Richard and Sharon Kline, current owners of Rancho San Lorenzo, were “city folk” by circumstance, but they are ranchers by choice.
Despite their urban upbringings, each held an appreciation for agriculture and the western way of life, and it was this shared appreciation that brought them together over 38 years ago.
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…
It is often joked that the signing of a conservation easement is like a wedding—forever uniting a landowner and land trust in an ongoing collaborative partnership. Ranching is unique and complex, with highs and lows as cyclical as the weather. So, it makes sense that ranchers pursuing conservation want assurance that the organization they are signing a perpetual contract with understands these challenges and supports their efforts to steward the land while also making a living off it. The Silva family is no exception.
When George Goodwin bought the Goodwin Ranch in 1987, he was seeking to reconnect to the land and his agricultural upbringing. George grew up in Southern California and together with his wife, Martha, they raised their six children in San Bernardino County. But deep down, George knew he wanted to one day return to the place he spent many childhood summers—Northern California’s scenic Sierra Valley.
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.
There is something to be said about California’s rangelands and the captivating stories of multi-generational stewardship held deep within the soil. The ranching industry is rooted in heritage. In fact, according to the California Cattlemen’s Association website, most of the ranches throughout the state have been in the same family for four or more generations. The Oakvale Ranch in Mariposa County, California is no exception.
“It is a common story,” explained Steve Sinton, founding chairman of the Rangeland Trust and current emeritus council member. “Someone wants out, but that is part of the reason we decided to form the Rangeland Trust, to keep these California family ranches together.”
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 trip to Elko, Nevada forever changed the lives of Bert and Carol Braun.
Bert and Carol first moved to Loomis, California in 1975. They purchased 5 acres and a feed store which Bert ran for 30 years. They were always active in the community, starting with their involvement in the Chamber of Commerce, volunteer fire department, and local schools. After making a trip to Elko to see the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, they were inspired to introduce Loomis to this fantastic art form. The Cowpoke Fall Gathering was born in that car ride home.
Ranching in California is synonymous with history. The stories of family pioneers, their labor, their passion, and stewardship of the land is both fascinating and inspiring. For your reading list recommendations, we want to highlight a few recent publications from our California Rangeland Trust community.
“Burn, baby! Burn!” Michael Sardella, owner of the Sardella Ranch and California Rangeland Trust ranching partner, exclaimed as he watched the first bit of smoke rise off his property. Ordinarily, a scene like this would send a rancher running to call upon emergency services for help. Afterall, that was the case when a wildfire ravaged through Sardella’s Tuolumne County ranch back in 2013. This time, however, the smoke signaled the opposite— it was a sign of progress to help mitigate future wildfires.
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.
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.
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.
When you think about the United States Military, rangeland conservation may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But, through the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program, administered by the United States Department of Defense (DOD), our military branches are joining the movement to protect open landscapes for generations to come.
It was July 2018, and Michael Delbar was at work in Sacramento when the call came.
“Katie said, ‘There’s a fire on the neighbor’s ranch and it’s headed this way.’ I got in my truck and bolted home.”
There is nothing quite like the Sierra Valley. Nestled between the Sierra Nevada mountains, the roughly 120,000 acres hold farm and ranch land, vital habitat to an array of wildlife, and important watershed areas. This small slice of heaven has remained frozen in time – fending off development encroaching from Truckee and Reno – all because the farmers and ranchers in the area have protected the legacy of the land.
What a remarkable year it has been! As we bounced back from the challenges of 2020, we renewed our commitment in 2021 to work harder than ever and closer than ever to continue to fulfill the promises made to our landowner partners, our communities, and our donors who make everything possible. Below is a beautiful snapshot of what can happen when we refuse to let anything hinder progress toward conserving the lands we need and love.
Imagine growing up on a ranch where every thing you need is on the land right in front of you.Between the fruit trees that provide fresh produce in abundance, the pastureland that supports a variety of grazing livestock, and the peace and serenity that comes with being in tune with the land day in and day out, there is no place you would rather be, right?
