LAKEPORT, Calif. — It was 30 years ago that a group of like-minded Lake County citizens joined together to form the Lake County Land Trust.

Incorporation papers were filed in November of 1993 and since that time the Land Trust has preserved valuable habitat and natural lands around the county with the help of numerous Land Trust supporters.

The Land Trust will celebrate with a 30th anniversary on Sat., Oct. 28, at Boatique Winery, 8255 Red Hills Rd., Kelseyville. The public is warmly invited to participate. Admission to the event is $100 per person and sponsorships, with special benefits, are available.

To purchase admission to the dinner, visit www.lakecountylandtrust.org and click on the “Anniversary Dinner Admission” button or mail payment, along with an order form that can be printed from the website, to P.O. Box 1017, Lakeport, 95453. Sponsorship opportunities are also explained on the website. Deadline to assure participation is Oct. 16.

Over its 30 years of existence, the Lake County Land Trust has many accomplishments for a small land trust. Early on, the trust took ownership of Rabbit Hill in Middletown when the Madrone Audubon Society deeded the property to the trust.

Next came the first big project, the Rodman Ranch and Slough. That property was successfully purchased in 1999 after several years of working with county, state, and federal agencies, along with private landowners, to protect over 280 acres of wetland habitat, grass and Oak savannah, and Oak forest, and protect over 100 acres of agricultural land.

The Land Trust created a Conservation Priority Plan which identified the shoreline habitat along the southwestern shore of Clear Lake as one of its priorities. Through the Big Valley Wetlands Preservation project the Land Trust has purchased two separate parcels and is working on a third, to total almost 300 acres of secured shoreline and upland habitat for both people and animals to enjoy.

The trust currently owns over 500 acres, holds conservation easements on 88 acres, and oversees management of the Boggs Lake Preserve in a partnership with the Nature Conservancy. Through the years the trust has also facilitated the protection of the Black Forest near Buckingham and elk and mountain lion habitat in eastern Lake County.

The Land Trust operates a small nature center at its Rodman Preserve where children’s programs and community art and nature events have been held. Saturday walks are conducted weekly throughout the year.

Through all of its adventures the Lake County Land Trust has relied on the support of businesses, residents and second-home owners. Lake County Land Trust Board members look forward to gathering with supporters and friends to celebrate three decades of working together to preserve special areas of Lake County and Clear Lake.

The Lake County Land Trust is a charitable nonprofit organization that protects the unique and valuable wildlife habitats of Lake County and Clear Lake. For more information, go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org, call 707-262-0707 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..