Organizational Overview
Our History
In 2003, land trusts undertook an 18-month process of regional and statewide discussions, needs assessments, and research to consider how it could organize to address shared goals and needs. It was guided by a steering committee composed of land trust staff and board members drawn from throughout the state. The land trust community decided to form California Council of Land Trust (CCLT) in June 2004 and it was launched in January 2005.
CCLT is a public benefit corporation organized under the laws of California and is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Our annual IRS 990 filing is available upon request. If you would like to view CCLT’s latest strategic review, please click here.
Our Purpose
CCLT’s purpose is to conserve California’s extraordinary land and water resources through a strong network of land trusts with one cohesive voice across urban and rural communities.
Our Vision
We see a future where all California residents share a strong conservation ethic and benefit from having access to clean water, healthy food, parks and other natural lands where they live.
To reach this vision CCLT is committed to:
- Supporting effective land and water conservation across California by ensuring that land trusts are equipped with the knowledge, funding and laws to make it happen
- Embracing the diversity of land trust missions that includes conservation of native habitats, wildlife, waterways, working farms and ranches, urban parks and open space
- Cultivating a new and inclusive land conservation ethic that spans generations and respects the ethnicity and cultural diversity of our great State
- Sharing what we are learning through our network of State and national land trust partners
What We Do
CCLT’s program portfolio is organized into three categories: policy and advocacy, education and convening, and funding and capacity building. CCLT is dedicated to building programs that are responsive to the needs of the land trust community, and relevant to the current challenges and opportunities facing land and resource conservation.
- Policy and Advocacy. CCLT advances a pro-active public policy agenda to ensure strong laws and policies for conserving land and supporting land trust operations.
- Education and Convening. CCLT provides tools and leadership to build highly knowledgeable, effective and resilient land trusts to conserve and steward California’s important land resources.
- Funding and Capacity Building. CCLT creates and sustains financial resources to meet the diversity of land conservation needs.