Mission

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, in cooperation with public and private interests, protects and manages lands of significant natural resource, agricultural, cultural and open space value.

Vision

We see a future where the wild and working forests, the beaches and coastline, the globally unique biotic habitats and the County’s rich farming and ranching heritage—those things that define the extraordinary place we call Santa Cruz County—are preserved forever, are lovingly cared for by supportive communities and are cherished by all as an extraordinary gift that this generation has made to future generations.

We will support our vision through a variety of strategies including:

• Work with landowners, resource agencies and other conservation organizations, to preserve the prime agricultural lands, ranches and wetland habitats of the Pajaro Valley.
  
  
• Perform conservation activities that will result in improved health of the vital watersheds and water resources of Santa Cruz County and positively impact the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
  
  
• Collaborate with landowners, resource agencies and other conservation organizations to protect the entire ecosystem contained within the Santa Cruz Mountains, from San Francisco to Monterey County.
  
  
• Implement a process for refreshing and re-evaluating our Vision so that it continually reflects the values of our community and honors the perpetual nature of the organization.
  
  
• Conduct conservation activities that will lead to greater opportunities for people to directly experience the spectacular and diverse landscapes of Santa Cruz County.
  
  
• Create and maintain easement monitoring programs, land management practices, and landowner partnerships that will be considered among the best in the State.
  
  
• Develop and sustain a robust financial reserve that ensures that we can continue to provide excellent stewardship of our lands in perpetuity and will be able to move quickly to acquire key parcels when opportunities arise.
  

• Become a recognized conservation leader, and model for other land trusts seeking to protect critical habitat, managed forests, agricultural and coastal lands. 

See a list of our recent accomplishments…

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