Tuleyome's Policy Corner - Protecting our Public Lands

Sandy Schubert • October 25, 2023

Secretary Deb Haaland addressing Molok Luyuk round table with Representatives Thompson and Garamendi

As you know, we were honored by a visit to Molok Luyuk and the region by DOI Secretary Haaland, BLM Director Stone-Manning and Representatives Garamendi and Thompson at the end of September. It was an important opportunity to hear from them and our Tribal Partners on their priorities and to share why this unique place needs to be protected.


On October 11th, our Congressional champions, Senator Alex Padilla and Representatives Garamendi and Thompson reiterated their calls to protect Molok Luyuk. They led a letter from California Representatives to President Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland urging the Administration to use its authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to expand the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to protect the entirety of Molok Luyuk. 


Citing the significance of the area to, and the support of, numerous tribes, including the Patwin, Pomo, Wappo and Miwok peoples, and the National Congress of American Indians, they urged co-management with tribes and directed that the Ridge be formally renamed “Molok Luyuk”, Patwin for “Condor Ridge”. Both of these are part of their legislation to protect Molok Luyuk.

Also in October, Senator Padilla joined the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which oversees much of our public lands, including BLM and USFS lands. Having Senator Padilla, a leader in public lands protection and environmental issues on both the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will continue to ensure that our interests are heard and represented.


In October, California codified its commitment to protect 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030 in Senate Bill 337. Protecting places like Molok Luyuk is how we reach these goals.


While we’re happy with the progress, we’re not done yet. We continue to work with our Congressional champions, tribes and other partners to build additional support to protect Molok Luyuk. We could use your assistance. How can you help? Here are a few suggestions.


  • Send a letter of support to the President, letting him know you want him to protect Molok Luyuk. Individual letters are always best. Here’s a sample in case it’s helpful. If you do send your own letter, please share it with Tuleyome – we are gathering up support. 
  • If you’re just too swamped to do that, then sign our petition in support of Molok Luyuk.
  • If you have extra time and want to volunteer, contact us and dive in.


Help us protect Molok Luyuk and our lands. Together, we can do it!


Cheers, Sandy


Sandra Schubert


Executive Director

RECENT ARTICLES

By Nate Lillge July 2, 2025
We are excited to announce the dates for next year's Certified California Naturalist courses! Our multi-week course will be held Fridays, January 16 to March 6 with three field trips held on Saturdays. Our one-week immersive course at Wilbur Hot Springs Resort is April 12 - 17 . Tuleyome’s Certified California Naturalist (CalNat) program trains members of the public to become California Naturalists. No advanced degree or previous naturalist experience is required – Tuleyome teaches you everything you need to know to become certified. Our course is focused on the northern inner Coast Range mountains, specifically the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. The program, developed by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, is designed to introduce Californians to the wonders of our unique ecology and engage the public in study and stewardship of California’s natural communities. The California Naturalist program uses science curriculum, hands-on learning, problem-solving, participatory science, and community service to instill a deep appreciation for the natural communities of the state and to inspire individuals to become stewards of their local resources. Courses combine classroom and field experience in science, problem-solving, communication training and community service, taught by an instructor and team of experts. Check out the Certified California Naturalist page for more information. -Nate Lillge (nlillge@tuleyome.org) Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director Certified California Naturalist
By Bill Grabert July 2, 2025
Tuleyome thanks Kim Longworth for her work as part of Tuleyome’s volunteer Board of Directors. Kim joined Tuleyome’s Board of Directors to advance our mission to conserve, enhance, restore, and enjoy our public lands in Northern California, specifically the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. She took on many tasks during her tenure on the Board including assisting with grant writing and educational programming. Although Kim is stepping down from the Board, she is not parting ways with Tuleyome. She will continue to support Tuleyome’s mission as an event participant and in other ways. Thank you, Kim! -Bill Grabert (Volunteer Tuleyome Board Member) and Nate Lillge (Adventures and Engagement Director)
By Sandra Schubert July 2, 2025
As the tenth anniversary of the establishment of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, July 10 th , approaches, I find myself reflecting on how we got here and what our public lands mean to us as individuals and as a nation. Our lands defined, and define, our nation. “O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!” At a time when our nation is getting more partisan and we see more anger in the news, it's important to remember that our public lands are not a partisan issue. They belong to all of us, they are important to all of us, and they are for everyone. Our public lands are for hikers and bikers, hunters and photographers, people and puppy dogs, wheelchairs and OHVs. They are for Republicans, Democrats, Independents, decline to states and folks that don’t care about politics. They are for people of all colors, genders, religions, shades and stripes. They are for citizens, immigrants and visitors. They are for mountain lions and tadpoles, bears and hummingbirds, otters and spiders. They are our public lands. The belong to all of us and we belong to them. Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument represents America – a diverse community of people with different interest and beliefs who came together to protect something special. It started out as a mere idea. First, it was just a handful of kindred folks but then more and more joined in soon creating a crescendo of motivated and united voices. It grew until it was a community, a movement, fighting together to protect a place that we all love. We all fought for our Monument. People from all walks of life: hunters, politicians, decision-makers, conservationists, recreationists, scientists, businesses, veterans, community and tribal leaders. Government officials from all levels of government and all parties joined us. Dreamers and planners, lovers and fighters locked arms. We all stood together and fought for Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and Molok Luyuk. And look at what we accomplished together! We protected 344,476 acres in the heart of the Northern Inner Coastal Range. We protected a place whose geology and botany are so magnificent that people come from the world over to see and study them. We protected a place so beautiful it takes your breath away with its rare wetlands and meadows full of wildflowers, its vistas that last for hundreds of miles and its night sky that illuminates every detail of the Milky Way. We protected a place where major rivers flow and streams wander throughout the countryside. We protected tule elk, bald and golden eagles, perch, frogs, bears and salamanders. We protected a place steeped in millennia of Native American culture and history and that is one of the most linguistically diverse in California. We protected our special places, our public lands. And we did it, all of us together. This is what we can do when we remember that despite all of our differences, we are one nation, indivisible. America the Beautiful O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern, impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law! O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine, Till all success be nobleness, And every gain divine! O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed His grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! by Katharine Lee Bates Happy 4 th of July! -Sandy Schubert Executive Director