KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — A crowd of more than 160 supporters and friends gathered at Boatique Winery on Saturday, Oct. 28, to mark an important milestone for the Lake County Land Trust, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary throughout 2023 and 2024.

The Lake County Land Trust was incorporated in late 1993 and received tax exemption status in 1994.

The Land Trust was founded to protect land in Lake County that is important for wildlife habitat, including wetlands, streams, forests and properties with other unique values.

The Land Trust, or LCLT, owns two wetland preserves in the Big Valley area, totaling over 230 acres, owns and co-manages the Rodman Preserve of 232 acres near Upper Lake, owns the nine-acre Rabbit Hill Preserve in Middletown, a 40-acre chaparral preserve on the slopes of Mt. Konocti, and Monitor Island.

The trust is working with local tribes to develop management plans for properties in the Big Valley area and also stewards the Boggs Lake Preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy.

The dinner was a great success with catering provided by Rosey Cooks Gourmet Catering.

The Boatique Winery venue is always a favorite and event manager Francesca Zito helped all evening. Cobb resident Scott Serena provided music.

Guest speaker Angela De Palma-Dow, Water Resources Invasive Species Program coordinator, also known as “The Lady of the Lake,” talked about “Why I Love Clear Lake,” describing the amazing fact that the lake is a minimum of 500,000 years old.

The Land Trust’s president, Val Nixon, outlined the founding of the organization and thanked everyone who has been involved over the years, including donors, volunteers, former LCLT board members and employees.

Honored as Supporters of the Year were the late Bob Schoenherr and Lakeport resident Susan Morton.

Congressman Mike Thompson and his wife Jan attended and participated in the evening’s activities, including the silent auction.

Thompson presented a beautiful framed resolution honoring the LCLT for its 30 years of work

“It was a wonderful evening of fellowship and inspiration,” noted Nixon. “We thank all of our sponsors and supporters who attended; know that the Land Trust is here to stay because of you.”