Tag: conservation

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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A Round of Applause for 2023

After 25 years of conserving rangeland, this year stands out for so many reasons. With the support of our ranching partners, donors, and friends, we’ve hit a lot of milestones. But don’t just take our word for it… Look at all you’ve helped us accomplish in 2023!

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Nakagawa Ranch: An Unwavering Spirit of Resilience

In the face of war, internment, and personal tragedy, the Nakagawa family has persevered. Their ranch, remaining as one of the last Japanese American-owned agricultural enterprises in the United States, stands as a symbol of their unwavering resilience. And though Yokichi, the family patriarch, has passed on, his indomitable spirit will continue to live on through the land and his family’s hearts forever.

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California family secures 140-year ranching legacy by conserving their ranch in Gabilan Range 

The California Rangeland Trust is pleased to announce the conservation of the 9,400-acre Silacci Ranch in San Benito and Monterey Counties, Calif. Five generations of the Silacci family have been raised on the land, and just like other ranchers, they have faced many challenges that have made it increasingly difficult to continue ranching. With struggles like squeezed profit margins, increased fuel and labor costs, drought and water restrictions, stringent policies, and more, ranchers are often pressured to find alternative forms of income to supplement their business operations. By partnering with the Rangeland Trust to conserve the property, the family is safeguarding their ranch from future uncertainties and ensuring that their land and operations will remain viable for generations to come.

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Calaveras County family secures their family’s long ranching legacy

The California Rangeland Trust is proud to announce the conservation of the Nakagawa Ranch in Valley Springs, Calif. The United States is losing farm and ranch land at an alarming rate—2,000 acres a day are lost to development and conversion, according to a recent study by the American Farmland Trust. These losses threaten our nation’s food security and natural resources. Seeing development encroach firsthand led to the Nakagawas decision to conserve.

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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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25 Years of Fighting for the Future by Keeping Ranchers Ranching

25 years ago, the California Rangeland Trust was born out of need— a need to keep ranchers on the land and a need to keep working lands productive in California.

The year was 1997— land prices were rising, taxes were becoming more burdensome, and the threat of development loomed over California’s rangelands. Feeling the pressures, some ranchers got out of the business altogether, while others moved across state lines to continue their operations. It seemed like the sustainability of California’s ranching industry was in jeopardy.

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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…

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