Chapter Meeting
February 19, 2026

Baum Lake, a protected property conserved by Shasta Land Trust, in May, 2022. Photo by T. Blevins
Baum Lake, photographed here in May, 2022, is on protected property, conserved by the Shasta Land Trust. Photo by Tessa Blevins.

Come join us at our February Chapter meeting for a practical, behind-the-scenes talk entitled, The Nuts & Bolts of Conservation, by Tessa Blevins, Director of Conservation for Shasta Land Trust. Tessa will pull back the curtain on how conservation easements actually happen, from the first spark of an idea to long-term stewardship on the ground.

Tessa’s presentation will highlight the benefits that conservation easement projects deliver, and explain how Shasta Land Trust’s conservation strategies address development pressure, climate change, and resource management within the region. It will also emphasize the people and resources that make conservation possible, including the critical role of landowners and donors, available funding sources, key partnerships, and meaningful volunteer opportunities that help see a project through from start to long-term success.

Baum Lake. D. Burk.
Looking north across Baum Lake. Photo taken November 23, 2025, by Don Burk.

Tessa Blevins is the Director of Conservation for Shasta Land Trust, where she leads the organization’s land protection initiatives. Since joining the Land Trust in 2018, Tessa has expanded its conservation portfolio from 24,000 to over 61,000 acres, completed 11 conservation easements, and built strong partnerships with landowners, public agencies, and conservation organizations. Previously, she served as a Project Manager for the Western Shasta Resource Conservation District and holds a B.S. in Ecology with an emphasis in Biodiversity from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. 

Tessa Blevins at Pit River Falls. D. Monroe.
Shasta Land Trust Director of Conservation Tessa Blevins stands near Pit River Falls, land protected by the land trust. Photo taken in July 2019 by Deidre Monroe.

Please join us on February 19 to learn more about local conservation efforts! Venue and time details are below. ~Shasta Chapter CNPS

The meeting venue

With sincere gratitude to McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Shasta Chapter CNPS continues to meet in the new Turtle Bay Nursery Classroom, 1125 Arboretum Drive, Redding. There is lots of free, paved parking just steps away from the classroom building, and nice, curbed sidewalks. To get there, from North Market Street, turn east onto Arboretum Drive. Veer right at the first opportunity (so you don’t end up at Turtle Bay Elementary School!), and drive a short way to the “curvy” parking lot to the east of Arboretum Drive. 

Map to classroom. Google Maps.
From South Market Street in Redding (upper left corner), follow the blue arrows to the parking area outside the gates of the new Turtle Bay Nursery Classroom, marked with a blue X (not yet built in this image!). Screenshot from Google Maps.

The Nursery Classroom is just inside a large wrought-iron double gate, which is just north of the entrance to the botanical gardens proper. 

Classroom and gates. D. Burk.
The new Turtle Bay Nursery Classroom behind the McConnell Arboretum & Botanic Gardens Nursery gates at Turtle Bay Exploration Park, 1125 Arboretum Drive, Redding. Doors to the classroom are on the sides in the back. We will have bright yellow signs posted to help you find your way! Photo taken August 30, 2024, by Don Burk.

The meeting time

We will get the show on the road no later than 6 PM for our short Chapter meeting and announcements, followed by our speaker’s presentation. Or come as early as 5:30 PM to socialize and see what sort of pre-meeting activity or display we might have for you! Please join us!