
Amid Ongoing Farm and Ranch Land Loss, 5,700 Acres of Rangeland in Merced County Permanently Protected
The California Rangeland Trust is proud to announce the conservation of additional acreage on the Dry Creek Ranch in Merced County, CA.

The California Rangeland Trust is proud to announce the conservation of additional acreage on the Dry Creek Ranch in Merced County, CA.

The California Rangeland Trust is proud to announce the conservation of the Ray-Mar Ranch in Calaveras County, CA.

Under a nearly full harvest moon at Rancho Santa Barbara, more than 400 guests gathered on October 4 for A Western Affair 2025—an unforgettable evening celebrating California’s working lands and the ranching families who steward them. Set against the historic adobe buildings and rolling hills of this storied ranch, the event reflected the California Rangeland Trust’s enduring mission: to serve the land, people, and wildlife by conserving the Golden State’s working rangelands.

Not all ranchers are born into the lifestyle, some are drawn to it. That was the case for Matt Bloom whose passions took root while working at a pack mule station. Long days on the trail strengthened his connection to the land and laid the foundation for his deep respect for its stewardship. What began as a job soon became a way of life, leading him to pursue a future in ranching.

2024 has been an incredible year for the Rangeland Trust! We reached some significant milestones. We took advantage of new opportunities to expand the organization. We reconnected with old friends and built new relationships throughout the state. Most importantly, we helped more ranching families
achieve their dreams of conservation and safeguard the working landscapes that are so important to all of us.

For the past 20 years, the California Rangeland Trust has joined forces with eight like-minded organizations as part of the Partnership of Rangeland Trusts (PORT) to conserve rangelands.

Ranching is a way of life that demands resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to the land. It’s a tradition built on long days, hard labor, and a deep respect for nature. For many families, the ultimate goal isn’t just making it through the tough seasons or turning a profit—it’s ensuring that the land remains productive, healthy, and intact for the next generation.

In this episode, Rangeland Trust CEO and host Michael Delbar sits down with Ernest Bufford to discuss his journey into ranching, his conservation efforts, and what it means to be named Conservationist of the Year.

In this episode, we are excited to share the second half of the conversation with Scott and Karen Stone as they walk us through the importance of soil care and the practices that are making a difference on their ranch.

In this episode, we dig into Scott and Karen Stone operations at Yolo Land and Cattle Co., their decision to conserve, and their vision for future generations who will care for the land.
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.
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