February 2007 Tri-Valley Conservancy Newsletter

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News and Views

Tri-Valley Conservancy Preserving Land for Future Generations

impressive point in the report was that all regions of the

country have been remarkable (in preservation growth)

for the past five years. She attributed the success to

people really understanding the value of protecting land,

and not building on every square inch that we have. e

land trust movement has been gathering speed for several

years. e public realizes the value of preserving open

space and farmland.

e public, including farmers and ranchers, are coming

to a better understanding of how land trusts can be

beneficial to all, said Burnham. ere are a lot of

landowners who can take advantage of tax incentives by

donating land. In other cases, especially farmers, they can

receive money for conservation easements, and continue

to farm. e public understands how important thesenatural areas are to the quality of life, she said.

Cooperation among land trusts regionally is important,

too, said Burnham. She cited the example of the

Save Mount Diablo trust. ey want to make sure

that Mount Diablo is not an island in the middle of

development, because there would be pressure to build

(houses) up the mountainside. Its important to keep a

corridor open, and connect it to the (Livermore) Valley.

Wed like to keep that open, so there are contiguous

habitat corridors. We need to keep it open for animalsand for people. Its why you try to plan regionally, not

just locally, said Burnham.

e Tri-Valley Conservancy (TVC) has been keeping

ahead of the national and state averages of gains in

acreage by land trusts.

Combined local, state and national land trusts increased

54 percent to 37 million acres between2000 and 2005,according to a report released last week by the Land Trust

Association (LTA). e national non-profit organization

publishes a census of lands in trust every five years.

Locally, the TVC had an even better gain, at 57 percent,

which brought its total protected land to 4132 acres,

said TVC executive director Sharon Burnham. So far, all

of the land has been within the boundary of the South

Livermore plan. However, in 2003, the TVC expanded

its geographical scope. As a result it is working with

landowners in North Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin.

California is one of the leading states in increasing

preserved acreage, said the LTA. e West was also the

leading region for growth in land trust acreage. e

number of land trusts in the United States grew by 34

percent to 1667 during the past five years. e growth in

preservation is a response to the rapid engulfment of the

environment, said the LTA report.

Each year, the United States loses two million acres of

farms, forests and open spaces to subdivisions, mallsand highways. More than 100,000 acres of wetlands

are destroyed each year. Burnham said that the most

Land Trust Movement Is Growing RapidlyReprinted with permission from the Independent

February 2007


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Executive Director

Sharon BurnhamWe all know how important people are to the success of an organization. At TVC we have Directors,

Volunteers, Donors and Staff who make TVC what it is. We have featured some of these people on

the following pages. I want to thank each and every one of these dedicated people, and many others

who are not featured, for their wisdom, wealth, time and energy.

I continue to be excited about the potential our conservancy has for further growth and development under the guidance of

our directors, both new and continuing, and the support of our volunteers, contributors, and partners. We are strengthened by

the availability of our retired directors and the benefit their wisdom can be to us.

Changing of the Guard - Contratulations to the Directors Installed on January 11th

Jim Perry, Chair Jim came to Livermore in 1957. He holds a

bachelors degree from the University of San Francisco and was aLivermore Police Officer for 12 years. He began selling real estate

in 1976 and received his appraisers license in 1986. His tenure on

the Livermore Planning Commission for 16 years has given him

unique knowledge of the planning and development of the Tri-Valley

area. Jim has served as the County of Alameda appointee to the

Conservancy since 2002.

Rik Hansen, Vice-Chair Rik is the fourth generation of his

family to farm in the Livermore Valley. He attended local elementary

schools, graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in Geology,

and earned an MBA in finance from Northeastern University in

Boston. He joined the TVC Board as an at-large Director in October 2004. Rik currently divides his vocational efforts

between his familys commercial real estate investment and development business and growing olives and wine grapes on

the family ranch in Livermore. On this same property, he operates the first commercial olive oil press to be built in eastern

Alameda County. e olive oil is marketed under the trademark Arroyo Windmill Groves.

Karl Wente, Secretary Karlwas appointed to the TVC Board in 2004 by the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association.He is a fifth-generation winemaker at Californias oldest family owned, continuously operated winery in Livermore. While

earning his BS in Chemical Engineering at Stanford, Karl played on the basketball team for two years and then joined the

rugby team. He earned viticulture and enology graduate degrees at University of California, Davis. After graduating he

worked two harvests, one at Peter Michael in Knights Valley and one at Brown Brothers in Australia. In 2004 he was namedVice President of Winegrowing at Wente Family Estates and introduced his Nth Degree wines to the public.

