In this issue - The California Rangeland Trust

Spring 2008
1221 H STREET
SACRAMENTO, CA 95814
916 444-2096
916 444-2194 fax
www.rangelandtrust.org
Our Mission is to Conserve
the Open Space, Natural Habitat
and Stewardship Provided
by California’s Ranches
An Opportunity to Preserve a
Great Santa Ynez Valley Rancho
The Mitchell Ranch
The romantic story of the Mitchell family’s
Rancho Juan y Lolita takes us back into California’s
rich history. The original Rancho Lomas
de la Purification, a jewel set in the green
spring hills of the Santa Ynez Valley just 35
miles north of the then Pueblo of Santa Barbara,
was granted to Augustin Janssens in
1844*. Divided later into The Alisal Ranch,
and Rancho San Lucas, the portion which
would be renamed Rancho Juan y Lolita was
purchased by John (Jack) J. Mitchell of Chicago
in September of 1929. Jack Mitchell
had been coming to California long enough
to know what he wanted – a rancho in a part
of California that wasn’t spoiled. So when
he bought the ranch, he said it was one of
the happiest days of his life.
To Mitchell, the ranch represented the
traditions for which the area stood – the
birthplace of the bridle horse and cow
culture and the ways of the vaquero. It was
natural then that Mitchell’s Rancho Juan y
Lolita was also the birthplace of an idea to
continue those fading traditions. With the
help of Mitchell’s secretary Elmer Awl and
friend and artist Edward Borein, they set
about creating a way to continue the grand
tradition of Los Rancheros, meeting, riding,
eating and living under the sun and stars
each spring of the year.
In May of 1930, the first ride of what
would become Los Rancheros Visitadores was
held. To this day, in spring, the Rancheros
frequently ride a section of the green spring
hills of Rancho Juan y Lolita, now called
The Mitchell Ranch. Jack Mitchell passed
this ranch onto his son Jim Mitchell, also a
In this issue
Ranchero, and Jim has in turn left his legacy
to his sons Rob and Jack.
Jim’s intent and vision was to employ a conservation
easement as the vehicle to assure
“that it remain agricultural, with the land
being worked by cowboys and farmers, and
that the beauty of the land be preserved in
its natural state for ranching and recreation,”
to “include hiking and horse riding by
responsible groups, such as the Rancheros
Visitadores…and others”. Jim also realized
that a conservation easement was the best
way to assure that the traditions so valued by
he and his father would last forever.
This 4,500-acre ranch may be seen rising
from the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley
into the oak studded woodlands on the
mountains to the south of Highway 154. It
provides the scenic background to one of
the most unspoiled regions of California’s
Central Coast and is essential to maintaining
the rural character of the region.
This gift from the Mitchell family to the
residents and visitors to this popular region
will be one of their greatest legacies. The
Rangeland Trust board and all of our supporters
should feel honored to be a part of
this incredible donation.
The stewardship that the Mitchell family
and current lessees Don and Sue Hanson
have exemplified over the years on their
ranch is a core value that the California
Rangeland Trust honors in its conservation
easements. Ten years ago the Rangeland
Trust was founded on the similar principle
of ranchers helping ranchers protect their
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE ..........................2
CRT UPDATES .................................3
CONSERVATION NEWS ......................... 4-5
Rancheros ride on the Rancho Juan y Lolita.
Photo courtesy of Rancheros Visitadores Collection and
David Stoecklein
lands, families, lifestyles and the traditions so
unique to California Ranches.
In the absence of family stewardship on
ranches, the western traditions and the
camaraderie of rancheros would be a great
loss to California and all who visit our great
state. Without ranchers caring for the land,
the open space and natural habitat would
not exist as it does today. Passing on these
ranching-family values to the next generation
can be assured with a conservation easement
sensitive to the working landscapes.
We all have an opportunity to carry on Jim
Mitchell’s family vision by working together
to accomplish these common goals. As Jack
said once, “your position of social, economic
or political importance has no bearing on
what makes a ranchero. It is the position of
our hearts, not because of our position in
the eyes of the world.” We all can preserve
the rich history, fellowship, and our Western
Traditions by working together from our
hearts to conserve this great Santa Ynez
Valley Rancho, the Mitchell Ranch.
To accomplish this goal, the Rangeland Trust
has identified a need for a conservation
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
EVENTS ROUND UP .............................6
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS .................7
CRT NEWS ....................................8

Director’s Message
HARNESSING CHANGE
BY JACK RICE, DAVIS
As the newest member of the CRT board of directors,
it is an honor and a privilege to be part of this effort
to preserve our ranches and protect our heritage. In
the 21st Century ranchers are facing a whole new set
of issues that seem to threaten our lifestyle and our
livelihood. Facing challenges and adapting to change
is not a new thing for ranchers, however. In fact, I
believe that adapting to change while remaining firmly
rooted in our traditions is as much a part of the western
heritage as cowboy hats and horses. But as with every
change ranchers have faced since the invention of
barbed wire, new challenges require new solutions.
