Hello Friends,



Mendocino is blooming, whales are migrating, and we have shaken off the winter rust. Spring has truly sprung! Wherever you are, we hope you can get outside and take some time to notice new life and enjoy the season. 


This year, Mendocino Land Trust celebrates 50 years of service to the land and people of Mendocino County. To commemorate this milestone, we’ve produced a short film, Conservation Forever, featuring a look at some of our current projects alongside stunning coastal and inland vistas. You can watch Conservation Forever at the link above and at the Mendocino Film Festival as part of the short-film programs Keeping it Wild and Reel Mendo.


We’ve got community events and guided hikes in the works – and an anniversary party to thank all our friends, volunteers, and supporters. That means you! 


Read on for a glimpse into the future: you’ll find details about our big celebration in June, the MLT 50-year retrospective exhibit at the Kelley House Museum, community events, and our super-fun annual fundraising event, the 10th annual Noyo Headlands Race, August 8.


50 Years of Service


MLT’s work today expands on the objective of the community members who came together in 1976 to create the Mendocino Community Land Trust. The group considered several sites for conservation before landing on a small piece of undeveloped land, Heider Field, in the center of the village. We went back to the archives to uncover the earliest Board of Trustees’ minutes to learn about the MLT’s first conservation project.

Today, our community has grown to include all of Mendocino County. Our mission now embraces the conservation of wild and working lands, protecting and restoring habitats, and providing abundant public access to our remarkable scenic coastline, open spaces, and forests. 


Over 50 years, we have grown responsibly and sustainably. To date, 96 volunteer trustees and hundreds of community members have dedicated countless hours to fulfill MLT’s mission; our supporters have donated generously to build MLT’s fiscal stability; and dozens of passionate staffers have brought their talent and inspiration to expand our fee lands and trails, work with landowners, and apply their knowledge and experience to protect vulnerable and endangered wildlife. The work has paid off. MLT's conservation efforts continue to protect and maintain the wild, wonderful, and truly magical character of Mendocino County.

Celebrate With Us!

April 2- June 1: Kelley House Museum: Conservation Forever

April 18: Earth Day at Noyo Food Forest

May 16: Big River Trail Walk

May 30-31: Mendocino Film Festival

June 20: MLT 50th Anniversary Celebration


It all starts with you!

Folsom Ranch: A Challenging Acquisition of an Inland Jewel

In 2022, MLT learned that the 7,000-acre Folsom Ranch located northeast of Willits might come up for sale. Since then, MLT has worked diligently to conserve this ecologically and culturally important landscape, connecting with multiple agencies and potential funding partners in an effort to purchase the property for Tribal land return and public access. MLT plans to return 3,000 acres to three Mendocino County Tribes: the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, the Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria, and the Potter Valley Tribe. The remaining 4,000 acres will be managed by BLM for public trails and recreation.


The land consists of high-quality oak woodland, conifer forest, open grasslands, and important frontage on the Eel River and Tomki Creek. Folsom Ranch represents a rare opportunity to fill in a large gap within a patchwork of similarly important conserved land in the region; 65,000 acres of largely undeveloped land surrounding the ranch is conserved by the Mendocino Land Trust, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, BLM, the U.S. Forest Service, and the State Lands Commission. Adding Folsom Ranch to this landscape would bring the total conserved acreage here to 72,000 – protecting an enormous swath of vital habitat for wildlife including tule elk, as well as spawning streams for endangered Coho salmon, Chinnok Salmon, and steelhead. Additionally, the chance to create extensive public access near Willits for inland Mendocino County residents and visitors is compelling.


In 2025, after three years of effort, our partners at The Conservation Fund purchased the ranch as bridge owners, holding the property until it can be transferred to the Tribes and BLM. MLT continues to seek funding partners to allow the ranch and the surrounding area to reach its full conservation and public access potential.

Thank you Wild & Scenic Film Festival Sponsors!

MLT's event sponsors allow us to bring events like the W&SFF to life! Thanks to the support of these amazing business partners, we were able to host this sell-out event in Fort Bragg and Willits. We can't wait to do it again in 2027!

