2018 Acre by Acre Award

2018 Acre by Acre Award: Jake Ruygt

Land Trust of Napa County is proud to announce that Jake Ruygt is the recipient of the 2018 Acre by Acre Award, presented at the Land Trust’s Cornerstone Society Gathering on September 8th.

The Acre by Acre award honors outstanding conservation accomplishments in Napa that embody the Land Trust’s mission to preserve the character of Napa by permanently protecting land.

“Napa is a hotspot nationally for biodiversity,” said Doug Parker, Land Trust CEO, “and having worked as a botanist in Napa County for over 40 years, Jake is the acknowledged expert on our native flora.  The botanical surveys he conducts help the Land Trust determine priorities and, once we protect a natural area, his surveys are critical to developing our long-term management plans.”

Ruygt has been a member of the Land Trust for over 30 years, served on its Board of Trustees from 1999-2005 and is also a long-time volunteer easement monitor.

“I’m grateful to be a part of the Land Trust’s important work in protecting the environment for our future,” said Ruygt.

During his multi-decade career, Ruygt discovered, in Napa, three plant species that are new to science: Napa Checkerbloom, Mead’s Owl’s Clover, discovered at Mead Ranch, a property protected through a Land Trust easement, and Napa Blue Curls (Trichostema ruygtii), named for Jake Ruygt.