Sometimes land protection projects have unforeseen challenges — and our newest preserve is a stellar example of how, with the support of our members, we can reach our goals even when we meet a bump in the road! That’s why we are especially pleased to announce that Placer Land Trust and local farmers have permanently protected Doty Creek Ranch, a 186-acre working walnut orchard near the city of Lincoln.
Placer Land Trust purchased the Agricultural Conservation Easement from the landowners at market value. The easement permanently protects the property from subdivision and development while allowing the landowners to continue their agricultural operations.
“Our agricultural lands are really attractive for development, but the real value of these lands is food production by local farmers and ranchers,” said Placer Land Trust Executive Director Jeff Darlington. “We’re pleased to provide conservation funding to local farmers and ranchers who are willing to protect their productive agricultural lands forever.”
Placer County remains one of the fastest-growing counties in California, and the growth of Lincoln has been particularly explosive, with hundreds or even thousands of acres of farmland being converted to development every year.
“The beauty of an agricultural conservation easement is that it’s a win-win that allows the farmer to permanently keep their land in agricultural production while also realizing some of the value that would have come from selling for development,” said Placer County Agricultural Commissioner Josh Huntsinger. “This is the first large nut-tree orchard that has been protected in Placer County, and I sure hope it is not the last!”
The majority of the funding for the Doty Creek Ranch project was provided by California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment. These State funds were to be supplemented by federal grant funds, but at the last minute federal funding fell through and Placer Land Trust tapped special reserve funding donated by our members over the years for agricultural conservation. The landowners also contributed a significant amount to complete the project and ensure the permanent protection of the orchard.
“Without the support from our local community for agricultural land conservation – specifically from Placer Land Trust members and the landowners – this project would not have been successful,” added Darlington.
The property is located on Doty Creek, about half a mile west of Placer Land Trust’s Doty Ravine Preserve, and near other conserved lands. Together, these properties form a larger area of protected lands along the waterway, providing habitat and migration paths for a wide variety of wildlife in addition to ensuring these lands continue to support agriculture.
The Agricultural Conservation Easement runs with title to the land, meaning that any future landowners will be prohibited from subdividing and developing the property. This benefits not only the land itself, but also the neighbors who should enjoy seeing less growth and greater property values; community members who benefit from our continued agricultural economy; and everyone who values the beauty, bounty, and quality of life of rural Placer County.
