FALL 2004
NORTHCOAST REGIONAL LAND TRUST
October Afternoon, Mad River
Acquafresca Promotes Colorado
Conservation Incentives Locally
By Ben Morehead
During the week of September 16th, the Northcoast Re-
gional Land Trust hosted a visit and two workshops on land
conservation policies featuring Steven Acquafresca. A former
Colorado legislator and orchard farmer, Steven’s affiliations
with the Colorado Farm Bureau, Republicans for Environmen-
tal Protection and his current role as a land protection special-
ist with the Mesa Land Trust allow him to contribute to the
protection of wildlife habitat and agricultural landscapes.
“Great Outdoors Colorado” is a state lottery funded pro-
gram that generates millions of dollars for open space conser-
vation, including working ranch conservation easements. The
Colorado “Transferable Tax Credit” program allows landown-
ers who donate conservation easements to get compensated
directly through a program that transfers state income tax
Eric Fidjeland
credits to wealthy individuals who prefer to give their state tax
dollars to land conservation projects.
While visiting Humboldt County, Steven led conservation
policy and funding discussions with local land planners and
interested community members. Participants in the discus-
sions shared opportunities, concerns and visions for how con-
servation programs and policies can be applied locally in our
region. A primary objective of the workshops was to address
the feasibility of different land conservation policy alterna-
tives. The Humboldt County General Plan update process was
discussed, as were a purchase of development rights program,
a transferable development rights program, and promoting the
concept of a transferable conservation tax credit program for
California. A fact sheet and article on Steven’s work is avail-
able from our office.
Board of Directors Letter from the
Blake Alexandre, President, Dairyman
David McMurray, Past President
Retired University Administrator
Executive Director
Ruth Blyther, Vice President
RCAA Co-Director
John LaBoyteaux, Treasurer, Farmer
Wes Anderson, Appraiser/Rancher
Mark Andre, Deputy Director,
Environmental Services, City of Arcata
Melissa Bukosky, Biologist/Geologist
Annette Holland, Jacoby Creek Land Trust If you are reading this newsletter, ty counties, public ownership – National
Jack Limmer, Real Estate Broker you, like me, are a conservationist. We Forest, National and State Parks, Bureau
Laura Mayo, Environmental Coordinator, care about the North Coast and all of of Land Management lands and other
Yurok Tribe our rivers and natural areas. We hope public lands – comprise roughly 50%,
Michael Smith, HSU Natural Resources
Professor our children and our grandchildren can 75% and 90% of our counties, respec-
afford to live and work here too. Each tively. These lands provide essential fish
Board of Advisors of us may define conservation a little
bit differently, but no matter. It is time
and wildlife habitat, including wild and
scenic river corridors, redwood forests,
James Able, Forestry Consultants, Inc. to put our differences aside about how oak woodlands and Bald Hills prairies.
Dave Albee, School Superintendent
Jim Anderson, retired CPA and why we protect natural and working In addition to these public conser-
Kim Browning, Resource Timber Manager lands and work together to save what vation lands, we also still have thou-
Tom Brundage, Geologist we’ve still got. And hopefully make it sands of acres of contiguous forested
Dennis DelBiaggio, Building Contractor even better for future generations. vistas backing our coastal communities
Nancy Diamond, Attorney As a biologist who spent years study- to the east. Our towns and cities are
Jeff Dunk, McKinleyville Land Trust
Zuretti “Zuey” Goosby, ing threatened and endangered species distinguished by adjacent fertile farm-
Field Rep. for Senator Wesley Chesbro in northern California and beyond, what land. Family-owned ranches, spanning
Dr. Steve Hackett, HSU Professor, becomes increasingly evident to me is thousands of acres of grazing lands and
Business & Economics that if we want to preserve our North productive forests, are still numerous.
Steve Hackett, Rancher Coast ecology, we need to keep large Together, our public and private lands
Kevin Hartwick, CPA,
Cholwell, Benz & Hartwick tracts of our private forest, farm and provide scenic and recreational oppor-
