Protect Your Land

Learn how you can help us protect Sonoma County’s wild spaces

Private property owners play a vital role in helping Sonoma Land Trust conserve the land, water, and wildlife that make Sonoma County so biologically diverse and beautiful.

Conservation takes all of us

The protection of private lands also allows us to keep making progress towards California’s 30×30 Goal of conserving 30% of our lands and coastal waters by 2030.

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Create a lasting legacy

Property owners like you have made it possible for Sonoma Land Trust to conserve nearly 63,000 acres over the last 50 years, via three distinct options:

Conservation easements (donation or sale)

An effective and flexible option for the permanent protection of private lands, conservation easements allow property owners to retain ownership of their property while working with Sonoma Land Trust to meet shared conservation goals, whether that’s preserving open space, protecting wildlife corridors, or maintaining agricultural use.

Donate your land

Giving land to Sonoma Land Trust ensures a healthy future for our region. Whether you’re donating a parcel of land specifically for conservation purposes or gifting other real estate like a house or investment property, your donation supports our mission.

Sell your land

In some cases, the best conservation option is for property owners to sell their land to us—it’s how many of our state and local parks came into existence. Sonoma Land Trust has a strong track record of identifying public and private partners to fund these important transactions.

Working toward a common goal

Our dedicated land protection team works with property owners every step of the way, gaining an understanding of your goals for your property, conducting an assessment of the natural resource value of your land, and discussing your financial objectives. Whether your goal is protecting the land you love, passing ownership to the next generation, or financial and tax considerations, we’ll walk you through your options.

Have questions about protecting your land with Sonoma Land Trust? Contact our Land Acquisitions Department at landinquiries@sonomalandtrust.org

Conservation stories

Saving McCormick Ranch together

In 2023, in collaboration with local partners and generous donors, Sonoma Land Trust realized a long-term vision to acquire the 654-acre McCormick Ranch property, which had been stewarded by the same family since the 19th century. Spanning the ridgeline of the Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma and Napa counties, this purchase ensures that an 86-mile wildlife corridor will remain intact and provides public access for a new segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. A testament to the power of teamwork and perseverance, this incredible property was transferred to Sonoma County Regional Parks and the Land Trust of Napa County for addition to Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve.

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“My sister and I were very happy to work with the Sonoma Land Trust so that we could preserve the natural beauty of the Walter & Jean Foppiano Ranch. This property was our family livelihood. Our Dad would always boast about the good pasture, plentiful water, and beauty of this ranch. Sonoma Land Trust provided us with the path to preserve this special place forever.”

“My sister and I were very happy to work with the Sonoma Land Trust so that we could preserve the natural beauty of the Walter & Jean Foppiano Ranch. This property was our family livelihood. Our Dad would always boast about the good pasture, plentiful water, and beauty of this ranch. Sonoma Land Trust provided us with the path to preserve this special place forever.”

—Christine Foppiano Haun, Foppiano Ranch conservation easement, purchased by Sonoma Land Trust

We can all make a difference

Even if you aren’t ready to set up a conservation easement, donate, or sell your land, there are many ways property owners can support conservation goals right now.

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