THE GROUPS THAT REALLY NEED YOUR MONEY THIS CHRISTMAS!
STATEWIDE GROUPS:
Center for Biological Diversity, http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/Combining conservation biology with litigation, policy advocacy, and an innovative strategic vision, the Center for Biological Diversity is working to secure a future for animals and plants hovering on the brink of extinction, for the wilderness they need to survive, and by extension for the spiritual welfare of generations to come.
California Oaks Foundation, http://www.californiaoaks.org/committed to preserving the state's oak forest ecosystem and its rural landscapes
Friends of the River, http://www.friendsoftheriver.org/Founded in 1973, Friends of the River is dedicated to preserving and restoring California's rivers, streams, and their watersheds as well as advocating for sustainable water management.
STATEWIDE GROUPS:
Center for Biological Diversity, http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/Combining conservation biology with litigation, policy advocacy, and an innovative strategic vision, the Center for Biological Diversity is working to secure a future for animals and plants hovering on the brink of extinction, for the wilderness they need to survive, and by extension for the spiritual welfare of generations to come.
California Oaks Foundation, http://www.californiaoaks.org/committed to preserving the state's oak forest ecosystem and its rural landscapes
Friends of the River, http://www.friendsoftheriver.org/Founded in 1973, Friends of the River is dedicated to preserving and restoring California's rivers, streams, and their watersheds as well as advocating for sustainable water management.
Surfrider Foundation, http://surfrider.org/ The Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit, environmental organization that works to protect our oceans, waves, and beaches.
South Coast Wildlands Project; mapping missing wildlife corridors and linkages throughout California
http://scwildlands.org/
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NORTH COAST:
North Coast Environmental Center http://www.yournec.org/, concerned with Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity Counties and South Oregon. Educates, activates, and when necessary litigates on behalf of the Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion. Created in February 1971, the Northcoast Environmental Center (NEC) is one of the most influential coalitions educating, agitating and litigating on behalf of the environment in the Klamath-Siskiyou region of northwestern California. This nonprofit umbrella for a host of citizen activist groups has been at the forefront of every regional environmental struggle for decades--from ancient redwoods, wild rivers and recycling to toxics, energy and endangered species. Publishes the monthly newspaper EcoNews.
http://www.wildcalifornia.org/ Environmental Protection Information Center, concerned with Humboldt County and the 4 National Forests between the north coast and the Sacramento River Valley; formed by community activists more than 29 years ago, and works to protect and restore ancient forests, watersheds, coastal estuaries, and native species throughout Northwest California. EPIC uses an integrated, science-based approach, combining public education, citizen advocacy, and strategic litigation.
http://www.rffi.org/ Redwood Forest Foundation; recently purchased a 50,000 acre redwood forest on the north Mendocino County coast from a timber logging company.
http://www.savetheredwoods.org/ Save-the-Redwoods LeagueThe League has helped preserve 165,000 acres of ancient redwoods since 1918, on the far north coast, in the Big Sur and Santa Cruz areas, and within Sequoia National Park in the Sierra Nevadas. For history of the Redwood Parks, click here: http://www.savetheredwoods.org/league/timeline.shtml
Sanctuary Forest Inc. http://www.sanctuaryforest.org/ Working to connect Humboldt Redwoods State Park to the King Range National Conservation Area. Since 1987, Sanctuary Forest has met the challenges involved in protecting and conserving over 10,000 acres of forests and streams, including 1200 acres of old growth forest (total of 4400 acres of land acquired for conservation and 6075 acres of conservation easements on private land). For a map of preserved lands, click here: http://www.sanctuaryforest.org/cgi-files/0/pdfs/1116600877_UMRFC_Ownership_Map.pdf
Jackson Forest Restoration Campaign, http://www.jacksonforest.com/Jackson State Forest is a public treasure -- 50,000 acres of beautiful redwood forest located within a few hours drive of San Francisco. The state has been massively logging this public forest, owned by you and me. The profits subsidize the private timber industry. The public forest should not be used for the benefit of the timber industry.Our goal is to restore the forest to old growth for recreation, habitat, and education.
