State of Parks

PARKS THE STATE OF

Tuolumne River Trust

EST. 1981

Pioneering the Rapids: India Fleming’s Historic Journey on the Tuolumne River

Pioneering the Rapids: India Fleming’s Historic Journey on the Tuolumne River

Recreation & Rivers 101: The Transformative Power of Recreation & Rivers

Riverside Access in Modesto: A Community Changes Through Time

Rivers Reborn: Chris Guptill’s Story of Community & Conservation

Navigating the Currents: The Ongoing Battle for Access to the Wild & Scenic Tuolumne River

Riverside Access in Modesto: A Community Changes Through Time

Rivers Reborn: Chris Guptill’s Story of Community & Conservation

Trekking Towards Equity: How the Tuolumne Changes Lives

<< Previous page: Youth look out over wetlands at Dos Rios Ranch. Photo credit Douglas Steakley.

Trailblazing with Tuolumne River Trust: A Personal Journey of Restoration and Discovery

Accessing the High Country: Navigating Yosemite’s Future

Charting the Future: Envisioning a Connected Outdoor Experience hroughout the Tuolumne Watershed TRAILBLAZING

Tuolumne River Parkway: Nature Connections in the Central Valley

Thinking Like a Floodplain: How Dos Rios Ranch State Park Was Born

Accessing the High Country: Navigating Yosemite’s Future

Explore Parks: Fostering Connections with Nature in Modesto’s Riverside Communities

Empowering Future Generations: The Tuolumne River Trust's Commitment to Advocacy & Community Engagement

The Art of Conservation: Amy Meyer’s Mosaic Journey

Thinking Like a Floodplain: How Dos Rios Ranch State Park Was Born

A Legacy of Recreation & Conservation

From the Desk of Patrick Koepele

Dear Friends of the Tuolumne,

It is my honor to welcome you to our State of Parks publication. Within these pages, we embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of TRT’s legacy, weaving together the vibrant threads of our history, the compelling narratives of those who’ve walked (and paddled) with us, and the present state of our enduring commitment to conservation.

At the heart of Tuolumne River Trust’s (TRT) origin lies a story fueled by passion for the great outdoors and an unwavering commitment to conservation. Galvanized by a threat by San Francisco to build three new dams, powerhouses, and tunnels on the river, a coalition of outdoor enthusiasts—rafters, kayakers, and anglers— rallied around the Tuolumne River, recognizing its unparalleled opportunities for adventure and the need for its preservation.

The Tuolumne River, with its headwaters nestled at the top of Yosemite National Park, offers diverse recreational activities. From the adrenaline-pumping Class IV and V rapids in its Wild and Scenic sections to the serene landscapes ideal for fishing, hiking, and canoeing in its lower reaches, the river has been a beacon for those seeking communion with nature.

The late 1960s marked the beginning of a critical period for the Tuolumne, as plans to dam its free-flowing waters loomed large. In response, a broad coalition of river activists emerged, determined to protect the river’s intrinsic values, and the Tuolumne River Trust was born. Their efforts culminated on September 28, 1984, when Congress designated eighty-three miles of the Tuolumne as Wild and Scenic, a testament to the river’s outstanding qualities and the tenacity of its advocates.

This victory was not just a triumph for the Tuolumne but a landmark achievement in the history of river

conservation in the United States. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, under which the Tuolumne was protected, set a precedent for river management that emphasized preservation and public enjoyment, principles that have guided TRT’s mission for over four decades.

TRT’s origin story is a narrative of resilience and unity. The organization’s founders, some of whom still lead the organization today, understood that the fight for the Tuolumne was about more than just saving a river; it was about preserving a way of life. Their success in safeguarding the Tuolumne’s wild stretches ensured that future generations would continue to experience the thrill of navigating its rapids, the peace of casting a line in its waters, and the joy of exploring its wilderness.

Today, TRT remains dedicated to this vision, offering programs that bridge the gap between people and the natural world, fostering a deep appreciation for the places where we play and the resources we must protect.

As we reflect on Tuolumne River Trust’s journey, we are reminded of the enduring importance of our natural treasures and the responsibility we share in their stewardship. TRT’s story is not just about the river it seeks to protect but about the community it has built, a community that values the wild, the scenic, and the recreational as essential components of our collective heritage.

As you turn these pages, I invite you to immerse yourself in the interconnected tapestry of stories, histories, and updates that offer a glimpse into the current state of our parks and the watershed that sustains them. Together, let us renew our commitment to the Tuolumne and to the enduring legacy of conservation that defines us.

For the River,

Patrick Koepele Executive Director Tuolumne River Trust

<< The beginnings of the Tuolumne River at Lyell Fork in the High Sierra. Photo credit Kara Downey.

Pioneering the Rapids

India Fleming’s Historic Journey on the Tuolumne River

On July 20, 1969, as the world watched in awe as man first set foot on the moon, another pioneering spirit, India Fleming, was making history closer to home on the Tuolumne River. Tuolumne River Trust is proud to honor India, the first woman to kayak the challenging waters of the Tuolumne and the youngest to do so at the time of the run. Her journey powerfully exemplifies the importance of connecting with and preserving our natural world.

India’s journey began in Berkeley, California, where she was raised by a family with a deep-seated love for the outdoors. Her father, an enthusiastic kayaker, introduced India to the sport at the tender age of eight, instilling in her not just the skills to navigate the rapids but a lasting bond with nature. “Kayaking was more than a sport to us; it was a way of engaging with the world,” India recalls, reflecting on her early experiences on the water. “There’s a lot of trust and care about one another in the river

communities. They’re there for each other on the river and off the river too.”

By the age of fourteen, India had matured into a skilled kayaker, ready to take on the challenge of the Tuolumne River—a challenge that would cement her place in kayaking history. “I was considered a good enough boater to go,” India shares. “My folks trusted my kayaking ability and trusted the group of experienced boaters I made the trip with. They sent me off boating with a bunch of guys in their twenties who treated me like a younger sister.”

The expedition was not without its anxieties, particularly when facing the notorious Clavey Falls Rapid, which had never been successfully navigated by boat before. The decision to tackle Clavey Falls was a pivotal moment for the team. “We were literally part way through carrying our boats around, nobody was planning to run it,” India recounts. “But we stopped, we looked at it and

India Fleming kayaking the Feather River at twelve years old.

talked ourselves into it.” The successful descent of Clavey Falls not only marked a significant achievement for India and the crew but also demonstrated the power of human determination and teamwork in the face of nature’s challenges.

In the spirit of adventure and sometimes the misadventures that come with it, a particular rapid on the Tuolumne now bears India’s name. The story of how “India Rapid” came to be underscores the unpredictable nature of river kayaking and the lessons it imparts. “There’s sort of an unwritten rule in rapid nomenclature—if a rapid is named after a boater, that usually means you had to screw up really badly there,” India explains with a chuckle. “At India Rapids, I corkscrewed down the drop, tipping and rolling up twice. It was a humbling experience with the river, one that taught me once again to respect the river’s power.”

As the expedition concluded, India and her friends, exhausted yet exhilarated, listened to the historic moon landing from their shuttle van, jointly celebrating their personal success on the Tuolumne and our nation’s inspirational achievement. For India, the journey was more than an adventure; it was a grounding moment with nature. “Being able to go and be in these places, where

the human world is small and far away, you feel the power of the natural world,” she reflects. “I think you feel much more your place in it is a very small piece.”

India’s journey is a vivid illustration of how deeply personal experiences in nature can inspire a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship. “These places are irreplaceable, and we harm them at our peril,” she warns, underscoring the importance of preserving our natural environments for future generations.

Through India’s story, we aim to inspire others to seek out their own connections with the natural world. “It’s about making these kinds of experiences accessible to everyone,” India emphasizes, highlighting the critical role of accessibility in fostering environmental appreciation and stewardship.

In the end, both the lunar expedition and India’s historic kayak run illuminate the essence of exploration— whether it be the vastness of space or the rush of a river rapid. These endeavors encourage us to recognize our place within a larger cosmos, to approach the unknown with courage and humility, and to cherish and protect the natural wonders that enrich our Earth.

India, left, hiking with her family today.

Recreation & Rivers 101

The Transformative Power of Recreation & Rivers

From its roots the word recreation means to “create again,” to “renew,” or “an activity for mental and spiritual consolation.” It’s all in the word. Recreation takes us into nature to play, explore, and experience adventure. In turn we create our emotional and spiritual selves anew. Parks in the United States are important public spaces; they invite recreation and renewal in our everyday lives.

