Organization
Mendocino Land Trust
TL;DR
Mendocino Land Trust conserves habitat and working lands on the Mendocino coast, and builds the trails and coastal access that let people reach them.
Mendocino Land Trust works on the Mendocino coast of northern California, combining land conservation with getting people onto that land. Its four named areas of work are trails and coastal access, saving wildlife habitat, saving working lands, and combating climate change. Its own account of its beginning is that a small group of community members started it as a kitchen-table organization in the mid-1970s, and its site says it has been promoting access and conservation for more than 45 years. It runs preserves and beaches, holds conservation easements, and offers guided hikes and community programs.
Why OGSP Recommends It
Mendocino Land Trust treats public access as equally important to land protection. Many environmental groups lock people out to save a habitat. This organization explicitly writes public access into their mission statement and builds trails to give access to people on the northern California coast.
Community members started the group around a kitchen table in the mid-1970s. After 45 years of operation, they now run physical preserves and manage public beaches. They also hold conservation easements that keep working lands operational and protect local wildlife.
They focus on four specific areas: expanding coastal access, saving wildlife habitat, protecting working lands, and fighting climate change. They are creating a conservation model that invites people onto the land instead of building a fence around it. People protect the things they love, so when people have access to the land they become connected and want to protect it.
Related Resources
Ways To Get Involved
Donate, volunteer, take part in guided hikes and community programs, legacy giving and bequests, and for landowners, conserve your land.
Key Takeaways
- Public access is written into its mission statement alongside conservation, in its own wording about providing public access to beautiful places.
- It began as a kitchen-table organization started by community members in the mid-1970s.
- Its four named work areas are trails and coastal access, wildlife habitat, working lands and climate.
- It is listed as an impact partner on the Giants Rising site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mendocino Land Trust do?
It conserves and restores habitat, scenic areas and working lands on the Mendocino coast, and provides public access through trails and coastal paths.
Where is Mendocino Land Trust based?
Fort Bragg, California, at 435 N. Main Street.
When did Mendocino Land Trust start?
Its own site says community members started it as a kitchen-table organization in the mid-1970s, and that it has been working for more than 45 years.
Can I visit Mendocino Land Trust land?
Yes. It runs preserves and beaches and offers guided hikes and community programs.