2007 Conservationist of the Year
The Nevada County of Supervisors takes great pleasure in recoginizing Ananda Dhiira of Penn Valley as Nevada County Resource Conservation District's "2007 Conservationist of the Year."
A focal point of activity in the natural areas of the property has been the riparian restoration along Kentucky Creek. Kentucky Creek is a tributary to the South Yuba River, which was designated 'Wild and Scenic' by the State of California in 1999.
Didi Ananda Lalita and Didi Shveta were new to restoration efforts when they started this project. Whatever they lacked in experience, their willingness to learn about restoration have become adept at native plant identification and can be proud of the efforts they have made toimprove their local environment. They are truly stewards of their land.
The Nevad County Board of Supervisors commends Ananda Dhiira for their dedication to natural resource management and is proud to recognize them as the Nevada County Resource Conservation District's " 2007 Conservationist of the Year."
Signed by the following:
Ted Owens, Chairman
Nate Beason, District 1
Sue Horne, District 2
John Spencer, District 3
Hank Weston, District 4
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The Didis received this award in a gathering of 70 people on February 28, 2007.
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Creek Restoration Update
Our first phase of creek restoration project was completed in December 2007, just before Christmas. In November 2006, we planted nearly 16,000 native grasses of 6 varieties and nearly 22,000 native grasses of 9 varieties in December 2007. We also planted 325 native shrubs, trees, forbs of 25 varieties 2 weeks after planting the grasses. The past few months, we cleared almost all the blackberry and invasive weeds along the creek. It is unbelievable that we made it.
It is all cleared up now - from the entrance of Sanctuary Road all the way to the upper stream. You can walk through the whole creek on both sides easily.
We put in a lot of thoughts and did a lot of research in selecting native grasses, trees, shrubs and forbs to grow. In a few years, if all the native plants do well, it is going to be very colorful and beautiful.
The initial purpose of this project was to restore the Eco balance and to create natural habitats for wild life. We were inspired to extend it to creating an Ecological Meditation Garden for Baba and for you.
It is indeed His garce that we were able to make a giant step towards that vision. The work has not yet ended, still a long way to go.
We were very blessed to have one of the top botanists in California- Karen Wiese joining us recently for the project. From the experience learned in 2006-2007, we knew what type of native grasses grow well in our area, but not the native trees, shrubs and forbs. We wanted to select the right types which adapt well in this area and will enrich the aesthetic aspect of Ananda Dhiira.
We were very fortunate to find Karen available at a very crucial moment. She assisted us full-heartedly in finalizing the plants order and personally marked spots where to plant all the 325 native trees, shrubs and forbs. She will continue to help us as a consultant.
Karen happens to be one of the old college friends of Tattvik Dhyanesh in Austin, Texas. She is a very loving, kind earth lover towards all beings. She is very spiritually inclined, has been doing yoga and meditation for years. She was initiated in December and loves kiirtan and meditation.
Sisterly,
Didi Ananda Lalita
Didi Shveta
