Everett and Marilyn Butts wanted to protect their 160-acre property just outside of Downieville, in Sierra County, to honor their only child, Jonathon, who died at age 30. Jonathon was involved in many conservation projects during his lifetime and his parents felt this would be a fitting memorial. There is no land trust in Sierra County to accept conservation lands, so Everett approached NCLT to help. Before the project was completed, sadly, Marilyn also passed away. One of the goals of the easement is to manage this land to an old-growth (late-seral stage) forest, while providing for regular, limited timber harvests. The forest management plan will guide the sustainable forestry practices.

The New York Ravine, a perennial stream, runs through the property, and there are several springs on this beautiful site. For the past several years, Everett with the help of NCLT Board member Bill Nickerl, and other friends have worked to clear brush and improve the site. It is in the watershed of the North Fork of the Yuba River. There is an endangered cadisfly population at the site as well. Before he retired, Everett ran a native plants nursery and still does consulting on native plants and grasses. The newly protected property helps to build connectivity to adjacent Forest Service Lands, and keep a large tract of land undivided and in productive use. Mr. Butts has also generously donated a gift of $16,000 to permanently steward and manage this easement.