WILLITS, 9/6/18 — Curious about the conservation work happening in our local forests? A new Skunk Train event is happening this September, organized by the Mendocino Land Trust, to take passengers out into the forest to explore the conservation work happening at the Noyo River Redwoods preserve. Passengers will get to enjoy local food from Karina’s Catering, beverages from the North Coast Brewery and Lula Cellars, dance to the Hot Club of Comptche musicians, and take a field trip out into the redwoods. All proceeds will benefit the Mendocino Land Trust.
The trip takes places on September 30, leaving from Willits. Here’s the details in the full press release:
Through the Trees- an exciting new event to preserve our forests
Late September is one of the most beautiful times of year in Mendocino. The autumnal sun hangs low in the sky, and we know the long winter nights are right around the corner. It’s time to soak in the year’s last warm days and enjoy everything that makes Mendocino County such a beautiful place to live.
The Mendocino Land Trust invites you to celebrate this special time at a first-of-its-kind fundraiser, “Through the Trees” Aboard the Skunk Train, on Sunday, Sept. 30.
Imagine riding the Skunk Train out of Willits. It might be a hot day in early fall, but as the train makes its way out of the station, it is soon enveloped by the cooling shade of a towering forest. A few miles down the track and you’ve been transported to another world, hidden deep behind a redwood curtain. Passengers may not realize it, but the train is winding its way back and forth through the Mendocino Land Trust’s 462-acre Noyo River Redwoods preserve. Acquired in 2012 through a joint effort of Save the Redwoods League and the Mendocino Land Trust, this property includes 123 acres of old-growth redwood and Douglas fir. It represents roughly 30 percent of all remaining old growth in the Noyo River watershed of Mendocino County – and it is now protected forever.
Far into the forested wilderness, a bend in the tracks reveals the towering Wolf Tree, a landmark before reaching Crowley meadow, which for the first time will be transformed for a day of food, drink and fun. As the train passes through, guests will smell freshly made paella cooking in a huge pan by Karina’s Catering and hear the Hot Club of Comptche musicians warming up, ready to get toes tapping. Meanwhile, servers from North Coast Brewery and Lula Cellars will be setting up to pour some of Mendocino’s finest beer and wine. After a turnaround and short trip back, passengers will disembark and enjoy a “field day” in celebration of our beautiful protected forest.
While Mendocino Land Trust properties like Seaside beach north of Fort Bragg and Pelican Bluffs near Point Arena are easily accessible, some of our more remote and inland properties are not. That is why a train ride into the Noyo River Redwoods preserve is the perfect way to get a firsthand look at our conservation work.
Help support the ongoing efforts of the Mendocino Land Trust by attending our first “Through the Trees” Aboard the Skunk Train fundraiser. We hope to offer guests a truly unique experience while showcasing the conservation work that benefits our entire region. Together, we will help keep Mendocino County beautiful for generations to come.
The train will leave Willits at 11 a.m. on the day of the event and return at 4 p.m. To purchase tickets or to learn more, call our offices at (707) 962-0470, or visit our website at MendocinoLandTrust.org.
