Sonoma County saves more land...

247 acres of Ag land are protected in 3 Sonoma deals

Agreement Protects 165 acres Natural Area along Sonoma's Highway 12
Conservation easement keeps land “forever wild” and preserves historic agricultural use

http://www.sonomaopenspace.org/docManager/1000001643/danielli.pdf

2/2/2010--SANTA ROSA, Calif.–In an area surrounded by existing or planned residential development and vineyards, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District will purchase an easement over the 165-acre Danielli property which will keep approximately 148 acres natural and provide for 17 acres of agricultural use.
Today, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, acting as the District’s Board of Directors, approved the $1.48 million agreement between the District and Lola Danielli. The purchase price represents a 10% or $164,500 reduction of the appraised value, and the agreement eliminates the potential for development of five parcels and provides for continued agricultural and existing residential uses on the property....The property has been in the Danielli family since the 1940s and will adjoin two existing open space easements that will create 420 acres of contiguous wildlife habitat. Forever protected are the oak woodland, conifer forest, meadows, chaparral, and seasonal creeks that characterize the property.

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Original Crane Melon Property Protected Forever--48 acres
District works with the Crane family to protect agricultural legacy

http://www.sonomaopenspace.org/docManager/1000001688/crane-1.pdf

4/20/2010--SANTA ROSA, Calif.–The 48.53-acre farm where the original Crane melon was developed is now protected in perpetuity as the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, acting as the District’s Board of Directors, today approved a $365,750 purchase of a conservation easement that eliminates the potential for development of two parcels. The purchase price represents a 5% or $19,250 reduction of the appraised value.
The Crane Home Ranch is located on the north side of Crane Canyon Road, east of Petaluma Hill Road, just outside of Rohnert Park. The easement will protect the agricultural uses on the farm which include the production of melons, hay, and 11 acres of pinot noir grapes, as well as the riparian corridors associated with two seasonal creeks that traverse the property....The District has protected nearly 300 acres in the surrounding area that continues to experience agricultural land conversion to rural residential estates. Currently, the District leases out 148 acres in that vicinity for agricultural use. In total, the District has protected 33,000 acres for agriculture—nearly half of all the land protected by the District since its creation by Sonoma County voters in 1990.
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Sonoma Land Trust protects scenic Bennett Valley property and wildlife corridor
http://www.sonomalandtrust.org/news_room/press_releases/100209_BennetValley.html

(SANTA ROSA, CALIF., Feb. 9, 2010) — A stunning 34-acre property on the northern flank of Sonoma Mountain is now permanently protected with a conservation easement thanks to a generous donation by landowners Peter and Kathy Drake. Located at the southern end of rural Bennett Valley, the property boasts sweeping views of the Mayacamas Mountains and Annadel State Park, and is situated in an important wildlife habitat corridor between Annadel and Jack London State Parks, a priority for conservation.