Middle Mountain Foundation Interpretive Program Hikes - Private Tours
In the midst of California's broad Sacramento Valley, an isolated cluster of small mountain peaks rise abruptly above the populated and cultivated valley floor. Standing rugged and raw in stark contrast to the surrounding development below, they draw our eyes, indeed our very souls, today just as they have intrigued those before us.
The indigenous Maidu, who lived in their shadow for thousands of years, called them Esto Yamani, which means "the Middle Mountain". These Native People regarded them as a special place to be revered, a place for spiritual and physical sustenance, not a place to live and build.
Today they are The Sutter Buttes. The Middle Mountain Foundation draws its name from the Maidu Indians who lived in harmony with the land's natural elements, always preserving it for their future generations. This legacy is the inspiration for our educational and conservation programs.
As we lead hikes high into the Sutter Buttes, we look down upon the valley floor and see development of the most fertile farmland in the world and areas that enhance the unique characteristics of the area in which we live. We realize that what happens outside of the Sutter Buttes also affects the Sutter Buttes themselves. We have expanded our area of concern and our mission and values reflect that.
We hope you share the values of the Middle Mountain Foundation and become a member today. If you already are a member, we thank you for your support and look forward to hearing from you about ideas you have about conservation of the local region.
The Sutter Buttes, a unique cluster of volcanoes isolated in the midst of the Sacramento Valley, was the sacred "Middle Mountain" of the valley Indian tribes. The Middle Mountain Foundation (MMF), a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, was formed in 1989 as an outgrowth of Sutter Buttes Naturalists, originally founded by Walt and Rebecca Anderson. The articles of incorporation stated that the specific purposes of the foundation were to "educate the general public in the relevance and importance to society of natural and cultural resources and to encourage preservation, understanding, and good stewardship of such resources." The Sutter Buttes formed the actual foundation of such education and preservation efforts.
The philosophy of the organization stressed developing a strong sense of place, finding a way for the public interest and private land to converge for the benefit of all. The organization has always favored inclusiveness, bringing together private landowners with scientists, educators, students, families, artists, and other citizens. The common ground is the Sutter Buttes itself, a landscape of exceptional natural and cultural values.
Through contractual agreements with landowners, MMF has created learning opportunities within the Sutter Buttes for thousands of people, typically as guided hikes for the public or as school class outings. Carefully controlled access allows visitors to have high quality experiences while protecting the land itself. MMF board members also engage in outreach, spreading the message of this special place to those who have not yet visited the interior of the range.
MMF currently works collaboratively with numerous entities, including local (Colusa, Yuba and Sutter Counties), California (State Parks and Fish and Game), Regional (e.g., Great Valley Center), and National Land Trusts (e.g., Land Trust Alliance, Nature Conservancy). MMF believes that land protection easements, which compensate the landowner for development rights and allow them to continue current life styles on the land, are a fundamental tool for protecting the private lands in the Buttes, but it also considers other land protection options. As a land trust, MMF owns some land in the Buttes and can receive gifts of land from willing donors.
With strong leadership, a professional board, experienced advisors, an executive director, part-time staff, talented hike guides, and dedicated volunteers, Middle Mountain Foundation continues to pursue the mission under which it was founded. Walt Anderson's book, Inland Island: the Sutter Buttes, is a co-publishing venture that we believe enhances our mission. We invite all those interested in the future of this great place to join with us in our education and land protection ventures.
Explore Related Categories
