News & Events

California Parks Initiative is on the November Ballot

Sempervirens Fund continues to support the California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act which was recently certified by Secretary of State Debra Bowen for inclusion on the November 2, 2010 ballot. The campaign to get this initiative on the ballot gathered more than 760,000 signatures, nearly twice the number required to qualify the measure!

Budget cuts in recent years have forced state parks to accumulate a backlog of more than $1 billion in needed maintenance and repairs. Roofs and sewage systems leak, restrooms are not cleaned regularly, bridges have collapsed, trails are washed out, campgrounds and visitor centers are shuttered and buildings and structures throughout the system are badly deteriorated. Currently, the proposed state budget provides some General Fund money for state parks, but it is still insufficient to address the ongoing funding needs of the system. With passage of the California Parks Initiative, not only will state parks have a long-term funding solution, but also important general fund dollars will be made available for other vital needs. Please join Sempervirens Fund in supporting this initiative when you vote in November. To find out more, visit www.yesforstateparks.com.

Volunteers needed to dig in the dirt!

This fall, we will be embarking on an exciting reforestation project at a property we purchased in 2006, the Lompico Headwaters Forest. This 425-acre property is covered in dense, healthy redwood forest—except for one acre which was severely disturbed by previous activities on the site and has, as a result, greatly impacted soil, depleted of the qualities needed to grow redwoods and prone to colonization by invasive species.

With this restoration project, we will be working to rejuvenate the soil and reforest this damaged area with redwood and Douglas fir seedlings. The planting of each of these seedlings was made possible by the generous memorial and honorary gifts given by many of you through the Planted Tree Program.

Tree planting will take place over three days: September 18, 19, and 26 and we are seeking volunteers to help with the effort. Work will begin each day at 10:30 and should last about 4 hours. Lunch and water will be provided.

For questions or to sign up, please contact Katie Buelterman at kbuelterman@sempervirens.org or (650) 949-1453.

Sempervirens Fund Provides Funding for Redwood Climate Change Study

Sempervirens Fund’s Board of Directors has approved a grant of $100,000 to support Save the Redwoods League’s Redwood Climate Change Initiative, a multi-year collaborative project that is designed to improve our understanding of the impact of global warming on California’s redwoods. The goals of the initiative are to understand what redwoods need to survive in the future; determine places where refuge groves and migration corridors can thrive; develop the science that will inform sound carbon offset policies; provide public and private landowners with the information they need to make smart management decisions; and engage people throughout California and across the world in the protection of California’s redwoods. Click here to learn more about this initiative.

Sempervirens Fund has Moved!

As of May 18, 2010, our office address, phone number, and fax number is:

Sempervirens Fund
419 South San Antonio Road, Ste. 211
Los Altos, CA 94022-3640
Phone: (650) 949-1453
Fax: (650) 949-1483

As of February 1, 2010 our post office box address is:

Sempervirens Fund
Post Office Box 1417
Los Altos, CA 94023-1417

Sempervirens Fund Applies for Land Trust Accreditation

Sempervirens Fund is pleased to announce that it is applying for Land Trust Alliance (LTA) accreditation. LTA is a nonprofit organization that works with, represents, and annually convenes over 1,600 land trusts nationwide. The LTA accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.

As part of the application review process, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of LTA, invites public input and accepts signed, written comments regarding applicant land trusts. The public comment period for Sempervirens Fund’s application is now open.

Sempervirens Fund encourages you to comment on the work of our organization. Comments must relate to how Sempervirens Fund complies with national quality standards that address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 112 Spring Street, Suite 204, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Comments on Sempervirens Fund’s application will be most useful by August 29, 2010.

Little Basin is now open for day use only

Due to high operating costs, overnight camping will not be available as we work to transfer Little Basin to California State Parks. Though reservations are not required for day use, please contact us to arrange parking at least 24 hours in advance by calling Lilian Ventocilla at (650) 949-1453.

Sempervirens Fund Receives
Great Reviews!

Sempervirens Fund has been receiving great reviews on two charity rating websites: GuideStar and GreatNonprofits. Both websites allow donors to discover and review charities worldwide. Organizations — like Sempervirens Fund — provide information about their goals, programs, and finances, and website users are given an opportunity to rate and share their thoughts about nonprofit organizations. Together, this information helps people learn more about the work of nonprofits and make informed decisions about their charitable giving. If you would like to see Sempervirens Fund’s ratings or if you'd like to share your thoughts about us, visit www.guidestar.org or www.greatnonprofits.org.



