LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Land Trust has received the approval of a $975,000 grant from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to purchase a large parcel just east of the Clear Lake Keys subdivision in Clear Lake Oaks.

In 2023, the Lake County Land Trust discovered the “Wetlands Ranch,” an 85-acre interior wetland adjacent to the Clear Lake Keys east channel.

This area is rich in wildlife habitat, including a mixed rookery of great blue herons, cormorants and egrets.

The discovery was brought to the Land Trust’s attention by residents of the Keys, who have a history of collaborating with the Blue Ribbon Committee on restoration projects in Lake County.

The project team, working on a multi-phase initiative in the Keys, introduced the Land Trust to HANA Resources, a full-service environmental consulting firm dedicated to enhancing threatened habitats, strengthening local ecosystems and improving the quality of life for Clear Lake Keys residents.

The team includes Donna Mackiewicz of Redbud Audubon, Chris DiVittorio of Pinecrest Research Corp., Christine Schneider of Native Sage Consulting, and Roberta Lyons of the Land Trust.

Future restoration plans for the Wetland Ranch include removing an improperly constructed stormwater diversion ditch that has disrupted the natural drainage of the wetland.

The Land Trust will partner with HANA to acquire the property using the grant funds recently awarded by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Once the acquisition is completed, the Land Trust will hold the fee title to the land, ensuring its conservation in perpetuity.

Additionally, the Land Trust and HANA are in discussions with the Elem Indian Colony, which is interested in participating in the restoration and co-management of the property, pending full tribal council approval.

The next step is the purchase of the property which is owned by an LLC.
“The Lake County Land Trust is excited about the approval of the grant to acquire this 85-acre wetlands property,” said Lake County Land Trust President Val Nixon. “This project advances our efforts to restore the wetlands surrounding Clear Lake and is an important step in providing improved habitat and protection for the iconic and threatened Clear Lake Hitch. We appreciate CDFW’s support and look forward to the future goal of restoring this land for the benefit of wildlife and the residents of the area.”

Lyons told Lake County News that this will be the Land Trust’s first south county project, and they’re excited about it.

“It will be a great project,” Lyons said. “In the future we can do all kinds of things there."

Once the acquisition is completed, Lyons said the Land Trust will own more than 600 acres of land and valuable habitat.