Jean King, Treasurer Jean was raised on a typical family farm in southwestern Wisconsin. She attended University of

Wisconsin in Madison and received BS and MS in mathematics. After college she took a job at Sandia Labs as a computer

programmer. Jean has served as the appointee of the City of Livermore to the TVC Board since 2004. She is now an

adjunct instructor at Las Positas College teaching mathematics. She is very active in the community, serving on the boards of

Livermore/Amador Symphony Assoc., Del Valle Fine Arts, Livermore Cultural Arts Council, Student Education Loan Fund,

and Friends of the Vineyards.

Left to Right - Jean King, Karl Wente, Rik Hansen, Jim Perry


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At the same time this is the occasion for us to recognize those individuals who have served as officers and directors. Under their

leadership they have helped to direct the destiny of this land trust and our best wishes go with them. ey leave the conservancy

in excellent shape and ready to achieve new heights in the years ahead. We thank the following Directors for their commitment

and service to TVC.

Thank You to Our Departing Directors!

Harriet Cole, Friends of the Vineyards

Appointee I leave the TVC board

after ten years with satisfaction for what

was accomplished and with anticipation

for what will be achieved in the coming

years. It is particularly satisfying to

work on something that grows from

very little into making a great difference in the community.

e acres under easement with TVC is the most obviousaccomplishment, but as important is the community focus

on good conservation and land planning enhanced through

the existence and work of the TVC.

One of our best decisions was the hiring of an experienced

and professional Executive Director, Sharon Burnham,

and Associate Director Laura Mercier. Sharon, a native

Californian, also had extensive experience in other parts

of the country, and Laura is a native of Livermore. eir

leadership, our well run office, and excellent stewardshipprogram is a tribute to their skills and dedication and to the

boards work and oversight.

e board is diverse and strongly committed to the goals of

the TVC. It has been gratifying to see the various directors

develop and work towards the TVC goals in tandem with

our excellent staff. I joined TVC as the appointee of Friends

of the Vineyards. Others join with other backgrounds and

goals. Under the leadership of each other and the staff

we have worked toward what is best for TVC and the

communities we serve regardless of why we originally came

to be on the board. It is truly a transformative experience

and can continue with the support of the community.

anks to you all for the experience and honor of having

served. Our results are long lasting and important to the

generations to come. You cant ask for more rewarding work.

Sincerely, Harriet

Jon Harvey, City of Pleasanton Appointee

As I look back on the past four years,

these were transition years for the land

trust to move into more comprehensive

land conservation throughout Eastern

Alameda County. A new Executive

Director and Stewardship Director came

on board and dramatically changed the way the Conservancy

operates and engages the public and local leaders; the SouthLivermore Area Plan reached its final stages in realizing the

agricultural and rural development vision, and the land trust

redefined its vision to include a multitude of conservation

goals on a regional scale.

It was my honor to serve on the Tri-Valley Conservancy

Board of Directors for the past four years. I thank

former Mayor, Tom Pico, for having the confidence in

me in making the appointment on behalf of the City of

Pleasanton. I look forward to continuing to work with theConservancy as it completes the expanded land conservation

plan and seeing it though the next chapter.

Sincerely, Jon

Never doubt that a small group

of thoughtful, committed citizens

can change the world. Indeed, itsthe only thing that ever has.

Margaret Mead


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Miriam Miller was appointed to the Boardof the Tri-Valley Conservancy in 2007 by

the Friends of the Vineyards. She holds

a B.A. in psychology from the University

of Illinois and a MA in Early Childhood

Education from San Francisco State

University. She helped design, develop, and administer

a community based organization to provide child care

referrals and subsidies for low income working families

in the valley. By the time she retired, Child Care Links

had grown to serve all of Alameda County and wasactive in Child Care issues. She has also been active in

the her community and has served on Boards including

Congregation Beth Emek, Child Care Links, the League

of Women Voters and Interfaith Housing. She and her

husband, Don, have two daughters, Nancy and Lynne, and

two grandchildren, all living in the Washington D.C. area.

Mary Roberts was appointed to the Boardof the Tri-Valley Conservancy in 2007 by

the City of Pleasanton where she served

as a Planning Commissioner from 1998

to 2006. As a Commissioner, she was

involved with numerous land use issues

from neighborhood concerns to the General Plan Update.

She has served several terms on the Board of the Friends

of the Vineyards, currently serving as treasurer. She and

her husband, Dr. Ford Roberts, have lived in Pleasanton

since 1972 where he maintains his orthodontic practice,and where they have raised their four children. ey have

an acre of vines, and make wine as a hobby at their home

in the Vineyard Corridor; 2005 marked their 20th vintage.

