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Lake County Land Trust working to purchase 31 acre wetland parcel on Clear Lake
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Land Trust is moving forward with its campaign to purchase a 31-acre parcel of mixed wetland and grassland property on Clipper Lane near Kelseyville as part of the trust’s Big Valley Wetlands preservation project.
The trust has already raised or has pledges amounting to $45,000 towards the total $225,000 purchase price and is looking to the community to help in its efforts.
Purchase of this parcel is part of an ambitious effort to protect the remaining wetlands and riparian forests between Clear Lake State Park and the southern edge of Lakeport.
The land trust has developed a conservation plan for the area that is currently being reviewed by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The plan calls for purchasing conservation easements on properties or direct fee-title purchases, depending on what willing land owners wish to pursue, explained Lake County Land Trust president, Roberta Lyons.
Once the plan is approved by the department, then even more funding will be available for other parcels in the area, Lyons said.
The Clipper Lane parcel, owned by George Melo, includes beautiful native wetland and shoreline forest as well as upland wet meadow, pasture and oaks.
The Lake County Land Trust holds an option – valid until March 2014 – to purchase the property.
Contributions so far have come from The Pitzer Family Foundation in the amount of $10,000, which was part of the first option payment, and a contribution of $10,000 from the Robert Morse bequest that was given to the Lake County Land Trust several years ago after the passing of this popular local resident.
Some individual board members of the trust have each pledged $1,000 and an exciting recent contribution of $20,000 is coming from John Sheridan and Andrea DuFlon of Berkeley.
John Sheridan has been a long-time supporter of the Lake County Land Trust dating back to the trust’s first work in purchasing the Rodman Preserve.
Sheridan contributed to both the Rodman Preserve project and also the successful effort to preserve the Black Forest on the slopes of Mt. Konocti.
Now both John and his wife, Andrea DuFlon have stepped up to support this recent project. They have dedicated their donation to both Andrea’s parents, Bita and Alton DuFlon, and John’s former in-laws, Ron and Dorathy Grew.
The Grews moved to Lake County in 1975 and were the parents of John’s late first wife. At one time, Sheridan owned property here in Lake County and has often said over the years that he has a real “soft spot,” for the Lake County Land Trust.
“John Sheridan has been one of our most loyal and helpful supporters for almost 20 years and with this recent donation has helped to advance the mission of the Lake County Land Trust in an extremely significant way,” said Lyons.
Sheridan is a furniture maker and woodworking teacher at the San Francisco WoodShop. DuFlon is a licensed family therapist and fiber artist.
As a fiber artist, DuFlon has a strong appreciation of the beautiful skill and artistry of the baskets made by the early Pomo people of Lake County.
“When I visit the area, I like to imagine life as it was – small villages along the lake; people making boats of tule; baskets of willow, redbud, bear grass and other plants; foraging for food and medicines and hunting,” DuFlon said.
“That the Lake County Land Trust exists to preserve the integrity of the lake and surrounding area with its abundance of plants and wildlife is a huge blessing for us and generations to come, and a way to honor those who came before us,” DuFlon added.
Although Sheridan and DuFlon live in Berkeley, they always manage to make it to the Land Trust’s fundraising events and other activities.
One such event is coming up on Oct. 12; it is the annual Lake County Land Trust dinner which will be held at the The Lodge at Blue Lakes this year.
The public is invited to attend the dinner to learn about the Land Trust and enjoy a beautiful evening that includes live music and a silent auction.
For information about the dinner call 707-262-0707 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Reservations are required with payment in advance. Tickets are $65 per person and include wine.