http://www.mendocinolandtrust.org/since 1976, has conserved, in perpetuity, over 9,300 acres of significant lands throughout Mendocino County. For map of preserves, click here: http://www.mendocinolandtrust.org/index.php?Land_Conservation:Conservation_Map#closeup
Sonoma Land Trust, http://www.sonomalandtrust.org/Since 1976, Sonoma Land Trust has protected more than 17,000 acres of beautiful, productive and environmentally significant land in and around Sonoma County.For map of preserved lands, click here: http://www.sonomalandtrust.org/TheLand/Default.aspx
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SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA:
BEST MAGAZINE:
http://www.ecologycenter.org/Based in Berkeley and founded in 1969, the Center promotes environmentally and socially responsible practices, publishes Terrain Magazine (a comprehensive look at environmental issues in Northern California, published 4 times a year), and sponsors groups working on the Headwaters Forest, recycling and plastics, community gardening, Indigenous permaculture, biodiesel and community water rights. To read Terrain back issues, click here: http://www.ecologycenter.org/terrain/
TRAILS:
Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, http://www.ridgetrail.org/The Bay Area Ridge Trail ultimately will be a 500-mile trail encircling the San Francisco Bay along the ridge tops, open to hikers, equestrians, mountain bicyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts of all types. So far, we have dedicated almost 300 miles of trail for use by Bay Area residents, now and forever. For map of the completed trails, and proposed trails, click here: http://www.ridgetrail.org/trail/RWmap02-06.pdf
San Francisco Bay Trail, http://www.baytrail.org/
MARIN COUNTY:
Marin Agricultural Land Trust, http://www.malt.org/MALT has so far permanently protected over 38,000 acres of land on 58 family farms and ranches by acquiring conservation easements. Click here for map of preserved lands: http://www.malt.org/farming/map.html
NORTH BAY/BLUE RIDGE-BERRYESSA:
Blue Ridge-Berryessa Natural Area Conservation Partnership, http://www.brbna.org/The 80 mile long by 20 miles wide, 800,000-acre Blue Ridge Berryessa Natural Area extends from the Mendocino National Forest on the north to the Sacramento River delta on the south. It includes both public and private lands. For map showing the BRBNA in relation to other preserved open spaces, click here: http://www.brbna.org/CF/graphix/fig1-1.jpg
Napa County Land Trust, http://www.napalandtrust.org/Has protected over 46,000 acres of land, which are either agricultural conservation easements, or lands now owned by the Land Trust or other public agency. For map of preserved lands, click here: http://www.napalandtrust.org/30%20year%20map_2006.pdf
Solano Land Trust, http://www.solanolandtrust.org/Has preserved 16,187 acres in the county; owns 10,806 acres and has purchased conservation easements on another 5331 acres. For map of land preserves, click here:
http://www.solanolandtrust.org/solano_protected_lands.php
Approximately two-thirds of annual operations funding is provided by assessment districts in Fairfield and the County of Solano.
http://www.tuleyome.org/Tuleyome was founded in 2002 as a volunteer advocacy-oriented nonprofit organization that is focused on protecting both the wild and agricultural heritages of the Putah-Cache bioregion, including all or parts of Yolo, Lake, Napa, Colusa, and Solano counties in northwestern California. In 2006, Tuleyome purchased the Ireland Ranch from the Ireland family, who are fifth generation Yolo County residents. The 640-acre ranch is located in the Blue Ridge abutting 9100 acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management as the Berryessa Peak unit. The Blue Ridge, a section of the inner coast range in western Yolo County, runs northwest from Putah Creek to Cache Creek. Completely encircled by private land, no one has been able to visit Berryessa Peak for decades. With Tuleyome's purchase of the Ireland Ranch, this wonderful, 9,100-acre wilderness area will finally be open to the public for docent-led hikes, scientific research and other recreational opportunities.
http://www.lakecountylandtrust.org/Along with the Rodman Slough Preserve nature center project, the trust is working on developing a strategic land conservation plan, and exploring ways to preserve Mt. Konocti and its Black Forest of old growth Douglas fir, (Lake County’s central landmark). The Trust owns 390 acres at Rodman, the Black Forest and Rabbit Hill in Middletown.
EAST BAY/MOUNT DIABLO:
Save Mount Diablo, http://www.savemountdiablo.org/Save Mount Diablo is proud of its 35 - year history and its efforts in helping increase open space on and around the mountain from 6,788 acres to more than 89,000 acres.For map showing history of park purchases, click here: http://www.savemountdiablo.org/Maps_PublicLands.htm#Parkland%20Over%20the%20Years
http://www.muirheritagelandtrust.org/, Contra Costa Countythe Muir Heritage Land Trust has permanently preserved over 2000 acres of natural area in Contra Costa County, one of the fastest growing regions of California. For a map of preserves, click here: http://www.muirheritagelandtrust.org/assets/pdfs/maps/map4.pdf and for a map of trail connection corridors http://www.muirheritagelandtrust.org/assets/pdfs/maps/map3.pdf
SOUTH AND WEST SIDE OF THE BAY:
Peninsula Open Space Trust, http://www.openspacetrust.org/Since our founding in 1977, POST has helped to give permanent protection to nearly 55,000 acres of land in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties — an area one and a half times the size of San Francisco and 12 times the size of Yosemite Valley. For map of saved lands, click here: http://www.openspacetrust.org/lands-ov.htm
Sempervirens Fund (Santa Cruz Mountains) http://www.sempervirens.org/GOALS: acquiring suitable land in a working partnership with the State of California and other public and private agencies; completing Big Basin Redwoods and Castle Rock state parks; fostering public participation in activities such as reforestation and trail projects;linking parks and open spaces to provide an integrated parkland system. Since 1900, has saved over 21,000 acres of redwood forests. For a map of saved lands, click here: http://www.sempervirens.org/completed.htm
Committee for Green Foothills, San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties,http://www.greenfoothills.org/Since 1962, Committee for Green Foothills has been dedicated to protecting and preserving open space and habitat on the San Francisco Peninsula and Coastside, throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. For detailed history of their projects, click here: http://www.greenfoothills.org/about/history.html
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CENTRAL VALLEY—SIERRA NEVADAS
NORTH OF SACRAMENTO:
http://www.shastalandtrust.org/founded in 1998, is dedicated to conserving open space, wildlife habitat, and agricultural land, preserving over 2700 acres with conservation easements. The Trust's current areas of focus are the Cow Creek and surrounding Watersheds in the foothills east of Redding to the pine belt of the Cascades.
