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The main purpose of the acquisition project was to preserve the natural habitat of the Rodman Ranch and Slough and to facilitate the continued health and existence of the rookery on the property, as well as other nesting, breeding, and feeding areas for wildlife. The Trust organized the "Adopt-A-Nest" fundraiser which raised close to $40,000 from mostly local donors. This enabled the trust to pay for the option and provided a timeline of one year to accomplish the acquisition. The Land Trust was able to pull together funding from a variety of sources to purchase this important wildlife area. Grants were received from the California Department of Fish and Game through the Wildlife Conservation Board, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the National Fish and Wildlife Service, the County of Lake, and the State Department of Parks and Recreation. The Conservation Fund, a national conservation organization, also assisted the trust by providing bridge financing until the the project could be completed. Private owners, long-time Lake County residents and farmers, bought a portion of the property for vineyard development, which was completed in an environmentally sensitive manner, leaving majestic valley oaks and other habitat in place. The trust completed the project in the Fall of 1999. The acquisition was celebrated at the Trust's first annual dinner held in October of 1999. As a result of the acquisition project, the Lake County Land Trust holds title to 131 acres of property, the California Department of Fish and Game owns 107 acres, the County of Lake owns 41 acres (the area at the mouth of Rodman Slough) and Rodman Ranch Vineyard owns 162 acres. The Trust manages the property for wildlife values and has a standing committee involved with trail development, signage, and the development of a small nature center at the renovated ranch house that is located on the property. During the Art and Nature at the Rodman Preserve event, trust members lead walks on the property to view the heron rookery, other wildlife, and scenic areas. Field trips are held throughout the year, and special field trips can be arranged by contacting the Lake County Land Trust. The property is not open to the public on an unrestricted basis because of the sensitivity of the rookery and other habitat, but the trust attempts to provide public access when requested and during special events. The development of a management plan is still underway and the goal is to develop appropriate trails, signage, and public access areas that are compatible with the needs of wildlife. For information about the Rodman Ranch and Slough, or to volunteer to work with the Rodman Slough committee on improvement projects, call the Lake County Land Trust at (707) 995-1398. |
The
Rodman Ranch and Slough acquisition was the first project to
be undertaken by the Lake County Land Trust. In 1998, the
Trust purchased an option on the 441 acre property, located
on the north end of Clear Lake, in Lake County, CA. The
wetland areas of Rodman Slough and the surrounding oak
woodlands, are the home to a wide variety of wildlife,
including a large Great Blue Heron rookery, or nesting site.
Clear Lake is the largest natural lake completely in
California, and Rodman Slough comprises a major portion of
the Clear Lake basin watershed, collecting drainages from
several creeks before it pours into the north end of Clear
Lake.
