The KUSP Land Use Report #51: Land Trusts In Action

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The following Land Use Report is presented by Gary Patton, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County. The opinions expressed by Mr. Patton are not necessarily those of KUSP Radio, nor of any of our sponsors.

Land trusts are private, non-profit organizations that seek to preserve important natural resources and natural lands. They do this, usually, by actually buying those lands, or by acquiring easements that prevent inappropriate development or use. Some groups, like the Nature Conservancy, operate on a state, national, or even international level. Others, like the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, the Big Sur Land Trust, and the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, operate on a local level.

Land trusts exemplify what are often called "public-private partnerships." Public funds, like the Proposition 40 funds used to acquire the Palo Corona Ranch, often play a vital role. But land trusts mobilize private funds, as well. Funding from foundations and major donors helps make conservation purchases possible. Perhaps even more important, donations from private individuals usually provide the "operating funds" that allow land trusts to function. Land trusts need staff to negotiate with property owners, and to find funding that will allow the purchase of the key lands. They need staff to manage the lands that they successfully acquire.

If you like what land trusts do, you might think about becoming a member and supporter. You can get a list of local land trusts, and contact information, in the Land Use Report section, under the Local Show section, of the KUSP website.

For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.

More Information:
Land Trust Alliance: http://www.lta.org/
Big Sur Land Trust: http://www.bigsurlandtrust.org/
Nature Conservancy: http://nature.org/
California Rangeland Trust: http://www.rangelandtrust.org/
Elkhorn Slough Foundation: http://www.elkhornslough.org/
Greenspace – The Cambria Land Trust: http://www.greenspacecambria.org/
Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County: http://www.special-places.org/
Land Trust of Santa Cruz County: http://www.ltscc.org/
Lompico Watershed Conservancy: http://www.lompicocreek.org/
Monterey County Agricultural and Historical Land Conservancy: http://www.mcahlc.com/
Open Space Alliance: http://www.sc-openspace.com/
North Coast Small Wilderness Area Preservation: http://www.northcoastswap.org/

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