Sonoma Mountain property easement donated to Sonoma Land Trust
A 34-acre property on the northern flank of Sonoma Mountain is now permanently protected with a conservation easement thanks to a donation by landowners Peter and Kathy Drake.
Located at the southern end of rural Bennett Valley, the property boasts sweeping views of the Mayacamas Mountains and Annadel State Park, and is situated in an important wildlife habitat corridor between Annadel and Jack London State Parks.
“We are privileged to do our part to ensure that vistas of green hillside remain unspoiled,” said Peter Drake, who with his wife, Kathy, purchased this parcel in 2008 with the express intent of preventing its development. “Our world is getting smaller and smaller, and wherever possible needs protecting for all the generations to come.”
Protecting the abundant natural resources on the property was key to the Drakes choosing to donate the easement to the Sonoma Land Trust. Coastal oak woodland, comprised of at least five different species of oak, covers more than half of the total area, along with perennial and annual grasslands, and a seasonal creek and pond. The wildlife in the area varies from ground-nesting birds and burrowing mammals to wide-ranging predators, such as grey fox, coyote, bobcat and mountain lion — all of which make use of the open space that also surrounds the property.
The conservation easement, which is a voluntary agreement between the landowners and the nonprofit Land Trust for the purpose of conservation, will restrict in perpetuity any real estate development and commercial, industrial and agricultural uses on the land. The Land Trust possesses 37 easements around the county and, as with each easement it holds, will monitor the property annually to ensure compliance with the agreement.
“Protecting this property is a wonderful legacy that will contribute to the ecological health and beauty of Bennett Valley and Sonoma Mountain for all time,” said Wendy Eliot, conservation director, Sonoma Land Trust.
