Sonoma Land Trust

In 1984, Otto and Anne Teller, owners of Oak Hill Farm, donated a conservation easement to the Sonoma Land Trust, of which they were founding members. A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a private landowner and the Land Trust to “preserve in perpetuity the conservation values of the specific land they cover.” In this case, the conservation easement protects the productive agricultural land of Oak Hill Farm, as well as the oak and manzanita woodland. The 700-acre Oak Hill farm property will remain as it is for generations to come.

The Sonoma Land Trust was formed in 1976, to preserve open land in Sonoma County, before it was completely developed for housing and business. The Land Trust provides stewardship for other agricultural properties, such as Glen Oaks Ranch, as well as open spaces and wild life corridors, such as the Jenner Headlands and Secret Pastures.

Oak Hill Farm and the forested hill beyond are protected

I appreciate this vision of preserving farms and open land, and providing stewardship. Open land provides a psychological reprieve from the congestion and demands of our busy, over-crowded lives. It also helps ensure some space for wild life, natural systems, and hope for the future. Surely we have enough strip malls and cement sprawl in place, so that we can preserve some open and wild land for all to enjoy.