Past Grantees: 2020
Lagunitas Creek, northwest of San Francisco, was historically an important salmon spawning location but the habitat has been degraded in particular by many impediments to fish passage upstream. SFF supported the restoration of Roy’s Pools by removing large concrete barriers, grading the site for improved flow, and planting native vegetation.
Sierra Harvest works to build small, local gardens at public facilities and to train residents to tend the gardens and ultimately produce healthy meals. The SFF supported this effort by providing funding that allowed the construction of 14 gardens and the organization of gardening, composting, and cooking classes
Preserving historic films is critical for the long-term protection of historical documentation. The SFF supported the Museum of Ventura County in their efforts to digitize the film archive of Herman Keene, a Ventura County landowner who documented backcountry life and in particular the abundant wildlife resources present in the early part of the last century. These films are now available to the public on the museum website.
The Takelma people lived in the Rogue Valley of southern Oregon when they were met by Euroamericans in the mid-1850s and mostly sent to reservations. The SFF helped fund the production of a beautifully-illustrated book entitled “Upriver to Morning”, written by Tish McFadden and based on the teachings of Takelma elder Agnes Baker Pilgrim. The project also included an audiobook, songs, and curriculum content.
The Farallones Islands are located off the coast of San Francisco, and the Greater Farallones Association focuses on conservation of the islands as well as the coast of California in the Bay Area region. SFF supported an ongoing citizen science program called Beach Watch that trains volunteers to collect data on beach impacts throughout the year. SFF supported the Beach Watch effort by providing funds for volunteer trainings on marine mammal, bird, and invertebrate identification and documentation.
Gardeneers is a Chicago-based organization working to increase healthy food availability to underserved neighborhoods while also teaching students long-term habits for growing and eating good foods. The SFF supported Gardeneeers in their efforts to grow and distribute fresh produce to several communities, particularly during the pandemic.
Fort Umpqua, near Elkton, Oregon, was the southernmost site established by the Hudson’s Bay Company around 1832. The current buildings are replicas constructed by volunteers from original designs, and volunteers provide many tours and participate in living history demonstrations. The SFF has partnered with the Elkton Community Education Center to create new signs and develop additional walking path and interpretive materials.
Coastal Roots Farm, based in San Diego, works to distribute organic food to populations in the city that are food-insecure. The SFF contributed to this organization’s Organic Food Distribution Program to provide supplies and personnel that supported no-cost food deliveries to senior Native Americans in San Diego and on the Santa Ysabel Reservation in association with the San Diego American Indian Health Center.
Healthy Klamath is a coalition of organizations working together to support a wholistic approach to community health in and around Klamath Falls, Oregon. The Blue Zones initiative included a project to increase signage that directs people to local trails and walkways, and the SFF contributed to this effort. Data collected as part of the initiative indicate that signs and trail maintenance are particularly important tools for increasing citizen trail use and improving overall community well-being.