Ecologist Ryan Burnett is the Sierra Nevada Group Director for Point Blue Conservation Science. A resident of Chester, Ryan was an important team member in FRLT's effort (and success!) to save the Olsen Barn and Meadow. He is a FRLT member, and serves on our Land Conservation Committee.

Ryan on why he gives:

I give a lot of my time and my expertise, which are my most valuable resources. But I also give my money. Why? Because FRLT is local, and it has a good vision on what places are priorities to conserve.

The Feather River is my home. But even if it wasn't, as an ecologist, I would have a strong interest in conserving this as an important watershed for biodiversity, water, wildlife, and important meadows and wetland systems.

Meadows are some of our favorite places as humans. 

Who doesn't love a beautiful meadow filled with wildflowers? We love them for their open and lush freshness. We love to play in them: hiking, fishing, boating, picnicking, listening to songbirds and watching wildlife.

Breathing in a meadow softens our day and feeds our spirits.

A meadow and wetland with native vegetation on FRLT's recently conserved Olsen Barn property. Photo by Ryan Burnett

But it turns out, Sierra meadows are not only beautiful, they are also very useful to us as a species. And absolutely essential to a broad diversity of other species. 

We interviewed Ryan Burnett about why Sierra meadows matter so much. Read the interview with Ryan here.

Learn about Sierra meadows as an "estuary" for birds.

The Feather River Country, and the meadows and wetlands it supports supply water to more than 20 million Californians. From flood prevention to water quality to climate change, meadows are essential to our future. Learn why Sierra meadows matter.

With your help, the Feather River Land Trust has been conserving Sierra meadows for over fifteen years. 

In the next three years, we plan to conserve 75 acres per day. But we can't do it without you. Invest in our shared future. We thank you!