State of the Yuba Celebrates the South Yuba’s 20th Year as a Wild & Scenic River

Nevada City, CA April 19, 2019 – The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) invites its members, volunteers and the public to attend its free State of the Yuba address at Peace Lutheran Church, Grass Valley, CA, on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. Beginning at 5:30 pm, SYRCL staff and board members will be on hand to talk with visitors and showcase dozens of volunteer opportunities that help protect and restore the watershed. Later, guest speakers will reflect on the 16-year campaign that made the South Yuba a state Wild & Scenic River in 1999. SYRCL also will recognize the Truckee Donner Land Trust, as “Partner of the Year,” and Nathan Hoxie, as “Volunteer of the Year.”

“The State of the Yuba is an open invitation to learn about how to get involved with SYRCL this coming year,” says Melinda Booth, Executive Director. “Volunteers are the heart of the organization because they make our work possible. Last year, 1,300 dedicated supporters donated 10,000 hours monitoring water quality, removing invasive species, creating the next generation of river stewards, cleaning the watershed, inspiring activism through film and events, and watchdogging the proposal to build Centennial Dam.”

The program at 6:30 pm will feature SYRCL’s Executive Director Melinda Booth who will roll out a new Five-year Strategic Plan and SYRCL’s vision for the watershed. Also, in celebration of the South Yuba’s 20th Year as a Wild & Scenic River a panel of special guests will share stories about SYRCL’s 1999 victory that protected the river from proposed hydropower dams. It includes Dr. Roger Hicks, founding SYRCL Board President, Janet Cohen, former SYRCL Executive Director, John Regan, SYRCL Board Secretary, Jeff Shellito, former aide to past State Senator Byron Sher, and Steve Evans, Friends of the River.

Throughout the event, audience members will be able to sign up for or learn more about SYRCL’s major programs: River Ambassadors, River Science & Restoration, River Monitoring, River Education, River Advocacy, and the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

WHAT: SYRCL’s STATE of the YUBA

WHEN: Wednesday, April 24, 2019. Open house 5:30-6:30pm. Program from 6:30-7:30pm.

WHERE: Peace Lutheran Church, 828 W. Main Street, Grass Valley

COST: This event is FREE and open to the public.

About SYRCL: SYRCL (pronounced “circle”), based in Nevada City, CA, is the leading voice for the protection and restoration of the Yuba River watershed. Founded in 1983 through a rural, grassroots campaign to defend the South Yuba River from proposed hydropower dams, SYRCL has developed into a vibrant community organization with more than 3,500 members and volunteers. For more information, go to YubaRiver.org.