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Sacramento, CA – The California Council of Land Trusts (CCLT) will grant nearly $2M in funding to 23 organizations as part of the Project Advancement Grants for projects that advance the goals of the State of California described in Pathways to 30×30 (30×30) and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy (NWLCSS). ​​Additionally, CCLT aims to increase the capacity of land trusts and build the diversity …

Sacramento, CA – California Council of Land Trusts (CCLT) announces that Caroline Godkin has been chosen as the new Executive Director of the organization. Ms. Godkin was selected from a competitive pool of applicants from across California and the nation. She has been approved by the Board of Directors and will begin her new role in December 2024. “We are delighted to …

The California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) is seeking applications that restore and enhance habitat throughout the state. Projects that increase connectivity and support justice communities are encouraged.  WCB continues to work through their backlog of applications for acquisitions. If you submitted a pre-application before the application portal closed, expect to hear soon whether you should submit a full application. Once …

By Meghan Hertel, Deputy Secretary, Biodiversity & Habitat “For three days, October 2nd through 4th, 2024, the 30×30 community came together to reaffirm our shared commitment to conserve 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030. If we missed you at this year’s Summit, you can watch many of the presentations and conservations at this recording.“ Read the Deputy Secretary’s …

“There’s a feeling of whiplash,” said Sara Barth, executive director of the Sempervirens Fund, a non-profit group based in Los Altos that preserves redwood forests.  “I got one message from a friend saying ‘what a great day for the environment.’ And I said, yeah, except at the national level,” she added. “It’s a combination of hope and pride that California …

Rodd Kelsey is the California Land Program Director for The Nature Conservancy. He leads California’s efforts to create a larger, connected and resilient network of protected lands optimally managed for biodiversity and ecosystem function. Rodd and his team are focused on both protection of lands and waters and leveraging TNC’s Preserves as learning laboratories that advance cost-effective solutions to ecosystem …

Breaking News!  Prop 4 Passes! We did it!  Thanks to all of you for your time and resources that were so critical to this campaign. Despite the crowded ballot and contentious national election, our collective work and leadership makes it clear that climate action is a top priority for our communities.  Please share about this critical victory using this toolkit to …

On October 8, the U.S. Treasury published final regulations that have important implications for land trusts working on easement or land donations from pass-through entities such as a partnership or limited liability company. Since 2017, Land Trust Standards and Practices have prohibited participating in tax shelter transactions under Standard Practice Element 10C4. The Regulations for reporting and disclosing information to …

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) announced the launch of their new report, titled The Power of Land Conservation to Address Climate Change. This report synthesizes research to highlight land conservation as a critical strategy for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing community resilience to climate change. These conservation efforts also protect important water supplies, improve water and air quality, …

Land trusts are seeing connections between their conservation work and solutions to the nationwide affordable housing crisis. Following up on lively discussions at the CCLT conference in March 2024 and the Land Trust Alliance Rally in September, the Housing & Conservation Forum will be gathering virtually, starting this fall, to discuss what resources and tools land trusts need to be effective …

The success of Proposition 4 depends on a broad and diverse coalition getting involved and getting the word out. Recent polling is favorable, but we need a strong turnout and for swing voters to swing yes for success! You can help the CCLT Action Fund today by participating in the Yes on Prop. 4 campaign, especially by sharing and promoting CCLT Action Fund social …

We are forwarding this sign on request from Pacific Forest Trust. This letter would urge the administration to proceed with the May WCB meeting. Over forty projects are set to be voted on, and the meeting will leverage more than $100 million in matching funds. The Department of Finance has issued a freeze on one-time general fund expenditures, endangering many of …

Last week, the legislature passed, and the governor signed, AB-106, early action budget legislation which, among other things, gives the Department of Finance (DOF) authority to freeze one-time funds from the 2021-2023 budgets that have not yet been expended. With this authority, the administration can order state departments to suspend further expenditures of various one-time General Fund appropriations that have …

For land trusts, protecting and preserving our Earth’s natural resources is our passion and life’s work. We want to celebrate our member land trusts and all they do to conserve California’s extraordinary land and water resources this Earth Day. California’s land trusts have already conserved over 5.7 million acres of diverse habitats, from forests and chaparral to wetlands and deserts. …

April 5, 2024 | Thank you to all of our attendees, speakers, and sponsors for making the 2024 Land & Water Conservation Conference a success. We had over 300 attendees over the two days of conference sessions, with an inspiring opening plenary speech by Secretary Wade Crowfoot and an equally motivating closing plenary speech about Why Conservation Matters by Dr. …

April 5, 2024 | Thank you to each of our 2024 California Land & Water Conservation Conference sponsors! Your investment in this conference assisted in providing cutting-edge information and services to California’s land trust members and the state’s conservation community. Our 2024 Sponsors:

March 29, 2024 | April 4- America the Beautiful Challenge April 8- The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) CA Conservation Contribution Agreements Program April 15- California State Parks Grant Opportunity to Fund Projects Near Military Bases to Acquire and/or Develop Lands for Public Outdoor Recreation (concept letter deadline) April 16- The CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) …

March 29, 2024 | Thank you to all of our attendees, speakers, and sponsors for making the 2024 Land & Water Conservation Conference a success. Save the date for our 2025 Conference! March 31, 2025 – April 3, 2025 at Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite!

March 29, 2024 | Thank you to everyone that submitted videos to the Film Fest! You can find all of the submitted videos on CCLT’s social media platforms as well as on our YouTube Channel. Congratulations to the winners! Most Entertaining Video: Gettin’ Out with Gary Ep. 2: Squirrel Dining Room by Placer Land Trust Most Inspiring Video: Secrets of …