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A tree has roots in the soil yet reaches to the sky. It tells us that in order to aspire we need to be grounded and that no matter how high we go it is from our roots that we draw sustenance. It is a reminder to all of us who have had success that we cannot forget where we came from.

Dr. Wangari Maathai, Kenyan scientist and Nobel Peace Prize winner 

Dear friends,

In the two decades since SRT was formed, so many people have nurtured the core idea of inspiring love and lasting protection for the lands we call home, of preserving the agricultural and natural heritage of our region. Our organization is deeply rooted in the efforts of these dedicated individuals. Their work has grown into our preserves, which conserve unique landscapes and provide recreational opportunities for so many people. Their work has grown into our relationships with farmers and ranchers, who have been able to conserve their lands and livelihoods through easements with SRT. Their work has grown into robust education and volunteer programs, engaging the community and preparing the next generation to take on the responsibility for preserving this legacy into the future.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my own grandfather Harley Robertson, who emigrated to California from western Arkansas in the 1920s, drove tractors for more than four decades in the orange groves of Riverside, California, weathered the Great Depression, and raised four sons with my grandmother on the bounty of a backyard garden. His labor, and the labors of those who came before him, are part of the roots that connect me to the mission of Sequoia Riverlands Trust.

I am grateful for all of those who have come before us: the native people within whose traditional homelands we work, and who continue to live on and share these lands; the adventurers and dreamers who have come to this place and put down roots; the farmers and ranchers who have fed a growing nation; the conservationists who have reminded us of the necessity of wild places; and the staff, Board members, and volunteers who have helped SRT become the vibrant accredited land trust that it is today.

We have a devoted and expert staff, an engaged and experienced Board, and solid support from our stakeholders. We are poised to meet the unique needs of our region now, as well as to grow to meet the challenges of the coming decades. With a spirit of creativity and collaboration, I look forward to engaging with you on behalf of Sequoia Riverlands Trust to support and improve our region.

With appreciation,

Logan Robertson Huecker, PhD

Executive Director, Sequoia Riverlands Trust