Lake County Land Trust
Lake County Land Trust
History The Lake County Land Trust was formed and officially incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization in 1993. A small group of friends who saw the need for expanded conservation efforts in Lake County got together to form the trust. Founding members were: Susanne Scholz, Roberta Lyons, John Graham, Glenn Dishman, Mary Tulanian-Benson, Michael Friel, Judy Cox, Kim Clymire and Sibyl Day.
Mary Tulanian-Benson was the first secretary and took on the job of filing incorporation papers. Roberta Lyons served as president from 1993-1999 and Glenn Dishman was a very able treasurer for the first seven years of the trust's life. Initial jobs and projects included development of a brochure and statement of purpose; setting up guidelines for the types of property that the trust would work to preserve, and getting educated about the various funding sources available for purchase of land for conservation and preservation purposes.
The trust's first project was completed in 1999 with the acquisition of Rodman Ranch and Slough on the north shore of Clear Lake on the Nice-Lucerne cutoff. This 441-acre property bordering Rodman Slough and Clear Lake had long been known for its valuable wildlife habitat. Home to one of the largest Great Blue Heron rookeries in Northern California, and also containing nesting sights for osprey, Western Grebes, and a variety of other birds and mammals - the Rodman Ranch and Slough still remained unprotected. A variety of development proposals for the property had been presented to the County Planning Department and when the Lake County Land Trust stepped in, the land was once again for sale and being touted as an excellent site for a housing development, golf course and marina.
With the able advice and help of Lakeport attorney and long-time Kelseyville resident, Peter Windrem, the trust was able to negotiate an option to purchase the property and set about working to acquire the over $1 million needed to buy the land. The very successful "Adopt-A-Nest" campaign brought in over $30,000 from mostly local individuals and was used to make two installments of the option payment. The Lake County Record Bee published a list of donors for the campaign on a regular basis and this continuous publicity generated a great deal of interest. Adopt-A-Nesters were awarded a beautiful certificate with a picture of a nesting heron at the Rodman rookery.
After over a year of working to secure a variety of funding sources from the federal and state governments, the County of Lake, private buyers for part of the property, and a private foundation, the trust was able to purchase the Rodman Ranch and Slough property. Presently, the Lake County Land Trust owns 131 acres, which include the Great Blue Heron rookery site, oak grasslands, and a small ranch house that has been renovated to serve as a Nature Center for the Preserve on the corner of Westlake Drive and the Nice-Lucerne cutoff. The California Department of Fish and Game owns 107 acres of wetlands; Rodman Ranch Vineyard owns 162 acres on the south side of the Nice-Lucerne cutoff and the County of Lake owns 41 acres on the lake near the Rodman Slough Bridge.
The trust offers guided walks of the property at various times throughout the year. The Lake County Land Trust's Rodman Slough project has been featured in both Sunset Magazine (April 2001) and in Birdscapes (Spring/Summer 2002). The full-color articles tell the story of the acquisition project and feature beautiful color photographs of the property and its nesting herons.
Other projects of the Lake County Land Trust include acquisition of the Black Forest, a 252-acre forest on the slopes of Mt. Konocti. The trust worked with the Bureau of Land Management and the State Wildlife Conservation board to secure funding to purchase the forest. The Land Trust initially purchased the land with help from private lenders, a loan from Lake Community Bank, and monthly pledges from almost 50 individuals dedicated to preserving the forest. The project was completed in September of 2004 with the Bureau of Land Management now holding title to the land, which will be dedicated to open space and wildlife habitat. Also helping with this project was the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation through its Preserving Wild California Program.
The trust also owns the 7-acre Rabbit Hill in Middletown. Rabbit Hill is located in the midst of Middletown and at one time was a nature sanctuary established by Mr. and Mrs. Hamann in honor of their deceased daughter. The property was deeded by the Hamanns to an out-of-county Audubon Society, but because of the distance it was difficult for the society to look after the property so they were happy to turn it over to the Lake County Land Trust. The Trust has succeeded in cleaning up the area extensively and a picnic table has been placed there with the help of the Lake County Community Services Department. The trust has also taken oral histories of Middletown "old-timers" who remember the Hamanns and the sanctuary. It is hoped that continued local interest will spur volunteers to help on projects to improve Rabbit Hill.
The goal of the Lake County Land Trust is to preserve land permanently and when possible provide public access for aesthetic and recreational uses. The trust can hold Conservation Easements which are a creative way to preserve land in perpetuity while still maintaining private ownership.Land trusts are private, non-profit corporations that work to protect land for various values. Most of the land trusts nation-wide are involved with protecting land with sensitive and important natural habitat, although some trusts work to protect historical properties or scenic areas. The Lake County Land Trust was formed to protect and preserve wetlands, wildlife habitats, forests, watersheds, riparian stream corridors, lakeside areas, and other properties with unique scenic, cultural, agricultural, educational, or historical value in Lake County, California. The trust works only with willing sellers and has no power of eminent domain. The trust works cooperatively with landowners, private groups and governmental agencies. Funding for land acquisition comes from State and Federal sources as well as private corporations and donations
The Lake County Land Trust has grown to a 9-member board of directors and sends out hundreds of newsletters on a quarterly basis to paid members and donors. Donations to the trust are tax-deductible and the trust will provide a tax letter at the end of the year for those requesting one. The Lake County Land Trust accounts are reviewed every year by a qualified tax consultant. Pete McGee, Middletown, manager of the Montesol Ranch, is president; Tom Gilliam, III, of Lakeport, is vice-president; Roberta Lyons, Lower Lake, is secretary; and, Kristi Groff, Lakeport, is treasurer. Other board members include: Michael Friel, Hidden Valley Lake; Nina Marino, Kelseyville; Brad Barnwell, Lakeport; Jon Ambrose, Hidden Valley Lake; and, Tom Smythe, of Kelseyville. Clearlake resident Susanne Scholz serves as the Trust's executive director.
Non Governmental We are a non-profit and non-governmental organization that works cooperatively with land owners, private groups, and governmental agencies.
