The Black Forest is located on Soda Bay Road near Buckingham Park. This project preserved 255-acres containing an old growth Douglas fir forest on the northeast slope of Mount Konocti in Northern California's Lake County. The area is known locally as the Black Forest due to the density of the trees and the existence of huge lichen and moss-covered boulders. The Black Forest provides wildlife habitat, erosion control, and scenic views, while also being home to the local Indian tribe's sacred sites. Visible from many places around the lake, it is a landmark property.
The Black Forest
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In 1999, plans by a new set of owners to log the property were brought to the community's attention and the Lake County Land Trust was asked to assist in its preservation. Spurred on by over fifty members of the community willing to make the interest payments on a series of notes and loans over the next nineteen months by authorizing deductions from their credit cards, the property was purchased by the Land Trust for $560,000 and the process of finding permanent protective funding started.
In early 2000, BLM funding of $285,000 for a portion of the property was identified through their Land Exchange Program. A grant from the California Wildlife Conservation Board for $230,000 was obtained in May of 2003 contingent on the completion of the BLM Land Exchange. The final piece of the protective funding was obtained in 2004 when the County of Lake agreed to purchase a remainder parcel for open space. |
In September of 2004, following a series of difficulties, a modified BLM exchange, now known as Phase I, was completed. It preserved the Black Forest, but left 37 acres untransferred to the BLM. The Phase II exchange completed in April 2006.
In addition to the many donors over the course of the project, the Black Forest project would not have been possible without the help of Lake Community Bank, who provided a significant portion of the initial funding; Resources Legacy Fund Foundation, who in 2003 provided the Land Trust with a very low interest loan to reduce carrying costs; and, five angels who each loaned $25,000 to the Land Trust for the project.
In addition to the many donors over the course of the project, the Black Forest project would not have been possible without the help of Lake Community Bank, who provided a significant portion of the initial funding; Resources Legacy Fund Foundation, who in 2003 provided the Land Trust with a very low interest loan to reduce carrying costs; and, five angels who each loaned $25,000 to the Land Trust for the project.