Lee Mora, Humboldt Auction Yard owner; ranch lands whole. As California’s popu- tunities, in addition to their ecological
Rancher lation swells, employing different strate- and economic value. All of these factors
Kathy Moxon, Humboldt Area Foundation gies for protecting our natural resources continue to draw people here, increasing
Liz Murguia, District Rep., is imperative, depending on where you land values and the pressure to subdi-
Congressman Mike Thompson
Gary Reedy, Fisheries Biologist live. What works in some areas does not vide.
Tom Rowe, Attorney necessarily work here. For example, a There are a plethora of ways that we
Rondal Snodgrass, Land Counselor Bay Area-based economy, with millions can care for natural lands and express
Bill Thompson, Jacoby Creek Land Trust of residents, can better support public our conservation ethic. Regardless of
Yana Valachovic, UC Cooperative Extension acquisition of parks and wilderness areas whether we believe that our bounti-
Patricia Vernelson, Director, Del Norte
County Children & Families Commission in nearby recreational destinations such ful natural resources must be actively
Arnold Whitridge, Sawyer as the Sierra Nevada. managed or left untouched, I ask you to
Katherine Ziemer, Director, On the North Coast, we are fortu- join me in striking common ground in
Humboldt County Farm Bureau nate to already have many public lands how we preserve both our ecology and
available for recreation and other natural economy. People here need jobs. Salmon
Staff uses. In Humboldt, Del Norte and Trini- Continued on page 3
Maya Conrad, Executive Director
Shayne Green, Wildlands Projects Manager
Ben Morehead,
Working Lands Projects Manager
Diana Pachmayer, Office Manager
Tempra Board, Development & Newsletter
Holly Lockwood, Intern
Funding provided by the Department of
Fish & Game, Coastal Salmon Recovery
Program, the Columbia Foundation
and local sponsors.
2
 The NRLT Team Local Land
Trust Contacts
The Buckeye Conservancy
P.O. Box 5607 • Eureka, CA 95502
Johanna Rodoni, Executive Director
(707) 786-9662
www.buckeyeconservancy.org
Friends of the Dunes Land Trust
P.O. Box 186 • Arcata, CA 95518
Lisa Hoover, Land Trust Chair
(707) 444-1397
www.friendsofthedunes.org
Humboldt Northcoast Land Trust
P.O. Box 457 • Trinidad, CA 95570
Gail Kenny, President
(707) 677-0716
kenny@saber.net; www.hnclt.org
Jacoby Creek Land Trust
P.O. Box 33 • Bayside, CA 95524
Susan Ornelas, Executive Director
(707) 822-0900; jclt@sbcglobal.net
McKinleyville Land Trust
The NRLT team stands in front of our new office, the Kokte House, in Bayside: (back row, P.O. Box 2723 • McKinleyville, CA 95519
left to right) Intern Holly Lockwood, Projects Manager Ben Morehead, Grantwriter Tempra Board, Projects Jeff Dunk, President
Manager Shayne Green. (front row, left to right) Office Manager Diana Pachmayer, Executive Director (707) 839-LAND
Maya Conrad. mlt@mckinleyville.net
Middle Mattole Conservancy
Continued from page 2 P.O. Box 73 • Honeydew, CA 95545
Gabrielle Roach, Director
need miles of clean rivers. Wildlife, such our surroundings. The opportunity to
middlemattole@asis.com
as elk and mountain lions, need large ex- protect our diverse lands is immense,
panses to forage. I believe that the key to but it requires that we come together as a Northcoast Regional Land Trust
meeting all of these needs is by keeping community, compromise a little on how P.O. Box 398 • Bayside, CA 95524
whole as many large tracts of privately we personally define “conservation,” and (707) 822-2242
owned lands as we can. seize the moment. If we have both pri- Maya Conrad, Executive Director
Those of you who live and earn your vate and public, contiguous timber and www.ncrlt.org
living off of the land naturally have a ranch lands, that’s how we’re going to Sanctuary Forest
strong commitment to land stewardship. maintain both ecology and our natural P.O. Box 166 • Whitethorn, CA 95589
Those of us who want to see diverse resource-based economy. Eric Goldsmith, Executive Director
species thrive here also care deeply about (707) 986-1087; sanctuary@asis.com
Siskiyou Land Conservancy
P.O. Box 157 • Orleans, CA 95556
Greg King, President
First American (530) 627-3377
Title Company gregking@sisqtel.net
South Fork Trinity River Land
Conservancy
Thomas C. Brundage P.O. Box 36 • Mad River CA 95552
David Rose, Executive Director
Registered Geologist (707) 574-1077
wildriver.trinity@starband.net
3