The Snow Ranch, home to Orvis Cattle Company, is rich in history. Since acquiring the land in 1873, descendants of the Snow family have worked hard to diversify the land to make a name for themselves and preserve the family business. Aside from being the first registered Hereford cattle ranch in California, it has also been used as a site for archeological studies, rocket launches, and film sets for movies like Big Country and Little House on the Prairie. This creative way of thinking is what has kept their 150-year family legacy alive and well, despite day-to-day challenges that come with ranching in California.
The Westervelt Company is a century-old company dedicated to protecting the land’s resources for future generations. In 2006, the company formed Westervelt Ecological Services (WES) that owns and operates 30,000 acres of land across America to mitigate and plan for habitat for a variety of entities.
Celebrating Our Ranching Roots at A Western Affair 2021 October 29, 2021 by Alyssa Rolen Earlier this month, friends of the California Rangeland Trust gathered at A Western Affair 2021 to celebrate our state’s ranching roots and the pivotal role ranching plays in the growth of healthy communities. Few know
In the summer of 2013, a fire came through the Sardella Ranch. Where most would see devastation, Michael Sardella, owner of the Sardella Ranch in Tuolumne County, saw an opportunity.
Sardella has been a resident of the Sonora area his whole life. Since his family settled onto the ranch in 1957, he has witnessed firsthand the effects that population growth and development have on small towns in America.
Raley’s is committed to nourishing our people, our communities and our planet through action. This mission is why Raley’s has been an essential partner of the California Rangeland Trust.
Throughout the years and between the birth of six children, numerous state elections, and the welcoming of 14 grandchildren, the Touch the Earth Ranch, located in the hills of Calaveras County, has served as a haven for John and Patricia Garamendi and their family. All who have encountered it have been undoubtedly touched by the ranch’s peaceful serenity and scenic beauty.
According to USDA’s Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, the greater Sacramento area saw an average of roughly five inches of rainfall during the early winter and spring months this year, which is down 40% compared to other years. For ranchers like Bret Ellis, owner of the East Sheridan Vernal Pool Preserve, their management of the land relies heavily on the rain season.
Ranchers who spend their lives caring for rangeland are a resource as valuable as watersheds and viewsheds. Elizabeth Marshall calls it
“heritageshed”: the invisible but tangible sacrifice of generational ranchers who see stewardship as a calling beyond financial return.
Earth Day falls on April 22nd, but for the ranching community, every day is Earth Day.
This could not ring truer for Darrel and Karen Sweet, owners of the Sweet Ranch in Alameda County and proud California Rangeland Trust ranching partners. “As you enter our property, we have a sign that says, ‘Every day is Earth Day on our ranch,'” Darrel explained. The couple received the sign from friends and fellow California Rangeland Trust ranching partners, Tim and Melinda Koopmann from the Koopmann Ranch, many years ago. Today, the Sweets remain committed to carrying out this mantra both in their words and actions every day.
An engineer decides to pick up his family and move from Los Angeles to Napa County to buy some open land. Some may call that crazy, but for John Ahmann, it was his way of fulfilling a dream passed down to him by his father.
Through all the challenges of 2020, you—our ranching partners and loyal supporters—inspired us with your resilience. From the coronavirus lockdown demonstrating the necessity of reliable food sources to statewide wildfires proving the importance of managed grasslands, this year showcased, as never before, the value of California’s rangelands. Protecting our open spaces and those who steward them is vital to a safe and vibrant future. Despite the bumps in the road, this has been a remarkable year for the working landscapes of our state. Here are just a few of the highlights we were able to achieve in 2020 because of you:
Jessica had a childhood that many of us may only dream of – growing up on the family ranch with wide-open spaces as her endless playground, doing her homework in a special spot of the old hay barn near her horse, and being called home for dinner each night by the ringing of the metal triangle. Family history and natural beauty surrounded her every day, and she saw them all as special gifts in her life.
Imagine a project that would perfectly balance meeting the infrastructure demands of a growing community while protecting a valuable working landscape in the process. A new community in West Roseville, a suburb located 25 miles east of Sacramento, California, is seeking to accomplish just that by serving as a model for thoughtful development, innovative land management, and responsible stewardship.
