The Land Inspired by the natural beauty surrounding us here in the Northstate, Shasta Land Trust works with willing property owners and ranchers to develop ways to allow significant land to continue supporting the local rural way of life, provide wildlife habitat, protect water quality, and provide the public with the benefits of protected open space.         The Shasta County region faces increasing development pressure, with the county’s population expected to double by 2030.  This increasing population creates a situation which threatens the large ranches that help define the character and appearance of our region.  Shasta Land Trust works to identify and protect certain properties that have high conservation value.   Over its ten year history, Shasta Land Trust has used several different tools to achieve its many conservation accomplishments.  In 2002, SLT purchased its first Conservation Easement, protecting the 2,242 acre Fenwood Ranch in southern Shasta County.  In 2006, Shasta Land Trust received its first donated Conservation Easement on a ranch in eastern Shasta County, bringing the total acreage protected by Shasta Land Trust Easements to well over 10,000 acres.  Additionally, In 2007, Shasta Land Trust purchased two parcels in Tehama County, in fee-title. These two properties will be donated to the US Forest Service and incorporated into the Ishi Wilderness Area in eastern Tehama County.   Shasta Land Trust continues to work closely with many other organizations, providing support and input to many partnerships which are accomplishing important conservation goals around the state.                                                             Shasta Land Trust                                                     Strategies for Conservation Shasta Land Trust has developed four focus areas for our Conservation projects, based on our understanding of the trends and pressures of the local economy and real estate market.  The rivers, streams, and expansive oak woodlands of the foothills to the east of Redding form Shasta Land Trust’s primary focus area.  Specifically, the Cow Creek and Bear Creek watersheds together make up this focus area, where Shasta Land Trust has successfully conserved over 8,000 acres since 2002.  The Fall River Valley lies in the northeast corner of the county, forming our second focus area where we have actively conserved over 1,000 acres.  This pristine Fall River Valley landscape is vital to the Northstate’s water quality, ranching economy, and impressive wildlife biodiversity.  Finally, in recognition of the incredible development pressure growing along the northern parts of California’s Great Valley, Shasta Land Trust has also identified the Cottonwood Creek watershed, west of Anderson, and Battle Creek watershed, to the east, as additional focus areas.   While we direct significant attention toward these four areas, additional conservation opportunities exist throughout our region, and Shasta Land Trust is always willing to consider working with local landowners on donated Conservation Easements.