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2001-2002 Year in Review Dear Members and Friends: In a survey of members completed in February, we were pleased to learn that more than 90% of those who responded think MALT is doing a very good job of preserving Marin County farmland. So you will be happy to know that over the past year, we were able to help two more long-time Marin ranching families acquire lands crucial to their agricultural operations. In January, Leo and Rose Ielmorini with their nephew Steve Moody bought the 326-acre Valley Ford dairy the Ielmorinis had leased for 47 years. The acquisition was financed by MALT's purchase of a conservation easement that will permanently protect both the farmland and the important natural resources of Estero Americano which borders the property. In June, the Bill Barboni family sold MALT an easement so they could purchase a portion of the Hicks Valley ranch where 81-year-old Bill's childhood home is located. The easement also covers adjacent acreage already owned by the family, permanently protecting a total of 1,310 acres, the largest single easement ever purchased by MALT. Besides agreeing never to subdivide, the family also elected to add a size restriction for future residences and special protections for creeks and tributaries. This was the first time such provisions have been included in a malt agreement. MALT this year also accepted the conveyance of an agricultural conservation easement from Lucasfilm on 2,296 acres of the Big Rock, McGuire, and Loma Alta ranches which adjoin a 2,538-acre Skywalker Ranch easement conveyed in 1985. In addition, Lucasfilm also conveyed approximately seven miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian public trail easements over the three properties to the Marin County Open Space District. This is the only time a MALT easement property has included such access. These projects remind us that MALT's program is about preserving both agriculture and the agricultural landscape that define Marin County. The 32,000 acres now protected on 47 farms and ranches represent almost 30% of privately-owned Marin farmland. But 80,000 acres are still at risk. A challenge grant from the Marin Community Foundation, generous public agency grants to the Campaign to Save Marin's Farmland, and gifts from malt members helped fund two of projects mentioned above. The permanent protection of additional lands through conservation easements is only possible with partnerships such as these that stretch private giving and leverage public funds. To generate the will and resources necessary to preserve the next 32,000 acres, this alliance will need to be even stronger. The completion this year of our $10 million capital
campaign showed us that you have recognized the threat and have
been willing to respond to the need. As the year ends, we look forward
to your continued help in preserving the agricultural lands that
are such a fundamental part of what makes Marin unique. With your
support, we know we can succeed. Thank you, Chris Kelly Robert Berner The Year in Review is currently
in PDF format, which you will need the Acrobat Reader® to view.
If you already have the Reader, click here
to download the Year in Review PDF.
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