We are thrilled to announce the release of new ecosystem services research showing the long-term benefits of land conservation. The study has found that working lands conserved by the Rangeland Trust provides $1 billion in environmental benefits annually, and Rangeland Trust conservation easements return $3.47 for every dollar invested.
Sierra County is filled with majestic mountain tops, fertile valleys, and vast working lands. Considered one of the most scenic ranches in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Maddalena Ranch consists of 743-acres of working rangeland. The ranch is located in the southwestern part of the Sierra Valley where the California Rangeland Trust has conserved over 29,000 acres of open space.
Big changes are happening at the California Rangeland Trust. After twenty years of service, CEO Nita Vail will leave her position at the end of April, passing the reins to Michael Delbar, who has been with the Rangeland Trust for ten years and currently serves as its chief operating officer.
In an emotional confession, Merrie told of her promise to Don’s father regarding the ranch. “I made a promise to his dad on his deathbed, because his dad, his mother, and I were close. I made a promise to him, before he passed with cancer, that I would work my best to keep this a ranch and carry on his wishes that he was already doing. I told him I would do it. He knew I would keep the promise.”
A bright, red barn embellished with the Certified Angus Beef, and Five Star Land and Livestock logos, greeted ranch tour visitors as they drove by pastures of black angus cattle onto Mark and Abbie Nelson’s property. As part of the California Rangeland Trust’s partnership with Raley’s and AT&T through the “Where Your Food Grazes and Grows” program, our last ranch tour of the year was nothing short of perfect.
What an exciting year it has been for the Rangeland Trust! With the support of our ranching partners, donors, and friends, we’ve hit a lot of milestones. Here are just a few highlights:
California Rangeland Trust has conserved more than 330,000 acres of land in its twenty-one years, a number we don’t take lightly. It is our responsibility to ensure the terms of each conservation agreement are being upheld and the land is well-preserved. We do this, in part, through an annual process called “monitoring.” where we visit each conserved property.
Before starting my new role as the Communications Coordinator for California Rangeland Trust, I traveled three hours from my home in Visalia to attend the PT Ranch tour in Ione. The tour was part of a larger series of unique on-farm experiences offered through the Rangeland Trust’s Where Your Food Grows and Grazes program.
In June, the Rangeland Trust brought together urban and rural communities at A Western Affair 2019 at Wente Vineyards in Livermore, California to celebrate our Western heritage and mutual love of land, legacy, and all things country.
Imagine generating enough clean energy on a ranch to power 100,000 homes. Thanks to a new solar project on the Jack Ranch in San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties, owned by the Hearst Corporation, a groundbreaking model of clean energy, innovative land management, and stewardship is creating 280 megawatts of green energy. Spanning 2,900 acres, the California Flats solar project was thoughtfully designed as an alternative revenue source for the ranch that is completely compatible with existing agricultural operations. California Rangeland Trust is proud to play a role in a venture that demonstrates the importance of rangeland and gives insight into the future of large-scale sustainability projects on ranches.
On Saturday, April 20, over 100 guests stopped to smell the flowers during a tour of the Keegan Ranch. Hosted by California Rangeland Trust and ranch owner Jim Keegan, the event was sponsored by Raley’s as part of the “Where Your Food Grows and Grazes” program. It is designed to bring the farm to-fork movement to life for children and families from both urban and rural areas, and it gives them a unique opportunity to connect to healthy food and the land and people who produce it.
From Tim Koopmann’s ranch in Alameda County, he has watched the city grow. A shadow encroaching on the green hills, urban expansion has scratched at his horizon as long as he can remember. His small stretch of land is 50 miles from San Francisco, between Livermore and Fremont, right smack in the middle of one of the state’s most rapidly-developing regions. He’s been fighting for these open spaces all his life, battling pressure from developers, declining cattle prices, drought, enormous tax penalties triggered by the deaths of his father and grandfather, and negative public opinions against grazing.