Early in recreational history John Muir, who is responsible for so much of the writing, activism, and preservation of the Yosemite, said this: “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.” His words acknowledged the human need for nature-connection during a time of industrialization and continued colonization.

Contemporary author and environmental justice activist Carolyn Finney writes: “What I discovered/ uncovered/recovered is the many ways in which—be it physical, artistic, or spiritual—black people have laid it all down in order to feed their children, plant their dreams, and share their history and experience with the environment ... people like Eddy Harris who at the age of thirty during the 1980s, canoed the length of the Mississippi River to understand both the material and spiritual meaning of the river in American life. Or Shelton Johnson, a Black park ranger in Yosemite National Park who revived the story of the Buffalo Soldiers and their role in protecting the park.”

Recreating with land and water creates personal bonds with ecosystems, hidden histories, and our personal places within them.

The parks of today were once homelands and waters stewarded by their original Indigenous inhabitants before being seized through systematic colonization. Before 1768, for Indigenous tribes and nations work, survival, play, and spiritual practice were not separate but were instead parts of an integrated lifeway. Connection and physical engagement with places like rivers and mountains were maintained through everyday needs and spiritual practices. The idea of recreation emerged later with influence from European settlers.

As citizens in a present shaped by this history, many organizations and park stewardship agencies are working towards a future where caring for public lands and waters prioritizes accessibility alongside ecological repair—both as strategies for invitation and reconciliation. How can recreating in parks be an act of renewal and consolation for the spirit—for individuals and larger communities?

The ongoing movement for shared access with the land continues ever onward.

The Tuolumne River winds through foothills near Groveland. >>

River Recreation in the Greater Yosemite Region

pre-1790

Long before European colonizers set foot in the Sierra, the watershed was (and continues to be) stewarded by bands of the Miwok, Ahwahneechee, Ohlone, and Yokuts tribes.

1790 1850

Fishing becomes a popular leisure activity and sport throughout the United States and is based on earlier European recreational roots.

The first tourists visit Yosemite, establishing it as a popular destination.

1869

John Muir shepherds a flock of 2,000 sheep in Tuolumne Meadows and the High Sierra which prompts a years-long exploration of the Greater Yosemite Region through drawing, hiking, camping, and mountaineering.

1899

A group of Buffalo Soliders, African American army servicemen, are deployed to patrol Yosemite and nearby Sequoia National Park

1916

The US National Park Service is established.

1927

The first recreational rafting trip down the whitewater section of the Tuolumne is completed by Harry Cobden and Melvin Belli who build a log raft near the Tuolumne’s South Fork confluence, enroute to the Clavey River.

1968

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act passes into law.

Following Bryce Whitmore’s first decent, TRT founding member Jerry Meral and Dick Sunderland make the second ever kayak run of the Tuolumne which prompts the establishment of Meral’s Pool—the river’s most commonly used put-in access point.

1984

Tuolumne River Trust secures Wild and Scenic status for eighty-three miles of the upper Tuolumne River.

Present

TRT supports recreation throughout the Greater Yosemite Region, connecting people to the river and other nearby natural areas in the Merced and Stanislaus Watersheds.

Recreational trout fishing in a print from 1870. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

John Muir near Hetch Hetchy. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

In this 1899 photo, Buffalo Soldiers in the 24th Infantry carry out mounted patrol duties in Yosemite. Image courtesy of National Parks Service.

The Tuolumne meanders through Tuolumne Meadows.

A group of whitewater rafters navigate down the Tuolumne River.

Recreation as Health

In 1906, Luther Halsey Gulick and Henry S. Curtis cofounded the Playground Association of America to give young people spaces in which to play, be creative, and to overcome barriers of prejudice and class judgment. The Playground Movement was influenced by many social justice pioneers such as Jane Addams, who started Chicago’s Hull House with its “model playground” in 1892 and later supported the “undoubted powers of public recreation” by serving as the second vice-president of the Playground Association.

Linking social equity, health, and outdoor education has long been a hallmark of environmental recreation programs. Today, we take that one step further, noticing how human mental and physical health directly mirror environmental health. Disconnected habitats, polluted watersheds, and unhealthy wildfire-prone forests coincide with economic disenfranchisement and the array of emotional and physical stressors experienced by those on the frontlines of environmental change and economic disparity. This affects communities throughout the watershed, from the Sierra Nevada to Central Valley and into the San Francisco Bay Area.

TRT’s own Park Youth Committee found interconnected data showing that 69% of fifth graders at a Modesto area school do not meet basic physical fitness standards, that 53% of Modesto residents surveyed do not feel safe visiting a park in their area, and that by ninth grade 50% of students feel chronic sadness or hopelessness.

Often this disconnection is driven by barriers to easy and safe access which may include lack of physical infrastructures, systemic economic disenfranchisement, and a lack of safety within public parks. Lack of geographic proximity is another challenge: A recent report from the Trust for Public Land showed that communities of color have 43% less park space than white neighborhoods. Sometimes connecting people to the river starts with building the sidewalk, trail, or boat launch to get there.

People are part of whole ecosystems and the positive effects of recreation and time spent in nature are well documented. Studies from the past several years increasingly show that green spaces near children’s homes and schools promote cognitive development and healthy self-control. Exposure to natural environments improves working memory, cognitive flexibility, and reduces the risk of psychiatric disorders later in life.

Water-based recreation comes with its own cascade of positive health benefits as shared by Wallace J. Nichols, marine biologist and writer of Blue Mind. He writes that water covers over 70% of the earth’s surface while also making up 70% of our bodies. Our heart and brain are primarily water; we’re biologically connected, and in turn, the simple sights and sounds of water can unleash a flow of neurochemicals that provide a sense of relaxation while increasing blood flow to the brain and heart. Recreating with the flowing current of rivers like the Tuolumne is good for human bodies and minds.

Recreation and Advocacy

Just as Muir transitioned from a passionate nature-lover and mountaineer in his youth to a staunch environmental conservationist in his later years, recreational activities and public parklands have been gateways for generations of environmental activists and advocates. A passion for whitewater or catching fresh fish for dinner often transforms into social and environmental responsibility.

When recreation groups connect to social and environmental justice movement, rich alliances and coalitions form, from kayakers protesting a dam proposal to fly fishers advocating for river health and salmon resiliency to TRT’s own Park Youth Committee and Tuolumne River Adventure Club—each with the fight for community leadership and sovereignty as a significant cornerstone of these movements.

"Our

heart and brain

are primarily water; we're biologically connected.”

Connecting advocacy to recreation empowers the next generation of civic and environmental leaders, creates a web of local advocates, and protects river health locally as well as downstream. Pollution-free waterways in Modesto improve local community health, as well as ensure flourishing wetlands and estuaries downstream all the way to the Bay-Delta. It’s all connected: accessible parks, mental and physical health, clean water, and healthy rivers and estuaries that provide habitat for young salmon and overwintering birds.

In unlikely ways the story of recreation is the story of creating access that invites relationships. Ensuring equitable access to greenspaces is a first step in creating an environmentally engaged culture. Access and invitation comes in many forms: a newly installed neighborhood sidewalk connects a young person in Modesto with an avid whitewater kayaker accessing the river in the Upper Tuolumne, and one day, both might partner with commerical fishers and Indigenous leaders to advocate for river flows and thriving salmon populations.

As Muir memorably shared 113 years ago in “My First Summer in the Sierra”: “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” The connections between accessible parks; inclusive recreation; thriving riparian ecosystems, and ecological, personal, and community health are plentiful and endlessly interwoven.

Fishing at Dos Rios in Central Valley, near Modesto.

REACHING the RIVER

Nearly four decades ago, Tuolumne River Trust (TRT) emerged victorious in a critical fight to secure Wild and Scenic status for a key stretch of the Tuolumne River, protecting it from the threat of development and ensuring its wild beauty would remain unspoiled for generations to come. This victory, however, was not the end of the story but the beginning of a new chapter marked by evolving challenges and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding river access.

In the aftermath of the 2013 Rim Fire, TRT has been at the forefront of efforts to heal the scars left behind, endeavoring to restore the native flora and rejuvenate the river’s ecosystem. The loss of mature pines, oaks, cottonwoods, and other tree species has not only affected the biodiversity of the area but has also impacted the recreational experience, with once-shaded resting spots now exposed to the harsh sun. TRT, together with volunteers, local rafting guides, and commercial rafting companies, are dedicated to replanting these areas, nurturing the hope that these cuttings will grow into towering trees, restoring the canopy that once provided respite for river goers.

