Article and photographs courtesy of Placer Legacy.
Placer Land Trust and the Placer Legacy Program are two different entities often working in cooperation towards a similar goal: conserve and protect Placer County’s undeveloped land. Commonly mistaken as synonymous organizations, there can be a bit of a blurred line between two of Placer County’s largest land preservers. From the outside, the missions and visions of the two seem similar but Placer Land Trust (a private non-profit organization) and Placer Legacy (a work program implemented by Placer County) are quite different. Here’s how they interact.
Formed in 1991, Placer Land Trust is the only private, local organization that works with landowners and donors to protect land in Placer County. From wetlands to foothill oak woodlands, Placer Land Trust has a large portfolio of protected areas. Through their efforts, they’ve worked to conserve over 11,000 acres across 57 projects. Led by their own Board of Directors, much of their funding comes from grants, private donors, as well as public agencies like Placer County and its Placer Legacy Program. Placer Land Trust can purchase a conservation easement, buy land in fee-title at fair market prices, or receive either an easement or a property as a donation from the landowner. In addition to conserving land, Placer Land Trust engages in habitat restoration projects, such as the burrowing owl habitat restoration project at the Swainson’s Hawk preserve. Placer Land Trust staff also educate landowners who are interested in land conservation, and the group has many active volunteers who lead hikes and assist with restoration projects.
The Placer Legacy Open Space and Agricultural Conservation Program (Placer Legacy) is a Placer County program administered by staff from the Planning Services Division, Real Estate Division, and Agricultural Department to protect and conserve open space and agricultural lands in Placer County. The Program’s beginnings come from the Placer County General Plan Natural Resource and Open Space Element, adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 1994. The Natural Resource and Open Space Element provides guidance and vision for protecting open space and Placer County’s rich agricultural history, held deeply by the community. Placer Legacy receives funding through Board funds as well as grants and community donations to pursue the purchase of properties and easements.
Together, these two organizations work in cooperation to protect lands through voluntary acquisition across Placer County. When appropriate and feasible, Placer Legacy supports Placer Land Trust through match funding. While Placer Legacy and Placer Land Trust make a formidable team, they may both individually acquire and protect lands. If the County has funding, Placer Legacy will often purchase lands to protect and maintain. Likewise, Placer Land Trust is competitive and successful in acquiring grants to protect their own properties.
While Placer Land Trust and Placer Legacy are two separate entities, their overall conservation goals remain very much in line with one another. Their cooperation leads to the protection of properties like Oest Ranch. Together, Placer Land Trust and Placer Legacy worked to acquire a conservation easement on the 150-year old cattle ranch which prohibits development and maintains the beauty of the land. Oest Ranch is just one example of the numerous collaborations between Placer Land Trust and Placer Legacy. Their combined efforts to protect Placer County’s biologically valuable and historic open spaces is a partnership that ensures a scenic Placer for all to enjoy.
Learn more about the Placer Legacy.
