As 2005 begins, we’re making changes that will improve our ability to restore, protect and sustain the natural and human environment in Amador and Calaveras Counties to benefit local residents as well as visitors.

We have ambitious plans for the year, including continued reviews of local land use proposals, working on the restoration of the Power Fire area in the North Fork Mokelumne watershed and continuing to participate in the Upper Mokelumne Watershed Council and Central Sierra Resource Conservation and Development Council.

In addition, we will be working with local residents to prepare for the upcoming update of the Amador County General Plan, and seeking protection for open space, scenic vistas and working landscapes in Amador and Calaveras Counties.

While we’ve been a nonprofit corporation since 1990, in late December we secured new legal status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, retroactive to June 6, 2004. Donations to our organization since June 6 and from now on are fully tax-deductible.

The change will allow us to apply for many grants that were not open to us before. We’re embarking on an ambitious fundraising campaign this year, so the IRS decision is most timely!

Among our short-term goals are opening our first office and hiring our first paid executive director to build on the good work done by volunteers over the last 15 years.

In support of that effort and our campaign to secure National Wild and Scenic River designation for the North Fork of the Mokelumne River, we were awarded a $70,000 grant in December by the Preserving Wild California (PWC) program of the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation. We’re grateful to the foundation for its generous support.

Moving to paid staff and an office is a big step for us. Our volunteers are dedicated and generous with their time, but we will be able to accomplish more, in a more organized way, with professional staff.

To build on these two significant steps in our organizational development, we have started a drive to raise $50,000 in contributions this year. There is much we can do with our current level of funding, but the simple fact is this: we can do more with more money. Major projects and hiring expert assistance are expensive, but much needed.

We’ll be sending out membership renewal forms soon. If you’re a member, please return your renewal right away, and considering renewing at a higher level or making a special donation. And if you’re not a member, join now! We need to build our numbers as well as our funds to have a real impact in our counties at this critical time in their history.

We appreciate the strong support from our members that has led us to this point. 2005 should be a great year!