All Land is Beautiful

E11: Getting the Message Across, with Spencer Davies of Trespasser Productions

I’ve mentioned before that the land is our common denominator. We may have differing ideas and approaches but generally, at least in my experience on a local and regional level, people are willing to listen, make compromises, and change the way they do things if you take the time to talk through it with them and have it makes sense. My guest on this episode of All Land is Beautiful is Spencer Davies, owner and one of the directors at Trespasser Productions, a production company based out of Placerville, California. Spencer and I connected several months ago working on a video to highlight the legacy conservation project in El Dorado County, the El Dorado Ranch State Wildlife Area. I guess you could say that we clicked from the beginning, but not because we necessarily agreed on everything. I would say that is was more based on both of our willingness to listen and discuss our differing opinions on land management and conservation.
This episode is a bit different from the rest as Spencer isn’t a biologist or representing a conservation organization, but he instead represents what I think is a critical connection for nonprofits and government agencies working in land protection and natural resource management. One of the biggest challenges these organizations face is translating their work into something that the general public can see and interact with. Trespasser Productions has made a name for itself in the commercial industry, but has taken on more recent work with organizations like American River Conservancy, the El Dorado-Georgetown Resource Conservation District, Calfire and US Forest Service, taking a technical production approach to capturing and presenting grassroots community efforts. We talk through this, along with Spencer’s upbringing, the beginnings and growth of Trespasser Productions and the how they’ve found success outside of the Hollywood scene, and how Spencer has found excitement and fulfillment supporting his community the best way he can, through film.

E10: Talkin' About Trails with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association

On this episode of All Land is Beautiful, I find myself back on a landscape that needs no convincing of how extraordinary and magnificent it is. I’m talking about the jewel of the Sierra, Lake Tahoe. Around 15 million people visit Lake Tahoe each year, which is roughly three times the number of visitors to Yosemite National Park. Needless to say, this precious resource receives a lot of pressure and yet its beauty almost seems unwavering.
Now I’m just one person and I don’t have the capacity to research and investigate all of the good work within the Tahoe region, but I did have the great opportunity to sit down with Brooke Clayton and Anthony Porter of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association, or TRTA. TRTA helps manage and advocate for the preservation of one of the nation’s premier trail systems, the Tahoe Rim Trail, which also happens to be a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. As a nonprofit organization, TRTA occupies a unique space within recreation and conservation, acting as a conduit between those who use the trail, and those who own and manage it, like the US Forest Service and State Park Agencies. They help to facilitate and add capacity for things like trail repairs, improvements, and habitat restorations, they educate and provide resources for recreationalists of all capabilities on how to respectfully use and preserve the trail, ensuring it’s continued use for generations to come. And what I can also really appreciate is that they recognize the role the organization plays within the greater community, as a player in both the economic and natural health of Tahoe.

E9: So You Want to Start a Land Trust?, with Alan Ehrgott (former Executive Director of the American River Conservancy)

Most land trusts have a similar story. At some point in time there was a threat to a beautiful and natural place and a few people that lived in that place decided they weren’t going to just sit by and not doing something about it. The beauty of this, in the context of land trusts, is that this story grew into a conservation movement that continues today. The early successes of those people that just wouldn’t sit by grew into organizations, now decades later, that have collectively protected millions of acres across California and beyond.
Alan Erhgott, former executive director and founding member of the American River Conservancy is one of those people that did something. On this episode we learn about the good guys, bad guys, and challenges faced with protecting land, habitat, and water in the upper American River and Cosumnes River watersheds. Alan and I chat about his early connection to land and wild places, which includes starting a travel company and becoming a hot air balloon pilot. We talk about what the process looked like in starting the Conservancy, and the challenges and successes that came along with earning his and the Conservancy’s seat at the table. I was particularly appreciative of this conversation because it provides context, insight, motivation, and inspiration into the world of regional land conservation. 