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Mendocino Land Trust

Thanks all our 2025 Supporters and

2025 Year-End Appeal Donors!

Donor listings from July 2025 through January 2026

FORT BRAGG

Adventist Health Mendocino Coast (P/S)

Amy Wynn

Ann Gallagher

Bruce & Deborah Bentz

Carrie Fishman

Caryl Sherpa

Charles P Berolzheimer Foundation

Chuck Artigues and Betty Abramson

Cynthia & James Plank

David & Christine Hartesveldt

Denise De Alba

Diane Cerutti

Diane Larson

Doug Blaisdell

Doug Hammerstrom & Diane Harris

Elizabeth Pippin (M)

George Reinhardt & Sharon Bowers

Ginny Rorby

Harvest Market (P/S)

Heidi & Todd Sorenson

James Griswold & Trudy Jensen (M)

Jeff Lieb

Joann & Jan Stickle

Kathleen Fain

Kathy & Joseph Averill

Kendall Smith

Kibesillah Rock Co. Inc. (P/S)

Kristina Stuart

Lari Shea & Harvey Hoechstetter

Laura & David Welter

Lorie Leaf

Lorrie Lagasse & Chris Williams

Louise Mariana

Lynne Ryerson

Mary Gealey

Megan Smithyman & Marchelo Bresciani (M)

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (P/S)

Mendocino Coast Clinics Inc (P/S)

Mendocino Cookie Company - Zappa's Coffee (P/S)

Nancy Reynolds

Nancy Winter

North Coast Brewing Co. (P/S)

Noyo Harbor Inn (P/S)

Olivia Barrager

Pacific Pearl (P/S)

Pacific Star Winery

Pat Tilley

Patricia Joslyn

Paul & Judy Tichinin

Redwood Forest Foundation, Inc (P/S)

Richard Gibb & Lar Krug

Richard Jacobs and Linda Lawley

Rossi Building Materials (P/S)

Ryan Putt

Scott Smith

Skunk Train (P/S)

Stephen Gross

Subway-Fort Bragg (P/S)

Suzanne Tennyson (M)

Ted Rabinowitsh

Thanksgiving Coffee Co. (P/S)

The Bar (P/S)

Tim Swan

Timothy & Judy Hollingshead

Todd & Holly Newberger

Trevor & Angela Sharp

William & Randice Roberts (M)

Yolanda & Bruce Fletcher


WILLITS

Alan Falleri &Patty Bruder

April Tweddell & Jere Kirkpatrick

Creekside Inn & Suites (P/S)

Gio Leon

Jane Camp

Janet & Tony Orth

Karen Gridley & Wolfgang Ronnefeldt

Marisela de Santa Anna

Noel Woodhouse

SHN Consulting Engineers & Geologists (P/S)

Tom and Angie Herman

MENDOCINO

Ann & Rudolph Sacks (M)

Barbara & Ben Sochacki

Barbara Barkovich and John Redding

Barbara Weiss & Richard Melrose (M)

Bronwyn & Robert Rhoades (M)

Bruce & Roslyn Moore

Buzz & Pam Graham

Carole Raye

Chet & Sherri Anderson

Debra Lennox

Flynn Creek Circus (P/S)

Gayle Greene & Robert Jourdain (M)

Gerald & Kimiko Shuck

Helena Bell

Howard & Sharon Lau

Jack & Florence Van Geem

Jeanette Boyer (M)

Jeanette Hansen Trust

Jim & Mary Luther

John & Kathi Griffen (M)

John Cottle

Judith Chapman

Kathleen Cameron

Ken Flannell & Denise De Luise (M)

Kristen Williams & Jimmy Schmidt

Leona Walden

Lorie Wardlaw (M)

Luna Armstrong

Margaret Fox

Marilyn Wood (M)

Mark Bowery

Mark Veregge (M)

Matthew & Elaine Miksak (M)

Mendocino Maples Nursery (P/S)

Nancy Harper

Noelle & Jeff Hasson (M)

Out of this World (P/S)

Paula & Mark Goodwin (M)

Richard & Susan Strom (M)

Robert Becker

Robin Serrahn

Roger Sternberg & Diana Weir

Ronnie James

Samuel Edwards and Virginia Sharkey (M)

Sharon & Jan Peterson

Stephanie & John Simonich

Susan Maeder

Susan Tubbesing & Sarah Nathe

Tony & Maureen Eppstein

Anonymous (2)

Anonymous (2M)


NORTH COAST

Ann Zollinger

Bill & Bobbie Knapp

Bob Schlosser & Dawn Hofberg

Chet Boddy

David Tahja

Debra Sally

Diana Wiedemann

Gayle & Barry Tyerman

Helen Jacobs

Jeanette Rasker & Robert Cutler

John Swartley & Debra Cohen (M)

Joselyn Bartlett

Judy & Jim Tarbell

Karen Lewis

Kathryn Schubeck & Monroe Robinson

Lee Tepper & Dorine Real

Lee Zabin

Lynn Bowers

Lynne Mowry (M)