Feather River Land Trust, http://www.frlt.org/The Feather River Watershed, the largest Watershed in the Sierra Nevada, consists of 2.4 million acres and provides water to over 20 million Californians (60% of the state's population). It includes all of Plumas County and portions of Sierra, Lassen and Butte counties. By July, 2004, using both conservation easements and outright purchase, the Feather River Land Trust has protected over 27,000 acres in the Feather River region. About 90% of these 27,000 acres consist of working cattle ranches.
Butte Environmental Council, http://www.becnet.org/Founded in 1975, BEC is devoted to environmental education and information referral services, and advocacy; works to halt leapfrog development and groundwater overuse and to protect vernal pools
http://www.nevadacountylandtrust.org/By its tenth anniversary in 2001, it had over 2,600 acres of conservation and agricultural easements, wildlife and wild plant preserves, and bird sanctuaries under its care.
Clover Valley Foundation, Loomis, CA, http://www.saveclovervalley.org/ Placer CountyIn the near future, a developer plans to reshape the land and hillsides of this small, 622 acre valley, remove more than 7,000 oak trees, and Clover Valley will be lost to as many as 558 more Rocklin houses. Clover Valley is a 622-acre slice of land with historical roots dating back to 5,000 B.C. according to an archaeological study done in 1998. The study also found 34 Native American cultural sites in the area. Also see http://savingclovervalley.org/ and http://www.clovervalleyfoundation.org/
http://www.sacramentovalleyconservancy.org/ Sacramento CountyThe Conservancy’s mission is to preserve the beauty, character and diversity of the Sacramento Valley landscape. Total Acres Preserved: 7,219For Sacramento County open space vision map:
http://www.sacramentovalleyconservancy.org/visionmap.htm
LAKE TAHOE REGION:
Martis Valley, north of Lake Tahoe, http://www.sierrawatch.org/Sierra Watch is actively following through with conservation goals for Martis Valley, and we are exporting our success to similar efforts up and down the Sierra Nevada. In Lassen County, we are providing strategic resources to defend Dyer Mountain. In the southern Sierra, we are working with land trusts and public agencies to permanently protect the slopes of Mount Whitney.
Truckee Donner Land Trust, http://www.tdlandtrust.org/ The 1,400-member Truckee Donner Land Trust has protected more than 11,000 acres in the Truckee-Tahoe region. Their goal is to protect 35,000 acres in the Truckee-Tahoe region
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY:
http://www.sequoiaforestkeeper.org/Although once widespread, giant sequoias now occur only in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of central California. Past land management policies have proven ineffective in protecting Sequoia National Forest ecosystems, watersheds, and the environmental and social value of these areas. Sequoia ForestKeeper fills this void by acting as the guardian of the forest. SFK works to create solutions to these inadequate land management practices; to promote land stewardship; to enforce existing laws and regulations, including sustainable management mandates; to implement public awareness programs; and to offer assistance to local land management agencies.
WildPlaces, http://www.wildplaces.net/ Tulare CountyWorks on ecosystem restoration in Tulare County. Also monitoring the Yokohl Ranch Project which is planned to be a new city of 10,000 homes and a resort area built on the 36,000 acre ranch property owned by J.G. Boswell. The Yokohl Valley, currently zoned agricultural, is a vast area of rangeland surrounded by blue oak woodland habitat and considered by many to be a scenic and open space resource not suitable for accomodating a city larger than Visalia.For a map of Yokohl Ranch, see http://yokohlranch.com/yokohl/location.asp
Tehachapi Mountains--http://www.savetejonranch.org/The Tejon region is an irreplaceable piece of California whose future deserves careful consideration. Linking the Sequoia National Forest with the Los Padres National Forest, the 270,000-acre Tejon Ranch is critical to national, state and regional interests for its unique biological values as well as its strategic values for national security. Development projects proposed on the Ranch pose a threat to both of these irreplaceable values. Tejon Ranch spans two counties, Los Angeles and Kern, and lies at the bio-geographic crossroads of five geomorphic provinces and four eco-regions, all within the global hotspot recognized by scientists as the California Floristic Province. The proposed Centennial project along Highway 138 in North Los Angeles County will replace over 12,000 acres of grasslands, juniper woodlands, oak woodlands, chaparral and scrublands with approximately 23,000 homes and 14-million square feet of associated retail and commercial uses. Tejon Mountain Village, located in the secluded hills and canyon areas surrounding Castac (Tejon) Lake, will impact approximately 37,000 acres of oak woodlands, grasslands, chaparral and scrublands, montane hardwoods and conifers, pinyon-juniper woodlands, wet meadows and riparian woodlands.For more info, see the Center for Biological Diversity's page: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/programs/sprawl/tejon/index.html
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EASTERN SIERRA:
http://www.easternsierralandtrust.org/Founded in 2001, the ESLT is the first and only land trust based in Inyo, Mono, and Alpine counties; has preserved 955 acres with conservation easements that remove development rights from land but keep it in private ownershiphttp://www.easternsierralandtrust.org/Pages/AreaMap.htm
WATER ISSUES:
Mono Lake Committee, http://www.monolake.org/Located in California's spectacular Eastern Sierra, Mono Lake is an oasis in the dry Great Basin and a vital habitat for millions of migratory and nesting birds. For 25 years the Mono Lake Committee has been working to protect Mono Lake from destruction, to heal the damage done in the Mono Basin, and to educate the public about the natural environment and wise water use.
