A letter from Executive Director Jeff Darlington with news about saving this last wild place in Rocklin
Dear friends and supporters of Placer Land Trust,
For over three years now, we have partnered with Jessup University to try to permanently protect Clover Valley, one of the last remaining intact sections of oak woodlands in western Placer County.
At the end of 2024, Jessup and Placer Land Trust faced a fundraising deadline to complete the acquisition and protection of the 402-acre property that contains the valley floor and much of the slopes of Clover Valley. We received generous support from the community and from local agencies, but we did not meet our December 31 goal.
As a result, the property is on track to revert back to the original seller (the developer), meaning we could lose this beautiful, biodiverse place forever.
However, the process of returning the property to the original seller is expected to take a couple more months, so we can still be successful if we raise the rest of the funding by March 2025!
In early January we got a good boost toward this goal, as Placer Land Trust received another $1M grant from a private foundation. The City of Rocklin committed $2M to support the Clover Valley acquisition, which leaves us with only $2.3M left to raise by March. We have inquiries out to several other entities that could help us close the gap. And local citizens, just like you, have donated over $200K since mid-December.
Clover Valley is home to diverse wildlife, including the California black rail, listed as a California State Threatened Species. Photo by Phil Robertson
What can you do to help?
If you or someone you know can make a substantial contribution to the Clover Valley effort, we need funding by mid-March! Now that success is within sight, we’re also looking at long-term stewardship needs. In addition to monetary donations, we offer tax-smart options to make it easier for you to make a bigger impact. And on Placer Land Trust’s behalf please reach out to any friends, family, businesses or foundations you know who might benefit from a large tax deduction by donating to Placer Land Trust.
Due to popular request, we now have a GoFundMe to save Clover Valley! GoFundMe is familiar, secure, and easy to share on social media. All donations, whether given through GoFundMe or to Placer Land Trust directly, will be used to permanently protect this property. Every donation, no matter the size, truly matters — it all adds up and gets these partners closer to reaching this critical goal!
Thank you for your support of Placer Land Trust, and of Clover Valley — it means the world to me and to our beautiful corner of the earth!
Sincerely,
For the earlier December update, or to read more about the history of the project to save Clover Valley, click here.