Old & New NRLT Board Presidents Speak About
In preparing this article, I sat down
with two of NRLT’s long-term members,
one of whom is transitioning from the
role of board president and another
who is moving into that role – David
McMurray and Blake Alexandre. David
and Blake in many ways represent the
strength and power of the diversity that
has defined NRLT since its
inception.
David is a counseling
psychologist by training, as
well as an experienced con-
sultant, committee member
David McMurray and board member for
many non-profit organiza-
tions, including Internews, Sanctuary
Forest, the Land Trust Alliance and cur-
rently the California Association of Land
Trusts. His experience and personality
have been crucial to NRLT’s early forma-
tion as the organization grappled with
bringing such a diverse group of people
together and finding common ground.
Blake owns and operates Alexandre
Dairy and EcoDairy Organic Farm in
Del Norte County, and owns pasture
land in Ferndale as well. He is active in
several organizations, including the Cali-
fornia Farm Bureau, Ducks Unlimited,
the California Waterfowl Association,
and the California Cattlemen’s Associa-
CAT KOSHKIN,
Attorney & Counselor at Law
Helping families preserve land
for the next generation
Gaynor & Diamond,
Attorneys at Law
Eel Canyon Farms
4
Leaving a Legacy for the N
tion. Blake’s direct and goal-oriented a will, now is a good time to prepare
style has resulted in his thriving business, one. Remember that your will is fully
and will now play a key role as NRLT revocable while you live. You retain con-
moves into a new phase in its develop- trol and can easily make revisions should
ment. your circumstances change. Bequests can
As you’ll read on page six, NRLT is be used as leverage for obtaining other
on the brink of protecting several thou- funds through foundations, grantmak-
sand acres of land through 10 projects ers, and other potential donors. They
in Humboldt, Del Norte can also be used to fund an endowment
and Trinity counties. that will continue to net the organization
Timing is critical right funds year after year. This is a true legacy
now, and all of NRLT’s – a gift for our community in perpetuity.
energy is focused on seeing David explains how the land trust
these projects through to is a perfect fit for those interested in
completion. This is where conserving North Coast landscapes and
Blake Alexandre
you come in. NRLT’s in planned giving. “The NRLT has the
donors have been the cornerstone of unique opportunity to help landowners
our success. We depend on you to keep make planned gifts and achieve conserva-
us in business while we seek and obtain tion goals. There are people who want to
grants from foundations and agencies to donate easements but can’t afford to do
move our projects it now. A conser-
forward. “My parents left a small amount to vation easement
I asked David each church they were a part of. can be placed,
and Blake to with some of the
tell me about
In the same way, my commitment stewardship funds
why they are is to protect the land. For me it’s to monitor that
involved in the like a religious commitment. easement, com-
land trust, and It’s at that same level.” ing in the form of
how our donors a planned gift.”
can help keep -David McMurray This may be an
the momentum economic incen-
going in the coming years. I found their tive for those who would like to donate
words inspiring, and I think that you a conservation easement and see their
will, too. We spoke about planned land protected in perpetuity.
giving, which is “a method of making So why do people make planned
a charitable contribution in which gifts? David and his wife, Madeline, have
some or all components of the gift are already included a local conservation
only distributed, or have their owner- organization in their will. I asked what
ship finally resolved, after some event prompted David to make such a bequest:
or some period has passed” (from the “One of the most common and easi-
Online Compendium of Federal and est methods of planned giving is to leave
State Regulations for U.S. Nonprofit a small amount to an organization in
Organizations). The definition sounds your will. My parents left a small amount
technical, but planned giving can be to each church they were a part of. In the
simple – and effective. If you currently same way, my commitment is to protect
have a will, you can easily add a codicil the land. For me it’s like a religious
(an amendment) to include a bequest commitment. It’s at that same level. I am
(a gift in your will) to the Northcoast leaving a gift to Sanctuary Forest in my
Regional Land Trust. If you don’t have will because we have property in the Mat-
North Coast
t Why It Matters
By Tempra Board

