Nevada County Land Trust
Working to Save America's Land Heritage

The Nevada County Land Trust is a non-profit, membership-supported group promoting voluntary conservation of natural, historical and agricultural resources. The Nevada County Land Trust exists to create a balance between nature and the needs of the people who make a life and a livelihood here. This is our home. Our mission is to enrich the deep community connection with our land — today, tomorrow, and forever.

The Nevada County Land Trust follows an American tradition of local land trusts which began in the mid-1800's, and joins the efforts of more than 1,600 local land trusts nationwide. Like most of our nation's nonprofit land trusts, NCLT operates independently of government. Community-based land trusts are experts at helping interested landowners find ways to protect their land through donation and purchase, by working with landowners who wish to donate or sell conservation easements, or by acquiring land outright to maintain working farms, forests, wilderness, or for other conservation reasons.

The Nevada County Land Trust endeavors to fulfill and fully realize its mission through:

Conservation easements, fee acquisition and other strategies.

Management of lands held in trust. 

Support of sustainable economic productivity of working lands such as agricultural,range and forest lands.

Fulfillment of unmet outdoor recreation needs.

Preservation of heritage and aesthetic amenities that define our community’s unique character.

Community outreach and public education.

Conservation easements are one of the many ways the Land Trust fulfills its mission. A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that permanently limits a property's uses in order to protect its conservation values. The agreement is tailored to protect the land's conservation values and meet the financial and personal needs of the landowner. Conservation easements can also be used to protect ecological, recreational and economic values in forest lands by restricting development while still allowing the practice of sustainable forestry. 

Working lands easements are one of the ways the Land Trust supports local agriculture. Similar to standard conservation easements for open space, working lands easements are 10-year agreements to keep land in agriculture. In return, the land is assessed at its agricultural value rather than its "highest and best use" value, which can result in substantially lower property taxes. 

To address the outdoor recreation needs of our community NCLT offers a number of recreation and educational activities including Treks, day camps, stewardship workshops and land tours. A variety of Treks are offered encompassing local geography, history and other topics, for all ages and abilities. Treks Through Time, Treks for Health, Armchair Treks and Treks for People with Limited Mobility are among the most popular and long-standing Treks programs. Day camp programs for children are held at the Land Trust property, Burton Homestead, and feature topics on native culture and nature appreciation. Stewardship and timber zone management workshops help landowners understand the many preservation options available. Farm and land tours are hosted for members interested in viewing the lands which have been permanently protected.

The Land Trust Trails program is dedicated to developing and expanding the local public trails system. NCLT has built over 10 miles of trails throughout the community. Trails are designed, built, and maintained through volunteer work parties. By partnering with local municipalities, homeowners associations, local businesses, and other organizations the Land Trust works to provide safe and convenient outdoor recreational opportunities for area residents.

Members make it work. Nevada County Land Trust members provide funds for operational support, enable local land preservation, and support local agriculture, trails development and community education. Members receive a quarterly newsletter, discounts on Treks and other Land Trust activities, the knowledge that they are helping preserve the unique qualities of our community.

For more information about our programs or to learn how you can volunteer or become a member, see us online at NevadaCountyLandTrust.org or call our office at 530-272-5994.

Land Trust 6^th Annual Benefit Concert — Saturday, August 23rd, 2008

The annual Stars benefit concert, the Land Trust's largest fundraiser of the year, has evolved into a world-class outdoor music experience. In addition to the very important goal of fundraising, the concert provides an opportunity enjoy exceptional performers in an intimate and breathtaking setting, atop an oak-studded peak, overlooking the expansive beauty of Penn Valley. This year Stars at the Peak, will take place on the grounds of the Pilot Peak Winery. Featured performers will include 2008 Grammy nominated, legendary, Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks, and the much beloved blues slide guitar extraordinaire, Roy Rogers and The Delta Rhythm Kings. On-site amenities will include a variety of locally grown food, Pilot Peak wines and great beers, as well as interactive community partner displays and a high-quality silent auction. Considered by many as the event of the year, this is an outdoor music experience not to be missed.

Tickets on sale NOW! Purchase tickets online at NevadaCountyLandTrust.org.