Owens Valley Committee, http://www.ovcweb.org/dedicated to the protection, restoration and sustainable management of water and land resources affecting the Owens Valley
Save Round Valley Alliance Advocates for Smart Growth, http://www.srva.net/, grassroots organization, working to protect and enhance the quality of life in Inyo and Mono counties. Successfully overturned approval of development called “Whitney Portal Preserve” that would have built homes at the base of Mt. Whitney
MOJAVE DESERT:
http://www.wildlandsconservancy.org/ The Wildlands Conservancy (TWC) has preserved more land in California with private funds than any other conservation organization. TWC owns California's largest nonprofit sanctuary - the 97,000-acre Wind Wolves Preserve in the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. Between 1999 and 2002, the Conservancy funded and brokered the sale of around 600,000 acres of former railroad company lands to the federal government for preservation and inclusion within desert National Parks and wilderness areas.
California Desert Protection League http://www.dpcinc.org/
Sierra Club California/Nevada Desert Committeehttp://desertreport.org/ Desert Report is a 24-page newsletter of vital news about the California and Nevada deserts published 3 times a year.
Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, runs 2 preserves in the Western Mojave Desert, http://www.tortoise-tracks.org/ For maps click here http://www.tortoise-tracks.org/dtpc.html
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CENTRAL COAST:
Sempervirens Fund (Santa Cruz Mountains) http://www.sempervirens.org/GOALS: acquiring suitable land in a working partnership with the State of California and other public and private agencies; completing Big Basin Redwoods and Castle Rock state parks; fostering public participation in activities such as reforestation and trail projects;linking parks and open spaces to provide an integrated parkland system. Since 1900, has saved over 21,000 acres of redwood forests. For a map of saved lands, click here: http://www.sempervirens.org/completed.htm
San Benito Agricultural Land Trust, http://www.sanbenitoaglandtrust.org/devoted to providing financial options to landowners in order to protect the agricultural heritage of San Benito County. The San Benito Agricultural Land Trust currently protects 5,454 acres of working ranches and farms and is actively pursuing additional lands.
MONTEREY COUNTY:
Big Sur Land Trust, http://www.bigsurlandtrust.org/The Big Sur Land Trust has protected more than 30,000 acres of shoreline, wildlife habitat, streams, forests, grasslands and awe inspiring views.
Landwatch Monterey County, http://www.landwatch.org/In the next 20 years, Monterey County is projected to grow by almost 40% to a population of over 500,000 people (an increase of 150,000 new residents). LandWatch will keep the public informed about the status of land use planning in the county.
The Elkhorn Slough Foundation http://www.elkhornslough.org/There are more than 7000 acres of protected lands in the Elkhorn Slough watershed. 3600 acres are protected or managed by the Elkhorn Slough Foundation,http://www.elkhornslough.org/protected.htm click for map of protected lands
SAN LUIS OBISPO:
The Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo, http://www.ecoslo.org/With a downtown SLO walk-in Environmental Center office, ECOSLO offers information on current issues, county wide environmental services, plus a lending library of books, tapes, and videos. ECOSLO was instrumental in creating the SLO Coast Alliance, a grassroots coalition of 45 organizations dedicated to protecting the county's spectacular coast against excessive development proposals.
Land Conservancy of SLO County, http://www.special-places.org/The Land Conservancy was created in 1984. Since our formation, we have permanently protected over 9200 acres of land in San Luis Obispo County. The largest property is 5000 acres west of Paso Robles and is protected with a conservation easement and is owned by the Bonnheim Family which donated the easement
SANTA BARBARA:
Environmental Defense Center, http://www.edcnet.org/a nonprofit, public interest organization that provides legal, educational and advocacy support to advance environmental quality. EDC primarily serves community groups on California's South Central Coast.
Community Environmental Council, http://www.communityenvironmentalcouncil.org/an evolving family of programs that changes and adapts with the environmental challenges faced on the South Coast. While our scope of work deals mainly with San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, our influence and the bi-products of our innovation has and will be felt on state-wide, national and global levels.
Santa Barbara County Land Trust,, http://www.sblandtrust.org/Since 1985, the Land Trust has worked with willing landowners, the community and public agencies to protect over 13,000 acres in Santa Barbara County.
VENTURA COUNTY:
Save Open Spaces and Agricultural Resources, http://www.soarusa.org/dedicated to making Ventura County a better place to live by limiting urban sprawl, protecting open space and agricultural lands, and promoting livable and sustainable communities in Ventura County. Since 1995, SOAR urban growth boundary initiatives which mandate voter approval of sprawl have passed in all major cities in Ventura County, and also on a countywide basis throughout Ventura County. No other county in the United States has more effective protections against urban sprawl. None!
The Nature Conservancy's L.A.-Ventura Project:The Nature Conservancy launched its L.A.-Ventura Project in 1999. As of spring 2002, the project had acquired and protected lands totaling more than 1,100 acres, all along the Santa Clara River. We will acquire some 6,000 acres of land along the river to protect, restore, and enhance native riparian and alluvial habitats. In addition, working with partner organizations and agencies, The Nature Conservancy plans to establish a Big Sky Ecological Reserve in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The reserve would encompass up to 10 contiguous properties totaling approximately 30,000 acres.
http://www.santaclarariverparkway.org/The Santa Clara River Parkway is a project of the California State Coastal Conservancy, in collaboration with the Nature Conservancy's LA-Ventura Project, Friends of the Santa Clara River, private landowners and local governments, to acquire and restore floodplain land along the lower Santa Clara River for habitat, flood protection, and recreation.
