December 2024
Yolo Land Trust Awarded Project Advancement Grant from CCLT for Regional Conservation Project
We are thrilled to announce that the Sacramento Region Working Lands and Open Space Group, which YLT is a member of, has been selected by the California Council of Land Trusts (CCLT) @calandtrusts as the recipient of a 2024 Project Advancement Grant to advance the goals of the State of California described in Pathways to 30×30 (30×30) and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy (NWLCSS).
The Sacramento Region Working Lands and Open Space Group is made up of the American River Conservancy, Bear Yuba Land Trust, Mother Lode Land Trust, Placer Land Trust, Sacramento Valley Conservancy, Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust, and Yolo Land Trust. Together, these local land trusts are excited to plan and develop a collaborative strategy for accessing Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This partnership aims to advance the pace and scale of working land conservation throughout the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Foothill Region. Funding from this proposed RCPP, along with additional matching funds, has the potential to bring $60 million in investments dedicated to securing agricultural conservation easements to help protect our productive lands and vital wildlife habitats.
“The Yolo Land Trust looks forward to working with our regional partners,” shares John Currey, YLT Executive Director, “to develop opportunities to strengthen our relationship and advance our common interests to protect agricultural and working lands.”
The California Council of Land Trusts (CCLT) has awarded nearly $2M in funding to 23 organizations as part of the Project Advancement Grants. CCLT received 50 applications, with requests of almost $5 million for a maximum of $2 million in reimbursable grants for this first round of funding. Funding for the Project Advancement Grant Program has been provided by the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB). Grants were awarded in three categories, 1) Transaction, Project Development, and Permitting, 2) Organizational Capacity Building, and 3) Building and Sustaining Partnerships.
“Land Trusts are key to achieving the state’s biodiversity goals and WCB is proud to provide funding for CCLT and their partners,” said Jennifer Norris, executive director for WCB. “These small grants will provide much needed resources to help accelerate projects that advance biodiversity protection, climate resiliency, and equitable access to nature.”
Bridget Fithian, CCLT Board Chair adds, “CCLT’s Project Advancement program is providing direct solutions to remove barriers to the advancement and acceleration of conservation, restoration and equity in California. Congratulations to all of the recipients.”
We will update on the project progress and use of grant funds by the Sacramento Region Working Lands and Open Space Group throughout 2025.
Read the full California Council of Land Trusts (CCLT) press release.
