Help shape California’s Climate Bond Funding! Prop. 4 will invest $10 billion over the next five years to strengthen wildfire resilience, secure safe drinking water, restore natural areas, and implement nature-based solutions. To ensure this funding reaches the people and places that need it most, CNRA wants your input! Take the California Climate Bond: Grant Programs Feedback survey to help …
National Survey on Bridge Financing
Your perspective is needed to inform the development of new conservation financing tools and how to make them accessible. In partnership with the Conservation Finance Network and the Land Trust Alliance, LegacyWorks Group is conducting a survey of the conservation community to understand the use of bridge loans and the need for education about them within the community. The survey …
The 2025 Compensation & Benefits Surveys
Based on your location, you’re invited to participate in Nonprofit Compensation Associates’ 2025 Compensation & Benefits Survey to help your organization find out how the local nonprofit community is responding to current economic conditions. The Northern California survey covers 48 counties, from Del Norte County in the far northwest to Inyo County in the far southeast. The Southern California survey …
CCLT and The Nature Conservancy Bill Introduced by Assembly Member Papan
CCLT is pleased to be the co-sponsor of AB 900 (Papan) Environmental protection: 30×30 goals: land conservation: science-based management and stewardship, along with our partners at The Nature Conservancy. Stay tuned for ways to engage and learn more about this bill as it moves through the legislative process. Read AB 900 (Papan) – 30×30 Land Stewardship
2025 Annual CCLT Film Festival
Calling all storytellers! Submissions for the 2025 Annual CCLT Film Festival are now open! Showcase your creativity and passion for conservation, preservation, and restoration by submitting your short films. All videos must be submitted by Friday, March 14.
Village and Wilderness’s Microhabitat Program Manual
Village and Wilderness recently launched The Microhabitat Program Manual. This manual serves as a practical guide for community-based organizations looking to launch impactful microhabitat programs. The manual addresses key considerations for startups, ranging from defining a program’s purpose and strategies to designing signage, and sourcing native plants. As the first version of a living document, it is designed to evolve …
Submit a Proposal to Present at the Land Trust Alliance’s Rally 20
What challenges or experiences with protecting land in perpetuity have you had that you can share with land trust professionals? Do you have stories about great partnerships, fundraising successes, board matters, or stewardship practices? Submit a proposal to share your invaluable expertise at Rally 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio, September 3-6. Submit a Proposal on the Rally Website
President Biden Builds on Historic Conservation Legacy, Establishes Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments in California
On January 14, President Biden signed proclamations creating the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in California. These two monuments together conserve 848,000 acres of lands in California and will protect clean water for communities, honor areas of cultural significance to Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples, and enhance access to nature. Read More on the American Presidency Project Website
Land Trust Survey
CCLT is conducting a survey to understand the impact, capacity, needs and conservation potential of California’s land trusts. This survey was sent to land trusts throughout California last month. It is expected to take 10-15 minutes. Data gathered will be used in aggregate by CCLT for a variety of purposes, including advocating on behalf of land trusts for new programs and …
Quarterly Membership Meeting
Save the date for CCLT’s next Quarterly Membership Meeting. Join CCLT Members in Good Standing at the meeting on Monday, February 10, from 4PM-5PM. Members were sent the registration link in a separate email yesterday. If you have not receive the link, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. If you are interested in becoming a CCLT Member, you …
Conference Updates! Early Bird Pricing Extended! Field Trips!
Great news! Early Bird Pricing for the 2025 Annual California Land & Water Conservation Conference has been extended through Friday, January 31. Register now and take advantage of the discounted rate! CCLT Members in Good Standing have received a code in a separate email for a 10% discount off full conference registration. Register for the 2025 CCLT Conference Conference Schedule …
California Council of Land Trusts will grant nearly $2M in funding to 23 organizations as part of the Project Advancement Grant Program
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 …
California Council of Land Trusts Names Caroline Godkin New Executive Director
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 …
Funding Opportunity! WCB’s Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Program
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 …
2024 30×30 Partnership Summit Reflections
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 …
Peninsula Open Space Trust Purchases and Permanently Protects 1,340-acre Pescadero Ranch in Southeastern Santa Cruz County
“Pescadero Ranch is a biological and cultural treasure. Its location at the southern terminus of the Santa Cruz Mountains provides core habitat and connections for wildlife moving between mountain ranges to the east and south, which is vital to the biodiversity and climate resilience of our region,” said Walter T. Moore, president of POST. “Additionally, this property is part of …
Environment, Parks and Open Space Measures Pass Across the Bay Area and California
“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 …
IRS Requirement Update for Land Trusts Working with Donors That are Pass-through Entities
On Oct. 8, 2024, the U.S. Treasury published final, immediately effective (and retroactive to 2018) listed transactions regulations (TD 10007) that have important implications for land trusts working on donations by pass-through entities (“regulations”). These regulations require “material advisors” to report these types of transactions to the IRS and failing to do so will trigger a $200,000 penalty. The Land …
CCLT Welcomes New Board Member: Rodd Kelsey
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 …
Prop 4 Passes in California
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 …
California Council of Land Trusts granting $1.1M in funding to 11 organizations as part of the Capacity Building Grant Program
For Immediate Release: November 1, 2024 Sacramento, CA – The California Council of Land Trusts (CCLT) will grant over $1 million in funding to 11 organizations as part of the Capacity Building Grant Program to support land trusts and their partners in advancing the goals of 30×30 and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy (NWLCSS), and in building and …
IRS Requirement Update for Land Trusts Working with Donors Who Are Pass-Through Entities
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 …
WCB Strategic Plan Workshops 2025-2030
The California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) is holding workshops around the state to discuss the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. Join for an informal, interactive, open house-style workshop to learn about WCB and help chart its future. Partners are welcome to stop by anytime for as little or as long as they like. See Workshop Dates/Locations and RSVP
New TPL Report Calls for Land Conservation as Tool for Climate Change Mitigation
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, …
Congratulations, Placer Land Trust!
Placer Land Trust and their partners have permanently protected Lincoln 1079 Ranch! This 581-acre working organic almond orchard and rice ranch is now protected as farmland forever. “Our agricultural lands are very attractive from a development standpoint, but the real value of these lands is food production by local farmers and ranchers,” said Placer Land Trust Executive Director Jeff Darlington. “It’s …
Housing and Conservation Forum Launch
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 …
Quarterly Membership Meeting
CCLT will hold a Quarterly Membership Meeting on November 12 from 4pm-5pm. The focus will be a Prop. 4 campaign analysis. If your organization is a CCLT Land Trust Member in Good Standing or if you are a CCLT Professional Member in the Prime tier, you will receive an email with a registration link for the meeting within the next …
Early Bird Registration is Open!
Register today to join California’s premier land and water conservation gathering. Hotel reservations at the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite can be made upon the completion of conference registration. CCLT Members in Good Standing will receive a code in a separate email for a 10% discount off full conference registration. More information about field trip registration will be released as soon …
Vote “Yes” on Prop 4
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 …
Action Alert!
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 …