The Wildlands Conservancy
The Wildlands Conservancy (TWC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve land for public recreation. It operates 25 preserves containing over 200,000 acres (81,000 ha) in the western United States. The preserve system includes a variety of scenery including mountains, valleys, deserts, rivers and oceanfront lands. TWC buys land, restores land, builds public visitor facilities and provides outdoor education programs for children. All usage (hiking, camping, education programs) is free of charge. There are over 1.5 million visitors annually.[2][3]
=open =closed)| Abbreviation | TWC |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1995 |
| Type | 501(c)(3) non-profit |
| Legal status | Nonprofit organization |
| Purpose | Environmental conservation |
| Headquarters | Oak Glen, San Bernardino County, California |
Region | California, Oregon, Utah |
| Methods | Buy land and open to public |
Staff (2021) | 91[1] |
Volunteers (2021) | 900[1] |
| Website | www |
History
The California Desert Protection Act of 1994 established two national parks, one national preserve, and 69 wilderness areas. However, private inholdings persisted within these newly designated public lands.
During the period of 1999 to 2004, TWC undertook an extensive effort to acquire 646,000 acres of private inholdings situated within the California desert. These lands were subsequently transferred to various government agencies to be preserved.[4]
From 1995 to 2000, TWC established a set of preserves in Southern California, in diverse locations such as the San Bernardino Mountains and desert canyons.[2]
In 2005, TWC acquired a historic trout hatchery and rehabilitated the area, resulting in the creation of the Whitewater Preserve. This preserve served to provide access to the San Gorgonio Wilderness.[2]
Starting in 2005, TWC ventured into Northern California, preserving land along the Eel River and the Sonoma Coast.[2][5][6]
In 2016, President Obama designated three national monuments: Sand to Snow National Monument, Mojave Trails National Monument, and Castle Mountains National Monument. Within these designations, the Sand to Snow National Monument encompassed the Whitewater Preserve and Mission Creek Preserve. Additionally, substantial land TWC previously acquired and transferred to government agencies, contributed to the Mojave Trails National Monument.[7][8][9]
Between 2015 and 2021, TWC continued their conservation efforts by establishing various preserves across California, including within the eastern Sierra Nevada region.[2]
In 2022, TWC expanded their conservation initiatives beyond California's borders, venturing into Oregon for the first time.[10]
In 2023, TWC extended their mission to Utah through the acquisition of land at the boundary of Bears Ears National Monument.[11]
Works
- The Wildlands Conservancy (December 28, 2012). Behold the Beauty (1st ed.). The Wildlands Conservancy. ISBN 978-0988819702.
- The Wildlands Conservancy (2021). Behold the Beauty (2nd ed.). The Wildlands Conservancy.
References
- IRS form 990 for 2021
- "The Wildlands Conservancy". The Wildlands Conservancy. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- McConnell, Doug (June 25, 2016). "The Wildlands Conservancy - OpenRoad with Doug McConnell". NBCBayArea.
- "California Desert Land Acquisition » The Wildlands Conservancy". The Wildlands Conservancy. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- "Eel River Emerald Necklace". Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- Kay, Jane (December 4, 2008). "5,630-acre Jenner Highlands saved for public". SFGATE.
- "Feinstein introduces desert preservation act". The Sun. February 9, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- Murphy, Bernadette (September 1, 2016). "Monumental Achievement: One of the West's great natural wonders — the Sand to Snow National Monument — has finallly been given the recognition and protection it deserves …and it's in the Coachella Valley's backyard". Palm Springs Life.
- Thompson, Jack (April 19, 2016). Inside the California Desert's newest National Monuments (Video). United States: Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory.
- Plaven, George (April 21, 2022). "Conservancy purchases Oregon ranch, plans 'climate preserve'". Capital Press.
- Bree, Jenna (July 25, 2023). "Conservation nonprofit acquires 320-acre piece of private property in Bears Ears National Monument". Fox 13 Utah.
Further reading
- Ritter, Matt (2018). California Plants: A Guide to Our Iconic Flora. San Luis Obispo, California: Pacific Street Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9998960-0-6.