Despite these restoration efforts, access to the Wild and Scenic stretch of the Tuolumne has become increasingly fraught with challenges. Marty McDonnell, a founding board member whose connection to the river

runs as deep as the canyons it has carved through millennia, shares his insights into the current state of access, “Right now, access is severely limited due to last winter’s storms washing out the main road that takes you down to the river put-in, which will not be open this year to the public.”

This loss of access not only impedes recreational use but also complicates conservation efforts, making it more difficult for volunteers and workers to reach critical areas in need of restoration. Marty owns and operates Sierra Mac River Trips, a beloved rafting company that, like ARTA, OARS and All Outdoors,

The

Ongoing Battle for

Access

to the

Wild

& Scenic Tuolumne Navigating the Currents

and private boaters, depend on these access roads.

Lumsden Road, the primary artery leading to the river’s entry points, has become emblematic of the access challenges faced by the river community. Its closure represents a significant barrier, not only for those seeking the thrill of the rapids but also for the broader mission of environmental stewardship. Originally designed for sheep herding, this road will require both minor and major fixes to be usable again. “It was a casualty of one of many during the storms, and so the obstacle we face now is a lack of manpower, money and focus on how important the Lumsden Road is to getting to the launch point,” Marty adds.

Access issues plague both the entry and exit points— the latter being cut off due to Wards Ferry Road’s washout from the previous winter, which has yet to reopen. Moreover, when Wards Ferry Bridge is accessible, there continues to be a lack of proper facility for exiting the river. This forces boaters to navigate their vessels up a sharply inclined, rock-strewn path, presenting a significant challenge.

Tuolumne River Trust has expended considerable effort to mandate the construction of a suitable facility at Wards Ferry Bridge by both the Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts (TID/MID). The original design proposed in the draft license was commendable, but directives from

Put-ins ensure access to river recreation along the Tuolumne.

plans by the Bureau of Land Management, resulting in a less satisfactory design that has still not been realized.

Despite some differences in perspectives on forest management, last summer Congressman Tom McClintock expressed a committment to ensuring public access to natural lands. McClintock told the roughly forty invited guests at a Recreation Roundtable co-sponsored by TRT about three objectives he believes should be central to federal lands policy: restoring public access to public lands, restoring good management to public lands, and restoring the federal government as a good neighbor to communities impacted by public lands.

Marty reflects on the broader implications of river access, emphasizing its significance beyond the realm of recreation, “What makes someone rich is not just how much money they have. It’s the relationship they have with the earth and the resources of the earth. The sacredness of the more pristine places of the planet is restorative.” His words capture the essence of the TRT’s goal: to ensure that the Tuolumne River, in all its wild splendor, remains accessible and preserved for the enrichment of all who seek to connect with nature.

As TRT continues to navigate the challenges of river access and environmental restoration, the spirit of collaboration, advocacy, and unwavering dedication shines through. The journey to protect and celebrate the Tuolumne River is far from over, but with the collective efforts of the river community, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts, the legacy of this Wild and Scenic river will continue to flow, unimpeded and vibrant, for generations to come.

"What makes someone rich is not just how much money they have.

It's the relationship they have with the earth and the resources of the earth."

Riverside Access in Modesto

A Community Changes Through Time

When TRT was founded in the early 1980s, the conversation around river conservation was dominated by those who had the means to enjoy the river’s natural beauty. Acknowledging the untapped potential for broader community involvement, particularly from those historically overlooked in environmental decisionmaking, TRT initiated a campaign in the 2000s aimed at empowering the residents living in close proximity to the river in Modesto’s Airport Neighborhood, ensuring their voices and needs were heard and addressed in the river’s future management strategies.

A Glimpse into Modesto’s Past

The narrative of Modesto is deeply intertwined with the American Dust Bowl, as many who settled in the Airport Neighborhood were refugees of this ecological disaster. Commonly referred to as “Okies, ”these individuals sought refuge from the harsh conditions that ravaged their farmlands in the Midwestern and Southwestern states during the Great Depression.

Despite these adversities, Modesto’s agricultural sector thrived in the 1920s, due to the establishment of the first major irrigation districts. This agricultural boom provided a beacon of hope and prosperity for the influx of Dust Bowl refugees, offering employment and stability through the burgeoning number of dairies, orchards, and related processing industries. However, despite these new economic opportunities, exploitation of this land and its people continued.

The profound impact of this era was captured by photographer Dorothea Lange, who documented the lives of the Modesto community, labeling it “a new shacktown community.” When people think of the Dust Bowl and Dorothea Lange, likely the same image enters everyone’s mind — Migrant Mother. Part of why so many people relate to this image is, perhaps, the anonymity of this family, which could have been any of millions of Americans

Dorthea Lange’s iconic Migrant Mother captures the economic hardship of life in California during the Great Depression.

Image courtesy of U.S.Department of Agriculture.

suffering through the Great Depression. But in 1978, the actual migrant mother, Florence Owens Thompson, who had been living in Modesto for many years, wrote to the editor of the Modesto Bee newspaper explaining that she was the woman in the photo—and that she felt exploited and misrepresented both as a Cherokee woman and because she was never compensated for the image.

Modesto and the Tuolumne River: A Changing Relationship

For much of its early development, Modesto’s industrial growth overshadowed the Tuolumne River, with factories and industrial zones encroaching upon the riverbanks.

Neighborhoods like the Airport Neighborhood and South Modesto, which housed many of the migrant families, suffered from this industrial expansion, receiving little attention or resources despite their proximity to the river.

These areas, once referred to as Little Oklahoma, have since become a melting pot of cultures, home to migrants from across the globe.

Despite the rich cultural tapestry of these riverside communities, access to the river remained limited, if not non-existent up through the 1990s. Landmarks such as Legion Park, which was once a crown jewel of Modesto, fell into disrepair due to neglect and vandalism, further alienating the community from the river.

Early TRT supporter and senior advisor to Resources Legacy Fund (RLF) Corey Brown, recognized these challenges early on and saw the importance of a healthy river community. “Our rivers provide many benefits to our communities beyond a water supply. In many ways, they can be part of a community’s identity, a place for family recreation, and a place where kids can experience nature and be inspired to learn science. For those of us who live in the Central Valley, our rivers are our coastline,” Corey shares.

Community members canoe at the TRRP in Modesto with TRT’s Tuolumne River Adventure Club.

Empowering Riverside Communities

In response to these challenges, TRT has committed to empowering the residents of these under-resourced neighborhoods to take an active role in addressing the issues affecting their community and the river. By fostering a symbiotic relationship between the river and the riverside neighborhoods, TRT believes in the mutual benefits that can arise from a healthy river ecosystem and a vibrant, engaged community.

“We were very pleased to support the Tuolumne River Trust’s excellent Trekking the Tuolumne program that connected thousands of Modesto-area youth to the river and provided important environmental education opportunities, as well as TRT’s work with the very lowincome Airport Neighborhood. As a result of TRT’s work, the neighborhood gained safer access to the river, new

programs for kids, a new community center, safer routes for children to reach their elementary school, and a new soccer field,” Corey reflects.

Through strategic engagement and community capacity building, TRT aims to create a shared vision for the river and its surrounding neighborhoods. This vision is carried forward through civic engagement, where the community’s priorities are communicated to decisionmakers, advocating for a future where the health and prosperity of the river and its people are intertwined.

This story of Modesto and the Tuolumne River, woven with threads of resilience, cultural diversity, and optimism, underscores the importance of collective efforts and inclusive conservation strategies. This journey of stewardship and community empowerment is an ongoing mission, with much work ahead.

Modesto RecFest particpant bikes along a trail at the Tuolumne River Regional Park in Modesto.

Rivers Reborn

Chris Guptill’s Story of Community & Conservation

In the heart of California’s Central Valley, a story of transformation unfolds along the banks of the Tuolumne River, a tale not just of environmental restoration but of community reawakening. At the center of this narrative stands Chris Guptill, a dedicated Modesto City School teacher, passionate outdoorsman, and long-time advisor to the Tuolumne River Trust (TRT). His profound connection to the local environment and community has been the driving force behind a remarkable initiative known as Operation 9-2-99.

Chris’s journey into environmental stewardship was sparked by an eye-opening experience during TRT’s Paddle to the Sea event. As he navigated his kayak through downtown Modesto, the sight of the river choked with garbage, tires, and debris sparked a profound sense of urgency and responsibility within him. Disturbed by the neglect and absence of municipal intervention, Chris was driven into action.

In 2014, he established Operation 9-2-99 with a clear vision: to reclaim, rehabilitate, and restore the stretch of the Tuolumne River running from the 9th Street Bridge to Highway 99. “This area was the epitome of neglect, likely among the most blighted stretches in all of California,” Chris explains. His goal was ambitious yet simple—to convert a polluted, underutilized area into a community treasure where safety and pride could flourish.

