn sale with new and used items and crafts for sale will take place.
To register for a booth, visit frlt.org or call Betsy at 284-6054 or Jean at 284-1397 by Monday, June 26. Booths are free, but the Land Trust will be accepting voluntary donations from booth vendors to be used toward the management of the ranch and the restoration of the Davis Ranch.
Mavis Somers, a local woodworker, will hold a drawing for a wooden chest, with proceeds going to the restoration of the historic Davis House.
In 2011, the Land Trust was able to purchase the 900-acre Heart K Ranch located in Genesee Valley, protecting it from potential subdivision. According to the Land Trust, the property is perhaps the most species-diverse property in the Feather River Watershed and is of great importance to the local Mountain Maidu people.
Being immediately adjacent to the Plumas National Forest, the Heart K Ranch is available for hiking, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and bird watching.
The ranch is located approximately 15 miles from the intersection of Highway 89 and A22 — aka the Taylorsville “T.”
Parking is available to the left of the ranch house.
Organizers suggest visitors bring their cameras, as there will be many photographic opportunities.
Register online for the hike, lunch or lawn sale booth at frlt.org.
For more information, contact Karen Kleven at [email protected] or call 283-5758.
