LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Land Trust announced progress in its fundraising campaign to purchase a 31-acre lakeside parcel on the Big Valley shoreline near Kelseyville. The property features lakefront, wetlands, upland wet meadow, pasture and oak trees.
The protection of the parcel is part of an effort to protect the remaining wetlands and riparian forests between Clear Lake State Park and the southern edge of Lakeport, according to Roberta Lyons. The Land Trust has developed the Conceptual Area Protection Plan (CAPP), a conservation plan for the area, in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The plan will imminently be considered by the CDFW”s executive team for final approval by the department.
The persistence of healthy wetlands and riparian forests is essential to the health of Clear Lake, which has already suffered the loss of more than 75 percent of wetlands that historically were part of the lake”s ecosystem, Lyons stated. Protection of the wetlands will include working with interested landowners to purchase conservation easements or fee title on lands, which support shoreline and creekside wetlands and riparian woodlands.
The project to purchase the Big Valley shoreline parcel will be the keystone of the conservation effort, according to Lyons. The parcel is located on Clipper Lane and is owned by George Melo.
The Land Trust holds an option to purchase the property for $225,000 and the trust has been successful in raising $75,000 toward the purchase price thus far, Lyons stated. The trust has developed a case for support for the project, which describes the fundraising effort and the recognition offered to donors so their contribution can be recorded in perpetuity. Permanent recognition is available in a variety of ways, including a plaque at the land trust”s Rodman Preserve office, naming opportunities for trail signs, dedicated benches and other donor displays. The case for support can be found on the land trust website at www.lakecountylandtrust.org.
For information or to make a donation, call the Lake County Land Trust at 262-0707, visit www.lakecountylandtrust.org or send a donation to P.O. Box 711, Lower Lake, CA 95457. In making donations, designate “Melo wetlands” in the correspondence or on the subject line of the check.
