Land Trusts are the Answer

Land Trusts are the Answer

In the age of climate change California has become a leader in innovative ways to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. California has also recognized the benefit of protecting biodiversity and working lands in the race to limit the catastrophic impacts of global climate change. As part of this effort, the Governor has started the 30x30 initiative in California. The aim of this program is to conserve 30 percent of California's lands by the year 2030. In order to achieve these ambitious tasks it will take a Herculean effort not only from the state but also from the Land Trusts around California.

The Mother Lode Land Trust is a regional land trust that works to conserve lands from El Dorado County to Tuolumne County including western Alpine. Since the Gold Rush the Bay Area, Sacramento, and the Sierra have been closely linked. This region contains significant rivers; the American, Mokelumne, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne Rivers. The Mokelumne River provides 90% of the water to East Bay Municipal Water District(EBMUD) the Tuolumne River delivers 80% of the SF Water District supply. What happens in the Sierra directly impacts the rest of California, especially the Bay Area. In addition to the water supply, millions of people recreate in the Sierra and enjoy the rich wine and beef grown throughout the Sierra foothills.

Unfortunately, the same sprawl development pattern we find in the suburbs of every major city, including the Bay Area, now threatens the Sierra. A quick drive up Highway 50 or 80, on your way to the High Sierra, will demonstrate how far the sprawl has encroached on our beautiful rolling hills and Oak Forest. This development in once-rural areas further exacerbates climate change. The conversion of grasslands and oaks to pavement reduces the carbon sequestered. Secondly, the development is almost completely car-dependent which means people living in these new communities must drive to meet most of their basic needs.

The Good News!

Luckily there are Land Trusts throughout the Sierra that can help private landowners conserve their properties for future generations while saving on taxes. According to the Land Trust Alliance, land trusts have protected 61 million acres and contributed to 70% of the land protected since 2015. Land Trusts work mostly with private landowners to help conserve and protect their lands through conservation easements. The great thing about conservation easements is that they are a completely voluntary action on the part of the landowner.

Conservation Easements

A conservation easement is a voluntary restriction on the deed of the land that will limit the development of that parcel of land forever. In exchange for limiting the development potential the landowner usually has their taxes reduced. In the case of a purchased easement, the landowner receives compensation for the conservation easement.

The benefits of protecting land go far beyond that of the individual landowner. The Sierra Cascade Council of Land Trust Studies “estimate that for every $1 invested in conservation, $4 to $11 is returned in natural goods and services like clean air and water and reduced risk of flooding. A recent analysis from the California Rangeland Trust showed a return of up to $168 per dollar invested for the permanent conservation of threatened resources.

If you own land in the Mother Lode Region contact us and we can help protect your land today. The State of California has a lot of lofty goals but they can’t be accomplished without your help or the help of Land Trusts.