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY:
SANTA CLARITA—THE MOST THREATENED AREA IN L.A. COUNTY:
Santa Clarita Organization for Planning the Environment, http://www.scope.org/The County has approved projects which would effectively double the population of the valley in the next decade, and looming on the horizon is the largest single development proposal in Los Angeles County history: The Newhall Ranch Project.
Ballona Ecosystem Education Project, http://www.saveallofballona.org/Litigation and Education to Protect the remaining Open Spaces of the Ballona, Baldwin Hills and El Segundo Dunes ecosystem since 1993. In 2007, successfully sued to halt the massive 110 acre Playa Vista phase 2 project, returning the land to agricultural zoning.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, http://www.pvplc.org/Worked with the City which recently purchased most of the remaining open space on the south side of the Peninsula. This led to the creation of the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve, 1200 acres in Rancho Palos Verdes now managed by the Conservancy. In addition to the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve, the Land Conservancy owns or manages the Linden H. Chandler and George F Canyon Preserves in Rolling Hills Estates and the White Point Nature Preserve and habitat restoration on the Defense Fuel Supply Point in San Pedro.
Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust, http://www.lcwlandtrust.org/Where the San Gabriel River meets the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, with 776 acres remaining available for restoration, the Los Cerritos Wetlands' one-of-a-kind coastal ecosystem struggles to remain the vital link in protecting some of Southern California's most precious and diverse resources.
RIVER GROUPS:
http://www.amigosdelosrios.org/necklace.htmThe Emerald Necklace is a vision for a 17 mile loop of parks and greenways connecting 10 cities and nearly 500,000 residents along the Río Hondo and San Gabriel Rivers nestled in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley, unifying more than 1,500 acres of parks and open spaces along an interconnected greenway around two major urban rivers.
Friends of the L.A. River, http://www.folar.org/ founded in 1986 to protect and restore the natural and historic heritage of the Los Angeles River and its riparian habitat through inclusive planning, education and wise stewardship.
http://www.theriverproject.org/The River Project organized the Coalition for a State Park at Taylor Yard and led the successful fight to establish the first state park on the Los Angeles River. We have undertaken a comprehensive study of the Tujunga Wash subwatershed, and are actively engaged in the design and development of several river greenway parks in the San Fernando Valley.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES BUYING LAND IN L.A COUNTY:
Baldwin Hills Conservancy, http://www.bhc.ca.gov/State agency that acquires open space and manages public lands within the Baldwin Hills area to provide recreation, restoration and protection of wildlife habitat
San Gabriel and Lower L.A. Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, http://www.rmc.ca.gov/State agency that preserves open space and habitat in eastern Los Angeles County and western Orange County.
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, http://www.smmc.ca.gov/established by the California State Legislature in 1980; Since that time, it has helped to preserve over 55,000 acres of parkland in both wilderness and urban settings. Through direct action, alliances, partnerships, and joint powers authorities, the Conservancy's mission is to strategically buy back, preserve, protect, restore, and enhance treasured pieces of Southern California to form an interlinking system of urban, rural and river parks, open space, trails, and wildlife habitats that are easily accessible to the general public.
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FAR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA:
Spirit of the Sage Council, http://www.sagecouncil.com/a non-profit biocentric grassroots coalition of environmental organizations & American Indians dedicated to defending & conserving Native Plants, Native Animals & Native Sacred Lands.
ORANGE COUNTY:
http://www.hillsforeveryone.org/By saving the 8,700 acre “Missing Middle” we will link 4,000 acres of preserved open space in Whittier with 13,000 acres in Chino Hills State Park east of Brea.http://www.savethemissingmiddle.org/
Friends of Coyote Hills, http://www.coyotehills.org/510-acre West Coyote Hills is currently owned by Chevron, which is proposing adding a 760-unit housing project for an area that has already seen the rapid growth of several thousand new homes in the last few years.
http://www.bolsachicalandtrust.org/to acquire, restore and preserve the entire 1700 acres of the mesa, lowlands and wetlands of the Bolsa Chica. Since its founding in 1992, the State has acquired over 3/4ths of the land????
http://www.savesanonofre.com/We are a coalition organized to Save San Onofre State Beach from the proposed Foothill Toll Road. Its founding members include the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Endangered Habitats League, Laguna Greenbelt, Surfrider Foundation, Audubon California, and the California State Parks Foundation.
SAN DIEGO:
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CENTRAL VALLEY—SIERRA NEVADAS
NORTH OF SACRAMENTO:
http://www.shastalandtrust.org/founded in 1998, is dedicated to conserving open space, wildlife habitat, and agricultural land, preserving over 2700 acres with conservation easements. The Trust's current areas of focus are the Cow Creek and surrounding Watersheds in the foothills east of Redding to the pine belt of the Cascades.
Feather River Land Trust, http://www.frlt.org/The Feather River Watershed, the largest Watershed in the Sierra Nevada, consists of 2.4 million acres and provides water to over 20 million Californians (60% of the state's population). It includes all of Plumas County and portions of Sierra, Lassen and Butte counties. By July, 2004, using both conservation easements and outright purchase, the Feather River Land Trust has protected over 27,000 acres in the Feather River region. About 90% of these 27,000 acres consist of working cattle ranches.
Butte Environmental Council, http://www.becnet.org/Founded in 1975, BEC is devoted to environmental education and information referral services, and advocacy; works to halt leapfrog development and groundwater overuse and to protect vernal pools
http://www.nevadacountylandtrust.org/By its tenth anniversary in 2001, it had over 2,600 acres of conservation and agricultural easements, wildlife and wild plant preserves, and bird sanctuaries under its care.