However, the task at hand was far from simple. “We’d clean one side for three months, then the other, only to find the first side back to its original state,” Chris reflects. “We’d see that same pattern of cleaning it up, come back, it’s the same mess. A cycle that seemed endless.”

But perseverance led to an epiphany: the area needed more than just cleaning—it needed to be revitalized and reimagined. Introducing trails and encouraging park use began to turn the tide, reducing the presence of garbage as community engagement increased. “The more trails we

Ongoing river cleanups in West Modesto have paved the way for community-led stewardship and increased connection to the lower river for over ten years.

were able to put in, the more people we got down there, and the less and less blight we would see,” Chris shares. “That really became the catalyst for success and very quickly became the formula we decided to go with.”

Under Chris’s leadership, Operation 9-2-99 has evolved into a vibrant, all-volunteer effort that embodies the spirit of community service and environmental guardianship. The initiative’s focus extends beyond mere clean-up; it’s about nurturing a space where recreation, health, and community bonds are woven into the fabric of the Central Valley’s lifestyle. The transformation of the Tuolumne River into a recreational refuge underscores a broader narrative shift towards embracing nature, fostering well-being, and cultivating communal ties through the stewardship of local natural resources.

April 2024 marked a significant milestone for Chris and the Operation 9-2-99 team—their 100th cleanup event. This achievement highlights the enduring impact of collective action and individual passion on both the environment and the community. “This milestone is not just about the physical restoration of the river; it’s a

about the city of Modesto and it’s part of the most important economic driving force. “Yet we take something that’s so critical, but then leave it to be just completely destroyed,” Chris shares. “To me that seems wrong. It seems that if you’re going to make billions of dollars off of the input that a river offers, that you ought to make sure that the river is clean and usable by people.” His words echo the sentiments of many who see the river not just as a natural resource, but as the lifeblood of our community.

At the heart of our advocacy is a belief in the transformative power of public spaces, particularly in these trying times. Chris reminds us, “A park has been a thing for way longer before the Fentanyl crisis. A park has been a thing since before California had its homeless. A park is supposed to be a place for being able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the real world, get away from private property and have a publicly shared space.” This vision of a park, and by extension our river, as a sanctuary for all, is fundamental to our mission. It’s about reclaiming these spaces for the community, to serve as havens of peace, recreation, and connection with nature.

"You can’t say people don’t care; we’ve proven that people do care."

celebration of the resilience and dedication the Central Valley residents have towards their local parks,” Chris observes.

Yet, success has not been without its challenges, particularly in terms of infrastructure, which has limited the park’s potential use. “We’ve reached that level, where we are bumping up against the park’s capacity to be used in a way that we know it can be used, and that people want to use it, because of the delays to all these projects,” Chris notes.

Chris’s advocacy efforts led to the hosting of the Interscholastic NorCal Cycling League Races in Modesto in 2023, a major event that underscored the community’s recreational and economic potential. The first weekend went off without a hitch, the bikers digging into the carefully laid out trails Chris and his team have been building for years. Then a rain storm hit. By the next weekend, although the trails were dry enough to ride, the parking area had been completely flooded and the whole second weekend had to be canceled. “I can do many things, but creating a parking lot is beyond my reach,” Chris remarks, acknowledging the complex nature of these challenges.

Despite these hurdles, Chris’s decade-long experience has been a source of hope and learning. “One of the things I’m amazed at is that people keep coming out to cleanups. They don’t get discouraged by the fact that we’re cleaning up again, in the same place. You can’t say people don’t care; we’ve proven that people do care,” Chris shares. “I see people who have been with us for the whole ten years. And they’re there every time.”

The Tuolumne River is one of the most unique things

While the ultimate dream of Operation 9-2-99— to secure full community and city support for the stewardship of this river stretch—may not materialize in Chris’s lifetime, he can’t see himself stopping anytime soon. “When I see people out on the trail, with a smile on their face, and they say thanks. That really is all I need,” he shares.

Chris Guptill, center, and volunteers hoist a tire out of the river during a regular cleanup event.

Trekking Towards Equity

How the Tuolumne Changes Lives in Modesto

By Blanca Ruiz, Program Manager

As Program Manager of the Trekking the Tuolumne Safely (Trekking) Program, I am privileged to lead an initiative that is much more than just an outdoor recreation project. Trekking stands as a strong demonstration of community, nature, and the belief that everyone deserves access to the beauty and serenity of the outdoors. Funded by the California State Parks Outdoor Equity Grant, our program is specifically tailored to serve the underserved riverside community of West Modesto.

Our focus on West Modesto is driven by the disproportionate burden of environmental injustices faced by riverside communities in Modesto. Trekking seeks to address this by promoting park equity through education and recreation in local state and river parks.

Recently, we had the pleasure of organizing an excursion to Caswell Memorial State Park for 40 students from Robertson Road Elementary School and their families. The day was filled with enriching activities such as a silent hike, nature observation, and an educational segment about the Yokuts leader, Estanislao. However, it was the personal interactions that truly highlighted the profound impact of our program.

One particularly moving encounter was with a widow and mother of three who expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to explore nature with her children, something that financial constraints had previously made impossible. Her story, shared with me in Spanish and through tears, underscored the struggles she faced as a single mother and the significance of being able to provide such an experience for her children. Her youngest daughter, holding her hand during the walk, shared her joy at having her mother by her side, further emphasizing the emotional significance of our program.

These moments of genuine connection and gratitude serve as powerful reminders of the impact our work has on the lives of individuals and families. They motivate us to continuously improve and expand our offerings, ensuring that more families can experience the tranquility and joy of nature, which can be especially healing amidst the challenges of daily life.

As we move forward with the Trekking the Tuolumne Safely Program, our commitment remains steadfast: to bring the beauty of the outdoors to those who have been historically excluded from it, and to do so with compassion, dedication, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of nature.

Youth and families develop environmental literacy and recreational skills during TRT-led outings.

TRAILBLAZING

Trailblazing with Tuolumne River Trust

A Personal Journey of Restoration & Discovery

By Holly Heath, Restoration Coordinator II

My first trek down the Hamby Trail was nothing short of an initiation into a world where nature’s raw beauty and its vulnerabilities collide. Winding through the Tuolumne River canyon, the trail’s switchbacks offered more than just stunning vistas of the surrounding peaks and the famed Jawbone Ridge; they unfolded a story of a landscape in recovery and a community united in its restoration.

The winter of 2023 had draped Groveland in a heavy snowfall, altering not just the Hamby Trail but also its neighbor, the Indian Creek Trail. The aftermath of the 2013 Rim Fire still lingered, with skeletal remains of trees and shrubs intermittently blocking our path. It was a landscape in recovery, with each step revealing the delicate balance between destruction and regrowth. Waterfalls cascaded down Jawbone Ridge, their music intertwining with the river’s roar, crafting a symphony of natural resilience.

A turning point in our journey of restoration came with the arrival of the Gold-7 unit of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Conservation Corps (NCCC) in the spring of 2023. Their youthful energy was infectious, transforming daunting challenges into milestones of progress. Alex, one of the crew members, became a symbol of our collective effort when he effortlessly cleared a fallen tree, his actions echoing the resolve of everyone involved.

Will, another NCCC member, reflects on his time out working on the trails. “Truly one of my favorite days of service with NCCC was being able to hike down the Hamby trail to the confluence of the Tuolumne and Clavey Rivers and plant trees at the riverside. The day was beautiful, as was the hike, and it was humbling knowing that the trees we planted could serve so many campers, hikers and rafters in the future.”

April brought the American Hiking Society (AHS) into our fold, their ranks bolstered by seasoned hikers whose dedication knew no age. One memorable afternoon, an eighty-year-old volunteer faced down a fallen pine with nothing but a hand saw and a heart full of resolve, supported by the dedicated team from AHS. The collective effort that followed, a blend of sawing and strategic pressure, culminated in a triumphant crack that resonated like a victory cry across the canyon.

Our commitment to the land extended beyond the

trails to the very veins of the Tuolumne River itself. Teaming up with one of our river guide collaborators, Sierra Mac River Trips, for a day of rafting and restoration, Cailey and I hurried to plant as many willows as we could as close to the river as possible, so they might survive when the river’s flow dropped dramatically later in the season. The Tuolumne River definitely earned its “Wild” status on that day. Riding the rapids was reminiscent of cresting ocean swells in an approaching storm—they were tall, powerful, and thrilling.

