The Northern California Regional Land Trust hosted an educational lunch and hike Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. With the beautiful Hanford Preserve property along the West Branch Feather River canyon as a backdrop, attendees learned about how the Land Trust helps protect land and national resources, heard about current projects, and took a vigorous hike to the river. Here's how the Land Trust's Web site describes the Hanford Preserve: "This 100-acre conservation easement was donated in 1999 and preserves ponderosa pine forest and oak woodland in upper Paradise while overlooking the West Branch of the Feather River. The primary purpose of the easement is to preserve ecological and evolutionary processes, and the natural, scenic, and open space values of the property." Photos by Alan Sheckter / NorCalEdit@sbcglobal.net. Permission must be granted for re-publication.