Land preservation in Marin County, California, is an important project that is designed to help preserve the world renowned beauty of Marin County. There is a long history of farming and appreciation of nature, so this is an area that understands why land preservation is so important. Fortunately, there is a pride in Civic responsibility in this area, and there is plenty of effort being made towards land preservation in this area.
One of the major organizations that has been put together in order to handle this important issue is the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT, for short). What is interesting about MALT is that while many land trusts tend to butt heads with farmers and ranchers and others who live off of the land, MALT was actually founded with environmentalists working hand in hand with farmers and ranchers. MALT was founded in 1980, and was the first land trust in the United States that actually focused on farmland preservation, and recognized farms as an important part of the area’s ambiance and community.
One of the things that makes land preservation in Marin County California easier, and more strongly supported, is that MALT acquires their conservation area through the voluntary actions of landowners. Nothing is seized. Farmers and ranchers donate parts of their property that will be used for land preservation, and then MALT takes over and continues to work with the landowners to help. This has resulted in over 40,000 acres of land across 60 different family owned ranches and farms being protected from outside development or seizure.
Studies done in these protected areas have revealed that nearly half of all the bird species in North America have a home in this area, and even aside from the over 400 species of birds, over 50,000 shorebirds winter in the locally protected watersheds in Marin County.
The importance of land preservation in Marin County came in the early 1970s, when plans for the future of Marin County basically included clear cutting nature for a giant suburb city of 125,000 people, and would wipe out the then 150 year tradition of family farms and ranches. The people living in Marin County despised this idea, which led to one of the most unusual alliances: ranchers, farmers, and environmentalists joining together to fight for land preservation and that was how MALT was created.
The success of land preservation in Marin County is obvious, as Marin is considered one of the most beautiful natural areas in the United States. Tens of thousands of acres are protected, and more is soon to follow as it has become obvious that land preservation in Marin County is a community goal.
Renee Adelmann is a California Realtor and Certified EcoBroker who specializes in Marin County real estate. Her website has tips and information on the local market, from Marin foreclosures to open homes in Marin, CA.
[tags]land preservation, buying land in marin county, san francisco bay area land[/tags]
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