Water flow rates on the Wild and Scenic Tuolumne are regulated by the O’Shaughnessy Dam at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which in turn are impacted by the demand for hydroelectric energy. This leads to a river flow that varies widely throughout the course of a day, more so throughout seasons, and restoring the riparian zone has proven a challenge. Willows and other riparian species are best planted during their period of winter dormancy, a

<< AmeriCorps members conduct trail maintenanc to clear routes. Holly, left, and a team of volunteers at Hamby Trail. >>

practice which minimizes shock and maximizes survival. Once planted, they need to remain in consistently moist soil to get established. When TRT goes out on an adventurous willow planting excursion, the areas in which willows are planted vary widely based upon the level of the river, which unfortunately leads to low survival rates.

Nonetheless, we persevere. As our knowledge expands, we are experimenting with planting canyon live oaks along the river to help build riparian habitat with a more drought tolerant species. We also plan to continue planting willows and other species and are researching options and seeking input to help the water-loving plants establish on a variable riverbank.

2023 saw a diverse collection of volunteers, from varied walks of life, converge on the trails of the Tuolumne, their dedication woven into the very paths we tread. Steadfast volunteer Sharkey Cornell’s words, reflecting on a day’s work, resonated deeply, encapsulating the essence of our endeavors: “After a day of working on a trail, one goes home with a deep sense of satisfaction on many levels: making things better than they were before, seeing progress as we work through the day, and, of course, getting a good workout in the bargain.”

As we look towards the future, our vision expands

"One goes home with a deep sense of satisfaction on many levels: making things better than they were before, seeing progress as we work through the day, and, of course, getting a good workout."

beyond the trails we’ve trodden. With the support of the River Network and the National Forest Foundation, we aim to extend our stewardship, inviting more hands to join in our mission of preservation and discovery.

Accessing the High Country Navigating Yosemite’s Future

In 2014, Yosemite National Park reached a significant milestone with the completion of the Tuolumne River Wild and Scenic River Management Plan. Throughout the planning phase, TRT tirelessly advocated for essential restoration efforts within the meadows, aimed at minimizing the visual intrusion of vehicles and lessening their impact on the river’s delicate ecosystem. We’re happy to report that our efforts bore fruit, with the Park approving a host of crucial enhancements to protect and rejuvenate this treasured landscape. The Park has been implementing a number of these improvements in recent years, and work will continue for the next several years on others.

Restoring 171 acres of meadow and riparian habitat and two acres of upland habitat in Tuolumne Meadows.

Removing roadside parking along Tioga Road and replacing it with designated parking lots in more durable upland areas nearby to improve scenic vistas, reduce congestion, and minimize safety hazards.

Removing or mitigating the effects of trails and roads through Tuolumne Meaows by rerouting trails, repairing culverts to improve hydrologic connectivity, and fencing restoration areas.

Implementing water conservation measures in Tuolumne Meadows, including upgrading water distribution lines and fixtures to be more efficient, installing water meters, and limiting water withdrawals from the river to 10% of low flows.

We’ve seen substantial progress on these projects from 2019 to 2022, notably improving the parking situation along Tioga Pass Road to protect the meadows and enhance the visitor experience. Improvements to the Tuolumne Meadows Campground began in 2022 and will continue through this summer, relocating campsites away from the river to prevent erosion and making other significant enhancements.

Looking ahead, we’re hopeful for the development of the Yosemite Visitor Access and Management Plan. This plan aims to address the challenges of peak-time visitation, including long entry waits, parking shortages, and traffic congestion.

Through our advocacy, we promote a reservation system for peak times, extending visitation hours to the Hetch Hetchy area, making the Hetch Hetchy campground more accessible, and introducing limited, guided nonmotorized boating tours on the reservoir.

These initiatives are a cornerstone of our mission to protect and restore the Tuolumne River and its surrounding ecosystems. We are deeply grateful for your continued support and commitment to our cause. Together, we are making a lasting difference in preserving the unparalleled beauty of Yosemite National Park for generations to come.

Private whitewater boating will be allowed on a trial basis through the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, from Pothole Dome to Pate Valley, within the current wilderness permit quota system.

Upgrading the wastewater treatment plant to tertiary treatment to minimize polluted runoff into the river.

Tuolumne River Parkway

Nature Connections In The Central Valley

On New Year’s Day 1997, California experienced one of its most devastating floods when a warm storm directed a river of water to the state from Hawaii all the way to California. This phenomenon, known as the “Pineapple Express”, brought rain all the way up to 10,000 feet, which fell on a historically deep December snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, creating record-setting floods. The Tuolumne in the Central Valley flooded farms, fields, and neighborhoods.

Following this incredibly damaging event, TRT led a coalition of local agencies and organizations to re-envision what the lower Tuolumne River could offer Stanislaus County and Modesto residents. By 2005, our coalition developed a new plan, called “The Tuolumne River Parkway: A Framework for the Future.” The Framework presented a mosaic of park and restoration projects along the 52-miles of the river from La Grange, through Modesto, to where it joins the San Joaquin River west of Modesto.

At the heart of the parkway are the critical floodplains that serve as vital rearing grounds for salmon, a species

Tuolumne River Regional Park

essential not only to the river’s ecology but also to the local and regional economies. These floodplains, alongside the native riparian habitats that line the riverbanks, form the backbone of a rich ecological tapestry that supports a wide array of wildlife. The towering Fremont Cottonwoods, majestic Valley Oaks, and whispering willows provide not just scenic beauty but also crucial shelter and sustenance for the myriad species that call the Tuolumne home.

With several key anchors, including the Tuolumne River Regional Park in Modesto, the Dos Rios Ranch State Park & San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge at the confluence, and the La Grange Regional Park at the upper end of the river, the vision is that the Parkway will provide places where local residents and families can get outside, enjoy nature, take a hike or a picnic, and maybe paddle a canoe or kayak from one point to the next.

With the plan in hand, the collaborators got to work on making the projects a reality. Today, nearly 20 years later we’re pleased with much of the progress that has been made and we look forward to what remains.

A center-piece of the Parkway vision, the Tuolumne River Regional Park (TRRP) remains a work in progress. Bits and pieces of the park have been developed over the years. In 2018, TRT removed Dennett Dam from the river at Gateway Park, the heart of the TRRP. This spring, the city is opening a brand new boat launch, adding to the growing opportunities to paddle from one park to the next. Last fall, the city also acquired a missing puzzle piece, a ¼-mile stretch of land from Gateway Park upstream to Legion Park. A new trail and bridge over Dry Creek will mean that a 7-mile long stretch of river, from the east end of Modesto to the west end, will be accessible by bike and on foot.

Dos Rios Ranch

This project, kicked-off by TRT in 2002, was acquired in 2012. By 2022, the majority of the habitat restoration work had been completed, and now it is scheduled to open as California’s newest State Park this spring! While offering limited recreational opportunities initially, State Parks will be creating a Master Plan for the park. Stay-tuned for opportunities to provide input on what the park will look like.

Waterford River Park & Trail

La Grange Regional Park

The habitat restoration on this site is one of TRT’s current projects. The land, owned by Stanislaus County, includes 200 acres of historic floodplain extending about 1 ½-miles downstream from the town of La Grange. Intensely dredger mined up until the 1950’s, the massive piles of cobble and gravel left over as tailings were harvested to build Don Pedro Dam in the 1960’s. Left behind were barren fields of large cobblestone that armor the ground and prevent a riparian forest from regrowing. This summer, TRT will break ground on a very large project to restore the site, improve habitat for salmon, plant a riparian forest, and lay the groundwork for creating a new, attractive park.

Ceres Bluff Park

Waterford’s River Park offers both covered and open-air picnic facilities, restrooms, easy access for swimming and fishing, and an ½-mile walking trail that takes you upstream to a gravel bar where Chinook salmon can be seen spawning in the fall. In 2016, the City completed the addition of a 2-mile river trail and 150-ft staircase that takes you up to a park and information center. In 2017, the City added a nonmotorized boat ramp to give residents easier access to the river.

This 38-acre riverside park is occupied on a historic floodplain. At one time planted with walnuts, this site was restored with wetlands, a walking/biking trail, and a non-motorized boat launch. Completed in 2022, the park has beautiful wildflower displays in the spring.

Thinking Like a Floodplain

How Dos Rios Ranch State Park Was Born

Dos Rios Ranch, west of Modesto, is the newest California State Park as of 2024. Initiated by TRT over twenty years ago, this park restores 2,100 acres of critical floodplain where the Tuolumne and the San Joaquin Rivers converge.

