A few years ago we paid a visit to one of the Valley’s most unusual and beautiful places. The Sutter Buttes are like nothing else on earth…but there’s real concern that it may someday become just another hillside community dotted with homes. But there’s good news. In this update, Mike Sanford returns to the Buttes and discovers there’s a new strategy–and new hope–that the Buttes will be preserved forever.

For more information on the Sutter Buttes visit http://www.middlemountain.org

Cosumnes River
Another unique treasure flows through the heart of our Valley. The Cosumnes is the last undimmed river in California. Starting high in the Sierra and running eighty miles down to the Sacramento Delta. It’s a river that flows through habitats teeming with life, but like the Sutter Buttes, its future is in question.
For more information on the Cosumnes River visit www.cosumnes.org and http://www.kvie.org/programs/kvie/cosumnes/default.htm

Calaveras Trees
They provide precious shade…take pollutants out of our air…and provide a green leafy respite from our stressful lives. We may take them for granted, but the truth is our Valley and surrounding mountains are blessed with an abundance and wide variety of trees. From our recent special titled ‘Branching Out’, Paul Ryan visits a place above the Valley where you’ll find some of nature’s oldest and tallest creations.
For more information visit http://www.kvie.org/programs/kvie/branchingout/default.htm


Urban Forests
Studies show that trees tend to calm and refresh us. In urban areas, planting trees even seems to reduce crime in some neighborhoods! Jerry Blair says its little wonder some people are mounting a new effort to renew and enlarge our proud legacy of urban forests throughout our Valley cities and towns.


Raptor Works
After thirty-seven years of teaching Steve Simmons has just retired. But Simmons can’t seem to break the ties that bind him to a unique woodshop program that’s become an important part of his life, and the lives of his students. Each year the Raptor Works program at Merced High School builds hundreds of owl boxes for local farmers. Farmers encourage owls to nest, as they’re a natural form of pest control. But it’s the students in the program that benefit the most. The money raised from the program is ultimately given back in the form of student scholarships.

For information on how to purchase an owl box call the Merced High School Raptor Works program at 209-385-6470. (Call before 8AM or after 11:30AM)

Season eight of "Central Valley Chronicles" is underwritten in part by Classic Living.