NEW: Gaviota Coast Study Group Report

Gaviota Coast Study Group Report & Recommendations, Sept 2005 – download this recent report assessing the future of the Gaviota Coast. The report offers key recommendations and policy concepts in five areas: protecting agriculture, stewarding the land, developing land use policy, creating public access, and providing effective local governance.

Land Conservation Organizations and Resources

California Rangeland Conservation Coalition – A partnership of ranchers, conservationists and agencies working together to increase awareness of the benefits of managed grazing.

Land Trust Alliance – national clearinghouse provides info about and for America’s 1200 land trusts; resources for landowners interested in conservation options; tracks federal legislation related to land conservation

Steven J. Small – one of the country’s foremost legal experts on land protection options; offers the Preserving Family Lands book series, estate tax information and consulting for conservation organizations and landowners

American Farmland Trust – national organization working to promote farm and ranch land conservation; provides Farmland Information Library, AFT Fact Sheets, public policy updates, training videos, American Farmland magazine, and Annual Steward of the Land Award

California Farmland Conservancy Program –provides state grant funds to public agencies and non-profit land trusts to purchase conservation easements on ranch and farm land; seeks matching funds from federal Farmland Protection Program; publishes Focus on Farmland newsletter

California Coastal Conservancy – provides state grants and technical assistance and works with local community groups, governments and landowners to protect important coastal resources and improve public beach access

Natural Resource Conservation Service – offers a wide range of federal incentive and technical assistance programs for sustaining and improving agricultural productivity, enhancing natural resources, soil and water supply management. Santa Maria field office serves Santa Barbara County

California Wildife Conservation Board – state incentive programs for purchasing land and conservation easements to protect important wildlife areas; info and application criteria for the new National Heritage Preservation Tax Credit – state income tax credit for landowners who donate land or conservation easements

The Nature Conservancy – works world wide to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive

Other California Land Trusts

Here are links to some other California land trusts. For a complete directory of California and U.S. land trusts, visit the Land Trust Alliance web site above.