Sierra Foothill Conservancy celebrates 30th anniversary

Sierra Foothill Conservancy’s mission is alive and well as the organization celebrated 30 years this past weekend at the Kennedy Table Topping Ranch Conservation Easement.

The mission of SFC is to honor natural and cultural heritage by protecting the grasslands, foothills and forests between Yosemite and Kings Canyon national parks.

These areas provide land for farms and ranches, as well as a home for native plants, wildlife and a source of clean water.

The conservancy works to ensure present and future generations will continue to experience and enjoy the land.

SFC is a non-profit land trust which has been working to protect resources and wildlife since 1996.

Since then, the organization has protected over 68,000 acres of natural lands by acquiring properties for nature preserves, partnering with landowners to help them protect their lands all while collaborating with public agencies.

To date, SFC owns and manages 10 wildlife preserves (7,665 acres) and has protected another 55,000 acres of ranch lands and working forests in the form of conservation easements.

Advocates, supporters, SFC staff and docents gathered at the Kennedy Table at Topping Ranch on April 18 to celebrate SFC’s 30th anniversary while recognizing the non-profit’s accomplishments.

Named for William Kennedy, an Australian horse rancher, the Kennedy Table is a valuable component of the conservancy’s natural land holdings and is owned by Bart and Cindy Topping.

The celebration began with a condensed geological history of the area provided by Craig Poole before a short hike around the table began.

“About nine million years ago a volcano erupted and lava flowed through here and solidified,” Poole explained.

Because of the lava flow, the area became covered in granitic rocks which formed as the magma cooled.

As a slow uplift of the Sierra region occurred, rivers began to flow at a faster rate which eventually contributed to the forming of the flat-topped table mountains which are in the area today.

These flat-tops were once the bottom of a canyon but because of inverted topography and erosion, they’re now elevated.

The top of the Kennedy Table also has a variety of small vernal pools.

“These pools support various plants and animals,” Poole continued.

Many of those plants and animals are listed as threatened or endangered.

As the hike began, John Stebbins and several docents were able to provide information about some of the plants that thrive in the area.

The Kennedy Table is an area where wildflowers are typically abundant this time of year but due to a hot spell and a lack of moisture, there weren’t many to be seen.

As the group walked through the flat, rocky terrain, Stebbins was able to identify some plants such as spike moss, gold back ferns and larkspur.

“The larkspur is also a hallucinogenic,” he explained.

There were also several types of lichen in the area.

“If there is lichen around it means there’s good air quality,” Stebbins said.

As the hike concluded, the group gathered for lunch and a short presentation from a few selected speakers who shared insight into SFC.

Executive Director, Bridget Fithian, thanked the group as well as SFC staff, docents and Nancy Fluharty for organizing the event, before introducing the speakers.

“Sierra Foothill Conservancy was formed by a group of volunteers who wanted to make sure lands were protected over time,” said Jeannette Tuitelle.

“Sierra Foothill Conservancy continues to be a standout organization in the state of California.”

Several founding members were present at the event, including Tom Bohigian.

Bohigian expressed thanks for Fithian and how the organization truly took a step forward when she joined the non-profit. “The idea that this organization is preserving land and bringing people here while educating is priceless,” Bohigian said.

“Thank you for what you’ve done and what you will do.”

Art Topping explained Topping Ranch has had four generations of family managing and working the ranch.

“My dad was very protective of the land,” he said.

“I’m so thankful to Sierra Foothill. By having the easement we have been able to pay debts and put down money on the adjoining property. We couldn’t have done it without the conservancy.”

As the non-profit celebrated 30 years, the group reflected on how far they’ve come as they continue to plan for the future.

“When I first started I thought this was just about the land,” Fithian explained.

“I quickly learned it’s about the people we serve, our staff and all of you.”

Through their mission and work, SFC has been able to protect 68,000 acres of land while also expanding education opportunities in Mariposa.

“It’s meaningful to connect people to the land while also serving the community,” Fithian said.

“We’ve been able to partner with the Mariposa Arts Council and the school district to provide a summer camp this year.”

Running June 15 to July 24, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., a team of diverse educators will lead groups from their home base at Mariposa Elementary School (MES) on daily field trips to the Mariposa Creek Parkway, Stookey Preserve (near Lushmeadows) and Yosemite Valley.

The curriculum, activities and camp culture encourage students to develop a deep relationship with their local landscapes, explore new art mediums and cultivate a strong sense of community and belonging.

Registration is free to families and available only to enrolled Mariposa County Unified School District and Sierra Foothill Charter School students who will be entering TK-6th grade next school year.

Register online through the Procare registration link, which can be found at www.mariposaartscouncil.org until April 26.

If families have questions or need assistance, they can contact Fluharty at nancy@sierrafoothill.org or by calling (209) 966-3155.

As SFC looks to the future, they are asking the community to share their conservancy stories as they have launched their 30th anniversary campaign with a goal to raise $50,000 in support of their continued conservation efforts.

To donate, share stories or for more information, visit www.sierrafoothill.org

“None of this would be possible without all of you,” Fithian said.