Clover Valley Foundation, Loomis, CA, http://www.saveclovervalley.org/ Placer CountyIn the near future, a developer plans to reshape the land and hillsides of this small, 622 acre valley, remove more than 7,000 oak trees, and Clover Valley will be lost to as many as 558 more Rocklin houses. Clover Valley is a 622-acre slice of land with historical roots dating back to 5,000 B.C. according to an archaeological study done in 1998. The study also found 34 Native American cultural sites in the area. Also see http://savingclovervalley.org/ and http://www.clovervalleyfoundation.org/
http://www.sacramentovalleyconservancy.org/ Sacramento CountyThe Conservancy’s mission is to preserve the beauty, character and diversity of the Sacramento Valley landscape. Total Acres Preserved: 7,219For Sacramento County open space vision map:
http://www.sacramentovalleyconservancy.org/visionmap.htm
LAKE TAHOE REGION:
Martis Valley, north of Lake Tahoe, http://www.sierrawatch.org/Sierra Watch is actively following through with conservation goals for Martis Valley, and we are exporting our success to similar efforts up and down the Sierra Nevada. In Lassen County, we are providing strategic resources to defend Dyer Mountain. In the southern Sierra, we are working with land trusts and public agencies to permanently protect the slopes of Mount Whitney.
Truckee Donner Land Trust, http://www.tdlandtrust.org/ The 1,400-member Truckee Donner Land Trust has protected more than 11,000 acres in the Truckee-Tahoe region. Their goal is to protect 35,000 acres in the Truckee-Tahoe region
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY:
http://www.sequoiaforestkeeper.org/Although once widespread, giant sequoias now occur only in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of central California. Past land management policies have proven ineffective in protecting Sequoia National Forest ecosystems, watersheds, and the environmental and social value of these areas. Sequoia ForestKeeper fills this void by acting as the guardian of the forest. SFK works to create solutions to these inadequate land management practices; to promote land stewardship; to enforce existing laws and regulations, including sustainable management mandates; to implement public awareness programs; and to offer assistance to local land management agencies.
WildPlaces, http://www.wildplaces.net/ Tulare CountyWorks on ecosystem restoration in Tulare County. Also monitoring the Yokohl Ranch Project which is planned to be a new city of 10,000 homes and a resort area built on the 36,000 acre ranch property owned by J.G. Boswell. The Yokohl Valley, currently zoned agricultural, is a vast area of rangeland surrounded by blue oak woodland habitat and considered by many to be a scenic and open space resource not suitable for accomodating a city larger than Visalia.For a map of Yokohl Ranch, see http://yokohlranch.com/yokohl/location.asp
Tehachapi Mountains--http://www.savetejonranch.org/The Tejon region is an irreplaceable piece of California whose future deserves careful consideration. Linking the Sequoia National Forest with the Los Padres National Forest, the 270,000-acre Tejon Ranch is critical to national, state and regional interests for its unique biological values as well as its strategic values for national security. Development projects proposed on the Ranch pose a threat to both of these irreplaceable values. Tejon Ranch spans two counties, Los Angeles and Kern, and lies at the bio-geographic crossroads of five geomorphic provinces and four eco-regions, all within the global hotspot recognized by scientists as the California Floristic Province. The proposed Centennial project along Highway 138 in North Los Angeles County will replace over 12,000 acres of grasslands, juniper woodlands, oak woodlands, chaparral and scrublands with approximately 23,000 homes and 14-million square feet of associated retail and commercial uses. Tejon Mountain Village, located in the secluded hills and canyon areas surrounding Castac (Tejon) Lake, will impact approximately 37,000 acres of oak woodlands, grasslands, chaparral and scrublands, montane hardwoods and conifers, pinyon-juniper woodlands, wet meadows and riparian woodlands.For more info, see the Center for Biological Diversity's page: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/programs/sprawl/tejon/index.html
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EASTERN SIERRA:
http://www.easternsierralandtrust.org/Founded in 2001, the ESLT is the first and only land trust based in Inyo, Mono, and Alpine counties; has preserved 955 acres with conservation easements that remove development rights from land but keep it in private ownershiphttp://www.easternsierralandtrust.org/Pages/AreaMap.htm
WATER ISSUES:
Mono Lake Committee, http://www.monolake.org/Located in California's spectacular Eastern Sierra, Mono Lake is an oasis in the dry Great Basin and a vital habitat for millions of migratory and nesting birds. For 25 years the Mono Lake Committee has been working to protect Mono Lake from destruction, to heal the damage done in the Mono Basin, and to educate the public about the natural environment and wise water use.
Owens Valley Committee, http://www.ovcweb.org/dedicated to the protection, restoration and sustainable management of water and land resources affecting the Owens Valley
Save Round Valley Alliance Advocates for Smart Growth, http://www.srva.net/, grassroots organization, working to protect and enhance the quality of life in Inyo and Mono counties. Successfully overturned approval of development called “Whitney Portal Preserve” that would have built homes at the base of Mt. Whitney
MOJAVE DESERT:
http://www.wildlandsconservancy.org/ The Wildlands Conservancy (TWC) has preserved more land in California with private funds than any other conservation organization. TWC owns California's largest nonprofit sanctuary - the 97,000-acre Wind Wolves Preserve in the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. Between 1999 and 2002, the Conservancy funded and brokered the sale of around 600,000 acres of former railroad company lands to the federal government for preservation and inclusion within desert National Parks and wilderness areas.