One of the really unique characteristics of the ranching
families that make up the beef industry is the
ability to not only adapt to, but to harness change.
If you look back over the past 150 years, the technological
and economic changes have been tremendous.
From barbed wire to the internet, change has
posed great risks and offered great opportunities. And,
perhaps uniquely among agrarian enterprises, ranchers
have been able to embrace these changes while remaining
true to their heritage.
However, while we have done a good job harnessing
economic and technological change, we have struggled
mightily with social and environmental change. But of
course, these forces are altogether different creatures.
Instead of the free market we have politics; instead of
new products we have new regulations; and, where it
seemed we used to have a choice, now it seems we are
powerless. How on earth can ranchers, utilize this sort
of change?
Well, I believe that we can seize these social and environmental
changes and that the Rangeland Trust and
conservation easements are part of the answer. However,
just like barbed wire and the internet, new challenges
require new solutions; conservation easements
are one of the tools ranchers can use.
Of course, I don’t mean to imply that conservation
easements are some sort of “silver bullet” to your
regulatory woes. However, I do believe that a willingness
to use a conservation easement to preserve a
working landscape and protect for the future a piece of
our western heritage can be one way to benefit from
social and environmental change. The recent closing of
a conservation easement by California Cattlemen’s Association’s
President Bruce Hafenfeld is prime example
of how this might work.
The Hafenfeld Ranch, located on the South Fork of the
Kern River, has provided this country with food for the
past 100 years. More recently, it came to the attention
of the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) that this
ranch also provides habitat for the endangered South
Western Willow Flycatcher. Since the Corps was
obligated to offset the way its management of Lake Isabella
impacted flycatcher habitat, the Hafenfeld Ranch
became a target for acquisition as mitigation.
Adapting to change while remaining firmly
rooted in traditions is as much a part of the
western heritage as cowboy hats and horses.
Instead of selling out or turning the ranch into a
preserve, Bruce Hafenfeld worked tirelessly with the
Corps, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NRCS to
come up with a solution. The result was a conservation
easement that above all ensured his family would continue
to be able to raise cattle and that the Hafenfeld
Ranch would always remain a part of our western heritage.
But this conservation easement also recognized
the value of flycatcher habitat and leveraged that value
to fund the purchase of an easement held by CRT.
In the past hundred years economic and technological
changes have seemingly turned the pastoral west
inside out and upside down. In spite of these sweeping
changes ranchers have remained steadfastly tied to a
history, tradition and culture that is uniquely our own.
I believe that we can also survive the social and environmental
changes that are now sweeping our world. To
be sure, things will be different; but in all the ways that
matter ranching families will be the same.
As we endure and capitalize on this change, we need
to focus on ensuring that the really important things
survive no matter what. To me this means ensuring
that both the land on which we depend and the heritage
that defines us are passed on to the future as healthy
and full of hope as we can make them. Protecting the
land, which is the key to our future and at the heart of
our heritage, is what the California Rangeland Trust is
all about.
2 — CALIFORNIA RANGELAND TRUST

CRT Events
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF CONSERVATION
You are invited to join the California Rangeland Trust for our 7th annual
A Western Affair at Vintage Angus Ranch, Modesto on Saturday, June 14, 2008.
This year’s event celebrates the Ten Year
Anniversary of California Rangeland Trust
and will be hosted in Modesto by Jim and
Sue Coleman at their Vintage Angus Ranch
and Tim Coleman of Sierra Ranch. The
Coleman family has generously offered their
home and grounds for the event location
Our event plans include a special recognition
of the past and current California Livestock
Man of the Year. We invite everyone to share
in this tenth anniversary celebration of the
history of the Rangeland Trust and salute
those leaders who represent our ranching
traditions.
Another highlight of the evening includes a
special award presentation of the California
Rangeland Trust Conservationist of the
Year. This is the highest award given by the
Rangeland Trust and our inaugural recipient
will be announced this evening.
As in years past, the evening will include
a silent and live auction offering many
exclusive Western items and one of a kind
opportunities available for purchase. See our
featured auction items listed here.
Last year with the generous donations of
sponsors and donors and a guest list of over
400, the Rangeland Trust was able to raise
more than $170,000 to aid in our missiondriven
work. Please join us this year and let’s
raise even more money to conserve even
more of California’s precious rangeland.
Contact the California Rangeland Trust
office at (916) 444-2096 to join us! Visit
our website regularly for the most updated
information on the event and featured
auction items. Purchase event tickets for
$150 each or become a sponsor at
www.rangelandtrust.org.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Bank of America, Safeway/Vons,
Monsanto, Fort Dodge Animal Health,
Ridley Block Operations, Veterinary Service, Inc.
