Yellow Foxtrot, La Purisima Hills

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The Land Trust joined with a private equity firm landowner and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to balance vital conservation goals, economic growth, and agribusiness operations in the La Purisima Hills. The collaboration resulted in a mitigation agreement that allows for planned development of a vineyard on the property while conserving 320-acres of prime habitat important to many wildlife species, especially the federally endangered California tiger salamander. 

Many farmers, ranchers, and investors have come to view the presence of the seldom-seen salamander as an obstacle to agricultural operations, but a growing number of landowners see potential to balance agribusiness opportunities with conservation of critical habitat. In some cases, a conservation easement allows ranchers, farmers, vintners, and others a cost-effective way to increase production on parts of their land while they offset impacts by protecting other habitat for this rare amphibian. The Yellow Foxtrot conservation easement protects grazing land and oak woodlands that are crucial to the survival of the salamander and ensures the landowner’s rights to continue cattle ranching operations that are compatible with preservation of this endangered species.  

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Iconic views, locally grown food, fresh water, clean air, recreation access, thriving wildlife habitat—it’s all here in Santa Barbara County and when you give to the Land Trust, you invest in the protection of the places you love.

With your support, the Land Trust has protected over 57,000 acres of local land—and our work is far from over. Make a 100% tax-deductible gift today and double your impact! All year-end donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to $60,000, thanks to our friends Jack and Sheri Overall. Every penny counts!