News & Insights

For Immediate Release: September 11, 2025  Contact: Nate Lillge, 530-379-8697, nlillge@tuleyome.org Trump Attacks Public Lands, Again Trump Proposes to Eliminate Public Lands Protections through Executive Action Woodland, CA – Yesterday, the Administration furthered their attack on America's public lands by directing the elimination of the Public Lands Rule . This is another step in the Administration’s wholesale assault on our public lands in clear opposition to the will of the people. The Public Lands Rule protects our treasured, multi-use landscapes so they'll be there tomorrow. The Rule recognizes that conservation is a type of land use, along with grazing, timber production, energy development, and recreation. Built on decades of management experience and guided by science and data, the rule provides land managers with essential tools to maintain our public lands, ensure access and protect our resources while supporting the diverse ways that communities depend on public lands. "The Public Lands Rule improves the management of our public lands, empowering the Bureau of Land Management to focus management on the needs of the lands where they work," says Sandra Schubert, Tuleyome Executive Director. "Rescinding the Public Lands Rule will rip authority from local land managers to place it in the hands of D.C. bureaucrats whose main goal is to sell our public lands to the highest bidder. All this in opposition to the overwhelming support for our public lands and their protection." By removing the Public Lands Rule, the Administration is failing ranchers and rural communities. Decision after decision made by this Administration has focused on short-term profit, extraction, and selling public lands to private entities. Supporting rural communities, the backbone of our economy and food systems, means ensuring farmers and ranchers have healthy lands they can depend on. It means empowering local BLM managers who understand what their communities need to thrive and provide for the American people. Overused lands don't recover. Degraded grasslands can't support cattle. Clearcut forests take decades to regrow. Contaminated watersheds poison communities for generations. True support for rural communities means embracing the Public Lands Rule. That is exactly why the American people want and support the Public Lands Rule. The Rule has overwhelming support. When given the chance to comment on the Public Lands Rule, more than 150,000 Americans did – 92% in support. When ranchers, recreationists, and resource companies all depend on the same lands, we recognize that we must use them responsibly to ensure they stay productive for everyone. The choice is clear: Protect our public lands for current and future generations, or consume everything now and leave nothing behind. Without the Public Lands Rule, our cherished landscapes lose protection and one of our greatest treasures, our public lands, is at risk.

On July 10, 2025, we gathered to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument with the people who worked to establish the Monument in 2015 and add Molok Luyuk to it in 2024. We gathered in Lake County. The event began at the Tallman Hotel with folks gathering, speakers, trivia, food, videos, celebration and music by the Rural Jazz Project. We had folks from throughout the region – the Bay Area to Chico, Ukiah to Sacramento…. We had our partners at the Bureau of Land Management, local government representatives and all aspects of our broad coalition – conservationists, scientists, hunters, hikers, and community members, and more. The presentations and speakers were amazing. Tuleyome put together a reel of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument highlights . I was privileged to emcee the event and welcome our speakers and guests. We were honored to have Tribal leadership. Michael Marcks, Vice Chairperson, Executive Council, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake graced us with opening prayer. Vice Chairman Michael Marcks was joined in providing remarks by Vice Chair Eddie Crandell, Vice Chairman for the Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians and Lake County Supervisor . Gail Totton, Tribal Resources Manager for the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation , the lead for the addition of Molok Luyuk to the Monument, shared their thoughts on the anniversary and Molok Luyuk. