Company Profile
Bear Yuba Land Trust
Company Overview
The mission guiding BYLT is to protect and defend the working and natural lands of the Bear and Yuba River Watersheds and to empower healthy, resilient communities through nature access and education.
Bear Yuba Land Trust (BYLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community-supported organization that works to promote voluntary conservation of the region’s natural, historical and agricultural legacy. BYLT stewards a lasting community heritage by protecting and enhancing meadows, watersheds, forests, farms and ranches, trails and parks.
Company History
When real estate prices were skyrocketing in the late 1980’s, increased development threatened the quality of rural life in Nevada County. As new neighborhoods and shopping centers popped up around the county, long-established recreational destinations were lost and historic ranchland and open space was fractured. Meanwhile, Nevada County government had no mandate or future plan to build community trails or parks and residents were growing apprehensive of the future.
Bear Yuba Land Trust ( then Nevada County Land Trust) was born in 1990 when a small, diverse group of concerned citizens came together to preserve local farms, ranches, meadows and forests while recognizing that smart growth was important to the economic viability of the region.
Guided by a mission to work with willing property owners who wanted to conserve their land, the group drew support from all shades of the political spectrum while remaining scrupulously non-political. Early projects of Bear Yuba Land Trust included: Mathis Pond, the Litton Trail, Round Mountain Wildlife Preserve and the North Star House.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
Bear Yuba Land Trust is accredited by the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) and is recognized as a land conservation organization that meets national standards for excellence, upholds the public trust, and ensures that conservation efforts are permanent.
Bear Yuba Land Trust is an active member of the Sierra Cascade Land Trust Council (SCLTC).