The Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians has established environmental conservancy as a cornerstone of its tribal legacy, honoring the land that their ancestors lived on long ago.  But that is only part of the story. The Tribe’s focus on protection, conservation and preservation today is also about the future – taking the necessary steps now to protect and provide for the generations to come.

As it considers all its options for growing its community and business enterprises, the Tribe is mindful of environmental challenges. The precious resources that provide power and drive economic growth are carefully monitored for efficiency.  To address these challenges, the Tribe has adopted proven technologies and has taken innovative steps to enhance existing programs.

Understanding geographic advantages and disadvantages, the Tribe invested in technologies that tap northern California’s abundant supply of solar power and protect the region’s water supply. It has developed a 250-kilowatt solar power plant that has been so successful that plans are already underway for an expanded installation.

In the fall of 2007, three fuel cells went into operation at the Cache Creek Casino Resort, providing enough power to meet 20% of the resort’s electricity needs. The fuel cell program is a partnership with PG&E and may be expanded to bring more fuel cell-based power online.

The Tribe has embraced comprehensive recycling on a widespread basis, with significant emphasis on a water management program. This program takes the form of strict usage rules and uses reclaimed water for segments of its plumbing system and landscape environments, including irrigation of the 18-hole Yocha-De-He golf course. 

Beyond environmental protections associated with construction and facilities operation, the Tribe also promotes the preservation of open space and agricultural land. As such, it has placed more than 1,200 acres of land in conservation easements for the sole purpose of preserving and enhancing biological habitats and maintaining agriculture in the Capay Valley.

The Tribe has also tackled one of California’s most challenging ecological problems: invasive species.  All over California, non-indigenous invasive plants, lacking natural predators and presenting a removal challenge, are attacking indigenous flora and fauna.  The Tribe’s Cache Creek Cultural Restoration Project, implemented in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, removes and controls invasive plant species from stream banks in the Cache Creek watershed, particularly in locations subject to erosion.  The Tribe has planted 11 acres of native plants, including deer grass, coyote bush and cotton flower to ensure a blockage-free, more natural water flow.

In harmony with the Capay Valley, the Tribe is proactive in environmentally sensitive farming practices. Incorporating natural systems protects the land and preserves it for generations to come, ensuring a productive and sustainable future.  Natural systems include planned use of insects and ground cover, mulching and irrigation systems, and strategic crop rotation cycles.  Crops in rotation include almonds, walnuts, olives, grapes, wheat, safflower, oat hay, all grain forage, alfalfa and sunflowers.

The Tribe is dedicated to its role as an environmental steward of the land.  Mindful of the past and tending to the future, it stands ready to adopt new technologies and strategies as they come online. The Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians will keep moving forward, forging and maintaining a relationship with its historic homeland that enhances both its people and its sacred environment.