tole Valley, both Madeline and I have

been on the board of directors, and we
have a long-term relationship with Red-
woods Monastery, which is at the heart
of that community. We are also setting
up a conservation easement with them,
and part of our endowment fund will
come in the form of a planned gift.”
Planned giving is an intensely
personal act that has huge, long-term
benefits for the greater community. It
is a beautiful act of giving to something
outside of yourself, but comes from a Mouth of Redwood Creek, Orick, California. A conservation agreement will enable enhancement of this estuary and the fish and
place deep within. David was president wildlife habitat that it supports, while maintaining a working dairy.
of NRLT for three and a half of its first
four years. I asked him how he became bustling atmosphere of NRLT’s new of- sideration to everyone’s opinions and
involved with NRLT and what his hopes fice in Bayside, the Kokte House, which then to ultimately lead us in the right
are for its future: it shares with the Jacoby Creek Land direction.”
“I grew up on a farm, in a rural area Trust. I asked Blake how and why he
– Odell, Oregon, a town of 700 people became involved in NRLT: “My friend
– and I have a strong appreciation for Steve Hackett, the first NRLT president,
the importance of community, and sense invited me to a meeting, which led to my
You Can Leave
of community. I grew up with a BB
gun, walking in the back pasture. I have
joining the board. I have a genuine inter-
est in our community, as a landowner a Legacy
memories of smells, tastes, chickens in in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties.
a hayloft. All of this plays into why the Whatever I do while I have control of You can help NRLT to protect
NRLT has taken on such an important my land, my goal is to leave it in a better North Coast lands by making a
part of my life. My upbringing fostered a state than when I found it. I instill these planned gift. A simple bequest can
strong desire in me to fight, to keep this values in my kids and in my employees at take many forms. Here are some ex-
sense of community. my company. Being a part of the NRLT amples in appropriate wording:
“For the future, I want to be in- fits right in with that.” Planned giving A general bequest is for a certain
volved in figuring out how we can keep often arises from the desire to pass these dollar amount of property, usually
our urban areas urban and keep timber values from generation to generation. cash: “I give to [legal name of nonprofit]
areas timber and rural areas rural/ag- Blake is taking to his job seri- located in [city, state] the sum of $ [the
riculture. We’re not saying ‘no growth’ ously. He has a set of goals in mind amount to be given.]”
or no low-income housing, but rather, for NRLT, and he acknowledges that A residual bequest designates all or
we’re asking how we can make good we have to navigate our way – finding a portion of whatever remains after
use of existing residential lands and put that balance that David speaks of, and all debts, taxes, expenses, and other
easements on those lands that separate enabling us to continue on the path. “I bequests have been paid: “I give [legal
rural areas from urban.” David adds that want to utilize my leadership skills to name of nonprofit] located in [city, state],
one of the challenges for NRLT will be move us forward. We all share some of [fifty percent (50%)] of the rest, residue
to maintain the balance between various the same core values of protecting land and remainder of my estate, to… [Legal
philosophies, values, and backgrounds, and community. We are moving into name of nonprofit].”
and maintaining an open environment the phase of our organization where Please contact NRLT if you would
where “conflict is something to be we need to perform – to make tough like assistance with estate planning
worked through – not avoided.” and wise decisions. This is a challenge considerations, or if we can provide
When I spoke to Blake, NRLT’s during a time when funding is scarce. you with more information at
new board president, it was amidst the My goal is to help the NRLT give con- (707) 822-2242.
5
 NRLT Projects Update
NRLT’s project managers, Shayne
Green and Ben Morehead, have been
working on several exciting conserva-
tion projects in recent months. Here
are some of the details of these evolving
projects:
• Six Rivers to the Sea. Progress
continues in our partnership with five
Humboldt County ranches totaling
17,000 acres. NRLT is currently raising
funds and conducting the pre-conserva-
tion easement work that will eventually
protect essential timber and ranch lands,
containing miles of salmon-bearing
streams and diverse wildlife habitat.
• Redwood Creek Valley. NRLT
continues to raise funds for purchase of
a dairy in Orick, CA. This key conserva- Oak woodland habitat on the Iaqua Ranch, a keystone property in NRLT’s Six Rivers to the Sea
tion project will protect agricultural land conservation project.
from residential development in a scenic
coastal area and aid in estuary enhance- • Freshwater Slough. Restoration to continue K-12 education and riparian
ment vital to salmon and steelhead. of brackish marsh habitat of this Hum- restoration.
• The Northcoast Farmland Con- boldt Bay tributary and support of local • Trinity Alps Wilderness. We are as-
servation Study. This study will identify agriculture are the primary goals of this sisting a Trinity County property owner
highly productive and at-risk agricultural conservation project. Public canoe access who is exploring a donated conservation
lands and outline conservation strategies and education opportunities will also be easement to protect wildlife habitat and
to protect them. available. forest values on a 130-acre property located
• South Fork Trinity River. NRLT • Humboldt Bay Bottoms. We are adjacent to the Trinity Alps Wilderness.
and the South Fork Trinity River Land currently exploring an agricultural ease- • Regional Planning and Humboldt
Conservancy are developing a conserva- ment that will protect highly productive County General Plan. NRLT testified to
tion easement with a family committed dairylands from residential develop- the Humboldt County Board of Supervi-
to preserving river frontage and corri- ment. sors stressing the importance of protect-
dors, oak woodlands, salmonid habitat, • Van Duzen River Tributary. We ing working farms, forests and ranches
and mature forests along the wild and are working with California Depart- in addition to public access areas in the
scenic South Fork. ment of Fish and Game on two adjacent General Plan update. Through well-
stream easements planned development, we can protect our
containing nearly local natural resource-based economy and
3,000 feet of steelhead residents’ quality of life. We continue to
spawning habitat. collaborate with many local groups on
The project would aid long-range conservation planning.
these conservation Other projects are underway too. Stay
landowners’ efforts tuned for more details!