California’s Central Valley was once home to 4 million acres of floodplains before 70% of these ecosystems were engineered and drained for agricultural purposes in the mid-1800s. The restored floodplain at Dos Rios Ranch will once again connect disparate habitats and provide a place for native grasses, tule reeds, willows, sycamores, oaks, and alders; baby salmon and steelhead trout; and hundreds of bird, mammal, and insect species.

Dos Rios’s transition from a working ranch to a public park has been a long time in the making. In the early 2000s, TRT’s Director Patrick Koepele began connecting with private landowners in search of those who shared a passion and vision for wetland restoration. Patrick spent endless hours pouring over parcel maps of riverside properties and conducting research at the County Recorder’s Office. He built a sizable list through determined organization and wrote individual letters inviting landowners into conversation.

Of the cold-call outreach that Patrick conducted, he shares that “it was a pleasure to meet with landowners of the Dos Rios Ranch, hear about some of the challenges they were facing farming next to the river, and explain our vision for a healthier river.”

During this time, challenges like flooding were a central concern. A series of floods, including the January 1997 floods, brought considerable damage to riparian communities throughout California, and the banks of the Tuolumne were no exception. Patrick says of this time that “people realized we needed to give rivers more room to do what they do naturally—flood! But also that flooding could be coupled with parks and recreation.”

After years of TRT’s diligent organizing, Patrick met the Lyons family, and the seeds of an innovative partnership began to germinate.

The Lyons family, Central Valley farmers, had a conservation ethic already threading through their agricultural lives. Bill Lyons Sr, a third-generation farmer, worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service on the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, and the family had initiated ecological projects of their own. As one example,

they grew alfalfa and forage mix to benefit the threatened Aleutian Cackling Goose. Due in part to the work of the Lyons family and others along the goose’s migratory route, this species recovered and is now off the endangered species list—a rare reversal.

Once the Lyons family committed to returning Dos Rios Ranch to its pre-agricultural character, purchasing the land took 10 years. This sense of time and labor is imbued with the logic of the river itself: A slow, steady trickle of work turns into a flowing project, endlessly interconnected with many collaborators along the way.

Corey Brown, Senior Advisor at Resources Legacy Fund, supported the evolution of Dos Rios Ranch. He reflects back on this long form project saying: “It takes thousands of years for a river to form and for the complex web of wildlife, fisheries, and native plants that rely on a river to evolve. While it may seem to us that it takes many years to accomplish projects like Dos Rios, it is a very short time in the life of the river. A hundred years from now, families will continue to enjoy this magical place and wonder who had the vision to protect and restore this part of the Tuolumne so many years ago.”

The restorative vision has been a deeply collaborative one. To facilitate the land transfer at Dos Rios Ranch, TRT took sought partnership from fellow nonprofit River Partners to take the title on the land. By 2012, everything was in place: TRT and River Partners had raised $22 million to buy the ranch, securing an ongoing victory for people, plants, and animals who call this valley

floodplain home.

Over the next 10 years, River Partners conducted the large-scale restoration work onsite, transforming constrained and overworked land into a resilient and porous wetland.

Today, with restoration nearly complete, the transfer of Dos Rios Ranch to the California State Parks system is near; the park will open to the public in 2024.

The ecological power of Dos Rios Ranch reverberates through the Central Valley and beyond, returning historic landscapes to their original character, creating resilient flood-ready lands, enabling the return of flourishing salmon populations, making a notable State Park near Modesto, and improving downstream ecosystem health all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

When asked what excites him most about this project’s accomplishments, Patrick turns again to the future: “the trees are still relatively small, but I imagine in 50-60 years, there will be gallery forests of big Valley Oaks and Cottonwoods that frame views of the distant Coast Range. Thousands of birds will flock to the area, and people will get a chance to walk through a riparian forest, paddle on the river, or fish the waters.”

The collaborative creation of Dos Rios speaks to networks of support that play out over expansive timescales and geographies with many species, ecosystems, and human communities in partnership throughout the watershed. This collective energy connects whole ecosystems and supports river health from the Central Valley to the Bay-Delta and beyond.

< < Wetlands provide critical habitat for overwintering birds at Dos Rios Ranch. Photo credits Douglas Steakley.

CONNECTIONS

Explore Parks

Fostering Connections with Nature in Modesto’s Riverside Communities

On a recent February afternoon, a small group met up at the Tuolumne River Regional Park in east Modesto to talk all things trees. The day was cool, with a sparkle of sunshine that signaled the approach of spring. After a remarkably wet winter, the riverside trees were bursting into full bloom.

The group was small, and personal stories were comfortably shared: memories about what it was like to visit this park as a child and even the changes witnessed here over the past years. The group cheerfully hiked along; these monthly outings restore mind and spirit while also sharing environmental skills and knowledge.

Led by Blanca Ruiz, Central Valley Program Manager, this particular Explore Parks outing was all about treecentered learning along a short stretch of the lower Tuolumne. The group hiked while experientially learning about how trees improve air quality, provide habitat for wildlife, and stabilize riverbanks in their urban neighborhood parks.

“How did this park handle the floods we had back in January 2023?” one hiker wondered. It was the perfect segue for Blanca to talk more about trees and how their extensive root systems absorb and hold water, enabling them to stabilize river banks and floodplain soils. Trees are good for the habitat, but they also protect our human

communities and infrastructures. “All of nature’s love is out there for us,” Blanca reminded the group.

“Our vision with Explore Parks is to create a bridge between Modesto’s communities and the great outdoors. We believe in the transformative power of nature and its ability to enhance mental and physical well-being. This program is our commitment to breaking down the barriers that have kept some communities at arm’s length from these experiences,” Blanca shares.

TRT’s Explore Parks program empowers riverside communities in Modesto by fostering deep connections with the natural world. Each program offers a wide array of recreational activities tailored to all ages, from youth to seniors, ensuring that everyone can participate. “From paddling in canoes and kayaks to biking along scenic trails, and from birdwatching to learning the principles of Leave No Trace, our goal is to provide enriching, educational, and enjoyable experiences at no cost to the participants,” Blanca explains. The program is intentionally designed to adapt to various skill levels, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.

Acknowledging the linguistic diversity of Modesto, programs are offered in English and Spanish, ensuring that language is not a barrier to participation. “We’re also mindful of the transportation challenges in rural areas, extending support to those without personal transportation.”

During the February outing, accessibility looked like meeting up locally at an urban park in Modesto’s Airport Neighborhood. Physical access to the park itself has come a long way, with one hiker reiterating how different the park feels now than in her childhood. “It didn’t use to have those trees, this paved path, the play structure; being here now feels so different. It’s surreal.”

Paved paths mean open access for those in wheelchairs and families with young children in strollers. “We might go down a steep river bank, but with the paved trail families can be a part of these outings now,” reflects Blanca.

Forest walks along the Tuolumne River Regional Park in Modesto connect residents with local nature. Family paddling day at the Modesto Reservoir.

There’s still work to be done as onsite parking lots are often locked up due to low staffing in Modesto’s Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhoods department and because parks like the Tuolumne River Regional Park have not always felt like safe environments. Bit by bit, the culture is beginning to shift, in part due to TRT’s programming and leadership. “You start with building safety in the community; we can go out and do this together,” offers Blanca. “And the more people frequent these parks the more safe they will feel.”

A cornerstone of the Explore Parks initiative is its focus on education and empowerment. “Participants gain firsthand experience of the physical and mental benefits of connecting with nature. Our outings are not just recreational; they’re educational, covering conservation, local ecosystems, and the rich tribal history of the parks. We aim to inspire our participants to become advocates and stewards of these natural spaces,” emphasizes Blanca.

During the recent tree-themed outing, Blanca shared that trees are social, just like people, making the connection between trees and humans. “Creating empathy for mother nature is how we begin. There’s a full circle moment when we get out there and spend time in nature; that’s the beginning of wanting to advocate and protect these places.”

Throughout that day’s program, families connected with local nature to create a big sense of wonder and connection to local place, working to weave humans back into their integral place in the larger ecosystem.

“Why do the trees at this end of the river look so different from the ones at the other end?” one hiker asked. Blanca shared about the science of plant communication, which goes something like this: When trees are separated like the ones at the beginning of the trail, they can grow outward and spread out more horizontally; the ones growing closer together grow higher, becoming more narrow and tall to reach for all the available sunshine they can get.

Blanca takes opportunities like these to create a sense of community and empathy for the trees, illuminating their quiet lives as not so different from our human ones.

“Trees have unique ways to communicate and adapt to the environment they’re in. A lonely parking lot tree in a shopping center doesn’t have a great survival rate because trees are interconnected, just like us,” says Blanca.

