SRT's Rename California's Heartland program offers our exceptional major donors the rare opportunity to memorialize loved ones, honor special pets and protected species, or just proclaim their own love of the land by adding their names to what are some of our region's most remarkable natural spaces.
Lands available for renaming include ponds, trails, mountains, and other topographical features -- or whole nature preserves -- that are offered in recognition of your substantial support of SRT. The proceeds of these naming rights support SRT's programs and operations in pursuit of our vital mission to inspire love and lasting protection for important lands.
By renaming features on protected SRT lands throughout Central California -- from the Sierra Nevada foothills to the Carrizo Plain -- you and your loved ones can leave a major legacy that will be remembered long past our time here. Naming rights are offered on either permanent or termed basis in accord with your budgetary wishes.
Below are some of the renamed lands that are permanently conserved by SRT, along with the naming rights duration and how each came to be christened for the person whose name you'll see on trail signage on SRT lands and in various mentions throughout SRT media (website, social media, maps, and elsewhere):
CHLOE MAYA BREEZ MEADOW, Carrizo Plain, California; renamed through October 2028
In 2021, this meadow was renamed Chloe Maya Breez Meadow in recognition of the honoree's energy-saving efforts. Our partner, Energy Upgrade California (EUC), gifted three conservation-minded Californians the naming rights to three SRT natural landmarks, including this meadow. Each winner who joined the EUC "Keep it Golden" movement showed an exceptional commitment to reducing energy use in the name of preserving the environment. As a reward, honoree Stephanie Torres renamed this location Chloe Maya Breez Meadow in honor of her granddaughter. This special location near the Carrizo Plain National Monument, sometimes called "California's Serengeti," is noted for its beautiful flora including wildflower grasslands that explode into magnificent "super blooms" in wet springs. This area serves as home to abundant fauna including pronghorn antelope, kit fox, giant kangaroo rats, burrowing owls, and numerous other important indigenous California species. May anyone who enjoys this meadow be reminded that California belongs to every one of us, and we all have a responsibility to Keep it Golden®
THE SOPAC McCARTHY MULHOLLAND BLUE OAK RANCH PRESERVE, Springville, California; named in perpetuity
In 2019 the SRT Board of Directors voted to rename this special land The Sopac McCarthy Mulholland Blue Oak Ranch Preserve. The preserve, near Springville, California, was renamed in honor of retiring longtime SRT Executive Director Sopac "Soapy" Mulholland, who was instrumental in establishing the preserve near her home in Springville. Mulholland served as Executive Director from 2002-2019.
The SKIP PESCOSOLIDO WILD ROSE TRAIL at Kaweah Oaks Preserve, Exeter, California; named in perpetuity
In 2015, The Skip Pescosolido Wild Rose Trail at Kaweah Oaks Preserve was renamed by his surviving family in honor of the late Exeter citrus industry executive and community leader. The Skip Pescosolido Wild Rose Trail is among the many jewels of Kaweah Oaks Preserve, noted for the distinctive abundance of California wild rose (Rosa californica) found along the trail.
STEVE RICE LAKE at Dry Creek Preserve, Lemon Cove, California; renamed through October 2028
In 2021, this body of water at Dry Creek Preserve was renamed Steve Rice Lake in recognition of Mr. Rice's energy-saving efforts that benefit the environment. Steve Rice Lake is home to numerous native and migratory California bird species, as well as local critters large and small, from mountain lions and deer to foxes and reptiles among many others. Rice was gifted the naming rights as part of Energy Upgrade California's "Keep it Golden" movement for his exceptional commitment to reducing energy use. As a reward, he won the honor of renaming a piece of California to remind his fellow Californians that each and every one of us has a role in preserving our Golden State. May anyone who enjoys this lake be reminded that California belongs to every one of us, and we all have a responsibility to Keep it Golden®
The HASLINGER SAENZ TRAIL at Kaweah Oaks Preserve, Exeter, California; renamed through October 2028
In 2021, the Buttonwillow Trail at Kaweah Oaks Preserve was renamed The Haslinger Saenz Trail in recognition of Erin Haslinger Saenz's energy-saving efforts. This special location is home to the nature preserve's highest concentration of native California buttonwillow (Cephalanthus occidentalis). Haslinger Saenz was among three conservation-minded Californians who were gifted the naming right to three natural landmarks for their contribution to saving energy. Each winner who joined the "Keep it Golden" movement showed an exceptional commitment to reducing energy use in the name of preserving the environment. As a reward, Haslinger Saenz won the honor of renaming a piece of California to remind Californians that each and every one of us has a role in preserving our Golden State. May anyone who enjoys this trail be reminded that California belongs to every one of us, and we all have a responsibility to Keep it Golden®
The TIMOTHY BLAINE TASHJIAN COTTONWOOD FITNESS TRAIL at Kaweah Oaks Preserve, Exeter, California; named in perpetuity
The Timothy Blaine Tashjian Cottonwood Fitness Trail was named for the late Tim Tashjian of Exeter, California by his daughter Hayley. A citrus farmer, real estate business owner, and athlete throughout his life, Tashjian was an avid baseball and tennis player and was a fitness enthusiast, which makes the fitness trail's naming especially apropos. The Timothy Blaine Tashjian Cottonwood Fitness Trail site plan calls for workout stations, a .75-mile loop for walking or running, and other amenities as fundraising success allows. The trail is noted for its abundance of cottonwood trees, and is part of an ongoing restoration effort. In wet years, The Tashjian Fitness Trail area will also include a much-needed groundwater recharge basin developed in collaboration with the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District. The stormwater/recharge basin will provide multiple benefits to both the nature preserve and surrounding farms..
For more information about how you can Rename California's Heartland, please contact Aaron Collins, SRT Director of Marketing and Communications: aaron[at]sequoiariverlands.org
