Webber Lake. Photo by Helen Pelster
Critical open spaces and greenbelts in the greater Truckee Donner geographic region.
Natural areas that aren't yet threatened by imminent development and therefore are more affordable.
Large open spaces threatened by immediate development and therefore expensive, but are a great community value.
Mules Ears on Truckee Springs
In 1995, the Land Trust entered into negotiations for Schallenberger Ridge, Emigrant Canyon, Summit Canyon, Lakeview Canyon and Coldstream canyon, all as part of an envisioned Donner Memorial State Park Expansion. more info
Over the years, the Land Trust has also preserved open space in and near Truckee, placing conservation easements and purchasing open space in strategic locations to ensure the character and quality of life Truckee is known for. more info
Working with partnering organizations, the Land Trust has also worked to preserve the Truckee River Canyon east of Truckee toward the Nevada border. more info
An ongoing priority for the Land Trust has been to "close" the Sierra Nevada Checkerboard - a legacy land ownership pattern dating back to President Lincoln that cut the land into an every-other-square-mile ownership pattern. more info
The unique and prized open space of the Martis Valley has been subject to pressure from development over the years. From the Waddle Ranch preserve in 2007 to Hopkins Ranch in 2013, the Land Trust has preserved this scenic corridor along Highway 267. more info
The dramatic granite cliffs and verdant meadows of Donner Summit have also been protected by the Truckee Donner Land Trust. more info
In 2017, the Land Trust and its partners acquired Lower Carpenter Valley, a pristine mountain meadow with rare species and delicate habitats. Hailed as the "secret garden of the Sierra," this is a truly special property that the Land Trust continues to work to protect and carefully steward. more info
Twenty-twenty marked the acquisition of Frog Lake, Red Mountain, & Carpenter Ridge, nearly 3,000 acres of incredible open space now protected and open to the public to enjoy. Frog Lake marked the Land Trust’s foray into backcountry huts for people to visit, winter and summer. more info
Two smaller acquisitions within our community marked 2020 and 2021, with the protection of Truckee Springs along the Truckee River right in the heart of downtown, and Canyon Springs, 290 acres of open space in eastern Truckee.
Over the years, The Truckee Donner Land Trust has protected more than 40,000 acres, ensuring continued recreational access and protecting lands for future generations.
Today, the mountains, canyons, meadows, lakes and rivers that make the Truckee Donner region a great place to live, work, and play continues to face threats from unwise growth and development spilling over onto our treasured natural areas.
With support from our neighbors, donors, and partners, we can protect what we love today to enjoy forever.
a. Sierra Checkerboard circa 1975.
Through the legacy of the transcontinental railroad era land grants, the white area in the above map are privately owned and not available for access.
b. Sierra Checkerboard as of 2019.
Dark green shaded parcels are land protected from development and opened for recreation by Truckee Donner Land Trust and partners.
The Land Trust's work doesn't stop once open space is protected - stewardship and public access become ongoing efforts to ensure the property is protected and available to the public for generations to come. From managing forests to improve health and increase fire resiliency, to constructing benches, kiosks and building trails - our work is never done. We can't do it without the support of volunteers, either. Click here for our trail building dates. Or, if you're ready to get out and experience some of our open space for yourself, head over to the EXPLORE page of our website for trails, maps and other ways to get out and enjoy.
We strive to keep our operating expenses as low as possible utilizing a small, nimble staff to achieve great operating results. Annually 72% of all annual expenses are used for stewardship and land operations. Taking into account land purchases, nearly 90% of all expenditures are used for land, stewardship, and acquisitions.
TAX ID: 68-0245327
DUNS #: 179442694
