Editor,
Holy Frijole!!! I can't keep up with that guy in the Whitehouse. Oh well, who cares if we go to war with Venezuela or NATO for that matter. Certainly not our children.
I have told my kids that you will never have enough money. Pretty bold, huh? How do I know. Ask a billionaire, they don't have enough money. Don't bother because they won't talk to you unless you are a lobbyist changing the tax system to favor billionaires. They're very clever. They've got the MAGAheads believing the Big Beautiful Billionaire's Bill is going to favor the MAGAheads, working folks, and small business owners. It does not. Of course the MAGAheads will believe anything.
Don McKechnie
Sierraville, Sparks, Reality
Thank you!
I sincerely appreciate all the work, effort and determination you all put forth to publish your and our, paper.
You are amazing!
Kay Genasci
Sparks, NV
Friends,
I'm excited to begin the new year by sharing some meaningful news.
Through an extraordinary partnership with the Feather River Land Trust, Sierra Nevada Journeys has acquired 1,025 acres of permanently conserved land in Plumas County, which will now be protected forever and used to expand outdoor science education for thousands of young people.
When I first walked this property, which sits adjacent to our Outdoor Education Camp, I immediately thought of the students who will explore these forests and meadows — learning science, building confidence, and forming a lifelong connection to the natural world. This gift is about far more than acreage. It's about ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn and grow in nature.
As we approach our 20th anniversary, this moment feels especially significant. Sierra Nevada Journeys was built on the belief that outdoor, science-based education can change lives. This land ensures that belief — and our impact — can endure for generations.
I'm deeply grateful to the Feather River Land Trust and the public partners who made this conservation possible, and to you for supporting Sierra Nevada Journeys. Because of our community, we're entering this next chapter from a position of strength.
In the months ahead, we'll be sharing more about how this land will support expanded programs, deeper stewardship work, and new opportunities for our community to get involved. If this news inspires you, I invite you to learn more and read the full story, volunteer or get involved with Sierra Nevada Journeys, or make a gift in support of what comes next—in whatever way feels meaningful to you. Thank you for being part of this journey.
With gratitude,
Sean Hill, President and CEO
Sierra Nevada Journeys
TODAY: Birthdate of Martin Luther King, Jr.
2025 Bird Count
A remarkably warm day with a low temperature of 45 degrees F (a full 64 degrees warmer than my coldest start in Sierraville on a CBC). It never warmed much at all, with a high of only 48 degrees.
All the water was open, which created an amazing day for waterfowl. We had the highest ever counts for 6 species of waterfowl including the first count record for Eurasian Wigeon. The waterfowl with new high counts were white-fronted goose 119 (previous high count 55), Canada goose 1175 (phc 1050), Tundra swan 29 (phc also 29), Snow goose 49 (didn't beat phc of 64), gadwall 118 (phc 94), northern shoveler 16 (phc 12).
Other species with high counts were black phoebe 4 (phc 3), American dipper 2 (phc 1 on 9 different years), European starling 835 (phc 826 from 30 years ago). Notable species include cackling goose (third count record), red-naped sapsucker (second count record), Juniper titmouse (second count record), pacific wren (third count record).
Notable misses include killdeer, greater yellowlegs, American crow, white-breasted nuthatch, red-winged blackbird and Cassin's finch.
Overall quite low numbers of sparrows and finches were found, perhaps they were spread out due to lack of snow in the mountains and valley. Our species total was 84, which was a high total, but not the highest ever.
Colin Dillingham
Included some $$$ to cover the subscriptions, with some overage as a contribution. Keep up the good work. Happy holidays and thanks.
Sean R Cleary, Plumas Eureka, CA