Mary received a B.A. from the University of Iowa, and a

M.A. from Mills College.

New Directors Join the TVC BoardWe are pleased to announce Friends of the Vineyards new appointee to the TVC Board - Miriam Miller and City of

Pleasanton new appointee Mary Roberts.

Barbara Graham joined the Conservancy staff in 2006 as Office Manager. e Office Managers primary

responsibility is to provide day-to-day administrative support to ensure the smooth running of the

Conservancy office. Barbara is well suited for the position as she possesses over 15 years of experience in office

administration and management. Barbara grew up in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. She and her family

moved to Pleasanton in 1990. She is married and has two children: a son and family in South Carolina, and a

daughter in Pleasanton. She and her husband love to travel and work on their home remodel projects.

We would also like to introduce you to TVCs latest staff addition:

Introducing the Latest Staff Addition to the TVC

Looking for a Volunteer Opportunity...Look No Further!

You can help our organization accomplish its mission by volunteering.

Taste of Terroir July 26, 2007. Co-sponsored by Tri-ValleyConservancy and Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association. Ittakes many volunteers working before, during and after the eventto present the Taste of Terroir. Volunteers help set up, take tickets,address letters, greet guests and anything else necessary to bringtogether the Valleys vintners and growers with leading area chefs tohighlight locally produced wines and foods.

Annual BBQ September 9, 2007. is outdoor event could nothappen without the help of volunteers. e BBQ meal highlightslocal produce and beef. ere is a raffle for prizes of all sizes.Our volunteers help us setup, serve, sell tickets and clean up after.


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With Profound Gratitude...ank you to all the volunteers that helped us out in 2006 with our annual Stewardship visits, Annual BBQ, Taste

of Terroir and Quest for Excellence workshops.

Thank You.

We appreciateall that you do!

Trish Brown

Courtney Coates

Jim Coates

Germaine Cordes

Laura Danielson

Dan DePalmo

Monica DePalmo

Candice Dixon

Norma Foss

David FurstBill Hoppes

John Houghton

Sue Houghton

Connie Kirchner

Denise Kruff

Lois Lutz

Renee March

Holley Massey

Steve Massey

Rick Martin

Diane MendenhallHoward Mendenhall

Carolyn Newton

Linda Nidever-Galles

Linda Schmidt

Kai Tanaka

KC Sharp

Courtney Coates, Jim Coates,

Rick Martin, Holly Massey

and Steve Massey not shown

in photos.

We make a living by whatwe do, but we make a life bywhat we give.

Winston Churchill


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Building the Tri-Valley Conservancy Local Legacy FundTri-Valley Conservancy gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the

following individuals and corporations who made gifts to our organization fromJanuary 1, 2006 December 31, 2006.

Steward of the Land

$1,000 +

Mr. Michael Fredrich

Madden Charities, Inc.

Mrs. Jean King

Ms. Read Philips

Mr. & Mrs. Barry Shames

Mr. Robert Baltzer

Sponsor of Preservation

$500 -$999

Mr. Don Babbitt

Mr. & Mrs. Jay Davis

Honorable & Mrs. Mark Eaton

Dr. & Dr. David Furst

Mrs. Patricia Hansen

Mr. & Mrs. G. Robert Muehlhauser

Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Seppala

Mr. & Mrs. William omson

Patron of Preservation

$250 to $499

Mr. James Blickenstaff

Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Borg

Mr. & Mrs. Tony CansinoCentex Homes

Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Chin

Mr. Archer Futch

Mr. & Mrs. Jon Harvey

Mr. Charles Hazen &

Ms. Ann Gabor

Mr. & Mrs. John Houghton, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Kovacich

Mayor Janet Lockhart

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick McMenamin

Mr. Matt Nolan

Mr. & Mrs. James Perry

Mr. Michael Princevalle

Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Ratto

Mr. & Mrs. Lou Rivara

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Schmidt

Mr. Kevin Schoenfeld & Ms.

Deborah Wojtowicz

ornburg Investment Management

Mr. & Mrs. Graham Wright

Partner of Preservation

$100 to $249

Mr. & Mrs. James Adams

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Berlogar

Mr. & Mrs. Donald Bradley

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Brandes, Jr.

Dr. & Mrs. James Buttafuoco

Ms. Alison Chaiken

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Cobbe

Mr. & Mrs. Brian Cornell

Mr. & Mrs. Robert CowanMr. & Mrs. Daniel Crawford

Mr. & Mrs. David Darlington

Ms Kaye Decker

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Dino

Mr. Gary Drummond

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Eckart

Ms. Tamara Galanter

Mr. Harry Galles &

Ms. Linda Nidever-Galles

Mr. & Mrs. Craig Gieringer

Mr. & Mrs. John Gilkison

Mr. & Mrs. James Hadley

Mr. H. R. Hansen, Jr.

