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By Sharan Street
Published Oct 16, 2023

Thanks to the work of Peninsula Open Space Trust, the Estrada Ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains, overlooking Silicon Valley’s urban sprawl, has been preserved for future generations. Thanks to the work of Peninsula Open Space Trust, the Estrada Ranch in the Santa Cruz Mountains, overlooking Silicon Valley’s urban sprawl, has been preserved for future generations. Image credit: Teddy Miller   Peninsula Open Space Trust

This Land Is Our Land

What’s your favorite view? The redwood forest? The endless skyway? The golden valley, or the diamond deserts?

If you’re like most humans, your ideal vista will be some sort of natural landscape—a preference described by psychoanalyst Erich Fromm as biophilia—“the passionate love of life and of all that is alive.” American biologist Edward O. Wilson used the term for a 1984 book in which he proposed a genetic predisposition for the desire to affiliate with nature. In this week’s newsletter, we salute those humans whose love of nature has led them to protect the natural world around us.


From Private to Public

Many of us have felt the loss of a beloved view: lush woodlands bisected by interstate highways, meadows plowed under to build shopping centers, patches of urban open space lost to infill development. There’s one sure way to protect the view, and that’s to buy the land—or at least the right to develop it. Land trusts are nonprofit groups that work with landowners to protect open space for various reasons—to maintain agricultural resources, protect habitat for endangered species, or to preserve areas beloved by members of the community. Read more in Kimberly Hickok’s article about how land trusts work.


What Is a Land Trust?

Peninsula Open Space Trust worked with landowners to preserve Estrada Ranch, one of the last large properties under family ownership in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
There’s one good way to save open space from development, and that’s to buy property outright. Land trusts are key to that solution.


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Direct your browser to https://sacramento.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Sacramento County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Caring for the Commons

Once land has been acquired, there is still work to be done in maintaining public access and managing natural resources. Bryan Largay, conservation director of Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, talks with Naomi Friedland about the challenges his organization faces. One interesting point Largay brings up is how public lands would benefit from public support—either financial support through donations or volunteer labor. It’s a point that really resonates with us.


A Conversation with California Conservationist Bryan Largay

Conservation director Bryan Largay helps the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County choose its priorities.
The conservation director of Land Trust of Santa Cruz talks about the highlights of his work, and some of the issues he sees in maintaining California’s parks.

Take a Hike!

About 45 percent of California’s100,206,720 acres is owned by the federal government, and that doesn’t even include state-owned land, county parks, and open-space preserves owned by land trusts. We’ve listed 15 websites that offer easy-to-use guides to some of this vast territory.


15 Sites Where You Can Learn About Beautiful Sights

Frog Lake was saved for future generations in 2020 when the Truckee Donner Land Trust teamed up with two partners—Trust for Public Land and The Nature Conservancy—to purchase the Sierra Nevada property from the Smith family.
The Golden State has a wealth of unspoiled land managed by the feds, the state, and nonprofit organizations. These websites will help map out an adventure.


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Big Brother Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported mentorship. The chapter serves Sacramento and Yolo counties, as well as southern Placer County.

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From Our Media Allies

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Sacramento News and Review logo Remembering the music promotor who helped create a place ‘where everybody knows your name’

The Stockman Club made itself the drinking den that got Fair Oaks through the Great Depression. Nearly eight decades later, it holds Sacramento County’s second oldest liquor license.

Sacramento News and Review logo Union-Busting with a Smile: Is Trader Joe’s the Next Starbucks?

As organizing has spread, the company known for its friendly staff has been hostile to its workers’ efforts to demand a union, say activists.

Sacramento News and Review logo House Sacramento: Zoning is Key to Solving Affordability Crisis

Kevin Dumler is co-founder and director of House Sacramento, an all-volunteer organization advocating for affordable housing solutions.

