Celebrating 10 years of historic land preservation

10 years of preservation

The 2006 passage of H.R. 233, marks the culmination of many years of hard work by countless people.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act. Signed into law in 2006, this legislation protected 273,000 acres of wilderness and 21 miles of a Wild and Scenic River, and set aside approximately 51,000 acres as a Recreational Management Area for off-highway vehicles and mountain bikes. These public lands are located in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino and Napa Counties, the Black Butte River in Mendocino County, and the Recreation Management Area in Mendocino and Lake Counties.

To mark this significant anniversary, communities throughout Northern California are holding a series of events, including hikes and restoration projects with school children, veterans, members of local Native American Tribes and more. These activities are aimed at encouraging local families and residents to explore these special places and highlighting the local commitment to protecting these public lands for future generations.

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Event Description Date

Past events

Event Description Date
Trail Restoration in Yolla Bolly Wilderness

On Wednesday November 16, the Eel River Recovery Project, the Cahto Tribe, and the BLM Arcata Field Office conducted a joint field assessment of the resource protection needs of the Cahto Peak/Black Oak Mountain Trail area.

16-20
October
Black Butte River Field Trip

In celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of the North Coast Wilderness Bill, Round Valley Elementary/Middle School students visited the hidden beauty of the Black Butte Wild and Scenic River on October 18th and 21st . More than 170 students participated in half day interpretive hikes – observing wildlife, stream vegetation and especially rocks and water.

18-21
October
Yuki Wilderness Firescape Tour and Cultural Resource Protection

On Saturday October 22, the Eel River Recovery Project (in cooperation with the Upper Lake/Covelo Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management Arcata Field Office) organized a fuels reduction and firescape education day in the Barnes Ranch exclusion of the Yuki Wilderness, which is jointly managed by BLM and USFS.

22
October
Black Butte Wild & Scenic River – Interpretive Hike, Monitoring and Beach Area Cleanup

On Sunday October 23rd, in celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of the North Coast Wilderness Bill, a group of volunteers gathered at the Covelo Eel River Campground and hiked into the Black Butte Wild and Scenic River to clean up beach debris from the summer’s visitors and explore the river.

23
October
King Range Wilderness 10TH Anniversary

On October 25, the BLM organized an event in the King Range Wilderness. Students and teachers from Skyfish School, Student Conservation Association Interns, the Lost Coast Interpretive Association, Bureau of Land Management staff, and the Sanctuary Forest Education Specialist all celebrated the 10th anniversary of the King Range Wilderness by working together on a meadow restoration and youth education project.

25
October
Cahto Peak/Black Oak Mountain Trail- Dozer Line Repair

On Tuesday November 15, the Eel River Recovery Project, the Cahto Tribe and the Arcata Field Office of the BLM organized a field-work event in the Cahto Peak unit of the South Fork Eel Wilderness.

15
November
Cache creek wilderness area field trip

Fourth- and fifth-graders from Lower Lake Elementary School students will trek into the Cache Creek Wilderness, setting off by bus to the Redbud Trailhead at the forest’s Northern border.

1
December
Cache Creek Ridge Trail Mountain Bike Ride

Join us on a mountain bike ride along the Cache Creek Ridge Trail to High Bridge Trail! This event is part of the celebration for 10th anniversary of the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act.

3
December
Cedar Roughs Wilderness Hike

Join us for a “sneak peek” at the new Smittle Creek Access to the Cedar Roughs Wilderness. This tour is part of the celebration for 10th anniversary of the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act.

11
December

“America's wilderness represents the things we love about being American - our free spirit, our sense of adventure and our passion for exploring the unknown. This designation marks a tremendous victory for conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts and all Americans who care for the outdoors.”

Representative Mike Thompson, Oct. 17th, 2006

THE VALUE OF THESE PROTECTED LANDS & RIVERS

A decade later, we continue to benefit from the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act. These benefits include clean water, the preservation of iconic wildlife, access for recreation activities like hiking, fishing, boating, hunting and more.

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Water

Black Butte Wild and Scenic River and sections of the Eel River are among those protected by this legislation. These rivers help provide water for the region’s agriculture as well as clean drinking water for adjacent communities.

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Wildlife

These forests and rivers are home to bears, bald eagles, elk,  steelhead trout and salmon. Cache Creek Wilderness, for example, hosts the second largest wintering bald eagle population in California and a herd of rare tule elk (the world’s smallest elk).

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Recreation

From fishing, swimming and boating in Cache Creek to hiking the iconic Lost Coast Trail, these lands present a unique opportunity to experience the unspoiled grandeur of nature. King Range Wilderness, for example, includes the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the United States outside of Alaska.

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