April 2025
We’re Back on the Land: 2025 Monitoring Has Begun!
March marked the beginning of annual monitoring season for our Land Stewardship Director, Liz Heckles. Her first visit of the year? Dhillon Ranch—a beautiful almond orchard in Davis, just as the last of the spring bloom was fading under overcast skies.
Over the next seven months, Liz will travel across Yolo County to visit each of the 78 farms and ranches protected by Yolo Land Trust—more than 13,000 acres of conserved farmland.
What is Monitoring, and Why Does It Matter?
While much of our work focuses on protecting farmland through voluntary conservation agreements, the job doesn’t stop once the ink is dry. Monitoring is how we ensure that the land remains in agriculture—and that the conservation values we’ve worked so hard to protect are upheld year after year.
“Monitoring is a key piece of land stewardship,” Liz explains. “It gives both the landowner and Yolo Land Trust a chance to make sure the core purpose of the conservation easement—continued farming—is being honored, even as practices and conditions change over time.”
Every visit is different. Some properties can be walked in under an hour, while others—larger or more complex—can take a full day to assess. Liz’s work involves reviewing land use, checking for compliance, documenting changes, and maintaining relationships with the stewards of these working landscapes.
“Despite scattered showers, the 2025 monitoring season has begun. I will monitor 81 farmland properties across the county – 78 easements which are held by YLT and three which YLT monitors for partner agencies. In total, I will survey approximately 13,750 acres of farmland, crossing the county from Clarksburg to Capay and Winters to West Sacramento and traveling an estimated 2500 miles from March to October to confirm our farmland is protected.”
Your Support Makes This Work Possible 💚
Monitoring takes time, care, and resources. Thanks to your donations, we have the tools and capacity to do it right—from staff time and mapping software to compliance reporting and recordkeeping.
As we continue to grow and protect more farms, your support helps us keep our promise—to the land, to farmers, and to the future of Yolo County.
📸 Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram as we share photos and stories from the field this season—you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the landscapes your support is protecting.
