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Gary
Adest and Barbara Brydolf live in Springville, CA
(population 1500). Both are trained in biology - he
in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology - she in Molecular
Genetics. Since 1990 they have worked together on
a variety of field research projects in Wildlife Biology
in Mexico and the deserts of the southwestern United
States.
They bought River Ridge
(formerly the Negus Ranch) in 2000 when it looked
as if the land would end up as a major housing development
on the Tule River. Barbara and Gary thought they had
a better idea….
By working with their
local land trust, the Sequoia Riverlands Trust, and
a number of partners and donors, they were able to
place a conservation easement on the ranch and market
the development rights. River Ridge is now fully protected
in perpetuity and will remain a haven for people seeking
personal restoration and recreation and for the flora
and fauna which abound on the property.
In order to afford the
costs of the property, mortgage, taxes and improvements
and upkeep, Barbara and Gary decided to do what they
knew best: to teach people about the outdoors. They
also ended up learning to do what they knew nothing
about: managing the day-to-day affairs of a working
cattle ranch, a grazing regime and the myriad of details
in planning and providing for people to have a rewarding
and memorable experience when visiting their ranch.
Their 8-year-old daughter,
Emma, is a major player in the building program and
in exploring the nooks and crannies of River Ridge.
If she’s there when you visit, ask her to take
you to one of her secret hiding places or to visit
our horses- Arrow and Thunder.
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