About Help With My Land

There is plenty of common ground between us, and this website honors the similarities between foothill landowners.  Private property makes up a large percentage of Nevada County, and a large percentage (most likely) of whatever county you live in.  As private landowners we can make an impact, and we can also affect changes for the better.

This site came about during years of inquiries into finding what to do and where to go for many specific needs related to land stewardship practices. We realized that there should be one place where people could go to get advice and information, and also contribute hard-won knowledge that can only be collected and refined by "on the ground" experience. 

In California, water quality and quantity is important.  We learned that water travels through our lands and drains to the rivers and creeks below us, and in many cases that little swale, water catchment or shallow creek ends up enlarging itself into a major tributary below.  Usually that happens off our property, but the fact remains that the water is influenced by the activities we practice on our own "bit of paradise".

As creator and host of this website, I am perhaps one of the first to tell my story.  But as this website evolves, we will create a section under Stewardship Resources for you to tell your story, too.  If we share our knowledge we will all benefit.  Much like moms trade advice for what works in stubborn laundry stains, or ranchers share information on the best grass mix for a certain pasture, we will be able to glean information on this site and act on the pieces that make sense to us.

My Story:  I own three south-facing acres at the top of the Deer Creek watershed.  There is lots of water on my property.  I have a small, almost "grown-in" pond, springs, and an irrigation ditch that bisects the parcel.  Lots of native grasses grow around the pond, and sometimes wild ducks and geese camp here for the night while migrating.  The deer visit regularly, turtles and one really big fish live in the pond, and red winged blackbirds nest in the cattails.   A mountain lion comes through once in a while, and I hear coyotes almost every night.  Rolling grasslands cover most of the rest of the land, with heritage-size blue oaks and some other native shrubs and landscaping from previous owners.  There is a small orchard with fruit trees, and grapes.  My neighbors are mostly pasture owners with horses and livestock.  I am plagued with non-natives such as blackberries, scotch broom, thistles, those little velcro-like stickers, and grasses that lodge nasty seeds into my dog's ears and toes each year (usually sending us to the vet).  The soil on my property is mostly terrible, and I have given up trying to grow a garden without a major soil amending program (that I have yet to undertake).

I worry about fire, and try to maintain a 100' foot clearance around my house.

Every year I look for help to reduce the weeds.  I am learning where I can go to get help to identify and clear out those non-native plants, and have found that the the first place to try is the Nevada County Resource Conservation District.  Folks there are knowledgeable and helpful, and can begin to set you on your way toward the vision you might have for your property.  Also try the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).  They will get maps and soil profiles for you, visit your property, and give lots of solid help in regards to long range planning, as well as offer some financial aid opportunities. 

As a land conservationist, I hope to see my property thrive with good soils, clean water, native plants and grasses and no weeds.  I hope to support some livestock at some point, and also give sanctuary to visiting wildlife.  I have more to learn and plenty to do, and look forward to hearing from you!

Best,

L. Campbell

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