Author: Alyssa Rolen

Empty Saddles

These past few months, we have lost many friends of the organization to the rangelands in the sky. We remember them here and forever in the lands they fought to protect.

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3 Great Ways to Give from Your IRA

Robin Flournoy chose to help further the California Rangeland Trust’s mission by listing the Rangeland Trust as a beneficiary of her retirement account. Many other donors have also made charitable gifts through their IRAs as a way to reduce tax liability on their heirs. Here are some ways that you can use your own IRA to help a cause you care about, while also reducing the tax bill for you and your next generation.

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Share in the Experience of Conserving Lone Star Ranch

A century ago, the purchase of the Lone Star Ranch was sealed with a transaction of five gold coins. For five generations, the family stewarding this ranch has learned so much from the land and enhanced their care to align with the unique ecosystems here. Now, ranch owners, Mark and Dina Moore, are seeking the next step: permanent conservation of the Lone Star Ranch.

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Photo of Robin Flournoy performing a sliding stop on her horse.

Opening the Gate to Giving Back: Robin Flournoy’s Story

“As long as you could get on and off your horse and open a gate, you were working!”

Robin Flournoy cherishes memories of growing up in beautiful Portola Valley, where she became rooted in the traditions of ranching and its Western heritage. “I knew I wanted to be involved with this for the rest of my life.”

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Landscape photo of the Hanson Ranch showing mountains and range.

Hanson Ranch: Planning for the Future​

The question of succession weighs heavily on the mind of nearly every rancher: “Who will take over my ranch once I am gone?” According to the USDA, within the next two decades, approximately 70 percent of U.S. farming and ranching operations will confront this issue. While the next generation often assumes responsibility, this isn’t always the case, necessitating careful planning and arrangements to safeguard the operation into the future. For the late Louise Hanson, the original proprietor of the Hanson Ranch, a conservation easement emerged as a cornerstone of her estate planning.

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Reunir 2024: Reuniting with our friends on the Central Coast​

On February 8th, nearly 150 guests came together at The Maker’s Son in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara County, for the annual Reunir with the Rangeland Trust. For the last five years, this event has served to connect new and old friends over the appreciation of the western lifestyle and preserving it in the region. The many hugs and share conversations that were had truly captured the spirit of this beloved gathering!

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Getting our Boots on the Ground at the Lone Oak Springs Ranch

To demonstrate our boots on the ground conservation efforts, the Rangeland Trust and local prospective ranching partner, Rick Taggard, welcomed 60 guests on February 10th to the Lone Oak Springs Ranch in Santa Maria, Calif. The event followed our annual “in-town” event, Reunir, which took place on February 8th at The Maker’s Son in Los Alamos.

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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. 

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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.

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