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla spoke to us via video and emphasized the importance of our efforts and our public lands. Luca Moretti read a statement on behalf of Representative Mike Thompson , a legendary champion of public lands, who commended us all and provided Tuleyome with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition . We were surprised and flattered with the honor bestowed upon us. Representative Jared Huffman, Ranking Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources , also spoke to us about his efforts to defend our public lands. Our state and local representatives also joined us. Rhiannon Philippi delivered remarks for California Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire. California Senator Christopher Cabaldon spoke to us via video and Sergio Emmanuel Ildefonso Zarate on his staff celebrated with us. Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry led a legislative resolution supporting the Monument, which was read by Laura Beltran . Many of our local Supervisors also celebrated with us. Brad Ramussen, Lake County Board of Supervisors , shared his insights. Lucas Frerichs, Yolo County Board of Supervisors , spoke to us and sponsored a Yolo County Board of Supervisor's resolution that was read by Bryan Pride, Tuleyome’s Policy Director . Neal Craig, BLM, Ukiah Field Office Manager , and our partners in protecting this amazing area, joined us and spoke to our collaboration. Interspersed with our speakers, Sara Husby, Tuleyome’s Executive Director when the Monument was established, led us in a series of trivia questions penned by Tuleyome’s own Kristie Ehrhardt. The depth of knowledge of our coalition shone through. And, it was fun. We hope folks enjoyed the prizes. Closing out the event were leaders in the conservation movement. José Gonzalez, founder and emeritus Executive Director of Latino Outdoors , offered his insights on the importance of public lands to all of our communities. Bob Schneider and Andrew Fulks , Tuleyome Co-founders and Tuleyome Advisory Council Members, shared the history of the movement and some stories, bringing us full circle, from the time when the idea of a Monument was a spark in their eyes to the establishment and expansion of the Monument. After the event at the Tallman, many of us headed to Middle Creek Campground, a few miles away for some nighttime fun. There was a nature walk with botany, forest bathing, star gazing, owling, s’mores, camping and laughter. I learned new ways of making s’mores, including a toasted marshmallow with a mini peanut butter cup tucked inside. Delicious! And, as a reminder of how wonderful our coalition is, there was an animal rescue. The morning after the event, many of us went to Judy’s Junction in Upper lake for breakfast. When I arrived with my mom, who had joined us, we saw numerous people under the hood of Jora’s car – Nick, Brendan, Karah, Isobel, Jora and a pair of legs sticking out from under the vehicle that I did not recognize. They were searching for a kitty that had lodged itself in Jora’s engine area. After much hullabaloo, the kitty ran – fast. We all thought – no, not over the highway! But, the little scamp jumped into another newly parked car engine. The chivalrous owner opened his hood and let us at it. I didn’t do much. I offered my shirt as a barrier to the hot engine. The heroes were the others. Folks from inside the diner pitched in, but it was our coalition to the rescue – the folks above and then Kim showed up. I’m not sure how, after all the time and efforts, but she was finally able to reach in and rescue the kitty. I saw her pull the little ebony guy out, hug him and rub her face against his. And I knew – he was no longer abandoned; he had a forever home. And, I was right, the little guy is now living with Kim and her family. I didn’t need the confirmation, but watching our group spend a couple of hours rescuing that little creature reminded me why I love this community. We care – all of us – about the life, the place and the creatures we live with. All of them. Big and small. None of this would have been possible without our generous sponsors: CalWild, Conservation Lands Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club National, Sierra Club Redwood Chapter, Tallman Hotel and Tuleyome. Thank you so much for your continuing support of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and all of our public lands. And thanks to all of you – everyone at the celebration, those who could not join us, and the kitty rescue team. You are what community is. I am honored to be part of ours. -Sandra Schubert Executive Director

Tuleyome is excited to welcome Mary Lamborn as our Communications Intern. She will working closely with Tuleyome staff to increase Tuleyome's outreach and positive impact on public lands in the northern Inner Coast Range Mountains and western Sacramento Valley. Mary is a recent graduate of UC Davis with a B.S. in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning. As a native of the northern Inner Coast Range, she has deep ties to the region and spent time on the trails and waterways in Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. Welcome, Mary!