North Coast Cleaning

Services Inc.

Brackish marsh habitat for salmon and bird species will be enhanced with a
TOM ROWE, ATTORNEY
conservation project on Freshwater Creek Slough.
6
 Thank You NRLT 2003-2004 Supporters!
Agencies & Marjorie Ann Fay
Susan Frances
Bruce Gardiner
Phyllis Geller & Jerry Hull
Illijana Asara
Mary Jane Ashton
Foundations Jimmy & Lela Friel R. Uwe & Zuzana Gellner Carolyn Ayers
Chris Frolking & Margaret Judy Haggard Stacey Becker
California Department of John & Patricia Harris Tempra Board
Nulsen
Conservation Paul Hasselquist Carol & Jere Bob Bowden
Alan Glaseroff & Ann Lindays
California Department of Fish Gregory & Rebecca Hendrickson Christine & Gene Callahan
Kirk Girard
& Game, Coastal Salmon Judith Hinman Rita Carlson
Harvey M. Harper
Recovery Program Fred Hummel Susan Carson
S. Sherman Hirsch
Columbia Foundation Jean Chandler
Gordon Hull Theodore & Adelene Jones
Land Trust Alliance John Charles & Jennifer Kate
Humboldt Bank Tom & Carol Jones
Norcross Wildlife Foundation Anderson
Bill & Lynda Hutton Hazel M. Juell
Resources Legacy Fund Lisa Conrad
Thelma Ingebritson Jim P. Knerl
Foundation Russell Conrad
Internews Jerome & Nancy Lengyel
Harvey Kelsey & Susan Cashman Amy Little & Tate Birnie Kathryn L. Corbett
Founder’s Circle Peter Kenyon John & Judy Longshore Nancy Correll & Richard Duning
John LaBoyteaux Don & Kathleen Lutosky Diane Des Marets & David Price
Anonymous
Thomas Lisle & Lorinda Dengler Laura Madjedi Dr. Bill Devall
Blake & Stephanie Alexandre
Peter Martin Susan McBride Chuck & Marilyn DeWitt
Stephen & Sharon Davies
Tim McKay Maureen McCready -Glassman Matt Durham & Victoria Vance
Steve & Jill Hackett
Robert & Mavil McKelvey Ronald & Jill Miller Mark Fritzke
Annette & Greg Holland
Allan & Helen McKenna Ridley Lisa Miller & Bryan Gaynor Ivan Hess
Jack & Rita Limmer
Ken Miller Carol Mone Paul Hendrickson
David & Madeline McMurray
Louise Miller Ben & Ananda Morehead Christine Henson
Michael Smith Jim & Gay Morrison David Hitchcock
Steward Rondal & Susanna Snodgrass Daniel & Penne O’Gara David Hornbrook
Martha Hunkins
Sun Valley Group Osacr Larson & Associates
Melissa Bukosky Rob & Sue Parks Claudia Israel
Scott Sway
Jeff & Edy Schwartz Will Randall Erik Jules
Bill & June Thompson
Lee Mora Rex & Ruth Rathbun John & Denise Lopes
Kent & Johnna Townsend
Responsive Software Wendy Ring Beth Maizes
Charles Tripodi
Don & Andrea Tuttle Judith Roberts Mathew Marshall
Conservator Mock Wahlund
Victor & Janet Wallenkampf
Marcela Rodriguez
Shirley Salzman
Jeanne M. Mattole
Janice K. McMurray
Mark Andre Terrell Watt Erich F. Schimps Thomas & Doris Montgomery
Joan Berman Mark Youdall Steven & Sharon Schonfeld Stuart Moskowitz
Harry Blumenthal & Scott Mitchell John Schwabe Archie Mossman
Maya Conrad
Shayne Green & Jennifer Bloeser
Donor Randy Speck
