Dear Friends,

I’m writing this letter after watching the second episode of Ken Burn’s wonderful documentary, National Parks - America’s Best Idea. Preserving land for everyone is an idea that is ingrained in our American heritage, and in Tuleyome’s mission. It is a fitting moment to announce our latest project. Almost everyone in the region knows and appreciates the Stebbins Cold Canyon UC Natural Reserve. Located south of Monticello dam, Cold Canyon has annual visits of over 6,000 families and individuals. These visitors enjoy the public lands managed by the University of California, Department of Fish and Game, and Bureau of Land Management to hike, bird watch, botanize, photograph the natural beauty, and generally reconnect with nature. The close proximity to the towns of the Central Valley has made Cold Canyon a destination for recreation and research, and an area we all wish to help protect.

Tuleyome now has the opportunity to protect the headwaters of Cold Canyon, by buying a 72-acre parcel at the headwaters of the canyon. Tuleyome has a one-year option to purchase the property from the current owners. This land is surrounded by BLM public lands on two sides, and University lands to the north.

Acquisition of this property means:

• The Cold Canyon headwaters will be protected, preserving not only the property itself but the viewshed and water quality of the creek canyon downstream.
• The property will be open to the public via an existing hiking trail, the same as the rest of the Cold Canyon Reserve.
• With acquisition we can build a new trail creating a ridge-to-ridge loop.