Protecting Land and Water in Lake County

Our Story; Part VII

In celebration of Lake County Land Trust's 30th anniversary year we continue OUR STORY. We started with humble beginnings in Part I, then got our feet wet with our first acquisition in Part II, and boldly worked with many to save Rodman Preserve from development in Part III and the Black Forest in Part IV. In Part V we developed a conservation plan which prioritized saving Clear Lake’s wetland and shoreline. We purchased our first wetlands in the Big Valley with the acquisition of the 32 acre Melo Wetland Preserve as Part VI of our story. Now we share Part VII of our story with more exciting conservation.

Pair of Greater Yellow Legs at the shoreline on the preserve.

Our next project took almost four years and a lot of effort by many to complete. But in 2020 we joyously closed escrow on our largest conservation effort to date with the purchase of the 201 acre Wright Family Ranch in south Lakeport. This purchase was aided, as so many other of our land acquisitions have been, by Kelseyville resident and local attorney, Peter Windrem. As a long time resident of the Big Valley area community, Windrem has many ties to old time families here and helped to connect the Land Trust with members of the Wright family who were looking for conservation buyers of their beloved ranch.

The property is the largest Land Trust property and the second purchase in the Big Valley Wetlands Preservation Project. It contains oak woodlands, pasture, shoreline wetlands and riparian forest. The preserve includes the possibility of restoring 32 acres of shoreline wetlands, critical to the health of the Clear Lake ecosystem. The purchase of this beautiful preserve was funded by donors and the California Wildlife Conservation Board. It was a long journey but so exciting to accomplish!

(This preserve is now part of the Kuulanapo Wetland Preserve)

Val Nixon, LCLT President, signing escrow papers for the Wright Family Ranch.

Join Us for a Guided Walk

Kuulanapo Wetland Preserve

Saturday, August 3rd, 8:00 am

We will guide you through the pasture and oak woodland to the shoreline. The preserve is as close to the original, natural shoreline as you can get. You will see a variety of wildlife and get a chance to see our work in progress; two viewing platforms on the water's edge.

We are also offering guided walks on:

August 31st,

September 28th,

October 19th.

Click here for directions.

Youth Visit

Rodman Preserve

The Lake County Land Trust hosted two youth programs at the Rodman Preserve in Lakeport with ages ranging from 5 to 14 years old.

The Junior Interact Club from Terrace Middle School learned about native and invasive plants. They helped remove invasive Scotch Broom and non-native grasses around native grasses. After working a few hours the students enjoyed a picnic lunch on the shaded deck of the Nature Center.

The other group of youth were home school students and students from the Westlake Adventist School. A group of retired educators, Anita Swanson, Karen Bettencourt, Joann O'Neill, Donna Mackiewicz, and Meg Harper "piloted" or tested a unit from the curriculum Caring for Clear Lake over a five day period.

The curriculum was developed by UC Davis and was funded by the Blue Ribbon Committe for the Rehabilitation of Clear Lake. The students enjoyed the environment lessons and being on the preserve.

LAKE COUNTY LAND TRUST ANNUAL DINNER

One of Lake County's top events of the year. Mark your calendars

OCTOBER 26, 2024

Thank You Land Tenders

After several rained out days, the Land Trust was finally able to host a "Land Tending Day" at the Rodman Preserve on June 8, 2024. Some 'land tenders' learned how to identify some California Native Grasses and worked on a Purple Needle Grass area.

Another group headed to the northern area of the preserve to work on removing invasive Scotch Broom.

The weather was warm and the preserve was vibrantly alive with the sounds and smells of spring. After a few hours everyone headed back to the Nature Center to enjoy lunch together on the shady back porch.

Our native grasses are flourishing and the Scotch Broom is less able to strangle out native plants. Thank you Land Tenders!

Quote from one of our Land Tenders:

"Just wanted to say a big thank you to you, Roberta, and other behind-the-scenes folks at the Land Trust for last weekend's land tending event. We learned a lot about the native grasses, were introduced to a beautiful Lake County asset, got a delicious lunch on your spacious deck, and met wonderful people."