LAKE COUNTY >> The Lake County Land Trust was recently awarded a grant by the state so it can buy wetland property on the southwestern shore of Clear Lake.
Approved on Aug. 30 by California’s Wildlife Conservation Board, the $135,000 in funding will allow the local group to acquire the Melo Property — a 34-acre land between Reeves Point and Adobe Creek in Lakeport. The trust believes the parcel is a cornerstone to its Big Valley wetland preservation project, which aims to protect species such as the Clear Lake hitch and the western pond turtle.
“We’re absolutely thrilled … It’s been one of the main focuses of the land trust,” Roberta Lyons, a member of the board of directors, said. “We’re hoping this is the beginning of land acquisitions.”
According to Lyons, all of the funds have been raised to purchase the $185,000 property. In fact, the group received more than half of the value from private donations in the last six years.
The excess will be used to improve the land or purchase a future lot.
“We’re really grateful to all the people who have supported the project,” Lyons added.
The deal isn’t official yet because it still needs to close escrow within the next 30 days.
“I’m not going to relax until we get the deed.”
