Alyssa Rolen, Author at California Rangeland Trust

Magical Piece of Arroyo Grande History Continues with New Owner

A magical piece of Arroyo Grande history has a new owner! Longtime home of the late legendary horsewoman, Sheila Varian, the 150-acre Varian Arabians Ranch, which is nestled amongst the rolling hills off Corbett Canyon Road, was the birthplace of some of the best Arabian horses in the world. Now, the torch has been passed to two-time Olympic athlete, Simon Arkell, who is rising up to take on the new challenge as ranch owner. The Olympic pole vaulter and his wife, Caprice, have high hopes to continue the amazing ranch legacy.

California Rangeland Trust Celebrates the Fruits of its Labor at A Western Affair 2023

The California Rangeland Trust recently commemorated 25 years of keeping ranchers ranching and conserving the Golden State’s working lands at A Western Affair 2023. While celebrating the fruits of its labor, the weekend was spent honoring the achievements of the past, celebrating the bounty of agricultural goods and services provided by the land, enjoying good company and pasture-to-plate flavors, and looking ahead to all that is possible for the future.

100-year-old Cattle Ranch Forever Protected in San Benito County

The California Rangeland Trust is pleased to announce the conservation of the Sans Topo Ranch in San Benito County, Calif. The 4,500-acre conservation easement was completed with funding from the Wildlife Conservation Board and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), with support from USFWS Ventura Fish & Wildlife Office (VFWO), California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW), and San Benito Working Landscapes Group.

reflection of snow capped mountains in pond

2022 Year in Review

What an incredible year we’ve had at the Rangeland Trust! Coming off the heels of the pandemic, we renewed our commitment to work harder than ever and closer than ever. And the results are a beautiful representation of what can be accomplished when we rally together in support for the land, people, and wildlife of our great state. But don’t just take our word for it…

Celebrating Conservation of the Sheila Head Ranch

Friends gathered to celebrate the conservation of the Sheila Head Ranch on October 28th! In 2020, Sheila Head made the decision to partner with the Rangeland Trust to conserve her 537-acre coastal ranch along Highway 1 in Bodega Bay, CA.

Landcape photo of the Rana Ranch showing golden grasses, oak trees, and rock outcroppings

California Rangeland Trust Partners with CalTrans and County of Calaveras to Conserve Critical Rangeland and Create and Restore Riparian Habitat on the Rana Ranch

California Rangeland Trust is pleased to announce the conservation of just over 42 acres of rangeland on the Rana Ranch in Calaveras County. These conservation efforts were funded by the County of Calaveras and CalTrans to mitigate for potential habitat disturbances resulting from efforts to realign California State Route 4 (SR-4). In addition to ensuring the land will remain undeveloped, the agreement will also create and restore critical riparian habitat for wildlife.

BBQ with the Board

On September 12th, Bob Slobe and the North Sacramento Land Company graciously welcomed 80 guests to their beautiful and unique office in Sacramento for the BBQ with the Rangeland Trust Board. The event brought together a diverse group of Rangeland Trust friends, both long-time and new, including ranchers, farmers, and plenty of agriculture enthusiasts; landowner partners; donors; artists; lifelong Sacramentans; and of course, volunteer leadership on the Rangeland Trust Board and Legacy Council.

A Sacramento Roundup

Over 100 guests gathered in Downtown Sacramento at Mulvaney’s B&L on June 29th for a wonderful evening of food and friendship. Hosted by longtime Rangeland Trust supporters, Bob Slobe and Russell Austin, the evening offered a wonderful opportunity for the Rangeland Trust to meet its neighbors in America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital.

Tipping Our Hats to Our Ranching Partners

California Rangeland Trust’s landowner partners demonstrate the importance of protecting the state’s working landscapes in their words and actions every day. Through their decisions to voluntarily conserve their ranches, they are helping preserve the best of the Golden State for future generations. For that, the Rangeland Trust could not be more grateful. So, to honor and celebrate the landowner partners who represent the history, hard work, integrity, and resilient spirit behind the organization’s success, the Rangeland Trust hosted the inaugural Landowner Appreciation Dinner on Tuesday, June 21st in Rancho Murieta, CA.

Resiliency Celebrated at Reunir 2022

On May 19, over 80 guests gathered at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum in Santa Barbara County for our Reunir celebration. Friends, both new and familiar, had a great time connecting with one another and hearing from guest speakers Andy Mills, Rangeland Trust Chairman; Pam Doiron, Spanish Ranch Owner; and Sharyn Main, Climate Resilience Program Director for the Community Environmental Council, about how local rangelands and ranching families are adding to the resiliency of the iconic Santa Barbara region.

Author: Alyssa Rolen

Magical Piece of Arroyo Grande History Continues with New Owner

California Rangeland Trust Celebrates the Fruits of its Labor at A Western Affair 2023

100-year-old Cattle Ranch Forever Protected in San Benito County

2022 Year in Review

Celebrating Conservation of the Sheila Head Ranch

California Rangeland Trust Partners with CalTrans and County of Calaveras to Conserve Critical Rangeland and Create and Restore Riparian Habitat on the Rana Ranch

BBQ with the Board

A Sacramento Roundup

Tipping Our Hats to Our Ranching Partners

Resiliency Celebrated at Reunir 2022

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