California Desert Protection League http://www.dpcinc.org/
Sierra Club California/Nevada Desert Committeehttp://desertreport.org/ Desert Report is a 24-page newsletter of vital news about the California and Nevada deserts published 3 times a year.
Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, runs 2 preserves in the Western Mojave Desert, http://www.tortoise-tracks.org/ For maps click here http://www.tortoise-tracks.org/dtpc.html
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CENTRAL COAST:
Sempervirens Fund (Santa Cruz Mountains) http://www.sempervirens.org/GOALS: acquiring suitable land in a working partnership with the State of California and other public and private agencies; completing Big Basin Redwoods and Castle Rock state parks; fostering public participation in activities such as reforestation and trail projects;linking parks and open spaces to provide an integrated parkland system. Since 1900, has saved over 21,000 acres of redwood forests. For a map of saved lands, click here: http://www.sempervirens.org/completed.htm
San Benito Agricultural Land Trust, http://www.sanbenitoaglandtrust.org/devoted to providing financial options to landowners in order to protect the agricultural heritage of San Benito County. The San Benito Agricultural Land Trust currently protects 5,454 acres of working ranches and farms and is actively pursuing additional lands.
MONTEREY COUNTY:
Big Sur Land Trust, http://www.bigsurlandtrust.org/The Big Sur Land Trust has protected more than 30,000 acres of shoreline, wildlife habitat, streams, forests, grasslands and awe inspiring views.
Landwatch Monterey County, http://www.landwatch.org/In the next 20 years, Monterey County is projected to grow by almost 40% to a population of over 500,000 people (an increase of 150,000 new residents). LandWatch will keep the public informed about the status of land use planning in the county.
The Elkhorn Slough Foundation http://www.elkhornslough.org/There are more than 7000 acres of protected lands in the Elkhorn Slough watershed. 3600 acres are protected or managed by the Elkhorn Slough Foundation,http://www.elkhornslough.org/protected.htm click for map of protected lands
SAN LUIS OBISPO:
The Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo, http://www.ecoslo.org/With a downtown SLO walk-in Environmental Center office, ECOSLO offers information on current issues, county wide environmental services, plus a lending library of books, tapes, and videos. ECOSLO was instrumental in creating the SLO Coast Alliance, a grassroots coalition of 45 organizations dedicated to protecting the county's spectacular coast against excessive development proposals.
Land Conservancy of SLO County, http://www.special-places.org/The Land Conservancy was created in 1984. Since our formation, we have permanently protected over 9200 acres of land in San Luis Obispo County. The largest property is 5000 acres west of Paso Robles and is protected with a conservation easement and is owned by the Bonnheim Family which donated the easement
SANTA BARBARA:
Environmental Defense Center, http://www.edcnet.org/a nonprofit, public interest organization that provides legal, educational and advocacy support to advance environmental quality. EDC primarily serves community groups on California's South Central Coast.
Community Environmental Council, http://www.communityenvironmentalcouncil.org/an evolving family of programs that changes and adapts with the environmental challenges faced on the South Coast. While our scope of work deals mainly with San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, our influence and the bi-products of our innovation has and will be felt on state-wide, national and global levels.
Santa Barbara County Land Trust,, http://www.sblandtrust.org/Since 1985, the Land Trust has worked with willing landowners, the community and public agencies to protect over 13,000 acres in Santa Barbara County.
VENTURA COUNTY:
Save Open Spaces and Agricultural Resources, http://www.soarusa.org/dedicated to making Ventura County a better place to live by limiting urban sprawl, protecting open space and agricultural lands, and promoting livable and sustainable communities in Ventura County. Since 1995, SOAR urban growth boundary initiatives which mandate voter approval of sprawl have passed in all major cities in Ventura County, and also on a countywide basis throughout Ventura County. No other county in the United States has more effective protections against urban sprawl. None!
The Nature Conservancy's L.A.-Ventura Project:The Nature Conservancy launched its L.A.-Ventura Project in 1999. As of spring 2002, the project had acquired and protected lands totaling more than 1,100 acres, all along the Santa Clara River. We will acquire some 6,000 acres of land along the river to protect, restore, and enhance native riparian and alluvial habitats. In addition, working with partner organizations and agencies, The Nature Conservancy plans to establish a Big Sky Ecological Reserve in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The reserve would encompass up to 10 contiguous properties totaling approximately 30,000 acres.
http://www.santaclarariverparkway.org/The Santa Clara River Parkway is a project of the California State Coastal Conservancy, in collaboration with the Nature Conservancy's LA-Ventura Project, Friends of the Santa Clara River, private landowners and local governments, to acquire and restore floodplain land along the lower Santa Clara River for habitat, flood protection, and recreation.
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY:
SANTA CLARITA—THE MOST THREATENED AREA IN L.A. COUNTY:
Santa Clarita Organization for Planning the Environment, http://www.scope.org/The County has approved projects which would effectively double the population of the valley in the next decade, and looming on the horizon is the largest single development proposal in Los Angeles County history: The Newhall Ranch Project.
