About Anderson Valley Land Trust

Anderson Valley’s Only Land Trust

Anderson Valley Land Trust (AVLT) is the only land trust that primarily focuses on Anderson Valley and the Navarro River Watershed. We provide local expertise to help landowners conserve their land so their property can be protected, managed, and used to preserve its conservation values.

History

AVLT is a local, non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1991. A long-time member of the national Land Trust Alliance (LTA), AVLT adheres to LTA’s national standards and practices and has entered into LTA’s newly established accreditation process.

Conservation

As of 2008, AVLT has joined with landowners to protect more than 2,000 acres of forests, riparian areas, agricultural land, oak woodlands, meadows, and views in Anderson Valley. See Conservation Map and Easement Descriptions for details. Some of the acreage will be “forever wild,” where natural processes are paramount. Some has been designated as working forest or as agricultural land that will be managed using sustainable practices. Each easement is individually tailored to the property’s conservation values and the landowner’s needs and vision.

Recognition

A presentation by AVLT to the Mendocino County Supervisors in 1993 resulted in the Board recognizing non-profit land trusts in Mendocino County as non-governmental partners in land and resource conservation. This recognition signifies the public benefits of conservation easements and helps landowner donors receive IRS tax deductions on their qualifying easements.

AVLT Board Members

Karen Altaras

Karen has been active in the community since 1971 and currently owns the Rookie- To gallery in Boonville. She is a past President of AVLT, a founding board member of Anderson Valley Arts, and a member of the Anderson Valley Chamber of Commerce. She is currently the AVLT Treasurer.

Kathy Bailey

Kathy moved to Anderson Valley in 1971. She became involved in sustainable forestry in the late 1970s and represented California Sierra Club on forest issues for more than a decade. Her community activities include six years as a board member of the Anderson Valley Unified School District. She joined the AVLT Board in 2005 and is currently Vice President and Conservation Chair.

Andy Balestracci

Andy has worked for the greater adoption of sustainable agriculture and healthy local food production for over 15 years. His eclectic career has included working as Cheesemaker at California's first Certified Organic goat dairy, the Baker at a well known Buddhist Monastery, Land manager for several large properties, and Manager of a number of food production Gardens here in Anderson Valley. He brings his knowledge of holistic land management, botany and sustainable farming and food production to the AV land trust. He has lived in the Anderson Valley since 2000.

Barbara Goodell

Barbara is a founding member of AVLT and 31-year resident of the valley. She has served on the board of directors of the Anderson Valley Community Services District, established the community’s adult school, and has advanced sustainable agriculture on a countywide basis. She is currently the Secretary and Outreach Committee chair.

Dave Hopmann

Dave is an experienced business attorney who has resided in Anderson Valley since 2004. He joined the AVLT Board in 2008. He is also President of the Board of Directors of Anderson Valley’s community public radio station, KZYX.

Patti Jeffery

Patrick Miller

Patrick is a licensed Landscape Architect who has planned and designed numerous park, recreation, and open space areas and trails throughout the western U.S. He joined the Board in 2004 after volunteering with AVLT for 9 years.

Steve Snyder

Steve lives in Yorkville on property purchased by his great-grandfather in 1893. He has been coming to Anderson Valley his entire life and has great respect for the conservation values of the area. He worked twenty-three years in corporate television, photography, and public relations for PG&E. He joined the Board in 2009.

Dean Titus

AVLT Advisory Committee

Connie Best

William Chambers

Micki Colfax

Daniel Imhoff

Jed Pogran

John Scharffenberger

Laurie Wayburn

Clare Wheeler

Peter Wiley

More Information

Please call our office (707.895.3150) if you would like more information about our work, a presentation about conservation easements, to make a donation, or to volunteer your expertise or time. Visit the Contact page for further details.