The Land County Land Trust’s first major project was the purchase of the Rodman Ranch near Rodman Slough on the north end of Clear Lake. This was a complicated transaction and the Land Trust relied heavily on the donated expertise of Kelseyville attorney Peter Windrem who helped the LCLT navigate the field of options and escrows that were required to finally purchase this beautiful property. 

By the time the Rodman Slough project was completed, a package of seven different sources of funding was coordinated by Windrem and a core committee of Land Trust members, including funding for the County Park at the mouth of Rodman Slough, now called The Rodman Slough Park.

A Great Blue Heron Rookery was located in the tops of the oak trees on part of the property. It was this rookery (nesting site) that supplied the impetus to gain local support for the project, as well as funding from the state Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), which is the state funding agency for land acquisition for the Department of Fish and Wildlife (then Fish and Game).

One fundraising project developed by the Land Trust was an Adopt-A-Nest Program where different levels of donation went from $10 for adopting a twig for a “starter nest,” to $1,000 for a “Penthouse.” As part of the campaign, people could also purchase a “twig pin,” pins fashioned by board members of simply a stick with a clasp glued to it. Our “Heron Nest Stick Pins.” (please note the rookery has since relocated)

The purchase of the Rodman property, now known as the Rodman Preserve, was finalized in 1999. A small nature education center was created by remodeling the old Rodman farm house. Pictured here are volunteers in 1998 working on restoring the Rodman farm house. The Land Trust hosts supporter events at the Preserve, like the spring "State of the Land Trust" Coffee.

The Land Trust protected a total of 282 acres. The Land Trust holds title to 142 acres; the Department of Fish and Wildlife retained title to 104 acres of shoreline (all part of the Rodman Preserve) and the County of Lake owns the 36 acre park at the mouth of the slough.The Land Trust manages the Preserve for its wildlife and natural values while at the same time providing access to the public on a weekly basis.

Lake County Land Trust Celebrates 30th Anniversary

A crowd of over 160 supporters and friends gathered at Boatique Winery on Saturday, Oct. 28 to mark an important milestone for the Lake County Land Trust (LCLT) which is celebrating its 30^th anniversary throughout 2023 and 2024. Thanks to all our supporters for helping LCLT raise over $10,000!

Congressman Mike Thompson Presents a Congressional Recognition

Honoring the 30th Anniversary of the Lake County Land Trust

to Val Nixon, President of the Lake County Land Trust

Read entire recognition (here)