Mark and Deena Zarlin

Mary Flannery Kraut

Melody Merriman and James Garretson

Mike & Ruth Dell'Ara

Neal Davis & Esther Ehrlich

Pat Dunbar

Rick & Susan Keller

Rita Crane

Steven & Deborah Wolfe

Sue & Jim Budlong

Susan Juhl

Terry Surles

Winston & Becky Bowenoodson Stanley Thornton & Alison Deane Trick-Thornton

Zoe & Myke Berna

Anonymous (3)


SOUTH COAST

Barb Skoog & Emmett Dacey (M)

Bob Rutemoeller & Mary Sue Ittner

Craig Brestrup

Dibby Tyler

Donald Hess

Douglas Forsell (M)

James & Marcia Nybakken

Jeanne & Richard Jackson

Jeff Gyving and Lena Bullamore

Jim Elias

John Ridley

Michelle Ladcani

Miranda Edison

Parker & Laura Mills

Parker Mills

Patricia Wilson

Roma Robbins

Susan Bernardo & Kevin Polk

Tom & Anny Reidenbach

Wentworth Vineyards


LAYTONVILLE and LEGGETT

Alder Springs Vineyard (P/S)

Alison Pernell

Ivan Anderson

Mendocino Producers Guild (P/S)


ANDERSON VALLEY

Nicolette Ausschnitt and Steven Krieg

Robert and Barbara Goodell

Sheila Colombana


UKIAH VALLEY

94.5 K-WINE and 93.5 MAX (P/S)

Al White and Victoria Golden

Alexander Schulz

Arlene Moorehead

Bob Twelves

Bonterra Organics Estates (P/S)

Charles Hudson

Dennis & Christine Dill

Donald Ortega Madden

Elisabeth & Stephen Pasternak

Elizabeth Macfarland

Eric Olecik

Graziano Family of Wines (P/S)

Jessica Beckstrom

Jim Mastin & Mary Buckley

Jonathan Whipple & Margaret Agnew

Larry & Pat Hartley

Larry Falk & Margaret Arner

Lieshi Galandil

LPL Financial Charles Kelly (P/S)

Mary Metcalf

Masut Vineyard & Winery (P/S)

Melbourne & Linda Lockey

Mendocino Barkery (P/S)

Michael Lloyd

Michele Steckter

Millie Lehrman

NC Financial Group (P/S)

Peggy Backup

Ron & Francine Selim

Sam Goldberg

Steve Prochter (M)

SunHawk Farms

Terri Boudreaux

Tom & Ilse Winters

Warren & Linda Ware

Anonymous (1)







Bay Area, California, and Out-of-State Donors!

2025 saw an increase in individual donors from outside of Mendocino County. Whether you are a visitor to our area, a second home-owner, or simply inspired by our work to preserve the natural wonders of Mendocino - we are grateful for your support!

Legend: P/S = Business Partners and Event Sponsors, M = Monthly Donor

BAY AREA

Andrea & Melinda diSessa

Angelo Figone & Laurence Brenner

Annie Chen

Beth Furstenthal (M)

Brick & Mortar Wines (P/S)

Bruce &Madeline Feingold

Carla Ravipati

Carol James & Michael Kavanaugh

Caryl Carr

Christina Isenberg

Craig Young

Daniel Sicular & Hana Levin

David & Victoria Burton Burke

David Lakes, M.D.

Diane Barrett

Don and Marcia Ehrlich

Douglas Smith (M)

Emily Benatar Foundation

Environmental Collaborative

Erik Vink

Erin Billman

Fred Baldwin

Gary Grimm & Ann Holsberry

GU Energy Labs (P/S)

Holiday Phelan-Johnson

J. Michael Hopper & Virginia Pier

James Frodsham

Jeanine Ceballos (M)

Jeremy & Christina Isenberg

Jerry & Linda Yarbrough

Joe & Alison Barta

Joel Perlstein

John Morton

Karen & Thomas Jefferson

Kelly DeMartini (M)

Kevin & Sheryl Braun

Kirk Kleinschmidt

Larry & Gayle Heiss

Lisa Jones

Loren Lewallen

Lyn Andersen

Lynne Clenfield

March Conservation Fund

Marietta & Dermot Kelly

Marilyn Zoller & Joshua Koral

Mendocino Tree House (P/S)

Michael & Beth Litton (M)

Miquel Salmeron & Catharine Vollmer

Nancy & John Hoogendyk

Nancy Drooker & Alix Sabin

Nancy Evans

Nancy Horner

Olander Family Foundation

Perry & Amy Gottesfeld

Peter J. Davis Family Foundation

Philip Maloney & Monica Steinisch

R. Powers

Randall Arnold &

Greg Knight

Robert & Janie Frank


BAY AREA, continued

Robert & Marcia Popper

Robert Jones & Catherine Rivlin

Ronda Smith

Scott Mullins

Sereno 1% For Good Charitable Foundation

Sky Stanfield

Sonoma Clean Power (P/S)

