SRT Land Conservation
A leader in California habitat conservation
Hillside oaks at Dry Creek Preserve
SUSTAINING OUR NATURAL & AGRICULTURAL LEGACY
The steep elevation gradient from the southern San Joaquin Valley to the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada creates a tremendous range of living conditions for plants and animals, resulting in both exceptional biological diversity, and numerous species that are unique to our region (“endemic”).
Geologic and climatic factors have also converged to form one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. Deep, fertile soils, a long growing season, and high quality water from mountain lakes, meadows and snowfields enable valley farmers to grow an amazing variety and abundance of commercial crops. Foothill rangelands also support significant beef production.
These world class agricultural, biological and scenic resources are as yet relatively undiminished by conversion to residential and industrial uses, and are the target of SRT’s California land conservation efforts.
How We Conserve Land
SRT conserves land in two ways:
- We acquire lands for nature preserves that function as working landscapes, protect important examples of the unique plant and animal communities of our region and provide places for recreation and education for our communities.
- We help landowners establish conservation easements on their farms or ranches, which restrict future subdivision and development but still enable the landowner to own and enjoy their property.
Wildflower
Whether we are acquiring new lands or helping landowners put conservation easements on their properties, SRT collaborates with landowners, businesses, ranchers, farmers, resource management agencies, foundations, volunteers and environmental organizations to achieve lasting conservation of the lands that support human and other life.
As of July 2009, Sequoia Riverlands Trust owns 4,069 acres outright, with 6 properties managed as nature preserves, all in Tulare County. SRT also holds 19 conservation easements in three counties, totaling 3,226 acres, and has helped other organizations put 3,811 more acres into some kind of conserved status. In most cases these lands have stayed in private ownership and on the tax rolls.
SRT land and easement acquisitions run the gamut from pure agriculture to pure habitat, with most providing multiple conservation benefits, such as scenic open space, watershed protection, wildlife habitat and livestock production.
Please see our Farmland Overview page for more on SRT’s farmland conservation work.