About Us
For over 20 years, the Lake County Land Trust has been protecting and preserving local lands. We are committed to protecting wildlife habitats and native plants, using resources wisely, and making the natural environment accessible for all, through guided hikes, field trips, special events, and designated public access areas. The Land Trust owns and/ or manages five large properties as well as over 80 acres of conservation easements. Get to know us!
For more information on the history of the Land Trust, please click here.
Lake County Land Trust's Conservation Priority Plan
The Conservation Priority Plan summarizes the Lake County Land Trust’s efforts at identifying and ranking unique areas/ecosystems in Lake County, California, in order to guide our conservation efforts. The Land Trust provides conservation opportunities through the acquisition of, or establishment of conservation easements on unique properties potentially threatened with development or conversion to other land uses.
Our Accomplishments
Acquisition of the Rodman Ranch and Preserve
The Lake County Land Trust’s signature project is the Rodman Ranch and Preserve, commonly called Rodman Slough, on the north end of Clear Lake. Acquisition of this property involved gathering resources from State, Federal, and County sources, as well as private funding to purchase and preserve valuable upland oak habitat and wetland habitat. Finally, in 1999, the Land Trust was able to complete the purchase of this property. The preserve consists of 240 acres, owned by the Land Trust and the Department of Fish and Game, plus another 40 acres owned by the County of Lake. Significant funding for this project came from the State Wildlife Conservation Board.
Membership on Planning
and Resource Management Committees
Members of the board of directors of the Lake County Land Trust have represented the trust for many years on various conservation and planning committees and organizations in the county. The trust was represented on the Lake County Grading Ordinance Committee, a group that reviewed and updated the County of Lake’s important Grading Ordinance, a document vital to the protection of hillside habitats and for preventing erosion into Clear Lake. The trust serves on the Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) for the Mendocino National Forest. This is a federal committee that oversees funding of conservation projects. The money for these projects comes from a federal law passed in 2000 guaranteeing counties receive a specific amount of money equal to the money that historically came as a result of federal timbersales and Members of the board of directors of the Lake County Land Trust have represented the trust for many years on various conservation and planning committees and organizations in the county. The trust was represented on the Lake County Grading Ordinance Committee, a group that reviewed and updated the County of Lake’s important Grading Ordinance, a document vital to the protection of hillside habitats and for preventing erosion into Clear Lake. The trust serves on the Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) for the Mendocino National Forest. This is a federal committee that oversees funding of conservation projects. The money for these projects comes from a federal law passed in 2000 guaranteeing counties receive a specific amount of money equal to the money that historically came as a result of federal timber sales and other forest receipts that are no longer available. The trust has had input involving the rehabilitation of meadows, trails, campgrounds, and preservation of vital bat cave habitat. Members of the board have participated in the development of two Area Plan committees put in place for updating the Lake County General Plan, and the land trust is involved with the Blueprint Planning Advisory Committee, a committee with the goal of developing a preferred growth scenario for the county, looking at issues of sprawl, transportation, open space, agriculture, and more.
Community Outreach
Over the years since its founding, the Lake County Land Trust has been involved in community outreach by offering information presentations to local service groups and schools, participating in a variety of nature education events, and continuing its field trips and programs at the Rodman Preserve. The Land Trust was an initial sponsor and co-producer of the local Heron Festival and continues to participate in that event. Earth Day festivities will often find a Land Trust booth offering information and educational hand-outs. The Land Trust also attends the annual Pear Festival in Kelseyville. The Trust holds a Spring Celebration and an annual Dinner, called Dinner with Direction, encouraging both Land Trust members and other supporters to attend, socialize, and learn about the efforts and progress being made by the Lake County Land Trust.
