Dear Friends,
The lifecycle of Placer Land Trust projects never ceases to amaze me. Since a conservation project can take years to complete, the number of acres we protect in a given year can fluctuate greatly. In 2021 we protected 11 acres by expanding a 5-year old preserve. Then in 2022, we created SIX new preserves totaling 2,990 acres — the most ever in a single year! And both years were equally great. Some years like 2021 allow us to turn inward and steward lands already in our care. In other years like 2022 we get to close multiple projects and protect as much land as possible. That’s just the nature of our work.
As exciting as numbers can be, they don’t tell the full story of these protected landscapes. These lands provide valuable benefits for generations to come. These lands allow people to make a living and feed their families. They’re places to get outdoors and experience the joy of spending time in nature. And they’re lands that protect wildlife and local communities from threats of a changing world. We hope the highlights in this Annual Community Report get you even more excited about what we can accomplish together looking forward.
2022 was also a great year for engaging with our supporters in-person again! We were grateful to receive support from more members than ever before, including many more from areas outside of Auburn where we’ve historically been more well-known. We’re also excited to share that we had more people visit Placer Land Trust preserves through a wide variety of activities and events than ever before. Once again, the numbers are impressive, but what matters is that MORE people are finding value in the work we do and are joining our efforts to protect more natural and agricultural lands in Placer County!
Speaking of people, one of the projects I was most excited about in 2022 was the return of ancestral homelands to a local tribe. Placer Land Trust partnered with the Colfax-Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe to transfer ownership of the Gerjuoy North Fork Preserve to the Tribe, which was renamed Yo’ Dok’im Pakan – Gerjuoy North Fork Preserve. We are humbled to play a small role in addressing past injustices done to Native Americans and help reconnect the Tribe to the land they cherish.
Whether you contributed funds, volunteered your time, or shared our mission—we thank you! You helped to make 2022 a banner year, which only inspires us to work harder to protect more of these treasured lands that enrich our lives. We hope you find time in 2023 to enjoy a Placer Land Trust preserve with friends and family.
Sincerely,
Christine Pieper
President, Placer Land Trust Board of Directors