Resources

Land Conservation Organizations and Resources

The Oak Group The Oak Group artists are passionate about nature and committed to preserving local lands for wildlife, recreation, ranching, or farming. Working with the conservation groups and landowners, Oak members record the beauty of these endangered landscapes to draw public attention and help generate funds to protect them.

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