Ballona Ecosystem Education Project, http://www.saveallofballona.org/Litigation and Education to Protect the remaining Open Spaces of the Ballona, Baldwin Hills and El Segundo Dunes ecosystem since 1993. In 2007, successfully sued to halt the massive 110 acre Playa Vista phase 2 project, returning the land to agricultural zoning.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, http://www.pvplc.org/Worked with the City which recently purchased most of the remaining open space on the south side of the Peninsula. This led to the creation of the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve, 1200 acres in Rancho Palos Verdes now managed by the Conservancy. In addition to the Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve, the Land Conservancy owns or manages the Linden H. Chandler and George F Canyon Preserves in Rolling Hills Estates and the White Point Nature Preserve and habitat restoration on the Defense Fuel Supply Point in San Pedro.
Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust, http://www.lcwlandtrust.org/Where the San Gabriel River meets the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, with 776 acres remaining available for restoration, the Los Cerritos Wetlands' one-of-a-kind coastal ecosystem struggles to remain the vital link in protecting some of Southern California's most precious and diverse resources.
RIVER GROUPS:
http://www.amigosdelosrios.org/necklace.htmThe Emerald Necklace is a vision for a 17 mile loop of parks and greenways connecting 10 cities and nearly 500,000 residents along the Río Hondo and San Gabriel Rivers nestled in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley, unifying more than 1,500 acres of parks and open spaces along an interconnected greenway around two major urban rivers.
Friends of the L.A. River, http://www.folar.org/ founded in 1986 to protect and restore the natural and historic heritage of the Los Angeles River and its riparian habitat through inclusive planning, education and wise stewardship.
http://www.theriverproject.org/The River Project organized the Coalition for a State Park at Taylor Yard and led the successful fight to establish the first state park on the Los Angeles River. We have undertaken a comprehensive study of the Tujunga Wash subwatershed, and are actively engaged in the design and development of several river greenway parks in the San Fernando Valley.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES BUYING LAND IN L.A COUNTY:
Baldwin Hills Conservancy, http://www.bhc.ca.gov/State agency that acquires open space and manages public lands within the Baldwin Hills area to provide recreation, restoration and protection of wildlife habitat
San Gabriel and Lower L.A. Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, http://www.rmc.ca.gov/State agency that preserves open space and habitat in eastern Los Angeles County and western Orange County.
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, http://www.smmc.ca.gov/established by the California State Legislature in 1980; Since that time, it has helped to preserve over 55,000 acres of parkland in both wilderness and urban settings. Through direct action, alliances, partnerships, and joint powers authorities, the Conservancy's mission is to strategically buy back, preserve, protect, restore, and enhance treasured pieces of Southern California to form an interlinking system of urban, rural and river parks, open space, trails, and wildlife habitats that are easily accessible to the general public.
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FAR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA:
Spirit of the Sage Council, http://www.sagecouncil.com/a non-profit biocentric grassroots coalition of environmental organizations & American Indians dedicated to defending & conserving Native Plants, Native Animals & Native Sacred Lands.
ORANGE COUNTY:
http://www.hillsforeveryone.org/By saving the 8,700 acre “Missing Middle” we will link 4,000 acres of preserved open space in Whittier with 13,000 acres in Chino Hills State Park east of Brea.http://www.savethemissingmiddle.org/
Friends of Coyote Hills, http://www.coyotehills.org/510-acre West Coyote Hills is currently owned by Chevron, which is proposing adding a 760-unit housing project for an area that has already seen the rapid growth of several thousand new homes in the last few years.
http://www.bolsachicalandtrust.org/to acquire, restore and preserve the entire 1700 acres of the mesa, lowlands and wetlands of the Bolsa Chica. Since its founding in 1992, the State has acquired over 3/4ths of the land????
http://www.savesanonofre.com/We are a coalition organized to Save San Onofre State Beach from the proposed Foothill Toll Road. Its founding members include the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Endangered Habitats League, Laguna Greenbelt, Surfrider Foundation, Audubon California, and the California State Parks Foundation.
SAN DIEGO:
For list of preservation groups in San Diego County: http://www.sdcrn.org/about/member_directory.html
Anza-Borrego Foundation, http://www.theabf.org/supports and augments the education, interpretation, and research within the 650,000 acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the other five parks that together comprise the Colorado Desert District. These parks include Salton Sea Recreation Area, Picacho State Recreation Area, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Indio Hills Palms and Palomar Mountain State Park.
San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, http://www.sdrvc.org/non-profit organization helping to implement the vision of the San Dieguito River Park and its Coast-to-Crest trail. The San Dieguito River Park stretches over 55 miles from Volcan Mountain near Julian to the ocean between Del Mar and Solana Beach.
Volcan Mountain Preserve Foundation, http://www.volcanmt.org/Since 1988, the Volcan Mountain Preserve Foundation, in cooperation with private organizations, public governmental agencies and principal landowners on the mountain, has been able to preserve over 4,000 acres in public ownership stretching from Lake Henshaw to the Anza Borrego Desert.
San Diego River Conservancy, http://sdrc.ca.gov/map of the proposed park http://sdrc.ca.gov/docs/strategic_plan/06_concept_plan.pdf
RIVERSIDE COUNTY:
Riverside County, Eagle Mountain Landfill, http://www.ccaej.org/projects/desert_protection/action_map.htmlA Campaign to Return 29,775 Acres of Land in the Eagle Mountain Range to Joshua Tree National Park and Designate the Defunct Kaiser Mine and Townsite a National Historic Landmark, instead of becoming a trash dump for Los Angeles County.