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Recent Local News

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Social Justice Organizer Learns to Listen and Have Tough Conversations

Toni McNeil recalls growing up on the south side of Stockton, where a sign outside the housing project where she lived read, “Stockton, Someplace Special.” She says, “Right under the sign folks were selling dope, smoking dope and banging.”

(10/16/2023) → The Sacramento Observer

Candidates for Sacramento Mayor Answer Questions Ahead of Election

Sacramento residents will vote for a new mayor in the March 2024 primary election.

(10/16/2023) → CapPublicRadio

Family of Darell Richards to Reach Settlement With City

The Sacramento Police Department and the city of Sacramento are a step closer to reaching a settlement agreement with the parents of 19-year-old Darell Richards, who was shot and killed by police in 2018.

(10/15/2023) → The Sacramento Observer

Citrus Heights City Council Votes 3-2 Against Housing Plan

In a rare move, the Citrus Heights City Council voted to block approval of a new housing development that would have built 94 new homes at Sylvan Corners.

(10/14/2023) → Citrus Heights Sentinel

Here’s How Sacramento Advocacy Groups Rally People to Give Public Comments

It isn’t a coincidence that many speakers start public comments by introducing themselves as members or volunteers with activist organizations.

(10/13/2023) → CapPublicRadio

It’s Basic for Michael Tubbs

Michael Tubbs is well aware of the sobering statistics about American poverty. He did something about it while mayor of Stockton, creating a guaranteed income program.

(10/12/2023) → The Sacramento Observer

Emergency Regulations Would Change Use of Solitary Confinement in California Prisons

Officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are proposing a significant reduction to the use of solitary confinement in the state’s prisons. If approved, the new regulations will go into effect on Nov. 1.

(10/10/2023) → CapPublicRadio

California Is First to Ban Four Food Additives Linked to Disease

The California Food Safety Act prohibits the manufacturing, distribution and sale of food and beverages that contain brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and red dye 3.

(10/10/2023) → CapPublicRadio

Sacramento-Area Community Grapples With Rise of School Districts’ Gender Notification Policies

Heated conversation over “parent rights” and notification policies have played out at several board meetings in the Sacramento area over recent weeks.

(10/10/2023) → CapPublicRadio

Governor Signs Sen. Steve Bradford’s Ebony Alert Bill Into Law

Gavin Newsom signed the “Ebony Alert” bill to help locate missing Black youth and Black women in the state of California, according to an Oct. 8 statement from his office.

(10/10/2023) → The Sacramento Observer

South Sacramento Project With 1,100 Homes Up for Council Vote

The Sacramento City Council will hold a public hearing on plans to build 1,106 new homes near a South Sacramento light rail station.

(10/09/2023) → CapPublicRadio
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Recent Statewide News

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‘Another Attempt to Industrialize the Coast’: California’s Central Coast Residents Want to Halt Offshore Wind

Massive ocean wind farms off Morro Bay and Santa Barbara County—which could transform these quiet coastal towns and affect marine life—face a turbulent path.

(10/15/2023) → CalMatters

San Joaquin Valley Groundwater Pumpers Need to Slow Down or Face Fines, State Says

Hundreds of wells in Tulare Lake aquifer are at risk of going dry. Today's recommendation is the first time that state officials have moved to crack down on local plans that fail to stop excessive groundwater pumping.

(10/12/2023) → CalMatters

Colleges Take Steps to Weed Out AI-Written Application Essays

With the growing use of AI, campus officials are trying to set clear guidelines for college application essays.

(10/11/2023) → CalMatters

California Becomes First State to Ban More Than 2 Dozen Chemicals Used in Popular Cosmetics

A new California law will ban over two dozen chemicals from fragrances and cosmetics. It’s another first-in-the-nation law—and another instance of California following European Union regulators.

(10/09/2023) → CalMatters

Climate Change Took Them to ‘Dark Places.’ Now These Californians are Doing Something About it

The facts of climate change can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Some California activists are creating communities for people to talk about those feelings.

