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CHIRP’s Deer Creek Tribute Trail Segment Open to Public

December 19, 2024

Partners Celebrated Completion of Trail at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On December 6, 2024, The California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP) opened to the public a new 4,600-foot segment of the Deer Creek Tribute Trail that crosses their property. CHIRP and The Sierra Fund hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for key partners marking the official opening of the new section of the Deer Creek Tribute Trail constructed on the CHIRP property located along Champion Mine Road. The trail opening followed a five-year project of securing funds, building the trail, designing, and installing two interpretive signs, removing invasive species, and reducing fuel load.

“We would like to share that this section of the trail is dedicated to the memory of Nevada City Rancheria’s first chairwoman, Virginia “Ginger” Covert, who recently passed beyond this world. This trail and land restoration was made possible thanks to her unique vision, dedication, and commitment to our tribe. May the echo of her tenacity, kindness, and spirit live on,” stated Shelly Covert, Spokesperson for the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe and Executive Director of the nonprofit CHIRP.

Partners recognized by CHIRP and The Sierra Fund for their contribution to helping fund and construct the new trail segment were Bear Yuba Land Trust, Greater Champion Neighborhood Association, Elizabeth Martin, Carrie Monohan, Syd Godfrey, Saxon Thomas, Sam Gitchel, and Nancy Bliele. Others attending the Ribbon Cutting celebration included Nevada City Mayor Gary Peterson, and Vice Mayor Adam Kline.

This Phase II project was built on a partnership with CHIRP that in Phase I raised funds and secured this land back to the Nisenan Nevada City Rancheria and CHIRP. In 2019, TSF/CHIRP wrote and received a $344K grant in 2020 from California Natural Resource Agency for constructing a trail through the property which CHIRP has named the Nisenan Cultural Reclamation Corridor. The project included the development of a culturally informed land use management plan, creation, and installation of two interpretive signs, forest ecosystem restoration including fuel load reduction, and wildlife friendly fencing for safety and public trail use.

“The forest ecosystem restoration, including fuel load reduction, is a model for many other property owners – and CHIRP was very generous to create and open this trail segment to the public. The Sierra Fund is proud to have helped manage this project and partner with CHIRP. We were grateful for the opportunity to honor their Indigenous wisdom and guardianship of these lands,” shared Brian Wallace (Washoe/Nisenan), CEO of The Sierra Fund.

The entire Deer Creek Tribute Trail has been a labor of love from many wonderful partners from the Nevada City/Grass Valley community. For more on the entire trail visit Bear Yuba Land Trust’s online Trails Portal for maps, detailed descriptions and directions to trailheads. http://www.bylt.org/trail/deer-creek-tribute-trail-west/

Walking directions (not driving) to the start of the new trail segment from Downtown Nevada City (~1.2 miles):

·         Head west (uphill) on Broad St toward Bennett St for 0.2 miles

  • Turn left onto Bennett St and continue on Bennett St for 0.1 miles
  • Turn soft left onto Monroe St and continue on Monroe St for 0.2 miles
  • Monroe St turns into Old Downieville Hwy. Continue onto Old Downieville Hwy for 0.3 mi
  • Slight left onto Champion (mine) Rd and continue on Champion (mine) Rd for 0.4 miles
  • Sharp left hairpin turn at the pink flagging onto another gravel access road and continue for 100 ft
  • Arrive at the start of the new extension of the Deer Creek Tribute Trail. There is a large sign ~3 ft by 5 ft attached to an Oak tree at the start of the new trail.
CHIRP’s Deer Creek Tribute Trail Segment Open to Public

Partners Celebrated Completion of Trail at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On December 6, 2024, The California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP) opened to the public a new 4,600-foot segment of the Deer Creek Tribute Trail that crosses their property. CHIRP and The Sierra Fund hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for key partners marking the official opening of the new section of the Deer Creek Tribute Trail constructed on the CHIRP property located along Champion Mine Road. The trail opening followed a five-year project of securing funds, building the trail, designing, and installing two interpretive signs, removing invasive species, and reducing fuel load.

“We would like to share that this section of the trail is dedicated to the memory of Nevada City Rancheria’s first chairwoman, Virginia “Ginger” Covert, who recently passed beyond this world. This trail and land restoration was made possible thanks to her unique vision, dedication, and commitment to our tribe. May the echo of her tenacity, kindness, and spirit live on,” stated Shelly Covert, Spokesperson for the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe and Executive Director of the nonprofit CHIRP.

Partners recognized by CHIRP and The Sierra Fund for their contribution to helping fund and construct the new trail segment were Bear Yuba Land Trust, Greater Champion Neighborhood Association, Elizabeth Martin, Carrie Monohan, Syd Godfrey, Saxon Thomas, Sam Gitchel, and Nancy Bliele. Others attending the Ribbon Cutting celebration included Nevada City Mayor Gary Peterson, and Vice Mayor Adam Kline.

This Phase II project was built on a partnership with CHIRP that in Phase I raised funds and secured this land back to the Nisenan Nevada City Rancheria and CHIRP. In 2019, TSF/CHIRP wrote and received a $344K grant in 2020 from California Natural Resource Agency for constructing a trail through the property which CHIRP has named the Nisenan Cultural Reclamation Corridor. The project included the development of a culturally informed land use management plan, creation, and installation of two interpretive signs, forest ecosystem restoration including fuel load reduction, and wildlife friendly fencing for safety and public trail use.

“The forest ecosystem restoration, including fuel load reduction, is a model for many other property owners – and CHIRP was very generous to create and open this trail segment to the public. The Sierra Fund is proud to have helped manage this project and partner with CHIRP. We were grateful for the opportunity to honor their Indigenous wisdom and guardianship of these lands,” shared Brian Wallace (Washoe/Nisenan), CEO of The Sierra Fund.

The entire Deer Creek Tribute Trail has been a labor of love from many wonderful partners from the Nevada City/Grass Valley community. For more on the entire trail visit Bear Yuba Land Trust’s online Trails Portal for maps, detailed descriptions and directions to trailheads. http://www.bylt.org/trail/deer-creek-tribute-trail-west/

Walking directions (not driving) to the start of the new trail segment from Downtown Nevada City (~1.2 miles):

·         Head west (uphill) on Broad St toward Bennett St for 0.2 miles

  • Turn left onto Bennett St and continue on Bennett St for 0.1 miles
  • Turn soft left onto Monroe St and continue on Monroe St for 0.2 miles
  • Monroe St turns into Old Downieville Hwy. Continue onto Old Downieville Hwy for 0.3 mi
  • Slight left onto Champion (mine) Rd and continue on Champion (mine) Rd for 0.4 miles
  • Sharp left hairpin turn at the pink flagging onto another gravel access road and continue for 100 ft
  • Arrive at the start of the new extension of the Deer Creek Tribute Trail. There is a large sign ~3 ft by 5 ft attached to an Oak tree at the start of the new trail.