A Sample of Featured Auction Items:
VIP Hearst Ranch and
Hearst Castle Tour for (10)
(Donated by: Steve Hearst, Hearst Ranch, and
San Louis Obispo Coast District/Hearst Castle, CA
State Parks) The guided Ranch tour begins with a
welcoming Ranch-inspired breakfast served at the
Historic Bunkhouse. After breakfast, your group
settles into their touring vehicles for a spectacular
drive spanning many miles of Hearst Ranch
while enjoying refreshment stops and lovely vistas
along the way. A gourmet lunch is served at the
cowboy-themed Hearst Ranch Dairy Barn followed
by a rustic yet elegant soiree out at the magnificent
San Simeon Point. Then, when you think you’ve
reached the end of one of the best days of your
life, you spiral up to the legendary Hearst Castle for
your private tour, followed by an elegant cocktail
hour and swim at the world renowned Neptune
Pool. Wait until you experience that sunset!
Santa Rosa Island
Trophy Mule Deer Hunt
(Donated by: Vail & Vickers and Multiple Use Managers)
This is the best opportunity for a world class
trophy mule deer in the west! Four day guided hunt
with all accommodations provided on the island.
Hunting will cease in 2011 and this hunt is sold
out for the next four years. This is the only way to
experience, first hand, these magnificent animals.
The hunt date is October 24-28, 2008. The all time
record buck for Santa Rosa Island was taken in
2006 with a score of 257 6/8 SCI. Note: Air fare to
and from the island is not included.
A WESTERN AFFAIR
SATURDAY ~ JUNE 14, 2008
VINTAGE ANGUS RANCH
MODESTO, CALIFORNIA
5:30 PM - HOSTED COCKTAILS & SILENT AUCTION
7:00 PM - DINNER
7:30 PM - LIVE AUCTION WITH COL. BILL LEFTY
SPECIAL GUESTS:
PAST AND PRESENT CALIFORNIA LIVESTOCK
MAN OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS
SPECIAL AWARD:
CALIFORNIA RANGELAND TRUST
CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR
COUNTRY MUSIC BY:
CAMPBELL CREEK GANG, CLEMENTS
PLEASE RSVP: 916-444-2096
$150 PER PERSON
RESERVED TABLE OF 10 FOR $1,500
YOU MAY ALSO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE
www.rangelandtrust.org
Portfolio of Etchings Pulled from
Original Etching Plates by Edward Borein
(Donated by: Bill and Kristen Reynolds) This boxed
portfolio was designed by Bill Reynolds and his father,
John T. Reynolds, with the guidance of the late Borein
authority, Harold Davidson. This is one of only 25 printed.
Duck Hunt on the Colusa Shooting Club
(Donated by: Dan and Barbara O’Connell) The winning
bidder will receive lodging, dinner and a duck hunt on
the historic Colusa Shooting Club established in 1891,
located in the Butte Sink next to the renowned Bean
Field Federal Refuge. The highest bidder will be hunting
with Dan O’Connell and will have breakfast on the barge
located on Butte Creek, 3 miles northeast of Colusa.
Opening Day at Del Mar Racetrack for (4 or 6)
(Donated by: Ev and Pete Parrella, Legacy Ranch)
Seats in a private box right on the finish line! The wearing
of hats is a tradition Opening Day at Del Mar or
just come enjoy this action-packed day at the horse
races, Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The box seats four
comfortably or six will fit. Don’t miss this exclusive
opportunity. Includes $100 for food and drinks donated
by the owners.
Tejon Ranch Guided Pig Hunt for (2)
(Donated by: Tejon Ranch Company) This hunt allows
but does not guarantee the harvest of one pig. It also
includes two nights lodging at the upscale Tejon Cabin/
Bunkhouse, meals, field care of animal and transportation
on the ranch.
Sale day phone available.
www.rangelandtrust.org — 3

Conservation News
SALE OR EXCHANGE OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
JAMES L. LEET, MCDONOUGH HOLLAND AND ALLEN PC, SACRAMENTO, CA
Many ranchers wish to preserve their land in its
current state for future generations. This desire
may be fulfilled through use of a conservation
easement. An easement is an interest in land
that benefits a person or persons other than the
owner of the land. A conservation easement
is a “limitation in a deed, will, or other instrument
in the form of an easement, restriction,
covenant, or condition, which is or has been
executed by or on behalf of the owner of the
land subject to such easement and is binding
upon successive owners of such land, and the
purpose of which is to retain land predominantly
in its natural, scenic, historical, agricultural,
forested, or open-space condition. California
Civil Code § 815.1.
Conservation easements are adaptable to many
types of properties: open space, natural or
undeveloped lands, scenic or historic lands,
and agricultural lands. Specific requirements
may apply to the type of property. For example,
a conservation easement cannot be created to
protect scenic values if the land is not visible to
a significant portion of the public from highways,
scenic overlooks and towns.
Conservation easements are permanent restrictions
on real property. Conservation easements
are tailored to the specific property, so they take
the needs of the rancher and the characteristics
of the land into account.