As the hikers rounded out their riverside walk, one young woman flung her arms out wide and grinned while proclaiming: “Thank you trees!”

As everyone parted ways, future dog walks and visits with kids were in the works. Through community, learning, and the charisma of trees, the Tuolumne River Regional Park gained a few new fans that afternoon.

Explore Parks is not just about introducing participants to the Tuolumne River and its surrounding parks; it’s about equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and imagination to nurture a lifelong relationship with nature. Through this program, TRT nurtures a community of informed, enthusiastic, and responsible environmental stewards, encouraging the preservation and appreciation of our natural world for generations to come.

Empowering Future Generations

Tuolumne River Trust’s Commitment to Advocacy & Community Engagement

TRT’s investment in youth empowerment is more than just a strategy; it reflects our belief in the pivotal role that young people play in shaping a sustainable future. Our initiatives include free bilingual outdoor education programs, youth-led focus groups, and community meetings with city officials that encourage active participation in public decision-making processes. These workshops demystify the workings of local government and encourage public engagement. By equipping Central Valley Youth with tools and knowledge to advocate for their communities, we are nurturing a new generation of environmental stewards committed to protecting and preserving the Tuolumne River and its watershed for years to come.

Since 2008, TRT has worked to mobilize a diverse group of high school students and young adults to fight for equitable park access and recreational amenities for communities along the Tuolumne River—especially those on the frontlines of environmental and economic injustices.

Our Parks Youth Committee is a powerful example of youth leadership in action. Over the past several years, this youth-led committee has harnessed the power of data collection, civic engagement, and community outreach to craft a resolution aimed at fostering equitable park policies within the City of Modesto.

This resolution, which focuses on improving safety and accessibility in park areas, has garnered the support of the Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhoods Department and is slated for presentation to the Modesto City Council in the spring of 2024.

Park Youth Committee Voices

TRT sat down with two members of the Parks Youth Committee, Taylor McGuire and Daphane Zuniga, to hear their perspective on the importance of safe, healthy, accessible parks.

TRT: Can you share how your own experiences growing up influenced your motivations to join PYC?

TM: A city is not truly a community unless we are all brought together by a common factor. For me and many others I knew growing up, parks were that factor. As a kid, I turned to parks as a safe space to hang out during my free time. The access to parks with functional amenities allows for the development of relationships between familiar faces

and even new ones. For these reasons, I joined PYC in hopes of giving the kids of today’s youth the same chance I had.

Taylor McGuire, Sophomore, Grace M. Davis High School

TRT: Why do you think it’s important that kids have access to these opportunities?

TM: I feel that it is important to allow kids to develop social skills in a safe environment because not only is it important to be able to communicate, but it also positively impacts their emotional, physical, and spiritual health. I also feel that it is important to speak on these issues because if no one voices their opinion, how are issues going to get changed. It is also important to involve the younger generation in civic engagement due to the fact that they are able to shed light on important issues that others may not be able to.

TRT: What have you gained from participating in PYC?

TM: PYC not only has provided myself and others a great space to make a change, but it also has become a safe space, like a second home. Through the program, I have further educated myself on many important issues, and I have also made connections, friends, and memories along the way that will last a lifetime. PYC taught me to be passionate about the things that matter to me, and no matter who you are, you can always make a change.

TRT: Why is recreation and access to parks important? How does it affect you as a youth in the Central Valley?

TM: Access to parks is crucial in all communities to provide resources to families and children that help them improve their mental, physical, and even spiritual well being and overall enjoy life.

"Advocacy and civic engagement is crucial, as it is the ultimate cause of extensive change."

TRT: Why did you join the Park Youth Committee?

DZ: I joined the Park Youth Committee because despite the fear of stepping out of my comfort zone I knew that communities needed help in having equitable access to the parks around them. As someone who parks have had a great impact on, I understood firsthand the importance of parks. Being part of the Park Youth Committee has not only helped me step out of my comfort zone but it has also shown me that I have a purpose in making a positive change in communities as a teenager.

TRT: Why is advocacy and civic engagement important?

DZ: Advocacy and civic engagement is crucial as it is the ultimate cause of extensive change. Change is what we are constantly dependent on, especially when injustices are happening. It is the major factor of ensuring that everyone’s needs are met in today’s world and for future generations.

TRT: This feels important: “Advocacy and civic engagement is crucial as it is the ultimate cause of extensive change.” Can you give an example of how you personally have witnessed change where you live because of an advocacy action or a moment of civic engagement?

DZ: I have noticed that because community members have provided their public comments about certain roads and how the pavement is causing a risk in car accidents and car damage, the town’s decision-makers prioritized this improvement. This is evidence of the importance of civic engagement and the impact that community members’ voices have in the decisions made in the city. As the Park Youth Committee, another key role we have is working with the community by learning from them about the issues in parks and prioritizing improvements and also by showing the community on how to do public comments to have a better chance of bringing forth change.

Daphane Y. Zuniga, Senior, Central Valley High School

TRT: Can you describe some of the things you do in the Parks Youth Committee? What does a day of work look like, and how does it feel to do this work?

DZ: In the Park Youth Committee we work together to learn about parks through surveys we created and have tried to narrow down all the information to know the important issues. We also create community presentations and attend events to meet members of the community to speak with them about what we do and to provide hope for change in underserved parks. Finally, we prepare informative meetings with city council members and provide public comments to bring more awareness to park equity.

The most exciting thing about the Park Youth Committee is working together with other youth in Modesto and being inspired by their dedication and perseverance in community and civic engagement. Not only that but it is also exciting acknowledging the positive change someone like me can provide to a community. This has allowed me to be more open-minded in hearing other people’s opinions on certain issues and it has allowed me to be innovative in meeting everyone’s needs.

The most nerve-wracking thing about the Park Youth Committee is having meetings with the city council members because of the professional setting that, at times, makes me feel like an outsider because of how young and inexperienced I am. Yet, I am grateful for this experience as it provides me firsthand experience to transition into the professional world that I am entering when I become an adult.

TRT: I’m curious if you ever think about how your work impacts health for people and the ecosystems downriver from here?

DZ: Working with the Park Youth Committee makes me wonder at times how well community members know about what we are advocating for. Comparing our priority parks, James Marshall Park and Robertson Road Park, with other often used parks I notice why park equity should be enforced. Despite the slow process of bringing forth park equity I hope that community members hear about our work and that they are convinced of potential positive change in, not only our prioritized parks, but other underserved parks.

Not only should our committee have an impact on the community who need these parks for their well being but it should also have an impact on other youth from other places to be engaged in helping their communities as we understand that most areas in the Central Valley and even the Bay Area struggle with this issue of the lack of park equity.

TRT: How has this program affected you? And how will it impact your future?

DZ: This program has provided me with an unforgettable set of life skills that will guide me into a more professional and empathetic view of the world around me. It has shown me that when presented with an opportunity to help others I should always be willing to step in and use my abilities to help out. Despite being so young, I am glad to have had an impact for future generations to come.

FUTURE CASTING

"

All of our gains are temporary ; all of our losses are permanent. So we have to keep watching out and working all the time to protect these natural and cultural treasures.

”

Amy Meyer at home in San Francisco, California.

Photo credit Abby Connolly.

The Art of Conservation

Amy Meyer’s Mosaic Journey

In the heart of San Francisco, a city renowned for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge and bustling urban life, lies a verdant expanse that tells a story of passion, perseverance, and the power of community. This is the tale of Amy Meyer, a collage artist turned conservationist, whose life work has been to piece together not just art, but entire landscapes into a cohesive whole.

Amy’s story begins in the bustling streets of Brooklyn, New York, where her early years were marked by a profound appreciation for nature’s intricacies, instilled during idyllic summers spent at Lake Oscawana near Peekskill New York. “My mother, a native of New York’s Lower East Side, introduced me to the simple joys of the natural world, from berry picking to the serene beauty of untouched landscapes,” Amy recalls. These childhood experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to preserving the environment’s natural wonders.

A turning point in Amy’s life came with a move to San Francisco in the mid 1950s, a transition that transformed her from a staunch New Yorker to a fervent Californian. “The beauty and freedom I found here were unparalleled,” she says. It was in San Francisco’s Richmond District that Amy’s path took a pivotal turn towards conservation. Amy was “looking for a small community project” in 1970 when she heard about an initiative to save a local green space and Amy found her calling. With leadership from Washington’s Department of the Interior, alongside prominent figures like Ed Wayburn of the Sierra Club, John Jacobs of SPUR and with the support of organizations like

the Marin Conservation League, People for a Golden Gate National Recreation Area was born. Amy embarked on a mission to protect the region’s natural landscapes from impending development.

