Thank you, members — you have helped Placer Land Trust protect land for 30 years! Together, we have preserved almost 12,000 acres of farm and ranchlands, natural open space, places to get outdoors and play, critical habitat for wildlife, land that helps keep our waterways healthy and clean, and more.
We think it’s appropriate that the 30th anniversary is often represented by a diamond because of its lasting durability and strength. Because of your support, Placer Land Trust has grown into a solid organization with a valued mission that has become a trusted source of knowledge and expertise in the field of land conservation. There is so much to celebrate when we look at what we accomplished together in our first 30 years…
1991-1999
Placer Land Trust and Nature Center was born in 1991. Utilizing only volunteers, we protected the first four preserves, totaling 78 acres.
2000-2002
To better serve the missions of both organizations, Placer Land Trust and Placer Nature Center were split into two nonprofits. Placer Land Trust hired our first staff member, Jeff Darlington, in 2002.
2003-2004
Now strictly focused on land conservation, and with help from new conservation partners (such as Placer Legacy and the Sierra Business Council), Placer Land Trust completed five projects in just two years, bringing the total number of permanently protected acres to 354.
2005-2006
Placer Land Trust was selected to administer a vernal pool grassland conservation effort in West Roseville, and we hired our second staff member. In a short period of time, Placer Land Trust protected five more preserves, bringing the total to over 2,500 acres.
2007-2008
Placer Land Trust leveraged private mitigation funds and public grants to protect 1,792 acres of oak woodlands in the Bear River and Raccoon Creek watersheds. We also became the first land trust in the Sierra Nevada region to earn national accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
2009-2010
Placer Land Trust conducted a capital campaign, raising $10 million to protect our largest preserve, Harvego Bear River Preserve (1,778 acres). We also completed our first mitigation project, Big Gun Preserve, protecting the largest population of endangered California red-legged frogs in the state.
2011-2012
With total acreage now at 7,171, Placer Land Trust focused on building critical relationships with AmeriCorps NCCC, US Fish & Wildlife Service, local Fire Safe Councils and REI, to name a few.
2013-2015
We conducted a successful Trails & Recreation Capital Campaign, raising over $790,000 to build 20 miles of new trails. Placer Land Trust made a name for ourselves by outperforming all expectations in the regional online giving event, Big Day of Giving.
2016-2020
The pace of conservation is picking up with 3,440 acres protected in the last 5 years, bringing the total to just under 12,000 acres! Placer Land Trust finished protecting the entire 150-year-old Oest Ranch, as well as and other ag projects. We protected numerous preserves along the American and Bear Rivers, helping to keep our waterways clean. We protected lands that create opportunities for outdoor recreation and for people to improve their mental and physical wellbeing. And we protected lands that preserve the history of local Nisenan, Maidu, and Miwok tribes.
