Lake County Land Trust seeks help for monitoring Rabbit Hill as improvements are made
- LAKE COUNTY LAND TRUST
- Posted On
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — There is a sweet spot of nature in Middletown called Rabbit Hill.
The site is owned by the Lake County Land Trust.
This nine-acre serpentine outcropping is a geologically and culturally significant piece of property, with 360-degree views.
Rabbit Hill also has a sculpture (Invitation — Gateway to the Sky 2020-22) created by artist Marcus Maria Jung in collaboration with community members and the Middletown Art Center, in remembrance of the 2015 Valley Fire.
Soon residents, visitors and those passing through will see significant improvements on the 9-acre preserve.
The Lake County Land Trust is working with Cal Fire on vegetation management. Shaded fuel breaks near the road and property lines will lessen the danger from wildfire.
The goal is to keep the neighborhood safe while at the same time considering the importance of wildlife habitat provided by the chaparral/leather oak community that makes up the preserve.
An exciting public art project on Rabbit Hill is currently in progress. It’s a partnership between the Middletown Art Center, the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California, and the Callayomi County Water District.
The partners are seeking design proposals for 360-degree murals inspired by Pomo basketry to be painted on Callayomi's water tanks.
As Rabbit Hill is the highest point in town, the murals will be visible from multiple locations in Middletown and from the highway, and will enhance the property.
The project is funded by the partners with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts and community members. Learn more at https://middletownartcenter.org/waterbasket.html.
Beginning in 2022 several Middletown High School students have been conducting their community service hours at Rabbit Hill with pruning, trash collection and erecting a very fine directional post that points to the mountain peaks visible from the hilltop.
Unfortunately, over this time Rabbit Hill has experienced extensive vandalism. Graffiti on the cement picnic table, water tower, and rocks including some hate symbols have been a disappointing and common occurrence.
The new directional signs have been broken off, bent, and then tossed around the area. The Land Trust will be replacing these directional signs for the third time.
The Lake County Land Trust is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit whose mission is to conserve lands of natural and cultural significance. The funding for improvements and stewardship of Rabbit Hill Preserve comes from local contributions and volunteers.
Many people live near Rabbit Hill and walk it often. The Land Trust appreciates that many of those folks pick up trash and enjoy the views and calm of this small gem.
The hope is that more people will volunteer to monitor and report problems to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or leave a message at 707-262-0707.
The Land Trust is beseeching parents to remind their youth that vandalism is not only an annoying prank but also a serious crime.
Hate symbols or words and the monetary value of the damage done by vandalism can increase the crime level. When vandalism, including graffiti, malicious damage, destroying, or defacing someone else's property happens, it is disappointing and expensive to replace and repair.
The cost is borne by all those who support the Land Trust. Those costs and possibly jail time will be borne by those caught committing the crime.
Please remind youth and adults of the moral and legal consequences of their actions.
Where possible, the Land Trust opens its privately owned preserves, including Rabbit Hill, to the public. It is a gift to the people of Middletown and visitors that Rabbit Hill remains open, and improvements are made.
Please help the Lake County Land Trust continue to safely keep Rabbit Hill open to the public by keeping an eye on it, reporting crimes to the Land Trust and the local sheriff and reminding young people to be responsible citizens.