Community Corner
Marin Matches $1.8M Land Preservation Grant
The Marin Agricultural Land Trust will use the funds to purchase an agricultural conservation easement at McDowell Ranch.
MARIN COUNTY, CA — The Marin County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to award a matching grant of $1.8 million to the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) so it can purchase an agricultural conservation easement at McDowell Ranch.
The 723-acre ranch is an organic grass-fed beef cattle facility along Stemple Creek between Tomales and the Marin-Sonoma County line.
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The easement will protect the area environmentally and agriculturally while supporting its ecosystem.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the land is one of the most critical habitats in the state, including the Stemple Creek watershed, which is a tributary to the Estero San Antonio. The property also includes 667 acres of grasslands and 56 acres of coast oak woodland and California bay forest. Most importantly to backers of the easement, it is now protected from development.
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Funds for the matching grant will come from Measure A, which was passed in 2012 by Marin voters. The county's contribution to the easement matches that of MALT, bringing the total to $3.6 million, the county said.
MALT has safeguarded more than 54,000 acres to support sustainable agriculture in Marin and protect habitats, according to the county.
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