UPPER LAKE >> The Lake County Land Trust will celebrate its 20th anniversary as part of its annual dinner, slated for Oct. 11, at the Lodge at Blue Lakes.
The Lake County Land Trust was officially founded as a nonprofit organization in 1994. Since then, the land trust has played a vital role in conservation efforts in Lake County. It now owns and operates the Rodman Preserve on the north end of Clear Lake, spearheaded the purchase and preservation of the Black Forest on the slopes of Mount Konocti, owns and manages the Rabbit Hill Park in Middletown and is partnering with The Nature Conservancy in managing the Boggs Lake Preserve on Mount Hannah.
The land trust is currently involved with the Big Valley Wetlands Preservation Project, which focuses on preservation of the remaining unprotected wetlands on the shoreline of Clear Lake, spanning from Clear Lake State Park to south Lakeport.
A Conceptual Area Protection Plan (CAPP) for this area has recently received approval from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, making the trust eligible to receive funding from the state Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) to purchase property and conservation easements in this area.
The trust currently has an option on one 30-acre parcel and has raised almost $100,000 toward the purchase price of the lakefront property.
The trust has recently begun negotiations for the purchase of another parcel adjacent to its current optioned property for a total of 74 acres of lakefront and near-shore habitat.
The Lake County Land Trust will be celebrate its past achievements and current efforts as part of its 20th anniversary celebration at the annual benefit dinner. The trust will welcome Congressman Mike Thompson as guest speaker.
The dinner is a fundraiser and features live music, Lake County wines and a silent auction. Tickets cost $70 per person and include wine.
The event will start at 3 p.m. Participants are encouraged to stay at the lodge; reservations can be made by calling The Lodge at Blue Lakes at 275-2181. A discounted room rate will be given to those who are attending the land trust dinner, and Peter and Maryann Schmid, owners of the Lodge, will donate 10 percent of the room cost to the land trust.
Dinner reservations must be made separately by calling 262-0707 or emailing LCLT@lakecountylandtrust.org and providing contact information. Reservations will be confirmed once payment for the dinner has been received.
For information about the LCLT, visit www.lakecountylandtrust.org or call 262-0707.
The Lodge at Blue Lakes is located at 5135 Highway 20 in Upper Lake.
