Sonoma Land Trust kicks off drive to raise $18 million

<p>Sonoma Land Trust, a non-profit preservation group, is launching a $18 million fund-raising drive to take advantage of the downturn in land prices.</p><p>The drive is already off to a healthy start with a $6 million contribution from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the world's largest donor to environmental conservation causes. </p><p>Land Trust executive director Ralph Benson said Thursday that, as a private non-profit, his organization is poised to react more quickly than public agencies when property becomes available during the depressed real estate market.</p><p>“Despite — and because of — the recession, there continue to be excellent conservation opportunities,” Benson said. However, tax revenues that fund state conservation agencies and the county Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District are sagging because of the recession.</p><p>“This is no time to pull back,” Benson said.</p><p>Currently, Land Trust owns about about 20,000 acres, including the 5,000-acre Baylands area in southern Sonoma County that once had been eyed for a casino.</p><p>In the past, the trust has served as the initial titleholder of property that is later often acquired by a public consortium, often including state agencies and the open space district. It has played a pivotal role in securing private lands such as the Jenner Headlands and the Sonoma Baylands with the goal of eventually turning them into county regional or state parks.</p><p>Benson said the Land Trust's fund raising campaign will focus it purchases on five areas:</p><p>More property and improved public access to Jenner Headlands.</p><p>A coastal link between the Estero Americano and Salmon Creek watersheds.</p><p>Restoration of the fresh water and marsh at Tolay Creek Ranch.</p><p>Expanding trails and habitat along Sonoma Mountain.</p><p>Linking habitat at Mayacamas Ridge and the Bidwell Creek corridor.</p><p>Land Trust board members and donors have also pledged about $2.3 million, which leaves the agency about $9.7 million short of reaching the Redwoods to the Bay campaign goal by the end of 2010.</p><p>Gary Knoblock, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation's program officer, said the organization is particularly interested in securing acquisition of Jenner Headlands for preservation.</p><p>The foundation and the Land Trust are part of the six-agency consortium that is contributing to the $36 million purchase price of the 5,360-acre headland that soars above Jenner and Sonoma Coast State Beach.</p>