Ownership of the land is not affected by conservation
easements, and no right of general public
CONSERVATION TAX
INCENTIVE RENEWED
IN FARM BILL
On May 23, 2008 Congress passed the Farm
Bill which included the extension of significant
tax incentives for farmers and ranchers
protecting their lands in perpetuity with a
conservation easement. The conservation
tax incentives are retroactive to January 1,
2008 and will expire December 31, 2009.
The California Rangeland Trust worked with
the California Cattlemens Association, the
California Rangeland Conservation Coalition,
the Land Trust Alliance and with hundreds of
local, state and federal groups to extend the
tax incentives. Please visit www.lta.org for
more information.
access is created. The rancher can continue to
bar trespassers and to use the property subject
to the easement in the same ways it was used
before the easement. Alternatively, the rancher
may decide to restrict certain prior uses as a
part of the easement. The nature and extent of
permitted uses are negotiated in the creation of
the easement.
Under California law, conservation easements
may be held only by (i) a tax-exempt nonprofit
organization qualified under section 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”), and qualified to do business
in California that has as its primary purpose the
preservation, protection, or enhancement of
land in its natural, scenic, historical, agricultural,
forested, or open-space condition or use, or
(ii) the State or any city, county, district, or other
state or local governmental entity authorized to
acquire and hold title to real property.
A rancher may gift, sell or make a combination
gift and sale of the conservation easement.
Sale of a conservation easement is treated as a
sale of property and is subject to tax as capital
gain. The amount of the gain is determined
by the difference between the amount realized
from the sale and the portion of the basis that
represents the percentage of the total value of
the property reflected in the value of the conservation
easement. For example, if property has
a basis of $1,000 per acre with a current value
of $10,000 per acre and a conservation easement
valued at $4,000 per acre is sold for that
price, the gain to the rancher is $3,600 per acre
determined as follows: $4,000‐((4,000/10,000)
x $1,000). The remaining basis per acre is $600
after the sale of the conservation easement.
The gain is eligible for preferential long term
capital gain rates of 15% for federal income
tax if the property subject to the conservation
easement has a holding period of more than
one year. California has no preferential capital
gains rates.
A rancher has choices when selling a conservation
easement. A conservation easement
is treated as real property for tax purposes. If
the property is held for investment or for use
in a trade or business such as ranching, the
property may be exchanged for real property
held for investment or for use in a trade or
business in order to defer the gain under Code
section 1031. Real property may include a fee
interest, a tenancy in common interest, or a
lease for a term of more than 30 years. There
is flexibility for a creative mind to find suitable
real property. The exchange may accomplish
an increase ownership in ranch land or be an
investment in other real property to diversify
the rancher’s real property holdings such as an
apartment building, office building or undeveloped
real property in the United States.
Depending on personal circumstances or the
funds available to the acquiring easement
holder, a rancher may elect to sell a portion of
the easement and gift the rest. This is called a
“bargain sale” in which the transaction is broken
into two parts. First, the portion that is treated
as gifted is valued and the other portion is sold.
Assume the rancher wishes to receive $3,000
and gift $1,000 of value. The basis is allocated
between the land and easement as in the prior
example. Then the basis of the easement
($400) is allocated between the gift and the sale
portions. The basis of the gifted easement is
$100 determined by the $1,000 gift as to the
total value of $4,000. The portion of the basis
attributable to the sale is $300. The capital gain
per acre is $2,700 determined as $3,000‐$300.
That gain may be deferred under a like-kind
exchange where the rancher replaces the easement
with like-kind real property. The rancher
has a $1,000 per acre gift that is deductible
in the year of the gift or in subsequent years
subject to limitations on the amount of income
the rancher has made. As with the complete
sale of the easement, the land basis is reduced
by $400.
In practice, the value is set by a qualified appraiser.
A rancher, appraiser and tax advisor
can work with the acquiring easement holder
to expand or diminish the restrictions to be
placed on the land or the acreage to be subject
to the easement to meet financial constraints or
intended results.
Conservation easements are complex and
require a long time to negotiate and implement,
many months to several years. Conservation
easements are perpetual restrictions on use
of land, so the terms must be negotiated with
care. They provide a valuable tool to preserve
use of the property without surrendering ownership.
If you are considering a conservation
easement, you should discuss your tax situation
with your tax advisor and contact the California
Rangeland Trust for further information and
details on the process of granting or selling
a conservation easement.
4 — CALIFORNIA RANGELAND TRUST

Conservation News
AN OPPORTUNITY TO
DO SOMETHING IMPORTANT
Bill and Lynn Cook of Stockton, Calif. recently
placed a conservation easement on their
2,235-acre ranch in San Joaquin County which
will forever preserve the integrity of their land
for future generations. The voluntary agreement
to extinguish their development rights was an
opportunity that Bill and Lynn felt would help
them to preserve a piece of property that holds
their history, has taught them about ecosystems,
how to work the land and, more recently, about
the value of rangeland in a rapidly developing
urban community.
“I wanted to balance the future
wants and needs with the ability
to work the land.”
of the easement by 14 percent. The
easement was funded in part by the
Department of Conservation California
Farmland Conservancy Program. The
remaining funds came from the FRPP,
funded by the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002.
