Open to the public
For many decades the landowners in the Sutter Buttes allowed
easy public access to their ranches. By the 1960's population
growth lead to an overwhelming number of people wanting to
access the Buttes and problems with visitors leaving gates
open, painting graffiti on rock formations, fires, and other
problems. Understandably, the landowners began to enforce
rules against trespassing, and access to the Buttes was curtailed.
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Demand for Access
By the 1970's, California's continued population growth had
increased demands for more outdoor recreational areas. In
response, the state made the acquisition of the Sutter Buttes
as state parkland a number one priority. This resulted in
such strong controversy between the private landowners and
the members of the public who wanted access to the Buttes
that the state tabled the parkland plans.
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West Butte Sanctuary
One landowner decided that a way to protect against his land
from being taken over by the state would be to provide the
public some access. In 1976 he created the West Butte Sanctuary
Company to allow egress in a controlled manner, and to realize
income from the enterprise. He hired Walt and Rebecca Anderson
to be directors of the Company.
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Education Program Begins
The Andersons operated a gallery and gift shop, and led hikers
into the Sutter Buttes, the nearby Sutter Sink waterfowl area,
and other nearby wildlife refuges. They also conducted educational
programs to increase public awareness of the uniqueness and
value of the Sutter Buttes.
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Sutter Buttes Naturalists
Expanding this concept in 1979, the Andersons set about establishing
relationships with many of the Sutter Buttes landowners, and
created The Sutter Buttes Naturalists. Through Walt and Rebecca's
work, the public was given access to private lands within
the Buttes in a controlled manner that protected the flora
and fauna, provided economic compensation for the landowners
while relieving them of legal liabilities, and facilitated
educational activities and scientific research in the Buttes.
During his tenure in the Sutter Buttes, Walt penned assorted
magazine articles about the landscape, and even published
in 1983 The Sutter Buttes, A Naturalist's View, a veritable
one-volume encyclopedia of its geologic and natural history.
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Middle Mountain Foundation Emerges
When the Andersons moved to Oregon in 1985, they hired naturalist
Don Schmoldt to continue the operation of Sutter Buttes Naturalists.
After two years Don, in turn, handed the organization over
to Ira Heinrich. Ira partnering with Joe Freeman obtained
non-profit status for the organization in 1989, which then
became the Middle Mountain Foundation.
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Interpretive Program Roots
Under Heinrich and Freeman's tutelage the Foundation expanded
its role in the community. A modestly priced school field
trip program was initiated. Busloads of young people now had
the opportunity to experience first hand the lessons of history
and Mother Nature in the Buttes. Additional guides with varied
backgrounds were brought into the organization. Outings continued
to focus on the geological and natural aspects of a dramatic
landscape, but a broader scope of thematic perspectives now
included Paths of the Heart, the sacred spirit of the Middle
Mountain, and The Mountain in our Midst, the history and culture
of the Sutter Buttes. Overnight backpack treks and old ways
workshops offered diverse experiences. Scores of outings each
season enabled 1000's to participate in educational experiences
in the buttes.
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Importance of the Sutter Buttes to Sutter
County
Taking more of an advocacy role, Heinrich spoke out against
a planned housing development and a proposed ash dump that
would have filled up one on the canyons in the Buttes! He
addressed the county supervisors and planners about preservation
of the Buttes as they updated their General Plan. In 1994,
Ira prepared and delivered an impassioned report in which
he effectively conveyed the unique qualities of the Sutter
Buttes, the value in preserving them in their entirety, and
their important role in the sense of community in Sutter County.
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North Butte Donated to Foundation
In 1996 Heinrich negotiated with McClatchy Newspapers, Inc.
the donation of 200 acres of land, which comprises most of
North Butte to the Middle Mountain Foundation. McClatchy had
purchased the property intending to use it as an antenna site
for future broadcast radio and TV operations, but by the 90's
they no longer pursued that course and chose to preserve the
mountains' integrity.
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Legacy Continues
The Middle Mountain Foundation today continues to draw inspiration
for all who came before us. Working cooperatively with Sutter
Buttes landowners to provide controlled public access to the
Buttes while preserving the natural and historic resources
of the area is a legacy started by Anderson, and continued
by Schmoldt and Heinrich. These people still contribute to
our work today in a direct or advisory capacity.
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Public Outreach
Since 2000, new faces and increased community involvement
have expanded our educational programs. Slideshow presentations
and an information booth at area festivals have expanded exposure
and public awareness of the Sutter Buttes historical significance
as well as the goals of the Foundation. School field trips
have been augmented with teachers curriculum outlines and
school presentations that bring the natural elements of the
Buttes into the classroom. Public education programs are coordinated
periodically, and there is an annual landowner appreciation
reception to recognize those families whose stewardship of
the rangelands has preserved a historical landscape.
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Executive Director Hired
Depending solely on hike fees and donations, the Foundation
has carefully built up cash reserves to hire part-time staff
and a part-time executive director. Their responsibility is
to manage the organization, to augment fundraising programs,
to increase our public presence, to solicit community and
business involvement, and even to influence governmental planning.
MMF has built collaborative alliances with regional and national
land trusts, we have facilitated conservation easement negotiations
with landowners, and we are creating a working partnership
with California State Parks, new owners of the historic Peace
Valley on the North side of the Sutter Buttes.
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Working Together to Protect the Sutter
Buttes
From the inception of the West Butte Sanctuary Company, the
Sutter Buttes Naturalists, and carried on by the Middle Mountain
Foundation, one theme prevails. We have emphasized a faith
in the ability of the people themselves to best protect and
share the natural and cultural resources vital to the well
being of their communities. Our success depends upon a positive
spirit of constructive collaboration in the Buttes. In seeking
a way for the public interest and private land to converge
for the benefit of all, we have always favored inclusiveness;
the bringing together private landowners with scientists,
educators, students, artists and photographers, and anyone
who loves a natural environment. Our common ground is the
Sutter Buttes.
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