News & Events California Parks Initiative is on the November Ballot Sempervirens Fund continues to support the California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act which was recently certified by Secretary of State Debra Bowen for inclusion on the November 2, 2010 ballot. The campaign to get this initiative on the ballot gathered more than 760,000 signatures, nearly twice the number required to qualify the measure! Budget cuts in recent years have forced state parks to accumulate a backlog of more than $1 billion in needed maintenance and repairs. Roofs and sewage systems leak, restrooms are not cleaned regularly, bridges have collapsed, trails are washed out, campgrounds and visitor centers are shuttered and buildings and structures throughout the system are badly deteriorated. Currently, the proposed state budget provides some General Fund money for state parks, but it is still insufficient to address the ongoing funding needs of the system. With passage of the California Parks Initiative, not only will state parks have a long-term funding solution, but also important general fund dollars will be made available for other vital needs. Please join Sempervirens Fund in supporting this initiative when you vote in November. To find out more, visit www.yesforstateparks.com. Volunteers needed to dig in the dirt! This fall, we will be embarking on an exciting reforestation project at a property we purchased in 2006, the Lompico Headwaters Forest. This 425-acre property is covered in dense, healthy redwood forest—except for one acre which was severely disturbed by previous activities on the site and has, as a result, greatly impacted soil, depleted of the qualities needed to grow redwoods and prone to colonization by invasive species. With this restoration project, we will be working to rejuvenate the soil and reforest this damaged area with redwood and Douglas fir seedlings. The planting of each of these seedlings was made possible by the generous memorial and honorary gifts given by many of you through the Planted Tree Program. Tree planting will take place over three days: September 18, 19, and 26 and we are seeking volunteers to help with the effort. Work will begin each day at 10:30 and should last about 4 hours. Lunch and water will be provided. For questions or to sign up, please contact Katie Buelterman at kbuelterman@sempervirens.org or (650) 949-1453. Sempervirens Fund Provides Funding for Redwood Climate Change Study Sempervirens Fund’s Board of Directors has approved a grant of $100,000 to support Save the Redwoods League’s Redwood Climate Change Initiative, a multi-year collaborative project that is designed to improve our understanding of the impact of global warming on California’s redwoods. The goals of the initiative are to understand what redwoods need to survive in the future; determine places where refuge groves and migration corridors can thrive; develop the science that will inform sound carbon offset policies; provide public and private landowners with the information they need to make smart management decisions; and engage people throughout California and across the world in the protection of California’s redwoods. Click here to learn more about this initiative. Sempervirens Fund has Moved! As of May 18, 2010, our office address, phone number, and fax number is: Sempervirens Fund 419 South San Antonio Road, Ste. 211 Los Altos, CA 94022-3640 Phone: (650) 949-1453 Fax: (650) 949-1483 As of February 1, 2010 our post office box address is: Sempervirens Fund Post Office Box 1417 Los Altos, CA 94023-1417 Sempervirens Fund Applies for Land Trust Accreditation Sempervirens Fund is pleased to announce that it is applying for Land Trust Alliance (LTA) accreditation. LTA is a nonprofit organization that works with, represents, and annually convenes over 1,600 land trusts nationwide. The LTA accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. As part of the application review process, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of LTA, invites public input and accepts signed, written comments regarding applicant land trusts. The public comment period for Sempervirens Fund’s application is now open. Sempervirens Fund encourages you to comment on the work of our organization. Comments must relate to how Sempervirens Fund complies with national quality standards that address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 112 Spring Street, Suite 204, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Comments on Sempervirens Fund’s application will be most useful by August 29, 2010. Little Basin is now open for day use only Due to high operating costs, overnight camping will not be available as we work to transfer Little Basin to California State Parks. Though reservations are not required for day use, please contact us to arrange parking at least 24 hours in advance by calling Lilian Ventocilla at (650) 949-1453. Sempervirens Fund Receives Great Reviews! Sempervirens Fund has been receiving great reviews on two charity rating websites: GuideStar and GreatNonprofits. Both websites allow donors to discover and review charities worldwide. Organizations — like Sempervirens Fund — provide information about their goals, programs, and finances, and website users are given an opportunity to rate and share their thoughts about nonprofit organizations. Together, this information helps people learn more about the work of nonprofits and make informed decisions about their charitable giving. If you would like to see Sempervirens Fund’s ratings or if you'd like to share your thoughts about us, visit www.guidestar.org or www.greatnonprofits.org.