“We are proud to complete this conservation
easement agreement on the
W.F. Cook Cattle Company’s ranch
and forever conserve this working
landscape and the environment the existing
ranching practices support. Our mission is to
conserve rangeland such as this so generations
to come will benefit from its resources,
come to know its Western legacy and enjoy its
beauty,” said Nita Vail, executive director of the
Rangeland Trust.
Cook Ranch. Photo by Erik Vink, Trust for Public Land
Resource Conservation Service Bill and Lynn
Cook were able to negotiate the terms of the
easement that were agreeable to all parties.
Bill wanted the easement language to take into
consideration the continued stewardship of the
land but also the needs of the future owners of
the property.
Just 13 miles east of the city of Stockton, the
Cook Ranch was poised to see significant
impact from urban expansion. A new development
was recently approved for four, forty-acre
ranchette lots on their western boundary
dividing land connectivity and increasing the
pressure to change from a cattle ranch to
houses.
“Local change has been dramatic and
development is not just in the cities,” said Bill.
“You leave the city and hit subdivisions, some
farmland and pastures, then ranchettes, then
grapes and ranchettes again. I wanted to stop
development at our boundary line.”
Bill turned to the Trust for Public Land (TPL)
for help in preserving their ranch. TPL worked
with the California Department of Conservation,
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm
and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP),
and the California Rangeland Trust to place an
agricultural conservation easement on the W.F.
Cook Cattle Company property. The ranch is
open rangeland at present, without a single
structure. The conservation easement allows a
single family residence to be built in the future
along with a ranch headquarters for working
cattle. Under the easement restrictions, no
other buildings will ever occur on the property.
The W.F. Cook Cattle Company easement will
be managed by California Rangeland Trust.
Landowners Bill and Lynn Cook made a substantial
land value donation, reducing the cost
Conserving a Way of Life
Bill first was interested in conserving their ranch
when he read a news article about his neighbor
to the west, Bruce Orvis. The Orvis Ranch was
protected through a conservation easement,
also held by the Rangeland Trust, in 2006. Their
history on the land goes back 130-years and
Cook wanted to preserve the stewardship on
his land as well.
Bill was in the Air Force for serveral years and
ranched some in Mexico before returning home
to spend 20 years ranching full-time. Bill’s
grandfather started piecing together the original
ranch parcel-by-parcel over 85 years ago. Bill
and Lynn took possession of their portion of the
ranch in 2000 and Bill’s father still resides on
another portion of the original ranch next door.
The Cook Ranch is currently leased-out for
grazing but Bill says, “twenty years on the
ranch created a sense of respect and loyalty
to the land. You can see the ecosystems and
the interrelating of animals: coyotes, eagles,
burrowing owls and the list go on.”
California’s Highway 4 through this region is
lined with mostly ranchettes, golf courses and
subdivisions. “We saw an opportunity to do
something important in protecting the values
of this rangeland and a conservation easement
was going to help us do that,” said Bill.
Working with TPL, the Rangeland Trust, the
Department of Conservation and the Natural
“I wanted to balance the future wants and
needs with the ability to work the land,” said
Bill. He wanted to be very comfortable with the
easement language but also the organization
that was going to hold the easement. Bill did
his research and worked with Erik Vink from
TPL to make the right choice. During the easement
process Bill was able to meet with the
Rangeland Trust’s Transaction Director Michele
Clark and also their Board Chairman, Devere
Dressler, and he was confident he was in the
right company.
Devere and staff met with Bill one day and
toured the ranch property. Devere told Bill, “The
Rangeland Trust wants more than open space,
we want to preserve a way of life and allow that
opportunity to be there for future generations.”
Bill said this was a very personal decision
for him and his wife and that balancing the
economic and non-economic factors is very
important. In the end they said they were
thankful that there are organizations that care
about rangeland conservation and can help
make it happen.
“We feel accomplished by preserving this
open space, the rangeland and this way of
life. This was our opportunity to do something
important,” said Bill.
The Cook Ranch will forever remain a working
landscape and provide open space for generations
to come.
www.rangelandtrust.org — 5

CRT Updates
ATTILIO GENASCI
IN MEMORIAM
A man of great passion and a champion
for conservation, Attilio Genasci was 98
when he passed away peacefully at home
in January of this year. A Sierra Valley rancher his whole life, he
saw the land and his stewardship of it as a gift to be treasured
and passed onto the next generation. Love was his tool, his
power and his energy. Attilio’s love for his family and the land
was so pervasive you could almost reach out and touch it.
Attilio shared with many how his wife Angie saw the land, she
would say “This is my church, this is my cathedral. I see God’s
creation out there.” He always said he felt the same way, and
he was not going to betray the trust Angie placed in him to take
care of it. In 2005, Attilio placed a conservation easement with
the California Rangeland Trust on their 500-acre ranch that
would forever preserve Angie’s cathedral for his family, future
generations and all who pass by.
