How You Can Help
Open space -- public land, private forests, parks, ranches, farms, and other undeveloped lands -- provide a multitude of public benefits, habitat value, and functions we all need and enjoy such as water, economic prosperity, wildlife, recreation, and wildfire protection.
Placer County respects private property rights and local jurisdictions and will only work with willing landowners, communities, and partners to promote voluntary open space conservation.
If you or someone you know owns land, there may be an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing effort to preserve open space in Placer County. Let us tell you about the advantages of helping the County achieve its vision-- now and for generations to come.
To qualify for consideration for the open space program, lands must satisfy the Placer Legacy program objectives:
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Maintain a viable agricultural segment of the economy;
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Conserve natural features necessary for access to a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities;
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Retain important scenic and historic areas;
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Preserve the diversity of plant and animal communities;
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Protect endangered and other special status plant and animal species;
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Separate urban areas into distinct communities; and,
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Ensure public safety.
Conservation Tools
To date, through a combination of innovative programs and partnerships, over 2,600 acres of property has been permanently preserved under the Placer Legacy banner. Placer County and partner conservation organizations offer many tools to preserve farmland, forests and other open space.
In different circumstances, a variety of methods can be used to accomplish land protection goals. Click here for additional information on land preservation techniques.
Partners
Open space conservation efforts cannot succeed without the strong and active support of citizens and political leadership. Many local residents and groups, from farm organizations to local officials, land trusts, and environmental advocates, have worked to protect our open spaces and our agricultural heritage, while still accommodating growth and change.
Placer Legacy goals can best be achieved through partnerships among the public, different levels of government, private conservation organizations, businesses and landowners. Thus, conservation of open space is not the sole responsibility of Placer County, but rather must be pursued by the County, other public and private agencies and individual citizens working together.
Placer County has worked with the following organizations on implementation programs and projects:
| CA Department of Conservation |
Placer County Water Agency |
| CA Department of Fish and Game |
Placer Land Trust |
| CA Resources Agency |
PlacerGrown |
| CA State Parks |
Sierra Business Council |
| CA Water Resources Control Board |
Sierra College |
| California Wildlife Foundation |
Sierra Nevada Conservancy |
| CALTRANS |
Tahoe Conservancy |
| Central Valley Joint Venture |
Truckee Donner Land Trust |
| Ducks Unlimited |
Trust for Public Land |
| Emigrant Greenway Trust |
United Auburn Indian Community |
| Foothill Farmers Markets |
US Bureau of Reclamation |
| Granite Bay Flycasters |
US Environmental Protection Agency |
| Land Trust Alliance |
US Fish and Wildlife Service |
| The Nature Conservancy |
Valley Vision |
| Nevada Irrigation District |
Wildlife Conservation Board |
Placer Legacy Donations – How to Help
- Make a tax-deductible financial contribution to Placer Legacy - or help by being an advocate in the community.
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If you own property and wish to continue ownership, consider a conservation easement which may result in reduced property taxes.
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If you own property and wish to transfer the deed, consider an outright donation or bargain sale.
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You can improve the natural quality of your own property by restoring natural habitat and planting native plants and trees.
For questions regarding the Placer Legacy Program, contact:
Christopher Schmidt, Senior Planner
Phone: 530.745.3076
Fax: 530.745.8080
E-mail: crschmid@placer.ca.gov