Land Trusts and Conservancies in California's Central Coast Region

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Definition

Land Trust is an agreement whereby a trustee agrees to hold title to property for the benefit of a beneficiary.[1] The beneficiary has the right to direct the trustee, based on the established agreement. There are two types of land trusts: community land trusts and land conservancies. Community land trusts are nonprofit organizations that work on building assets for a community such as affordable housing, public gardens, and commercial spaces. Land conservancies on the other hand aim to protect flora, fauna, and natural resources, particularly through purchase of and caring for land.[2]

Land Conservancies as non-profit organizations rely on donations, and grants for land acquisition. Conservancies also accept conservation easement that are donated or sold by landowners. A conservation easement is a voluntary, legally-binding agreement between landowner and land trust or government agency that permanently limits land use to protect its conservation.[3] [4]

California Code and Land Trust

There are no specific statutes that deal specifically with land trust; however, there do exist codes that deals with trusts in general. The statutes for land trust fall in the Probate Code of the California Codes. Specifically, section 15604, which deals with non-profit organizations being appointed as trustees. According to CA code a land trust can be appointed a trustee if it: is located within state boundaries, authorized to be a trustee, has existed for three years as a non-profit. [5]

Public vs. Private

California Land Trusts

List of Central California Land Trusts

  • Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT)
  • Santa Lucia Conservancy (SLC)
  • Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF)
  • Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County
  • San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust
  • California Rangeland Trust
  • Center for Natural Lands Management
  • Pacific Forest Trust
  • Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
  • Save the Redwoods League
  • The Trust for Public Land
  • The Wilderness Land Trust
  • Wildlife Heritage Foundation
  • Land Trust of Santa Cruz County
  • Pacific Forest Trust
  • Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST)
  • Sempervirens Fund

References

  1. Definition: Land Trust [1]
  2. Definition: Conservancy [2]
  3. Definition: Conservation Easement [3]
  4. The Nature Conservancy explains conservation easements
  5. CA Code Probate Code

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.