A man who will never be forgotten and whose words are etched
in our minds said the following on a public radio interview with
Saving the Sierras: “The land does not belong to me. The land
belongs to future generations, and the land also belongs to the
general public. They drive through this valley. They enjoy it. It
doesn’t cost them a penny, and it doesn’t cost me a penny. It’s
one of the natural wonders. It’s there for humanity. And we dare
not destroy it anymore than we’d cap the geysers in Yellowstone
or put the Bridal Veil Falls of Yosemite in a pipe. I think we have
a natural wonder here that I’ll do my best to preserve.”
Attilio, you will be greatly missed but your words and your
legacy will endure.
SANTA YNEZ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
endowment for transaction costs associated with the Mitchell
Ranch project and a fund for the permanent stewardship
monitoring of the conservation easement. Also, the Trust is
seeking donations from private sources to expand its endowment
beyond $1 million to establish a Ranchland Protection Fund
this year for additional easement projects including the Mitchell
Ranch. These funds will build the foundation for the Rangeland
Trust to offset some of the transaction costs needed to complete
pending easement applications made by landowners to protect
their ranching operations from outside pressures.
The end result is to conserve many more acres of California’s
natural rangeland that will preserve the ranching lifestyle as a
valuable heritage to pass on to our future generations. Please
take advantage of this opportunity, your participation in the
stewardship of this and other ranches with your donation will
help further our common goals to preserve not just the ranches
but the heritage and lifestyle we all enjoy.
*Thank you Rancheros Visitadores for this historical information.
Note: Recently the Rangeland Trust held a special fundraiser
to gain the initial support to begin this project and launch the
Ranchland Protection Fund $1 million dollar campaign, see
coverage on page 6 of this issue.
RAISING FUNDS FOR RANCHLAND
PROTECTION AND HONORING
A CONSERVATIONIST’S WISHES
On March 1, 2008 the Rangeland Trust was given access to the
Hearst Ranch Dairy Barn, through the generosity of George and
Steve Hearst, to hold a special and unique fundraiser organized in
part by the Rancheros Visitadores leadership, a riding group formed
in 1930. This gathering was both a setting to raise needed funds for
their mission-driven through the Ranchland Protection Fund and to
honor Jim Mitchell’s wishes to conserve his ranch and the traditions
of the cowboy forever.
It is in honor of their spirit and generosity that 150 Rancheros and
guests came together for this most remarkable evening at the Hearst
Ranch. The day began with a private tour of the Hearst Castle for
the event guests before the evening festivities began. That night, to
the back drop of bluegrass music performed by the Plainfield Pickers
of Woodland, Rancheros and guests mingled and enjoyed the cocktail
hour. During a beautiful gourmet dinner by Chef Charles D. Paladine
Wayne, Paso Robles, the audience was welcomed by our host,
Steve Hearst. Mr. Hearst spoke of his commitment to the Rangeland
Trust’s work and his sentiments about the organization that helped
conserve their ranch.
Rangeland Trust Chairman, Devere Dressler, Gardnerville, NV,
addressed guests and spoke about the significant work of the Rangeland
Trust to protect our state’s working ranches and preserve the
traditions of the ranching way of life. He also told guests about the
Ranchland Protection Fund, to be officially launched in June at A
Western Affair; a campaign to raise $1 million dollars by December
2009 to conserve help conserve the Mitchell Ranch and many more
of our state’s working landscapes. Nita Vail, executive director of the
Rangeland Trust, also thanked George Hearst for his significant support
towards the Rangeland Trust’s future and Steve Hearst for his
initial belief in the organization when they chose an easement holder
and his unwaivering philanthropy.
Guests’ enthusiasm about the Mitchell Ranch and conserving more
of our state’s ranchland was put to good use by auctioneer Col. Bill
Lefty. During the live auction such items as exclusive framed Rancheros
prints, handmade saddle blankets, a duck hunt and a gourmet
dinner for six went to the highest bidders. After dinner Steve Hearst
ushered in a speed-donation round that was a boost to the fundraising
efforts.
At the end of an amazing evening focused on a shared vision of
conserving California’s ranchland, guests were given complementary
Rangeland Trust ball caps, coasters and the opportunity to support
the Rangeland Trust in the future. It is all of us working together for
projects like the Mitchell Ranch that will help us conserve significantly
more rangeland in California for our next generations.
