[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 178 (Monday, October 30, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





      HONORING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAKE COUNTY LAND TRUST

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 30, 2023

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Lake County Land Trust, which is celebrating thirty years of protecting 
Lake County's natural resources including wildlife habitat, wetlands, 
streams, shorelines, and forests.
  Thirty years ago, the Lake County Land Trust was formed by a group of 
concerned residents, including Susanne Scholz, Roberta Lyons, John 
Graham, Glenn Dishman, Mary Tulanian-Benson, Michael Friel, Judy Cox, 
Kim Clymire, and Sibyl Day who saw the need for expanded conservation 
efforts in Lake County. The original officers worked to set up 
guidelines for the types of property that the Trust would work to 
preserve and educate themselves about the various funding sources 
available for land conservation and preservation purposes.
  Shortly after its founding, the Trust began work to acquire the 
Rodman Ranch and Preserve, which was well known for its valuable 
wildlife habitat, including the largest Great Blue Heron rookeries in 
Northern California. This important property also contained nesting 
sites for Osprey and Western Grebes. The Rodman Ranch and Preserve 
remained unprotected and was being touted as an excellent site for 
housing developments, golf courses, and a marina. In order to protect 
this critical habitat, the Trust negotiated an option to purchase the 
property and with a successful ``Adopt-A-Nest'' campaign, they brought 
in nearly $40,000 toward the $1.2 million purchase price of the land. 
The Trust was able to preserve the natural habitat of the Rodman Ranch 
and facilitate the continued health and existence of the many nesting, 
breeding, and feeding areas for wildlife.
  In September 2004, the Lake County Trust worked with the Bureau of 
Land Management and the State Wildlife Conservation Board to secure 
funding for an acquisition of the Black Forest, a 255-acre forest on 
the slopes of Mt. Konocti. The Bureau of Land Management now holds 
title to the land, which is dedicated to open space and wildlife 
habitat.
  The Lake County Land Trust has also worked to conserve land and water 
resources of important environmental, cultural, and historic integrity 
on behalf of present and future generations. This includes protecting 
the Rabbit Hill and Chaparral Preserve, Melo Wetland Preserve in 2016, 
and most recently the Wright Wetland Preserve in 2020. They have 
successfully done this by working cooperatively with landowners, 
private groups, and government agencies.
  Mr. Speaker, the Lake County Land Trust is deeply appreciated for 
their work preserving Lake County's natural resources through 
education, cooperation, and conservation. I am proud to have 
represented this outstanding organization since its inception 30 years 
ago. Because of the Trust's outstanding work in our Lake County 
community, it is therefore fitting and proper that we honor them here 
today.

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