Plans are being made and projects are underway for two of the wetland preserves that make up the Lake County Land Trust’s Big Valley Wetlands complex of almost 300 acres in Lakeport. Two viewing-educational platforms are underway at the Wright Wetland Preserve. One platform has been installed and the materials to construct the other one have been ordered. The benches have arrived and installation will be done after water recedes.

Right next door at the recently purchased Keithly Wetland Preserve, the prospect of restoring Manning Creek in order to facilitate Hitch migration is being studied. The Land Trust has engaged FlowWest, a company that will help in the planning, permitting and execution of the Manning Creek Restoration project. There was a site visit with FlowWest co-founder and

hydrologist, Anthony Falzone, in early January with the The Manning Creek Restoration Working Group. The Working Group consists of Lake County Land Trust board members, volunteer Rick Macedo (a retired fish biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife), County Water Resources official Angela DePalma-Dow, and Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians representatives Jeanine Pfeiffer and Ron Montez.

Rodman Preserve

OPEN

SATURDAYS 9-2:OO

The main trail is walkable but can be muddy in a few spots. Water proof boots are recommended. Enjoy a moderate one and a half mile walk where you will see birdlife and maybe even some mammals like foxes and coyotes. The views of a full slough and lake are breathtaking.

6350 Westlake Rd. near Upper Lake

Right off the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff