Katie O’Hara Kelly works on the book in her office

SIERRA COUNTY — The Sierra Buttes and Lakes Basin region is one of the most compelling visual features of the Sierra Nevada. The craggy, snow-covered Buttes form a dramatic alpine backdrop to the Basin’s high-elevation lakes. The Sierra County Land Trust’s (SCLT) mission is to protect and preserve this incredible landscape as a legacy for future generations.

Partnering with the Sierra County Arts Council and local artists, the SCLT is creating a book of writings, photography, history, and art celebrating our beautiful Sierra Buttes and Lakes Basin. The Upstate Creative Corps program from the California Arts Council is funding the book titled “The Sierra Buttes and Lakes Basin: Protecting the Sierra One Place at a Time.” The book will feature local artists, photographers, and writers, including Katie O’Hara-Kelly, Darby Hayes, Mark Stevenson, Mary Davey, Paul Guffin, Hank Meals, Steve Carlton, John Wagner, B.J. Jordan, Sugie Barker, Marjorie Voorhees, and Margie Miller.

North Yuba Naturalist, author, photographer, and artist Katie O’Hara-Kelly has done an incredible job laying out and editing the book, which is planned to be released this spring. We are so grateful to have her experience and expertise to bring this book together. Laurie Obelholtzer of the SCLT has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition with the hope that the book will help fulfill the SCLT’s mission to preserve this incredible landscape.

The book will be accompanied by an art show showcasing contributors, which is scheduled to open on the evening of June 8, 2024, at the North Yuba River Hall in Downieville. Learn more about the Sierra County Land Trust: https://www.sierracountylandtrust.org/. Sierra County Arts Council is a State-Local Partner with the California Arts Council. Information at: https://www.sierracountyartscouncil.org/