Capital Region Cares Capital Region Cares 2018-2019 | Page 46

California
California
RANGEland trust FARMland trust
C
alifornia Rangeland
Trust conserves open
space, natural habitat
and stewardship provided
by California’s ranches. Founded in 1998, this non-profit
organization has protected more than 320,000 acres of
private, working rangeland throughout the state.
In California, 62 percent of open space is private
rangeland, but these landscapes are rapidly disappearing.
California Rangeland Trust works to balance necessary
urban development with the protection of habitat for wildlife
and food production.
By partnering ranchers with funders to permanently
protect working lands through mitigation projects and
conservation agreements, California Rangeland Trust
conserves rangeland to ensure it’s never developed. The
organization depends upon community financial support
and the public’s understanding of rangeland’s benefits.
“While much of California is being lost to development,”
says Nita Vail, CEO, “rangeland maintains critical open
spaces that provide beautiful viewsheds, nutritious protein
sources, carbon storage, healthy soils, endangered species
habitat, renewable energy, and clean air and water. We must
conserve working lands before it’s too late.”
C
alifornia Farmland Trust
protects farmland throughout
six Central Valley counties
through conservation easements.
Farmers retain ownership of
their land, but this non-profit
buys development rights so the
properties will continue to be farmed forever, rather than
built upon.
California’s Central Valley produces roughly half of the
nation’s fruits, vegetables, and nuts. “Only about five places
on the planet are truly excellent for farming, and we’re right
in the middle of the only one in the U.S.,” says Melanee
Cottrill, Associate Director.
“We can’t keep building on our farmland,” Cottrill
emphasizes. “We must appreciate farmland for its ability to
feed us, not as ‘empty land’ for malls and houses. We can’t
just move farmland – California’s land, water, and climate
can’t be replicated elsewhere – so we must protect it.”
The organization relies on donations, but also
communities’ support of policies at local levels that
recognize the importance of conserving and protecting
farmland for all of us.
“Raley’s is growing the next generation of healthy eaters. Partnering with California
Farmland Trust and California Rangeland Trust allows us to show how food is grown and
emphasize the preservation of agricultural lands. It’s a great combination of nutrition
education, sustainability education, and workforce development.” — Becca Whitman,
Raley’s Community Relations Manager & Executive Director, Food for Families
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