What is the USDA Reorganization? On July 24, 2025, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a sweeping reorganization eliminating all nine Forest Service regional offices nationwide and consolidating USDA operations into five regional hubs in North Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, Colorado, and Utah. For California, the closest hub managing the state's agriculture will be Salt Lake City, Utah and forest resources will be Fort Collins, Colorado, over 500 miles from the California communities that depend on these services. This reorganization comes at a terrible time. California has already lost substantial expertise and workforce even before this reorganization: Agricultural Research Service sites have lost 10-50% of their scientists , over 4,500 Forest Service firefighting positions remain vacant nationwide and 15,364 USDA employees have already taken voluntary resignation offers . Rather than addressing these vacancies and strengthening support for California’s communities, this reorganization will exacerbate the loss of expertise and local knowledge that our communities depend on. Agricultural Impacts: Abandoning America's Food Producer Despite producing $59.46 billion in sales annually and growing 70% of the nation's fruits and vegetables , under the reorganizing plan, California will no longer have a regional hub. The reorganization consolidates critical agricultural services away from California, including research, conservation assistance, and extension services. The scale of what's at risk cannot be overstated. California's agricultural sector employs more than 420,000 people and generates more than 400 commodities. Rural farming communities that depend on technical assistance from USDA offices are at risk of losing essential support. Centralizing these services in distant states creates response delays during critical planting, harvest, or emergency situations, which ultimately hurts farmers and weakens California’s food systems. This reorganization is part of a broader pattern of the current Administration’s policies that are harming farmers across the country. Research Station Consolidation: Losing Irreplaceable Expertise The reorganization eliminates California's Region 5 Forest Service research office , a facility studying Mediterranean climate and chaparral ecosystems that oversees 18 national forests covering 20 million acres. This research directly informs wildfire management and climate adaptation strategies for California's unique environment, yet it will be consolidated to Fort Collins, Colorado. This comes as California has already lost substantial research capacity. When experienced researchers leave, they take irreplaceable knowledge about California's fire behavior, drought adaptation, and ecosystem recovery, expertise that cannot be replaced by Colorado-based staff unfamiliar with Mediterranean climates. Colorado’s cold, dry continental climate with snowy winters holds no resemblance to California’s Mediterranean climate of wet winters and dry summers. The climate differences mean that Colorado-based researchers cannot understand the unique fire patterns, drought cycles and ecosystem management challenges that define California's forests and agriculture systems. The partnership between California universities and USDA research stations created the innovation pipeline that made California agriculture globally competitive. Graduate students conducted fieldwork at research stations, faculty collaborated on applied research, and findings flowed directly to farmers. Moving research to Colorado breaks this pipeline entirely, just when California faces its most complex agricultural and climate challenges. The Locality Pay Problem: Devaluing Public Service USDA justifies hub locations partly on lower federal locality pay rates , prioritizing cost savings over mission effectiveness. However, if this rationale is an influential factor, Fresno, California would be a top contender for an agriculture hub because Fresno’s locality pay is 17.65% which is nearly identical to that of Salt Lake City, which is 17.06% and is a lower locality pay than Fort Collins, Indianapolis and Raleigh. This makes Fresno an obvious choice for a western hub if cost savings truly drove the decision making. Federal agencies already struggle with recruitment and retention. Using lower locality pay further undermines efforts to attract qualified professionals by reducing compensation competitiveness, damaging employee morale, and creating retention problems. California's federal employees possess decades of experience managing complex fire seasons, diverse agricultural systems, and unique ecosystems. This expertise requires years to develop and cannot be easily replaced. Effective management requires attracting and retaining qualified professionals who understand local conditions, not relocating operations based solely on salary savings. What We're Really Losing California faces unique wildfire and climate challenges that require specialized knowledge. The reorganization dismantles the infrastructure that allows federal expertise to reach the communities who need it. Secretary Rollins says the reorganization will bring services "closer to its customers," but for California farmers and forest communities, the closest hub will be hundreds of miles away. The promise of improved efficiency rings hollow when similar relocations have consistently resulted in massive knowledge loss and service disruptions. Rather than building agencies back up, this reorganization dismantles the infrastructure that allows federal expertise to reach the communities who need it. California produces more agricultural revenue than most entire regions of the country, yet this reorganization treats California as an afterthought. Thank you to everyone who submitted comments during the initial public comment period and exercised your voice about agencies established to serve the California public. We have recently learned that USDA has decided to reopen the comment period through September 30th, you still have time to submit comments . Tuleyome will continue monitoring this issue and providing updates as more information becomes available.

