Tri-Valley Conservancy Presentation – Key Highlights

• Land Conservancy efforts: Over 6,100 acres protected to date, including approximately 3,100 acres of agriculture and 1,800 acres of habitat.
• Priority areas: Expansion efforts focus on vineyards, open space, and wildlife habitat.
• Conservation tools:
  • Use of perpetual conservation easements to permanently restrict development
  • Purchase of development rights to preserve agricultural land
  • Agreements are customized for each property
  • Agricultural structures are allowed, but subdivisions are prohibited
• Current impact:
  • 114 properties under conservation agreements
  • All properties are monitored annually
  • Most recent project: 1,350 acres in Doolan Canyon placed under easement, with plans for future public recreation access

Agriculture & Vineyard Support

• Provides low-interest loans (15-year terms) to support vineyard replanting
  • Recent projects include Thatcher Bay and Concannon Vineyard
• Encourages sustainable practices:
  • Owl boxes (built by local Boy Scouts) to naturally control rodents
  • Pollinator habitats to support butterflies and biodiversity

Community & Education Programs

• Youth in Nature Program:
  • Serves 7,000+ 4th graders
  • Reaches all schools in Livermore and Pleasanton
• Community engagement:
  • Sponsor of the Wild and Scenic Film Festival
  • Hosts the “Views of the Valley” photo competition

Organizational Background

• Originally formed following the Ruby Hill settlement, which preserved 3,300 acres of mitigation land
• Governed by a 5-member appointed board
• Expanded from South Livermore to become the Tri-Valley Conservancy
• Funding:
  • Original settlement funds restricted to South Livermore
  • Ongoing work supported through fundraising and grants
  • Additional support from sources like the Altamont Open Space Fund

Questions Answered

• Conservation easements are permanent and attached to property deeds
• Tax incentives help encourage landowners to participate
• In areas such as Tesla Road, development is limited (e.g., ~10% buildable) to protect open space
• Loan program applies to parcels 8–50 acres