One of the ways The Land Trust preserves open space land is by accepting donations of special lands that are representative of the diversity that is Napa County. The goal is to preserve a small number of the broadest spectrum of Napa County's biologic, geologic and historical natural features, to protect open space and scenic views, and to foster environmental education. |
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In accepting land as a permanent preserve, we assume the obligation to ensure that the property is properly stewarded and that sufficient management funds and administrative attention are devoted to the protection and preservation of the property.
Each one of The Land Trust’s preserves represents a special
aspect of Napa County. In fact, in order for a parcel to be accepted
as a permanent preserve, it must be demonstrated that the property possesses
some attribute of county-wide or greater significance. The presence of
rare plants or animals, scenic, geologic or historic features, the relative
size and integrity of the property and the opportunity for public use
and benefit are considered before a property can be designated a NCLT
Permanent Preserve.
Land Trust members are justifiably proud of their accomplishments in preserving
these special places, and as the number of these preserves grows, the work
that the Permanent Preserve Task Force is doing today will enable the organization
to better understand and better manage the properties we hold in trust for
the citizens and the future of Napa County.
Owned by the Land Trust in perpetuity; visitation by appointment:
Foote Botanical Preserve at Mt.
George
—Si and June Foote (645 acres donated in 1977 & 1995)
—Austin Hills & Scott Bergren (77-acre bargain purchase 1998)
—Yajome/UCC Vineyards Addition (47-acre donation 2000)
767 acres of rare chaparral and wildflower species on Mt. George, the most prominent
peak east of downtown Napa.
Wantrup Wildlife Sanctuary (1982)
— the late Professor S. V. Wantrup
A 730-acre oak woodland preserve in Pope Valley where oak reforestation studies
and graduate research takes place.
Archer Taylor Preserve (1993,
1996, & 1998)
—Ann Taylor Schwing, Charlie Schwing, & Connie Taylor
Ultimately, this Preserve will encompass 380 acres, including a century-old
redwood forest in the Redwood Creek watershed west of Napa.
Missimer Snell Valley Wildflower
Preserve (2003 and 2004) —Dale & Sue Missimer
240 acres of this Snell Valley Preserve protects some of the most outstanding
and rarest native wildflowers in Napa County. An additional 254 acres donated
by Stella Ferandes preserves Snell Peak at the other end of the valley, protecting
native chaparral shrublands and wildlife habitat.
Designation of a permanent preserve reflects a decision by The Land Trust that the preserve has an attribute of countywide or greater significance. This significance is based on relative rarity of plant or natural communities, presence of rare plants or animals, scenic, geologic or historic features, size, preserve integrity, and opportunity for public benefit. The preserve must have an endowment adequate for future management needs or justify efforts to fund an endowment. In acquiring a property for permanent ownership, the Land Trust assesses its current and future condition and the potential to acquire neighboring parcels. In accepting a preserve, The Land Trust assumes permanent obligations to ensure the land is well cared for and sufficient funds and attention are devoted to protect it.
Linda Falls Preserve (1998)
101 acres of scenic woodland, creek, waterfall, and habitat near Angwin
Currently owned by The Land Trust as an Environmental Education Facility:
Connolly Ranch Environmental Education Center
Currently owned by The Land Trust, either waiting to become Permanent Preserve or be transferred to another organization:
Cheyney Audubon Preserve (1992)
120 acres of open space and old-growth Douglas fir helping to protect St. Helena's
Bell Canyon reservoir, transferred to The Land Trust by the Audubon Society.
Now owned by The Land Trust of Napa County, awaiting transfer to an appropriate
agency.
The Land Trust of Napa County
1700 Soscol Ave., Suite 20, Napa, CA 94559
Phone: 707-252-3270
Fax: 707-252-1071
info@napalandtrust.org