Mr. Lee Harris

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Harrison

Mr. & Mrs. K. Barry Hottle

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Husser

Mr. & Mrs. John LaGrant

Mr. & Vice Mayor Herman Leider

Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Lenamon

Mr. & Mrs. Harry Lutz

Mr. & Mrs. Steven Massey

Mr. Robert McGlinchey

Dr. & Mrs. Mort Mendelsohn

Mr. & Mrs. David Mertes

Mr. & Mrs. Donald Miller

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Murphy

Mr. & Mrs. J. Robert Neely

Ms. Ruth Nuckolls

Mr. & Mrs. John Pereira

Vice Mayor & Mrs. Scott Perkins

Mr. & Mrs. ReganMr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Richardson

Mr. & Mrs. Steve Ridout

Mr. & Mrs. Ford Roberts

Mr. & Mrs. Garry Rodrique

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Sage

Ms. Joy Schorno

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Shaw


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Ms. Lori Souza

Ms. Barbara Stear

Mr. Ronald Streit

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Triska

Mr. & Mrs. T.F. Wieskamp

Friend of Preservation

Under $100

Mr. Grace Adams

Ms. Patricia Baker

Ms. Linda Barton

Mr. & Mrs. James Benham

Mr. William A. BooklessMs. Sally Brown

Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Cabanne

Mr. & Mrs. Lee Cannon

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Cimino

Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Elchesen

Ms. Carol Fohl

Mr. & Mrs. James Folta

Mr. om Gamble

Mr. Bing Hadley

Mr. & Mrs. Willard Hannon

Ms. Kathy Harris

Mr. & Mrs. Bill Hilby

Mr. John Hobson

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Howe

Ms. Elizabeth Johannsen

Mr. Daniel Jones &

Ms. Joyce Norton-Jones

Mr. William Junk

Mrs. Ivy LoGerfo

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Malinowski

Mr. & Mrs. Russell Miller

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Mollenkopf

Mr. Milo Nordyke

Mr. John Norwood

Mr. William Ormand

Mr. Alfred Parziale

Mr. & Mrs. Norman Petermeier

Mr. & Mrs. John Pitts

Ms. Jacqueline Poulsen

Councilmember Tom Reitter

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Rinetti

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Roddy

Mr. Remo Rosa

Mr. & Mrs. Terry Rossow

Ms. Tania Selden

Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Sokolow

Mr. & Mrs. John Stein

Mr. & Mrs. John Sutter

Mr. & Mrs. Art Tenbrink

Ms. Ellen Turner

Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Waksdal

Mr. & Mrs. William Wentworth

Ms. Beth Wilson

Ms. Kathleen Young

Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can. John Wesley

We wish to thank the following people for their

generous donation of time and/or auction items

to TVCs 2006 Annual BBQ:

Mr. Rick Corbett

Coastal ViticulturalConsultants

Genesis Ranch

Mr. H. R. Hansen Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Chris Ising

Mrs. Kathy Farrell

Mr. John Madden

Mr. & Mrs. Jim Perry

Starbucks

Mr. Karl Wente

Thank you to our partner Livermore Valley

Winegrowers Association and the following

sponsors and donors for Taste of Terroir:

USA Food Service

Ponderosa Homes

Diablo Magazine

Tri-Valley Herald, Chevron

Hawthorn Suites

Marriott Courtyard

Fantasy Sound Event

Services

Palm Event Center

Emerald

Mitchell Katz

PW Markets

PCFMA

ImageSetters

Starbucks.

We would like to give a special thanks to Libby

Mihalka for her time and guidance!


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1736HolmesSt.,BuildingB

Livermore,CA94550

Non-ProfitOrg.

U.S.Postage

PAID

Permit#637

Livermore,CA

Jim Perry, Chair Alameda County

Rik Hansen, Vice-Chair At large

Karl Wente, Secretary Livermore ValleyWinegrowers Association

Jean King, Treasurer City of Livermore

Mark Eaton At large

Miriam Miller Friends of the Vineyards

Michael Princevalle At large

Mary Roberts City of Pleasanton

Bill Tomson At large

Board of Directors

Staff

Sharon Burnham Executive DirectorLaura Mercier Associate Director

Barbara Graham Office Manager

Mission StatementTo permanently protect the

fertile soils, rangelands,

open space and biological

resources and to support a

viable agricultural economy

in the Tri-Valley area.

February 2007 Tri-Valley Conservancy Newsletter

Documents

Transcript of February 2007 Tri-Valley Conservancy Newsletter