Founder of James K. Herbert Prairie Wetlands Preserve dies, asks to conserve land
The man behind a 725-acre preserve in Tulare County has died. But the land he helped save will live on.
James K. Herbert Jr. died Dec. 5. He was 85.
Sequoia Riverlands Trust's James K. Herbert Prairie Wetlands Preserve is protected land that a variety of birds and other wildlife call home. Located between Tulare and Lindsay it is a tranquil expanse of open fields covered in wildflowers in the spring and a safe space for toads, birds, and other native animals to run free and explore the wet springs.
This property is only open to the public for special events.
This vast 725-acre preserve was made possible by founder Herbert Jr. and his wife Carol. They established the James K. Herbert Wetland Prairie Preserve in the 1990s. Then, in 2000, Sequoia Riverlands Trust was able to buy the land, thanks to the Herbert’s generosity, the organization's leaders said.
Sequoia Riverlands Trust (SRT) is a regional nonprofit land trust dedicated to strengthening California's heartland and the natural and agricultural legacy of the southern Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley.
"The wealth, productivity, and beauty of this land inspire our work to conserve it for the prosperity and enjoyment of future generations," the organization states on its website.
Logan Robertson Huecker, SRT executive director, applauded Herbert's dedication to Tulare County's wildland.
“SRT is grateful for Jim Herbert's vision for establishing the preserve and for his passion for conservation," he said. "His commitment enables us all to see a glimpse of how the San Joaquin Valley once appeared, with vast grasslands and habitats of incredible biological diversity. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
Herbert's family asks that people interested in honoring the man behind the preserves donate to a favorite charity or plant a tree. Donations to Sequoia Riverlands Trust and the James K. Herbert Prairie Wetlands Preserve are an option on sequoiariverlands.org
To conserve the lands and waters of California's heartland, SRT engages landowners, farmers, conservationists, business partners, and governmental agencies to collaborate on land conservation throughout our region.
For over 20 years, Sequoia Riverlands Trust has collaborated with landowners, agencies, and other nonprofit conservation organizations to protect more than 43,300 acres of natural lands across nine southern San Joaquin Valley Counties, including within Carrizo Plain National Monument. SRT's nature preserves protect almost 15,000 acres of native landscapes, woodland communities and wildlife habitat. SRT also holds conservation easements on more than 28,000 acres of protected open space land, many on working farms and ranches.
The man behind the land
In 1966, Herbert Jr. began lecturing for the Bay Area Review course while he practiced law. Eventually, he left the practice to devote time to lecturing about the law. In addition to the main course lectures, he created the Herbert Writing Course.
Herbert Jr. graduated from Stanford University and later studied at the Boalt Hall, Berkeley Law School. He was hired at Richards, Watson, and Gershon in Los Angeles where he spearheaded the Save Our Coastline fight for the city of Palos Verdes.
"We were fortunate to have you as our 'Gunslinger,'" the organization posted.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Founder of James K. Herbert Prairie Wetlands Preserve dies, asks to conserve land
