Next Up, Empire Mine State Historic Park
Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture is proud to announce the continuation of its free, outdoor nature programs geared toward getting the community outside to enjoy guided hiking, art, and journaling adventures. It is all made possible thanks to a $200,000 Outdoor Equity Program Grant it recently received from the California State Parks & Recreation Department. The funding is part of a California State Parks statewide initiative that has provided $57 million in grant funding to 125 communities, including Yuba-Sutter, to help advance its “Outdoor Access for All” initiative. The funding helps establish hubs for local activities and trips to natural areas for underserved communities.
The next adventure will be held on Saturday, January 20 to the Empire Mine State Historic Park from 8:30am -2pm. Meet at Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture, 624 E Street in Marysville to pick up supplies and organize carpools. Located in Grass Vallery, Empire Mine consists of over 800 acres and 14 miles of trails. The event includes time for nature instruction and journaling, sketching, and photography. The hike will include the Upper and Lower Union and Indian Ridge Loop, a total of 3.8 miles. A visitor center, gift shop, and guided tours of the mine itself are available for any who wants to extend the day. Art supplies and snacks are all provided. The event will be held rain or shine. If it rains, the hike will be shortened, and indoor areas of the park will be explored.
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Last year’s near-sold-out experiences included guided trips to the Sutter Buttes, South Yuba River State Park, Table Mountain, Hidden Falls, Fairy Falls, Grey Lodge, and Ellis Lake. These trips are free of charge and park admission fees, supplies, and snacks are included. Pre-registration is required at yubasutterarts.org. You will receive a list of what else you will need to bring once you register. There is a refundable $10 per person fee at the time of registration. Participants will receive a cash refund upon arrival. There are no refunds for no-shows. This new rule is necessary due to the number of no-shows last year which caused organizers to turn away others wishing to attend once we reached trip capacity.
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Why is access to the outdoors important? Nature is a public good that’s crucial for adults as well as children’s health and well-being. Scientists estimate that every $1 spent on creating and maintaining park trails can save almost $3 in health care alone. Additional studies show that access to parks and greenspace can increase children’s physical activity, reduce stress in children, and improve academic performance.
There is a $10 deposit for each RSVP, you will receive the $10 in cash when you check in for the outing. Any no shows will not receive their deposit back.
Announcements about further 2024 outdoor art adventures will be made soon. For updates follow Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture on Facebook, go to yubasutterarts.org, or call 530-742-ARTS (2787).