Jeff Darlington has been at the helm of Placer Land Trust for 20 years — twenty years!!! That’s an amazing amount of time to dedicate to one cause. And Jeff is still going strong with no signs of slowing down!
Jeff was hired as Placer Land Trust’s first staff member when it split from Placer Land Trust & Nature center in 2002. At that time, only 78 acres of land had been protected. That means that Jeff has had his hands all over 59 separate conservation projects and 11,896 acres of permanently protected natural and agricultural lands since.
When Jeff began, the organization was supported by a handful of dedicated volunteers and donors. Today PLT is supported by 12 staff members, over 100 volunteers, and thousands of donors over the years. Jeff would be the first to say that he didn’t accomplish this work alone, but without his dedication and leadership, who knows where Placer Land Trust would be today.
And Jeff’s conservation efforts don’t stop with Placer Land Trust. Jeff came to us from the Mono Lake Committee, has served in leadership roles for several other organizations, and has helped raise awareness and support for conservation and climate resilience legislation. We know his involvement in organizations such as the Northern Foothills Partnership, Sierra Cascade Land Trust Council, Sierra Consortium, among others, has helped to further the cause of land protection indefinitely.
To say that Jeff is a hard worker is an understatement. He believes so strongly in our mission, and works tirelessly to do everything in his power to protect as much land in Placer County as possible. He’s inspiring, untiring, and humble about his own accomplishments. But he’ll shout from the rooftops about all that Placer Land Trust has accomplished!
“We’re lucky to have such a thoughtful, dedicated, and caring Executive Director for Placer Land Trust,” says Christine Pieper, Board President. “We are grateful for the positive influence he’s had on land conservation in Placer County, and we hope that future generations will appreciate Jeff’s impacts for years to come!”
Happy 20th Workaversary Jeff, and thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do to improve quality of life for future generations!
