About:
About the SBTS
Why do we like the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship as a charity? A lot of reasons, and a few of them are written below.
Philosophically, we at Ibis like contributing to micro charities. The guys over at Freakonomics did a great job of explaining this phenomenon in a recent article. We consider the SBTS to be perfect recipients of a benefit raffle like this.
SBTS FACTS
Formed in 2003, the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) is a volunteer driven 501c3 non-profit whose primary goal is the maintenance and enhancement of the trail systems in Plumas and Sierra Counties. SBTS employs as many as 15 full-time, seasonal employees, all of which are Plumas and Sierra County residents, with a payroll of just under $400,000 for 2010. In addition to a paid trail crew, SBTS has donated over 30,000 hours of volunteer labor to both the Plumas and Tahoe National Forests, maintaining over 30 trails, including the creation of 25 miles of new trails. While these trails see over 200,000 users per year, they continue to maintain a level “A” standing due to all the hard work of SBTS staff and volunteers. This organization is not only a shining example of what a small group of dedicated, passionate people can do for an area, it is a demonstration of economic efficiency when no alternatives exist. All of our product sponsors’ and volunteer monies go directly to trail maintenance and development. Donations are multiplied by over 1500% through organized volunteer labor and in-kind contributions.
HOW THEY GET THE WORK DONE
The work gets done through a combination of our professional and locally hired Trail Crew, and dedicated hard-working volunteers. SBTS produces 10 organized volunteer work days each year with work locations in the Plumas and Tahoe Forests. These Trail Daze events average 35 volunteers per work day (they have had as many as 206 volunteers at their 2010 National Trails Day venue). To date, SBTS has generated over 30,000 volunteer hours on local trails. And to keep volunteers fired-up and coming back, they have beer sponsors and provide a great post-work BBQ.
MILLS PEAK TRAIL
Project Funded Through: Eastern Plumas Recreation District using California Proposition 40 funds, Plumas County Board of Supervisors using Title III funds, Plumas Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative using GotSky Foundation funds, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, SBTS general funds, and generous contributions from Ibis Cycles.
Project Status: Mills Peak Trail is a 9 mile multi-use trail that connects the beautiful Mohawk Valley (elev. 4,400') to the crest of the Sierra Nevada (7,200'). The trail is being constructed by the professional Trail Crew using a mini excavator, which was purchased with funds derived from an Ibis Cycles raffle in 2009. The route provides a vital connection from the town of Graeagle to Downieville and will be one of the featured trails of the Sierra Crown mountain bike stage race. Now 90% complete, Mills Peak Trail looks to be finished this season.
SIERRA CROWN
The Sierra Crown is a proposed race that the SBTS is working on, and scheduled to happen this Fall. It will showcase some of the best trails in Sierra and Plumas Counties, and will help generate funds to build new trails that provide key linkages between towns. With grant funding becoming tighter and tighter, the SBTS are taking matters into their own hands and producing events and programs that help them achieve their goals and maintain the trail system.
Here's a brief description for this year's event with the hope of having the race expand to Nevada City in 2012.
SIERRA CROWN TRANS SIERRA MOUNTAIN BIKE STAGE RACE
200 rider (100 teams) maximum for the first year
Downieville Classic is a qualifier for Sierra Crown
3-day mountain bike stage race through the Sierra's most rugged and scenic Gold Country
Day 1 - Forest City to Downieville
Day 2 - Downieville Loop
Day 3 - Downieville to Graeagle