Conservation easements on the 2,502 acre Keegan Ranch and 1,547 acre Epperson Ranch add 4,049 acres to the existing 16,130 acre wildlife corridor in the valley – the already conserved Bear Valley and Payne Ranches. In collaboration with CRT, WCB and NRCS matched funds to conserve the two ranches.
Bruce and Rick Rominger are fifth-generation farmers and ranchers. Their business, Rominger Brothers Farms, became a model of environmental sustainability through their commitment to growing crops and managing rangeland using sustainable practices. Partnering with California Rangeland Trust to forever protect their land allowed them to maintain numerous habitat-improvement efforts.
Purposefully hosted at the Santa Barbara Club—formed in 1892 to serve as a meeting place for area businessmen, especially the widespread ranching community— the event welcomed guests from both historic and contemporary ranching families to celebrate California’s strong vaquero heritage, the community’s deep connection to open space, and the California Rangeland Trust’s role in keeping our working landscapes just as they are, forever.
In 20 years of conserving rangeland, this year has topped them all for many reasons. California Rangeland Trust’s extensive impact has reached critical mass and Californian’s are getting the message — conserving rangeland is more important than ever for our quality of life. It’s an exciting and critical time, for all of us.
Join us as we share highlights from this monumental 20th year.
California Rangeland Trust gives back to the community through an impactful partnership with Raley’s Giving and AT&T Aspire. The Where Your Food Grows and Grazes program connects urban youth to agriculture, conservation, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles by offering an educational Farm- to- Fork experience.
In honor of World Soil Day on December 5th, we asked visionary ranching couple and California Rangeland Trust partners Scott and Karen Stone of Yolo Land & Cattle Company about their working approach to soil health and sustainability. New research is highlighting how vital soil health is to the future of our planet, but in the lives of ranchers like Scott and Karen, it’s a daily consideration.
Through the truck window, the rolling hills of California’s central coast are still covered with plentiful grass that stretches as far as the eye can see. The land is owned by philanthropist and real estate entrepreneur B. Wayne Hughes, Jr. who raises all-natural beef and hosts a veteran’s program on the 20,000-acre SkyRose Ranch. SkyRose Ranch was once the Deer Valley Ranch, graciously donated to California Rangeland Trust in 2010 and subsequently sold to Mr. Hughes and protected forever through a conservation easement.
“The wonderful thing about the Rangeland Trust is they are ranchers and farmers,” Jim says. “They know ranching. I never feel like I have to look over my shoulder. They’re not there to run the ranch. They share the mindset we have—a love of the land.”
Not all ranchers fit the John Wayne stereotype. Some look like Katie Isaacson Hames.
A young blue-eyed mother making a life on the Gaviota coast, Katie has a degree in biology with a minor in creative writing. She worked at a local school for eight years and met her husband Will at a farmer’s market. She is also a third-generation rancher.
The California Rangeland Trust is thrilled to announce the release of a new short film, celebrating 20 years of protecting California’s open range. After 20 years of conserving life on the range, we were reminded that the stories of our partners in ranching conservation are our greatest capital. They’re stories about hope, healing, a better future, and a cleaner planet. They’re stories about stewardship and heritage.
Last month, our team was on site for an incredible film shoot with director Chris Malloy and his production company, Farm League. For all involved, this experience was an amazing time of learning from the ranchers and conservationists we profiled. We are so excited to share this short film with you soon!
Last month, our team was on site for an incredible film shoot with director Chris Malloy and his production company, Farm League. For all involved, this experience was an amazing time of learning from the ranchers and conservationists we profiled. We are so excited to share this short film with you soon!
A granite slab beside Memorial Rock honors the Sagehorns, who purchased this Mendocino County ranch in 1948. The boulder has long served as a sacred landmark—for the First People of the land, Native Americans who inscribed its face with markings of lost meaning, and later the Sagehorns, who chose this spot as their final resting place.
California Rangeland Trust is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 31-1631453) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Privacy Policy & Terms of Use.
© 2020 California Rangeland Trust. All Rights Reserved.
Developed by Go West Marketing.