Drawing inspiration from the green belt of London, Amy and her fellow activists envisioned a contiguous green space that would unite the western parts of three counties: Marin and San Francisco - and later San Mateo’s natural areas. “We began to see the potential in connecting these disparate parks and lands, much like the pieces of a collage,” Amy explains. Thanks to their persistent grassroots efforts, Golden Gate National Recreation Area was established on October 27, 1972. By 1996 and several legislative enlargements, Amy’s “little community project” had turned into an 82,000 acre national park that is now sixty miles long and has one of the highest visitations in the national park system.

The Bay Area has a long history of conservation, with

efforts dating back four centuries. The armies of Spain, Mexico, and the United States protected land for defense; San Francisco began protecting its beaches in the 1870s; Muir Woods became a National Monument in 1907, and Mount Tamalpais was protected beginning in the 1920s. “There’s a tradition, an attitude about this beautiful place that we’ve got to keep it whole. But there’s also a saying

Amy Meyer welcoming hikers to the Presidio in 1971.

Photo courtesy of Golden Gate NRA Park Archives, People for a Golden Gate National Recreation Area Papers.

that goes, ‘All of our gains are temporary, all of our losses are permanent.’ So we have to keep watching out and working all the time to protect these natural and cultural treasures,” Amy warns.

With over thirty-eight years dedicated to the preservation of parks and natural spaces, Amy’s work transcends traditional conservation efforts. After her successes in organizing for GGNRA Amy was appointed to the Recreation Parks Commission where she first experienced the Tuolumne River Watershed camping with her family at Camp Mather. A few years later John Amodio, Executive Director of Tuolumne River Trust at the time, reached out to Amy and brought her into the fight for Wild and Scenic status on the river. Leveraging her deep relationships in the city and her knack for organizing,

Amy played a pivotal role in securing protection for the Tuolumne River and has remained a close advisor ever since.

Amy Meyer’s journey is a vivid illustration of how individual passion, when combined with collective action, can yield transformative results. Her life, a rich tapestry of artistic expression and environmental stewardship, serves as a beacon of inspiration for future generations. “Conservation is more than just protecting land; it’s about education, community engagement, and relentless advocacy,” she notes. Through her eyes, we see the world not as a collection of isolated fragments but as a grand, interconnected collage, each piece essential to the whole.

Tuolumne River Trust celebrates Amy Meyer, a true artist of conservation, whose legacy continues to shape and enrich the landscapes we cherish.

Sierra Club Hike in the Presidio in 1971.

Photo courtesy of Golden Gate NRA Park Archives, People for a Golden Gate National Recreation Area Papers.

“ Conservation is more than just protecting land ; it ’ s about education, community engagement, and relentless advocacy. ”

Amy Meyer walking along Baker Beach in 1973, now a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Photo courtesy of Golden Gate NRA Park Archives, People for a Golden Gate National Recreation Area Papers.

Charting the Future

Envisioning a Connected Outdoor Experience

Throughout the Tuolumne Watershed

The Tuolumne Watershed, Greater Yosemite Region, and Northern San Joaquin Region provide unparalleled opportunities to access nature in incredibly diverse landscapes. From Yosemite National Park in the headwaters to Dos Rios State Park at its mouth, people can visit high alpine mountains, verdant meadows, deep river canyons, tranquil meandering streams, and riparian forests with Valley Oaks and Fremont Cottonwoods.

While the region has so much to offer, we still have work to do to achieve the Tuolumne River’s full potential for recreation. In Modesto, we see progress on the development of the 500-acre Tuolumne River Regional Park. Still, we need to push the vision towards a conclusion by completing a park at the Carpenter Road area, developing a pedestrian and bike bridge over Dry Creek, and importantly, cultivating a culture for the river and parks so that the city— which has historically turned its back on the river—reorients to face and embrace the river.

We will continue to provide opportunities for the region’s under-resourced neighborhoods and residents, so that they can learn about and enjoy the river. While they have the most to gain from a healthier river, they have historically had the least say in how their parks should look. We will support efforts to elevate their voices so they may enjoy equitable access to healthy outdoor spaces.

Further upstream, we will marry habitat restoration with park development at the La Grange Regional Park, where people can come and watch salmon spawn or launch a canoe or kayak to enjoy the river from a boat. Our La Grange Restoration Project will improve habitat for salmon and steelhead, while creating a healthier outdoor place for people from near and far. Through this work, we help baby salmon find places to grow and thrive by improving floodplains decimated during dredger mining activities eighty years ago.

In the Sierra, we will continue to improve trails, campgrounds, and access points devastated by the 2013 Rim Fire to ensure that as the land heals, people will be able to access these incredible places.

In Yosemite National Park, we will advocate for a healthier Tuolumne Meadows and limits on visitation during peak times. The park has been overwhelmed during the summer, and it is time to change that, so people have an opportunity to enjoy this incredible place without waiting for hours in their vehicles, driving in circles looking for parking, and encountering massive crowds on the trails and paths. A bettermanaged system will reduce fumes and carbon emissions from idling cars, reduce impact to trails and meadows, and improve the visitor experience while in the park.

We look forward to connecting people with the outdoor resources, parks, and wildlife areas in the neighboring Merced and Stanislaus watersheds. Like the Tuolumne, these rivers connect critical landscapes from the Yosemite High Country to the San Joaquin Valley, weaving together wildlife refuges, parks, and wild places. Together, the Tuolumne, Merced, and Stanislaus Rivers create threads that tie together mountain, canyon, and valley communities, providing unparalleled opportunities to enjoy this remarkable region.

With each passing year, our vision of a connected watershed becomes more real; it is a vision we work hard at every day with our community that flows and meanders all the way through the Greater Yosemite Region, the Central Valley, and into the San Francisco BayDelta.

The Tuolumne cuts its way past Clavey Falls Rapid. Photo credit Leonel Solorio.

CONNECTIONS

Explore Parks

Fostering Connections with Nature in Modesto’s Riverside Communities

On a recent February afternoon, a small group met up at the Tuolumne River Regional Park in east Modesto to talk all things trees. The day was cool, with a sparkle of sunshine that signaled the approach of spring. After a remarkably wet winter, the riverside trees were bursting into full bloom.

The group was small, and personal stories were comfortably shared: memories about what it was like to visit this park as a child and even the changes witnessed here over the past years. The group cheerfully hiked along; these monthly outings restore mind and spirit while also sharing environmental skills and knowledge.

Led by Blanca Ruiz, Central Valley Program Manager, this particular Explore Parks outing was all about treecentered learning along a short stretch of the lower Tuolumne. The group hiked while experientially learning about how trees improve air quality, provide habitat for wildlife, and stabilize riverbanks in their urban neighborhood parks.

“How did this park handle the floods we had back in January 2023?” one hiker wondered. It was the perfect segue for Blanca to talk more about trees and how their extensive root systems absorb and hold water, enabling them to stabilize river banks and floodplain soils. Trees are good for the habitat, but they also protect our human

communities and infrastructures. “All of nature’s love is out there for us,” Blanca reminded the group.

“Our vision with Explore Parks is to create a bridge between Modesto’s communities and the great outdoors. We believe in the transformative power of nature and its ability to enhance mental and physical well-being. This program is our commitment to breaking down the barriers that have kept some communities at arm’s length from these experiences,” Blanca shares.

TRT’s Explore Parks program empowers riverside communities in Modesto by fostering deep connections with the natural world. Each program offers a wide array of recreational activities tailored to all ages, from youth to seniors, ensuring that

Forest walks along the Tuolumne River Regional Park in Modesto connect residents with local nature.

everyone can participate. “From paddling in canoes and kayaks to biking along scenic trails, and from birdwatching to learning the principles of Leave No Trace, our goal is to provide enriching, educational, and enjoyable experiences at no cost to the participants,” Blanca explains. The program is intentionally designed to adapt to various skill levels, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.

Acknowledging the linguistic diversity of Modesto, programs are offered in English and Spanish, ensuring that language is not a barrier to participation. “We’re also mindful of the transportation challenges in rural areas, extending support to those without personal transportation.”

During the February outing, accessibility looked like meeting up locally at an urban park in Modesto’s Airport Neighborhood. Physical access to the park itself has come a long way, with one hiker reiterating how different the park feels now than in her childhood. “It didn’t use to have those trees, this paved path, the play structure; being here now feels so different. It’s surreal.”

Paved paths mean open access for those in wheelchairs and families with young children in strollers. “We might go down a steep river bank, but with the paved trail families can be a part of these outings now,” reflects Blanca.