6 — CALIFORNIA RANGELAND TRUST

CONSERVING THE OPEN SPACE,
NATURAL HABITAT AND
STEWARDSHIP PROVIDED BY
CALIFORNIA’S RANCHES
CHAIRMAN
Devere Dressler
Gardnerville, NV
VICE CHAIRMAN
Steve McDonald
Sanger
SECRETARY
Dan O’Connell
Colusa
TREASURER
Scott Stone
Woodland
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Woody Barnes
Julian
Mike Bennett
Ducor
Tim Koopmann
Sunol
K. Mark Nelson
Wilton
Jack Rice
Davis
Steve Sinton
Shandon
Darrel Sweet
Livermore
Kendra Wilber
Clements
CRT STAFF
Executive Director
Nita Vail
Interim Managing Director
John Vosburgh
Transaction Director
Michele Clark
Stewardship Director
Andy Mills
Director of Communications
Erin Davis
Finance Manager
Jon Cartwright
Conservation Associate
Elizabeth Valdovinos
Executive Assistant
Leigh Geren
CONTRIBUTING TO THE ISSUE
ERIN DAVIS, EDITOR
JENNIFER LOOFBOURROW, DESIGN
JON CARTWRIGHT
MICHELE CLARK
BILL COOK
LEIGH GEREN
JAMES LEET
STEVE McDONALD
JACK RICE
STEVE SINTON
NITA VAIL
JOHN VOSBURGH
Thank You to Our Supporters
DONORS: JANUARY - APRIL 2008
David H. Anderson
Jim Atkins
John and Taffy Balch
Betty P. Barnes
Woody Barnes
Duane and Billie Jo Baxley
Bowman Beeman and
Sara Guren
Richard and Patricia Beeman
Ed Begg
Cheryl L. Belcher
Steve Beneto
Buck, Kay, Crosby and
Kiley Bennett
Mike and Martia Bennett
Mark Bergstrom
Connie Berto
John Blackburn
Knox and Carol Blasingame
John R. Boland
James Brady
John and Brandy Branquinho
Courtney Brockman-Warner
Scott and Charlotte Brooke
Ben Brophy
Mr. and Mrs. Earnest A.
Bryant, III
Will Woolley and Darian
Buckles
Brad Buckley-The Abalone Farm
Matt Byrne
Doug Campbell
Charlie and Patsy Cappell
Jon Cartwright
Anne Carty
Edward Carty
A. Cattani and Son
Marty Cepkauskas and
Allison Mortimer
Sarah Chamberlin
Bill and Carol Chandler
Mike and Robin Chipko
Chris Clark-Crawford, Multari
and Clark Associates
Mr. and Mrs. Tim Crawford
Nancy Crawford-Hall-Holy
Cow Performace Horses LLC
E.L. Croft
Dr. Jean Cross-Cross
Resources, Inc.
Andrew and Adrianne Davis
Barbara Davis-Lyman
Tim Davis and Suzette Riddle
Paul and Muffy Deats
Rick and Kerry DeBenedetti
David and Margaret Dennee
Morris and Marlene Dennis
Julie Diffenbaugh
Daniel and Pamela Doiron
Joseph A. Donohoe
John B. and Connie Douglas
Katie Douglas
Devere Dressler
Rebecca and John Duguid
Phil and Virginia Dwight
Christy Edwards-
Louis Cairo’s, LLC
Stuart Epstein
Carlyle Eubank
John Evans
William Evans
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Flammer
Sandra and M.H. Focht
Willima and Bonnie Fogarty
Mr. and Mrs. Bert E. Forbes
Bob and Norma Fox
Judith Friend
Dr. K.O. (Ken) Fulgham
Cliff and Lynn Garrison
Anthony and Laurel Gilbert
David Gill
Ross and Debra Hall
Don and Sue Hansen
Paul and Rhonda Hardy
Bo Harkins
Sherry Harkins
Harvey Honey Huts
Coburn Haskell
George R. Hearst, Jr.
Stephen T. Hearst
Doug and Sue Herthel
Bob and Sue Johnson
Patricia Johnson
John and Jill Kaney
Doug Knudson
Tim and Melinda Koopman
Lawrence R. Kueter
Robert Lagomarsino
Ken and Julie LaGrande
Mitch and Rosemary Lasgoity
Joy Law
Col. Bill Lefty
Daniel H. Lillywhite
Frank and Frances R. Long
Bob and Betsy Manger
Jay and Jill Mannino
Kent and Lori Marshall
Billy and Aileen McDonald-
M.L. Ranch
Steve and Michelle McDonald
Sean and Diane McGrath
Tom and Brianne McGrath
Peggy McNutt
Jim Merrill
Hugh A. Merrill
Andy and Candy Mills
Chris and Mireille Mills
Mr. Richard Murphy
Mark and Abbie Nelson
Patricia and Hayes Noel
Dan and Barbara O’Connell
Judith Oroshnik
Jim Orradre
Bruce and Roma Orvis
Robert Stephens & Julie Packard,
Nonendowed Donor
Advised Fund at the
Community Foundation
of Santa Cruz County
Bill and Kristie Parrish
Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Pattillo
John and Lindy Pedotti
Sandy and Heloise Power
Gordon and Karen Rasmussen
Bill Reeves and Patricia Pierce
Fred and Jean Reyes
Donald E. Righetti
Vic and Leslie Roberts-
Victor Hugo Winery
Robert W. Rohe
Richard and Evelyn Rominger
Cotton and Karin Rosser-
Flying U Rodeo
Geoff and Alison Rusack
Orrin and Cindy Sage
Howard and Lisa Schmidt
Douglas H. Shaw, Sr.
