On Wednesday, November 14, 2018, the Board Chairman of the California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP) Niel Locke announced to the Nevada City Council that CHIRP had successfully acquired a 32-acre property on Deer Creek earlier this fall. At long last and after a multi-year acquisition process, the land has been returned to the original people of the area.
Virginia Covert, Vice Chair of the Nisenan Tribe of the Nevada City Rancheria declared that “This gives our people an opportunity to steward this land, re-engage in cultural practices, and create habitat for the animals of this beautiful creek and woodland property.”
For the last five years The Sierra Fund (TSF) has helped to advance this project, including successfully applying for the grant that funded the acquisition in partnership with the City of Nevada City. TSF CEO Elizabeth “Izzy” Martin was excited to participate in this historic announcement with CHIRP’s Executive Director Shelly Covert, who expressed that “CHIRP looks forward to working with the Tribe and the larger community to host the development of the planned trail and other activities on this beautiful property.”
Plans are under development to extend the Deer Creek Tribute Trail across the property, diverting a portion of the Tribute Trail from Champion Mine Road and promoting the safety of recreators and drivers.