California is host to over twenty native oak species and you can find at least five of those species within the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (the Monument). In fact, you can find all five of those species on the short five mile Frog Pond hike! California’s native oak species fall into three categories; Red Oaks, White Oaks and Golden Cup (also called intermediate) Oaks. The Red and White oaks are categorized as such based on the color of their wood. The Red Oak group includes Black Oaks (probably best known for its stunning fall foliage), Interior Live Oak and Coastal Live Oaks, both of which are evergreen. The White Oak group includes the nation’s largest oak - the Valley Oak, the Blue Oak - California’s most numerous oak species, Oregon Oak as well as two shrub species the Leather Oak and Scrub Oak. Both of these shrub species occur in Chaparral habitat which is found throughout the Monument but Leather Oaks occur exclusively on serpentine soils (also found within the Monument!). Golden Cup Oaks include Canyon Live Oaks and Huckleberry Oaks. Canyon Live Oak and Interior Live Oak ranges do overlap but Canyon Live Oaks can be identified by the golden hairs on the undersides of their leaves and Huckleberry Oaks are found in the Sierra Nevada. Water is necessary for normal cellular structure and function (like when you forget to water the plant outside your front door during a heat spell and it wilts dramatically). Water is also necessary to transport minerals such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from the soil to the leaves. Living in our region of California, we don’t typically deal with sub-zero temperatures or persistent snow but we do have relatively long, hot and very dry summers with very little to no rain. As a result, our native oak trees have developed response strategies related to drought conditions that help them not only survive but even thrive here. One strategy is to avoid drought altogether. That sounds difficult as trees can’t migrate when conditions become inhospitable so how does that work? Species such as the Valley Oak only occur where there is a fairly high water table like river banks and along creeks which essentially provides a dependable water source all year. One of the first structures to emerge from a Valley Oak acorn is the prominent taproot (the predominant main root that grows downward toward a water source). Another strategy for surviving drought is to evade it. Again… how? Species like the Interior and Coast Live Oaks are evergreen meaning they do not lose their leaves in the fall which in turn allows them to photosynthesize all year round. A third strategy is to simply tolerate drought. Blue Oaks do indeed appear blue because of the waxy coating on their leaves that increases their water use efficiency. Blue Oaks are also drought deciduous which means they may shed their leaves during drought conditions to help avoid losing water through their leaves. Oaks and fire Fire is a natural and cultural part of the California ecosystem. Most of the Monument’s native oak species are relatively fire tolerant. Native Americans have historically and currently still use fire as a way to manage their wild lands. A relatively fast moving grass fire may singe the bark and leaves but leave no significant damage. If the fire is more intense and the tree canopy is destroyed, our oaks have developed strategies to survive. The first strategy is to regrow from seed (acorn). Birds and small mammals have become survival partners with our oak trees by caching acorns. Acorns that are buried just two inches under the surface may survive the fire and if the critter forgets where it is or just doesn’t come back for it, that seed may sprout and eventually replace the burned tree. One disadvantage of this method is that acorns do not last very long in the ground. A Blue Oak acorn will typically germinate as soon as it gets wet while other species can last one to two years in the ground. Another strategy is that if the bark is burned but the inside of the tree remains intact, the tree can continue to grow and replace the leaves and bark lost to the flames. If the fire is more severe and burns the entire above ground part of the tree but the root system remains intact, oaks are able to resprout from the root crown. One incredibly “monumental” advantage of this is that the newly sprouted tree is already attached to an established root system. All California oaks are able to resprout from the root crown when they are young but Interior and Coast Live Oaks remain excellent root sprouters as they age. If the tree is damaged above ground by fire or even if it has been cut down, they are able to resprout. Keep an eye out for them on your next hike in the Monument, they’ll look like a smaller multi-trunk tree. If you’d like to learn more about the Monument’s and California’s native oak species please check out my esteemed colleague, Dr. Geoff Benn’s Nature and You lecture on Youtube here . Next time you’re hiking in the Monument keep an eye out for all five of the enchanting native oaks that call it home and impress your hiking buddies with your knowledge of them! -Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org ) Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