Jack and Laurie Sinton
Jim and Norma Sinton,
Avenales Cattle Co.
Steve and Jane Sinton
John M. Slater
Paul and Cathie Slavik
Richard and Judy Standiford
Elizabeth Stevenson
David Stocklein-Stocklein
Photography and Publishing
Scott and Karen Stone
Darrel and Karen Sweet
Jason Swisher
Donn and Daisy Tognazzini
Anthony and Danette Toso
Mr. William T.H. Tulloch
Mary Vail
Nita Vail
Tim and Jane Vail
Sheila Varian
Dick and Joan Volberg
Carol Ward-Anderson Ranch
Thoroughbreds, Inc.
Karl Ward
Chef Charles D. Paladin Wayne
Joe and JoAnne Weirick
Piero and Kristine Wemyss
Andy and Sandy Westfall
Perry and Holly Whittle
Jeff and Nancy Wiedemann
Marden and Kendra
Wilber-Lane Ranches
John D. Wilson
Don Wood
Darrell and Callie Wood
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Woods
Margaret Woolley
Gary and Sandra Wooten
George Work
Ranches/Organizations/
Companies/Foundations
Alameda County RCD
American Land Conservancy
Bucke’s Feed and Grain
Chimineas Ranch Foundation
Coldwell Banker Cutten Realty
Echeverria Cattle Co.
Hacienda Angus-Carter Pierce
Highline Ranch-John and
Susannah Lunt
Lee Cattle Co.
Maddalena Ranch, Tony and
Cindy Maddalena
PFK Partners, Elinore Pagliuso,
Linda Fareed and Desi Keck
Rancheros Visitadores
Rancho Cañada Larga
Rancho Paloma
Treana Winery
Unlimited Events, Inc.
W.P. Cattle Co., Paul Banke
Whittier Trust
In Honor of:
Joan Bushman and Family,
In honor of Mike Bennett
Malinda Pennoyer Chouinard,
In Honor of Gretel Ehrlich
Cinderella Flooring/
Carpet One, In honor of
Steve Sinton
Veronique Gillard and
Wolf Weber, In honor of
Jim and Steve Sinton
In Memoriam:
Jerrold and Pat Fisher,
In Memory of Charles Nobbe
Jerrold and Pat Fisher,
In Memory of
James Albert Miles
Steve and Michelle McDonald
In Memory of
William G. Strange
Mrs. James Albert Miles,
In Memory of
James Albert Miles
Cindy Norlin,
In Memory of Willy Norlin
Rafter J Bar Land and Cattle Co.,
In Memory of Lois Walker
Nita Vail,
In Memory of Andy Peek
John Michael Vosburgh,
In Memory of Mary and
John Ross Vosburgh
In Memory of Attilio Genasci:
Lavina R. Digino
Paul, Rhonda, Emma
and Drew Hardy
Plumas-Sierra Cattlemen’s
Association
Lenita Powers
Norma Ramelli
Sierra County Schools
District Office
Kenny and Ann Stannard
Nita Vail
Lurayne and Bill Van Tassel
Lee D. Walker, D.D.S.
Gwendolyn Warren
Unfortunately, in our Winter 2008 newsletter we missed recognizing one of our very special and continual supporters, the
Louise M. Davies Foundation. This Foundation has supported the Rangeland Trust through grants each year for the past
five years and 2007 was no exception. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Louise M.
Davies Foundation for their dedication to the preservation of California’s rangeland and the work of the Rangeland Trust.
www.rangelandtrust.org — 7

CRT News
TELL US WHAT HAS CHANGED!
You are receiving this newsletter and other invitations and literature
from the California Rangeland Trust because you are either
a member of the California Cattlemen’s Association, a donor or
supporter of our organization or you have expressed interest in
our work and land conservation at one time. We greatly appreciate
the opportunity to communicate with you via our newsletter, our
website and other mail pieces. We are continually striving to keep
our records updated and would appreciate you taking the time to
inform us if your name or address needs correction or editing.
We hold our communication with you in the highest esteem and
look forward to hearing from you should you want any changes or
would like to be removed from our mailing list. Please send us an
email via our contact page on our website or give us a call at the
office, www.rangelandtrust.org or 916-444-2096.
SUMMER NEWSLETTER:
THE PHILANTHROPIC DRIVE
In our summer newsletter we look forward to highlighting
philanthropy and rangeland conservation in California.
We will include spotlights on featured supporters to the
Rangeland Trust, the launch of our annual giving club that
will show your dollars in action and our heritage club that will
provide options for your estate planning needs. Additionally,
we will introduce you to the Ranchland Protection Fund, our
million dollar campaign to help conserve the 60 ranches in
our application files. Watch your mail box in August for the
summer issue of the California Rangeland Trust newsletter.
Thank you for your continued support.
1221 H Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.rangelandtrust.org
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