Kial James is an award-winning photographer and artist based in Nevada City, California whose work has been published all over the world. Kial’s images are infused with colorful landscapes, stunning astro photography, picturesque scenes of the Gold Country and his muse, The Yuba River. Searching for beautiful and treasured destinations with unique perspectives, Kial harnesses the power of natural light and opportunistic weather patterns to showcase the beauty of home, the Gold Country. Learn more about Kial James and his work at www.kialjames.com.
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Final Frontiers
How the obstacles and allure of small-town startups impact rural innovation
As remote work continues to be normalized within the technology industry, techies are migrating to the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California. Several local tech entrepreneurs share their successes and hurdles.
![Shelly Covert stands on the Deer Creek Tribute Trail, near where in 2018 the California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project acquired 32 acres of land. Covert is the spokesperson for the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe and executive director of CHIRP. (Photo by Kial James)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/feat_environment_kial-james_embed-1.jpg?1620154737)
Fighting for Recognition
Nevada City Rancheria spokesperson Shelly Covert on recovering land and federal status for the Nisenan Tribe
Comstock’s spoke to Covert — who was born and raised in Grass Valley — about her work with the Nisenan Tribe and why it matters.
![Shelly Covert (left) and Elizabeth “Izzy” Martin are working together on a project to build a new segment of the Deer Creek Tribute Trail in Nevada City, which already includes a suspension bridge in tribute to the Nisenan people who lived in the area for thousands of years.
(Photo by Kial James)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/feat_environment_kial-james_lead.jpg?1620151621)
A Tarnished Past
How stakeholders in the Sierra Nevada are confronting the lasting legacy of the gold rush
Over the past two decades, a coordinated effort focused on science and policy, education and awareness, and an entrepreneurial approach to workforce development has been underway to come to grips with the lasting legacy of the mining age.
![Downtown Grass Valley has more than 200 shops — and a movie theater with three screens. (Photo by Kial James)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0120_feat_development_kialjames_grassvalleysunset_lead.jpg?1579721539)
Small Downtowns Blend History With Unique Experiences
The Capital Region offers a mix of destinations within an hour’s drive of Sacramento
For anyone in the Sacramento area looking to get away for a day or weekend, the Capital Region has plenty of hidden gems — the many downtowns in rural enclaves that are easy to drive to and explore by foot.