Does my $25 donation really help protect land? That’s a question we hear from our members from time to time, and the answer is a resounding “YES”! Here’s how…
As we all know, land in Placer County is expensive, especially some of the larger expanses of land that make the biggest impact. It can take millions of dollars to protect some of these larger properties. If you’ve ever contributed to Placer Land Trust through our campaigns and events, such as Big Day of Giving or the Placer Conservator, then you know that we’re not raising that type of money from community member support. It usually requires a large public or private grant, and often a combination of multiple grants, to acquire most of our preserves. But here’s where your membership donation comes in…
Member support, which often comes in donations of $25 to $100, adds up to make it possible for us to pursue grants and makes it more likely we will succeed. It takes hundreds of hours of staff time to research and write grants, whether we are awarded the grant or not. If awarded, most grants only provide what we call “pass through” funds — the money goes directly to the purchase of land and are never even “received” by Placer Land Trust. And they often only cover a percentage of the expenses it takes to protect a new preserve. Funding needed to cover costs like getting the land appraised, forming legal contracts, or the time it takes staff to apply for this critical funding and work with landowners through the process of getting their land protected… that all needs to come from other sources. It’s member support that covers these costs!
Member support shows potential grant funders that our work is supported by the local community. Demonstrating community support is often a critical requirement of grant applications, and even when it isn’t, it helps give us a leg up when competing with so many other worthy causes for grant funding. Placer Land Trust members show these funders that protecting natural and agricultural lands is vital to their quality of life—today and for future generations.
Member support also makes it possible for us to share these lands with the community, and to inspire others to get involved in protecting our natural wonders. Our communications (in print and online) and our programs and events are important ways to share our conservation successes with the public, to help get people connected to the cause, and to even get their feet on the land.
This year alone, Placer Land Trust has applied for over $7 million in acquisition grant funds, with $2.7 million awarded so far (we’re waiting to hear about the rest). These funds will help us acquire several preserves in three different priority geographic areas. So, whatever the amount you give…
You will be helping Placer Land Trust protect a new walnut orchard in the valley grasslands on Doty Creek.
You will help us protect a cattle ranch in the beautiful oak woodlands of the foothills along Raccoon Creek.
And it’s thanks to you that Placer Land Trust will be protecting a ridge in the Sierra overlooking a Wild & Scenic section of the North Fork American River.
So yes, every donation does count! YOU sustain Placer Land Trust and fuel our work to protect these landscapes forever. Thank you!