E8: Resiliency and Connection at the San Elijo Lagoon, with Doug Gibson (CEO of the Nature Collective)

I had the joy of sitting down with Doug Gibson, CEO of the Nature Collective, to talk about the San Elijo Lagoon and greater San Diego County north coast landscape, and the amazing work that is being done to protect and restore it. We discuss the early history and poor treatment of the San Elijo Lagoon, to the recent completion of a massive restoration improving its habitat and overall resiliency in a changing climate. From there we talk about public access improvements that were packaged and developed along with the restoration, and the importance of giving people the opportunity to experience the habitats and resources that we’re working to protect. We then look at where the Nature Collective is headed as they expand their area of influence, working collaboratively, sharing hard-earned do’s and don’ts, and continuing the promotion and execution of habitat improvements in San Diego County.
For more information check out the Nature Collective's website.
Hope you enjoy the change of scenery and I look forward to turning my eyes west to the ocean for more coastal-themed episodes in the future.

E7: The Diminutive Yet Very Significant Cosumnes River, with Melinda Frost-Hurzel

On this episode we explore water. Humans have gone so far as to physically alter and obstruct the natural processes of really any viable river in California that has potential to provide water for development, agriculture and hydroelectric power, except for one diminutive yet very significant Cosumnes River.
Considering the legal, environmental, and logistical dynamics surrounding water and its use in California, I don’t think you can find one single individual who is an expert on it all. Instead, you find individuals who have done their best to commit themselves to understanding one dynamic better than most, and have then done a really great job of getting the right people in the room who can speak on behalf of the others. Melinda Frost-Hurzel is one of those individuals, the lead representative of an effort called the Cosumnes Coalition, a partnership between the American River Conservancy, Cosumnes Culture and WaterWays, Trout Unlimited, Fishery Foundation, and Landmark Environmental to address resource challenges and concerns along the Cosumnes River.

E6: Birds, a Common Conservation Language, with Chris Conard

On today’s episode, without any shame, we’re again talking about birds.
I got to sit down with Chris Conard and continue this conversation around wildlife success stories in unlikely places, as well as concerning trends. Chris is uniquely qualified to talk about this as he’s spent the last 30 years working in a very unlikely wildlife refuge, aptly named the Bufferlands, which surrounds a sewage treatment plant in south Sacramento County. In fact, he kind of embodies the All land is Beautiful ethos. He was also involved in the most recent Sacramento County Breeding Bird Atlas effort, which found that there are actually more bird species breeding in the county than there were 30 years ago, and is the best individual I personally know at auditory identification of birds, though he’s certainly not one to brag and would be quick to point out others who are better.
More information and events at the Bufferlands Preserve can be found on the Buff Blog.
To go on a field trip with Sacramento Audubon click here.

E5: The American River Conservancy and El Dorado County's First State Wildlife Area

2024 is the American River Conservancy's (ARC) 35th anniversary, a year in which the organization celebrates the protection of 30,000 acres of rivers, creeks, oak woodlands, and forests that typify the Upper American River and Cosumnes River watersheds. I talk extensively with Executive Director, Elena DeLacy, to bring perspective on why this is important for both flora and fauna as well as human beings. We also take this opportunity to chat about one of ARC’s legacy projects, El Dorado Ranch, as the organization embarks on the final effort to permanently protect 7,100 acres that will become El Dorado County’s first State Wildlife Area.
To check out ARC's website and event calendar click here.
ARC can be found on Facebook and Instagram.
Check out Stories of El Dorado with Tim Neilsen on the Stories from California Cattle Country podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
 

E4: Carbon Farming on PT Ranch, with Molly Taylor

On this episode, I sat down with Molly Taylor of PT Ranch, out in Ione, CA, which is located just an hour southeast of Sacramento in Amador County. After reflecting on the last episode I wanted to get more into the weeds on the Carbon Farm Plans and talk with one of the only people I knew personally who has really gone all in on carbon farming. We talk about the moment the decision was made to take a regenerative approach to managing PT Ranch and focus on carbon; Molly’s somewhat indirect and unanticipated path into managing a ranch; the process of writing a carbon farm plan and the on-the-ground practices that have been implemented; and touch on ranch diversification and how the ranch remains a viable enterprise. Here's a link to PT Ranch’s website, and if you ever have the opportunity to check out the ranch and its offerings I highly recommend it.