FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2008

CONTACT:   Karen Ferrell-Ingram (760) 873-4554
                        Lands Director
                        Eastern Sierra Land Trust
                        (760) 873-4554
                        karen@eslt.org

Landowner Elects to Preserve Land For Future Generations  

MONO BASIN--The quiet and expansive beauty of the Mono Basin became more secure recently when a landowner donated a conservation easement to preserve his 480-acre property in late December.  Ted Yednock partnered with the Eastern Sierra Land Trust and placed a voluntary land protection agreement on his land that restricts future subdivision, while allowing for the construction of a single family home.  The agreement preserves the incredible scenic views in the Mono Basin and keeps the property in private ownership and on the county tax rolls.

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 retiring 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. “When we first saw the property we wondered about the wisdom of purchasing a piece of dry prehistoric lake bottom.  But over time we began to appreciate the wildness and beauty of it and the surrounding Mono Basin.  On a clear night it is extraordinarily dark out there; even though we can see most of the Basin from the property, only a couple of lights are visible and they are many miles away.  We feel lucky to be able to participate in the preservation of this remarkable place,” stated Ted Yednock.

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.

www.easternsierralandtrust.org

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