Program areas at Placer Land Trust
The primary function of Placer Land Trust (plt) is to protect agricultural and natural Land for public benefit in the Placer county region through acquisition and management of Land and/or conservation easements. Over this fiscal year plt has protected an additional 2,624 acres through five projects, bringing the cumulative total of Land protected to 18,335 acres. Highlights of the year include closing on three pg&e properties (stemming from a 2003 pg&e bankruptcy settlement) 1)american river headwaters preserve, 2) bear river headwaters preserve, and 3) wise forebay preserve.
Community engagement: we believe that time spent in nature greatly improves quality of life and research supports its many health benefits. We focus on creating opportunities that increase access to the outdoors on our preserves, including 1) building of trails for hiking, running, mountain biking, and horseback riding; 2) volunteer docent-led hikes and tours; as well as other activities that allow the public recreational access; 3) partnerships with other recreation and outdoor education entities for public experiences and 4) Land stewardship activities such as scotch broom clearing, tree planting, or trail maintenance. Our outreach efforts are primarily volunteer-led, and targeted to people of all ages.
Habitat stewardship and enhancement-placer Land Trust actively manages properties it owns to ensure public benefit is protected for now and forever. Where and when conditions and funding allow, we work to enhance the public value of our properties by restoring wildlife habitat, controlling non-native invasive weeds, reducing fuel loads, improving public access, etc. For example, we own vernal pool preserves in western Placer county including doty ravine and swainsons' grassland preserves, on which we protect endangered species, control non-native invasive species, restore and enhance vernal pool and associated habitat, reduce fuel loads, and conduct educational tours.