Technology and fast-paced living are part of our everyday world, but spending time in nature can help neutralize the tension and flurry that has become commonplace for us. Heading outdoors, even during the heat of summer, is not only possible but with a little preparation it can be safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling. Although the summer is coming to a close, temperatures can still be high. Here are some tips to stay safe while hiking in high temperatures. Keep an eye on the weather. We are all painfully aware that our region gets HOT during the summer months and although the forecast doesn’t really change all that much, in certain areas it can fluctuate more than at your house so keeping an eye on the weather where you’re headed is important. Head out early to take full advantage of the cooler morning hours. Being at the trailhead at sunrise not only avoids some of the heat of the day, but it will likely also avoid crowded parking situations and traffic jams on the trail.  Some areas in our region may experience more wind than others and when the wind is from the north it is typically hot and dry which can rapidly increase the risk of dehydration while hiking. Along with the gusty north winds come “fire weather” which is often indicated by a Red Flag Warning, meaning that there is an increased risk for fire danger because of high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds. If you smell smoke while you’re hiking, it's always best to immediately evacuate the area. Failing to leave not only puts you at risk, but it also puts emergency personnel that may have to come to your aid at risk as well. Stay hydrated and fuel up Carry and drink plenty of water during your hike, in fact, bring more than you think you’ll need. A good rule of thumb is to drink a half to a full liter of water every hour depending on the temperature and your level of exertion. Be sure to drink often, sipping water helps you maintain hydration much better than chugging a bunch of water once or twice during your hike. You’ll feel a lot better too. If you get distracted by the scenery and forget to sip, set a timer to remind you to take a drink about every 20 minutes. If it’s really hot or you’ll be working really hard, pre-hydrate. Drink about 16 ounces of water two hours before you hit the trail. Remember to bring some snacks even if you’re not planning on being out on the trail all day. Finding the perfect spot to sit and journal or sketch for a while, unexpected difficult terrain or even possibly an injury or getting lost can keep you out on the trail longer than expected and having extra food with you not only keeps your energy up but also your morale. Perspiring causes your body to lose not only water but also electrolytes so packing snacks with a little extra sodium and potassium can also help keep you happy and feeling well. A quick way to replenish electrolytes is to drink a sports or recovery drink. Know your limits Pay attention to your body and any aches and pains you may be experiencing. Consider fatigue, strained muscles, a cranky ankle or even blisters and how those will make you feel if you continue hiking. The trek out may be downhill, but it’ll be hotter than when you started. Turn back or head out before your water supply is half gone and don’t hike beyond your ability. Hiking is more fun with company. Having others with you to share the joy and experiences of the day is fabulous but having friends with you also lets you check on one another and, if necessary, help with important decisions should there be an injury or a need to call for help. Tuleyome, the Sierra Club and other “meet up” groups often offer group hikes where you can learn the terrain and meet fellow hikers. Make a Plan and Be Prepared Check the weather forecast and trail conditions before you go and bring appropriate clothing. Be sure to let someone know where you are heading and about how long you expect to be gone, especially if you are hiking alone. There’s a good possibility that your cell phone may not have service on the trail so attaching a whistle to your pack should you need to call for help is a smart idea. Stay on the trail to help avoid things like poison oak and ticks and keep in mind that snakes may also be out enjoying the day. If you encounter one, please just allow it to pass, it doesn’t want to engage with you either. Wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat or get a backpack umbrella to attach to your pack to ensure that you’ll always have shade. Sunscreen is an absolute must and should be reapplied often, especially after swimming or excessive sweating. Getting a sunburn is not only miserable and risky, but it can also add to the risk of dehydration. Some essential items to pack include a headlamp or flashlight, a knife or multipurpose tool, and a first aid kit that includes duct tape and super glue. Bonus points for taking a first aid course before hiking season, especially if you like to hike alone. If you’re hiking with your canine pal, please be sure to take notice of their physical ability and demeanor. Dogs heat up and cool down differently than people and outdoor activity during the heat of the day can be extremely uncomfortable or even dangerous for them. Heatstroke can be life threatening to a dog and breaks with extra water and shade are essential for them; don’t base their health level on how you’re feeling. Hiking can be done safely in our region any time of year. Some forethought and precautions can help avoid unnecessary calls to our first responders and help you enjoy the outdoors. And as always - if you pack it in, pack it out! -Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org ) Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