(10/09/2023) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of City of Galt seal. City of Galt   (10/13/2023)

Connect with Galt Newletter

The latest edition of Connect with Galt is packed full of important updates! We encourage all residents to review the newsletter at: https://conta.cc/46rn4O5 This week’s newsletter includes the following information: - What's Happening with...
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (10/13/2023)

More clean and affordable transportation now available in Del Paso Heights

Residents in Del Paso Heights on Wednesday celebrated the opening of a new "mobility hub" that connects the neighborhood to a suite of clean and green transportation options. The new hub sits on May Street close to Grant High School and major thoroughfares. It includes: Electric Car charging and an electric car share program A [...] The post More clean …
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (10/13/2023)

Check out these family-friendly October events from Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment

The City’s Department of Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment (YPCE) wants you to mark your calendars for these fun October events. From dog-friendly aquatics events to spooky themed movie nights, YPCE is offering multiple activities across Sacramento for all to enjoy. Many events are free of charge, but some require advanced registration. Find additional details [...] The post Check out …
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (10/13/2023)

City’s landscape watering rules change Nov. 1. Here’s what you need to know

Department of Utilities staff are reminding people about the City's year-round watering schedule, which requires residents and businesses to limit when they water landscapes. During spring and summer months, the schedule allows people to water their lawn and landscapes up to two times per week. Starting Nov. 1, the schedule only allows people to water [...] The post City's landscape …
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (10/13/2023)

Discounted rain barrels will soon be available from the City – but they’ll go quickly

The City's Department of Utilities will soon be offering discounted 55-gallon rain barrels to Sacramento residents for a limited time. Rain barrels collect water from roofs to store it for later use on lawns, gardens or indoor plants. “People get really excited about rain barrels, and these discounted ones tend to sell out quick, in [...] The post Discounted rain …
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (10/13/2023)

Delve into Sacramento-native Joan Didion’s impact on literature at this speaker-series event

The Center for Sacramento History will be hosting a speaker-series event with author Evelyn McDonnell to discuss her newly released biography "The World According to Joan Didion." This in-person event will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Center for Sacramento History (551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd.) The biography details Sacramento-native Joan Didion's [...] The post Delve into …
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (10/12/2023)

Data report: How the City responded to homelessness last week

Brian Pedro, who leads the City’s new Incident Management Team responding to homelessness, on Oct. 10 offered his first weekly report to the City Council on the team’s activity. Pedro’s update came as part of the “City Manager’s Report” and included metrics related to outreach, cleanup and enforcement/compliance actions for the period of Oct. 2-6. [...] The post Data report: …
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (10/12/2023)

Sacramento to use tiny homes from Gov. Newsom for Safe Stay Community on Stockton Boulevard

Mayor Darrell Steinberg joined with representatives of city, county and state government Wednesday to announce that the first 175 tiny homes promised to the City by Gov. Gavin Newsom will be erected in the middle of a planned health and wellness campus on Stockton Boulevard in South Sacramento. The tiny homes will be supplied by [...] The post Sacramento to …
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (10/11/2023)

Sacramento nighttime hospitality industry invited to attend quarterly safety training

The City of Sacramento Office of Nighttime Economy soon will host its quarterly “Pubs, clubs and bars” training to provide information to help nighttime businesses operate safely. The free training will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 19 at 300 Richards Blvd., room 221. “Pubs, Clubs, and Bars provides free training to the [...] The post Sacramento nighttime …
Image of City of Sacramento seal. City of Sacramento   (10/11/2023)

IMT leader Brian Pedro named interim director of the Department of Community Response

Brian Pedro, who leads the City’s new Incident Management Team responding to homelessness, has been named the interim director of the Department of Community Response. DCR outreach specialists play a critical role in the IMT’s daily work of connecting people with services, and Pedro’s appointment allows for even better coordination and synergy among participating departments, [...] The post IMT leader …