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.”
“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.
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.
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?
California Rangeland Trust is pleased to announce the permanent conservation of 352 acres of the Apple Road Preserve in Sacramento County. This follows a previous conservation agreement established in 2019, which conserved 239 acres of the Preserve, for a total combined conserved area of 591 acres.
The Flying M Ranch extends over 24 square miles of the Merced Grasslands, one of the largest and most intact vernal pool-grasslands habitats in the world. In 2021, 845 acres of the ranch were conserved through a conservation agreement in partnership with the Rangeland Trust. The conserved acreage joins an additional 5,000 acres previously conserved by the Myers family in partnership with the Nature Conservancy.
The Alameda County Waste Management Authority (ACWMA) Ranch is a working cattle ranch that contains the perfect habitat for endangered species like the San Joaquin kit fox, burrowing owl, California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, and many others. The property has been owned by ACWMA since the early 1990’s.
In 2018, California Rangeland Trust partnered with Golden Hills Ecological Preserve to develop a mitigation agreement on the ranch
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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