Srinivasan Venkatasanthanam

Steven L Hallgrimson Foundation

Thomas Amaroli

Thomas & Rebecca Riley

Thorton & Katrina Glide

TrimTab Media

Vera De Martini

Warren & Janis Watkins

Weinreb Pilecki Segal Foundation

Zakiat Jalilvand

Anonymous (M)



CALIFORNIA

Albert Vogel

Alisa Correia

Andrew & Anne DeMar

Bruce & Madelyn Glickfeld

Bruce Pavalon & Laura Schroeter

California Foundation for Stronger Communities

Charles Braden & Tara Thiemann (M)

Daffy Charitable Fund

Damien Mercer

Deborah Kanter & David Bartis

Emily Ochoa

Eric Krasner

Erik Wyner

Gerald & Nicolette White

Harvey & Jacqueline Moranda

Holly Harris & Charles Lamb (M)

Jefferson & Diana Jallo

Jon Lee

Karen & Michael Winn (M)

Karen Orso

Kathleen & Jeffrey Thuner

Kathy Bloch (M)

Keep Big Sur Wild

Kristopher Gibbon

Lisa Hyndman

Marilyn & Stephen Butler

Pacific Watershed Associates (P/S)

Parducci / WarRoom Cellars (P/S)

Peter Martin

Placer Community Foundation

Robb & Karin Lightfoot (M)

Robert & Holley Perez

Robert Bagel (M)

CALIFORNIA, cont.

Robin Applegarth

Roger Gilbert

Stephan A. Hecox & Sharon L. French

Stephen Abbott

Wendy Hoyt


OUT-OF-STATE

American Online Giving Foundation

Blackbaud Giving Fund

Bob and Margaret Archibald (M)

Bob and Sandra Field (M)

Carolyn Barden (M)

Constance Swartley

Deborah Wilson and Lloyd Fickett (M)

Dennis & Rosemary Smithyman

Donald Brian Miselis

Dr. Ray Hargreaves

Jann & John Sterling

Jean Ardila

John Meyer (M)

Judy Malin

Kaufman Family Foundation

Martin Beadle

Michael Wolesky and Susan Lindoo

Nicolas Knoebber

Patricia Mueller

Patricia Rosa

Robert Parvin

Russell de Grove

Season of Change Foundation

Steve & Jan Pearson

Terry & Terry Phillips

Trieschmann Foundation

Willard & Carolyn Jackson

Yvette Morrill


UNSPECIFIED

Alison Aplin

Barbara Barkovich

Bill & Darcy Shaw

Brooks Thorlaksson

Carolyn Sherwood Call & Gregory Call

Carrie Durkee

Celia Anonymous

Clare Gallardo

Dana Sebree

Dobie Dolphin

Doug & Sue Crafts

Elan Stopnitzky

Elizabeth A. Martin

Gayleen Vanderkamp

Jamie Umble

Kurt Keyser

Linda Gillespie

Lynda Adams (M)

Nathan Fisch

Nikia Popow

Partice Mascolo

Paul Miller

PayPal Giving Fund

Randolph Bush

Richard and Margit Roos-Collins

Rory McCallion & Alexandria Eckler

Sheila Myers

Stephanie Falzone

Susan Munday

Vanguard Charitable

Anonymous (9)

MEMORIAL

Betty Stechmeyer

Dziomek Erlbaum and Ernest John DeMartini

Garnish

Matthew Coleman

Melvin and Audrey Veregge

Richard O. Jackson

Sonya Popow

Walter Camp


HONORARY

Ashley Land

Barbara Weiss

Chet Anderson

Conrad Kramer

Emily Griffen

Gay Tomlinson

John Swartley

Matt Mulford

MLT Team

Tim and Dawn Martin

If you do not see your name on our donor list, or if you are listed incorrectly, please let us know so that we may correct our records.

2026 Business Sponsorships Available for

the 10th Annual Noyo Headlands Race!

We invite businesses across Mendocino County to help us host the race! Your sponsorship will support our work year round and help us to offer free race regristrations to local high school students. Sponsorship perks include recognition and promotion of your business, complimentary registration, and our eternal gratitude!

Sign up now!

Submit your sponsorship here!

Registration for the Noyo Headlands Race here!

MLT Volunteer Days

Monthly Volunteer Day - Second Wednesday - Navarro Point Stewards Ongoing, 10 am - Information available at our events page.


Monthly Volunteer Day - First Monday - Hare Creek Beach Stewards Ongoing, 9:30 am - Information available at our events page.

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