Hermann & Cheyenne Spetzler
Michael & JoAnne Mulderia
Jaime & Maria Mehegan
David R. Hodges Anonymous (3) Keith & Patty Stearns O’Donnell
Felicia Oldfather Marjorie & Frank Anderson Francis & Lorana Sweet Colleen O’Sullivan
Tom & Emily Rowe Marie Antoine & Stephen Sillet Ronald & Donna Thompson Phoebe Netzow
Hugh Scanlon & Sharon Levy Sandra Antonson Theodore & Josephine Trichilo Douglas & Gabrielle Parkinson
Gloria Colombero Speigle Bank of America Barbara Van Putten Jennifer Pierce
Lynne & Bob Wells Barbara Barratt Steven & Carol Vander Meer Carl Ratner
George & Judy Bloeser John & Nancy Vanspeybroeck Jennifer Raymond & Stephen Avis
Lucinda Bradshaw
Sponsor Rita Carole
Marty & Dan Vega
Barbara Wallace
Michael D. Richardson
Andrew & Mary Riley
Anonymous Stuart Cataldo Heidi & Kelly Walsh Herb Schwartz
Thomas & Catherine Allen Chris & Jeanne Chapin Joseph & Jane Walsh Elizabeth Segal
James & Judith Anderson Leonard & Eleanore Clark James & Virginia Waters William Shapeero
Celestine B. Armenta Daniel Clavin Ellen Weiss & David Copple Bob Sizoo
Jim Athing Margaret A. Cole Clay Yerby Loren Smith
Glenn Berry Alexsis Davie Paul & Virginia Springer
Ruth Blyther Joan E. Del Monte
Robert K. Browning William & Nancy Dunn Friend Richard & Phyllis Stanewick
Sara Traphagen
Natalie Di Costanzo Mark Ellis & Kim Ervin Anonymous (3) Marlena Vega
Stan & Judy Dixon Elizabeth Eschenbach George & Beverly Allen Anne & Roger Weiss
Lynn Evans & Julie Fulkerson Michelle Fell Jack Altman Laura & Gregory Williston
Yvonne F. Everett Dr. K.O. Fulgham Susan Jean Armstrong Bill Zielinski
7
The Northcoast NRLT Mission
This is a rugged land where
mountain ranges cut by many
rivers drop in folds of deep
green forest to the sea,

a place where salmon,

tattered from long voyages,
still find familiar streams,
swollen with rain,

a place where towns

still have their edges,
circled by the working land,
by field and farm.

A few last rivers still

run wild and free here.
Stands of ancient trees
still reach the sky.

If places can be left

on earth for breathing space,
for life to celebrate,
may this be one.

The great blue heron

flies beside the freeway.
Grey whales breach and
catch a glimpse of shore. A Six Rivers to the Sea property in the Van Duzen River watershed. Photo by Diana Pachmayer

May they live to make
many more journeys,
finding this coast
as it was before.
-- Annette Holland
The Northcoast Regional Land Trust is dedicated to the
protection of working landscapes, farms, forests and grazing
lands, and to the preservation and protection of land for
its natural, educational, scenic and historic values.
Newsletter Sponsorship Opportunities: If you are interested in becoming a
newsletter sponsor, please contact us at (707) 822-2242.

Humboldt Land Title Company

Charlie Tripodi
The Land Man