LAKE COUNTY >> The February program meeting of Redbud Audubon Society is scheduled for Feb. 19 and will give those attending the chance to learn about the Lake County Land Trust.
The land trust recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and has been involved in some significant land conservation actions in Lake County. Executive Director Catherine Koehler will present a power point and discussion about the Land Trust and review its latest projects, including the important Big Valley Wetlands Preservation project. Over the past four years, the Land Trust has worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop a document which describes the need to protect the wetlands of the Big Valley, in particular the areas on the shores of Clear Lake and the riparian corridors of the creeks flowing through the valley. This Conceptual Area Protection Plan (CAPP) received final approval from the State’s Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) in the fall of 2014, which means the Land Trust will be able to move forward on requesting funding to assist with purchasing conservation easement or fee title rights on valuable wetland habitat.
The first of these purchases will be a 31-acre parcel on the shores of Clear Lake for which the trust holds an option to purchase. The Land Trust is now actively seeking additional opportunities for conservation of wetlands on this project.
The Land Trust is a non-profit organization which owns and operates the Rabbit Hill Park in Middletown, the Rodman Preserve near Upper Lake, and works in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy to manage the Boggs Lake Preserve.
Refreshments will be served at the meeting at 7 p.m. with the meeting beginning at 7:15. Redbud Audubon meetings through April will be held at the Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church Social Hall, located at 16255 Second St. in Lower Lake.
