Debbie Croft: Congratulations to foothills nonprofits

Impressive opportunities and changes are taking place in several of our local nonprofit organizations. Join me in recognizing the following individuals and groups:

Last month, NatureBridge announced Phillip Kilbridge as its new president and chief executive officer. This environmental science education organization operates in national parks in California, Washington and Virginia.

His starting date is later next month. He said he looks forward to empowering more young people to become responsible citizens who value and support the future of environmental sustainability.

Before coming to NatureBridge, the new president served for 10 years as CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco.

Under Kilbridge’s leadership, NatureBridge plans to complete a $56 million capital campaign for developing a National Environmental Science Center in Yosemite National Park.

Registration is still open for the organization’s teen summer field research course. Backpacking and wilderness survival are part of the outdoor immersion adventure. Creating an ecological research project is also done while building leadership skills and making new friends. Visit www.naturebridge.org for details.

Recently, Sierra Foothill Conservancy announced its selection of Bridget Fithian as executive director of the nonprofit.

A Mariposa native, Fithian returned to her hometown after college and worked seasonally in Yosemite National Park. In 2008, she began volunteering with SFC, but soon landed a staff position. In 2011, she was promoted to conservation director.

While in that role, she established Mariposa’s first preserve with accessibility to the public: the Stockton Creek Preserve. This was made possible through a partnership with the Mariposa Public Utility District and Sierra Nevada Conservancy.

“I started out doing membership seven years ago,” she said, “and never imagined I’d be the executive director.”

Exciting things are going on, she told me. The Bean Creek Preserve near Greeley Hill is undergoing a meadow restoration project to improve its role in California’s water and ecosystem.

Sierra Foothill Conservancy is looking for volunteers and members to join in preservation efforts. Visit www.sierrafoothill.org, or call 209-742-5556 or 559-855-3473.

The California Arts Council released news earlier this month of grants totaling more than $4 million, to be invested in communities across the state.

Through the Creative California Communities program, 30 grants were awarded. Two foothills nonprofits are recipients: Calaveras County Arts Council and Mariposa County Arts Council.

The Calaveras County Arts Council will receive $23,100 in a matching grant for its “AnimalScapes of the Sierra Nevada Foothills,” an upcoming show featuring the works of artists in three counties.

“We will soon invite 60 artists of various disciplines, to create art depicting domestic and wild animals in specific backdrops of the Sierra foothill region,” Mary Jane Genochio, executive director of the CCAC, said.

Appealing to animal lovers of all kinds, the monthlong exhibits will be held in Tuolumne, Amador and Calaveras counties.

The Performing Animal Welfare Society and California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife will benefit from the exposure in the re-creation of the artwork for a 2017 calendar. Project funds will award artists, provide payment for art jurors, and produce events for artists and those who appreciate art.

The Mariposa County Arts Council is also thrilled to receive news about a grant of $33,341 for support of a multicounty tour by the Mariposa Symphony Orchestra through Yosemite gateway communities next year.

In 2014, the first two in a series of original major symphonic poems, commemorating the four anniversaries of Yosemite, were composed by MSO founder and conductor Les Marsden. The third composition debuted this year, and the fourth will premier in 2016.

Learn more about the grants programs at www.arts.ca.gov.

And congratulations to all.

This story was originally published July 26, 2015 at 12:49 PM with the headline "Debbie Croft: Congratulations to foothills nonprofits."