January 8, 2008

New Land Conservation Partnership in the Mono Basin

Dear ESLT Supporters,

The quiet and expansive beauty of the Mono Basin became more secure recently when a landowner donated a conservation easement preserving his 480-acre property in late December.  Ted Yednock partnered with the Eastern Sierra Land Trust and placed a permanent voluntary land protection agreement on his land that restricts all future subdivision, while allowing for the construction of a single family home.  The future home will be located so that it doesn't impact the incredible scenic views in the Mono Basin.

 

Ted Yednock purchased the property last year and immediately began investigating the idea of donating a conservation easement. The remote and wild aspects of the property are so unique in California that he wanted to ensure the property would always stay the same.  The federal tax benefits that come from the charitable gift of extinguishing development rights on special properties were also important to the new owner.

 

The property is about one mile from the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area and the recently preserved Cedar Hills property to the north.  It is surrounded by Bureau of Land Management property on three sides and consists of undisturbed alkali dune scrub and scattered juniper trees that are habitat for many species of wildlife.

 

The Eastern Sierra Land Trust was granted the conservation easement and will work with the landowner to ensure that the special values found on the land are preserved for future generations.  This is the second project to be completed in the ESLT Mono Basin Program.

 

Thanks to all of our members for supporting our work to permanently preserve incredible properties like this one in our beloved Eastern Sierra!

 

Happy New Year!

Karen Ferrell-Ingram