LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The purchase of a 31-acre lakeside parcel on the Big Valley shoreline by the Lake County Land Trust is progressing nicely with $75,000 raised towards the $225,000 purchase price, plus the offer of a $25,000 matching grant by the Pitzer Family Foundation.

That means if the Land Trust is able to raise $25,000 locally, the foundation will contribute $25,000 for a total of $50,000 more towards the purchase of this beautiful shoreline parcel near Kelseyville.

The property features lakefront, wetlands, upland wet meadow, pasture and oak trees.

The protection of the parcel is part of an effort to protect the remaining wetlands and riparian forests between Clear Lake State Park and the southern edge of Lakeport.

The Land Trust has developed a conceptual area protection plan, a conservation plan for the area, in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The plan is in the final stage of review at CDFW before it can be adopted by the department.

Purchase of this Big Valley Wetland shoreline parcel will be the keystone of the Land Trust’s conservation effort. The parcel is located on Clipper Lane and is owned by George Melo.

The Land Trust holds an option to purchase the property and is very excited about the success it has experienced so far in raising a significant amount of the funds locally.

The offer of a $25,000 matching grant also is exciting and offers a keen incentive for others to join in the effort to purchase this valuable parcel for the health of Clear Lake and the numerous fish and wildlife that require this lakeside habitat for their continued existence.

The Land Trust offered many thanks to the numerous businesses and individuals who have donated to this project so far.

They include John Sheridan and Andrea DuFlon, $20,000; Charlotte Griswold, $5,000; Val and Tom Nixon, $1,000; Harry and Roberta Lyons, $1,000; Michael Friel, $1,000; Kristine Groff, $1,000; William and Carol Lincoln, $1,000; Sasha and John Reynolds, $1,000; Bernard and Lynne Butcher, $1,000; Russell and Joyce Porterfield, $1,000; the Lake County Land Trust’s Robert Morse and John Graham bequests, $15,000; Pitzer Family Foundation, $10,000 plus pending $25,000 matching grant; Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation, $1,000; The Lodge at Blue Lakes, $1,000; the Lake County Board of Supervisors’ Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee, $3,000; several anonymous donors and some smaller donors. All are very much appreciated.

For information or to make a donation, call the Lake County Land Trust at 262-0707, visit www.lakecountylandtrust.org or send a donation to P.O. Box 711, Lower Lake, CA 95457.

In making donations, designate “Melo wetlands” in the correspondence or on the subject line of the check.

All donations received as of the publication date of this article will be doubled in value up to $25,000 by the matching grant challenge.