The term biodiversity refers to the medley of life on Earth. California is one of only 36 global regions that are so incredibly biologically rich and ecologically significant that they are called biological hotspots. A biological hotspot is defined as an area containing exceptional concentrations of endemic (found nowhere else on Earth) plants and wildlife species that are experiencing profound rates of loss. Combined, the 36 identified biodiversity hotspots encompass only three percent of the entire Earth’s surface. If I’m being shamefully honest, from time to time when I think about California I picture the construction on Highway 50, Sacramento International Airport or Disneyland. But get out of suburbia and you can’t help but appreciate the ecological treasure that California is. We have high and low deserts, we have mountain tops that were once on the ocean floor, some that were shaped by glaciers and one volcano that erupted as recently as the early 1900’s. We have fertile farmland, grasslands, oak woodlands and conifer forests. Our coast lines range from rocky with harsh waves to soft, sandy beaches. We host the lowest elevation (which coincidentally also happens to be the hottest place on the Earth) and the highest elevation - both within the contiguous 48 states. California is home to the most massive trees, the tallest trees and the oldest trees in the world. We boast stunning wildflower displays and vernal pools with flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth. I could go on and on… Now, think of the diverse ecosystems found in these regions. Think about what organisms they support from microscopic bacteria and fungi to Black Bears and Northern Elephant Seals and everything in between. California not only has the highest number of species of any state in the US but it also has the highest number of endemic (those only occurring here) species of all the United States. We have over 1,000 species of native vertebrates with 65% of those being found only in California, over 6,500 species of plants with over 2,000 species endemic to California, 52 species of cone bearing trees with 14 of those being endemic and 30,000 species of insects with over 1,600 species of native bees which are exceptionally important to our agricultural industry. California is the epitome of BIODIVERSITY. A bit more bragging on California - our great state also supports over 30% of all the plant and vertebrate species in all of the United States but sadly, roughly 30% of our species are threatened by extinction. California 30x30, a statewide initiative to conserve 30% of California’s lands and waters by the year 2030. You can also help celebrate California’s biodiversity by participating in California Biodiversity Day on September 7, 2025. But! The party doesn’t stop there, you can participate in events the entire week of September 6 through the 14th. Click here to find a list of events, including Tuleyome’s Bio Blitz for the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument! You don’t have to travel to celebrate though, you can go look for spiders in your backyard or birds in a nearby park. Each of your observations and photos entered into iNaturalist helps enrich the database for the 30x30 initiative! Also, just in case you were wondering… The high deserts of California include the Mojave with its iconic Joshua Trees and the Great Basin which gets most of its precipitation from snow. High deserts are characterized by cold nights and hot and windy days. California’s low desert is the Sonoran desert which is hot, receives monsoonal moisture and is characterized by the presence of the saguaro cacti. Snow Mountain was once a mid-ocean seamount (an underwater volcano). As tectonic plates moved around, one slid under the other (subduction) and the seamount was buried. Later tectonic forces brought the volcano back to the surface which is what we know today as the “island in the sky”. Lassen Peak was the most recent volcanic eruption to occur in California from 1914-1917. There are others but perhaps one the most notorious (or maybe it’s just my favorite) mountains displaying glacial erosion is Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Death Valley is not only the hottest place on Earth, it also has the distinct honor of being the hottest, driest and lowest (282 feet below sea level) place in North America. Who’s up for a road trip? It’s actually an extremely special place and you should visit but please research and plan ahead! Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the continental United States at 14,505 feet above sea level. The most massive trees in the world are the Giant Sequoias The tallest trees in the world are the Coastal Redwoods The oldest trees in the world are the Bistlecone Pines -Kristie Ehrhardt ( kehrhardt@tuleyome.org ) Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

In the before-Tuleyome days, Andrew Fulks and Sam Bledsoe were leading hikes in the area, and I went on a few of those. Then Andrew and several other co-conspirators founded Tuleyome, which started hosting Andrew's Yolohiker.org web page, and thus I followed the virtual trail to Tuleyome. I started donating to Tuleyome because I was thinking about my donations in terms of climate change and local action. Land protection is critical both for slowing down climate change, by protecting those natural carbon sinks, and for making adaptation possible, by keeping the landscape healthy. Tuleyome is incredibly effective at getting land protected. I really appreciate how committed Tuleyome is to environmental education and getting people to understand their home place and be able to enjoy it, especially groups that historically have had less access. They're also committed to working with all kinds of groups that appreciate the outdoors; they're inclusive. I want my donations to contribute to organizational stability. Most grants have a lot of restrictions, and funders often want the next new thing. But organizations like Tuleyome also need money to maintain what they've built and just keep the lights on. Individual donations make it possible for Tuleyome to keep going. The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument just wouldn't exist without Tuleyome. They led the campaign to get it designated, and they kept at it for years. Then they led the campaign to get that wonderful ridge, Molok Luyuk, added to it. And now they are working on good stewardship of this place that has such amazing biodiversity.