Inspired by the challenge offered by Justin Faggioli and Sandra Donnell, Save the Redwoods League Board Chair and Councilor respectively, to match all new gifts up to $250,000, League donors closed the $500,000 gap by the May 25 deadline.
On the same day, the WCB granted the League $4.75 million toward the purchase of conservation easements for three-quarters of the ranch – the West and Middle portions. We thank the WCB for sharing our vision of conserving these portions totaling 11,178 acres rich in young redwood forests, wildlife and streams. The WCB’s grant stemmed from Proposition 84, the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006, which was approved by California voters in the 2006 general election. We thank California voters for their investment in our natural resources.
In addition, the California Natural Resources Agency’s Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program awarded $500,000 for the West portion. The program was established by legislation in 1989 under the California Streets and Highways Code with funding from the Highway Users Tax Account.
The League is seeking public funding to complete the final phase in Mailliard Ranch’s protection over the next two years.
Meeting these goals today shows how public and private funding is the key to our work in protecting, restoring and connecting people to the redwood forest, our American treasure.
