LEADERS IN THE FIELD

The national Land Trust Alliance counts more than 800 private land trust and conservancy groups in the United States. These groups are among them.

Locally:

Ojai Valley Land Conservancy: Three years old, but only now preparing to manage its first properties. The board is a local Who’s Who, from potter Beatrice Wood to Mayor Nina Shelley. Phillip I. Moncharsh, president, P.O. Box 1092, Ojai 93023.

Besant Meadow Preservation Group: A small group with little money and a single purpose--ensuring that a 25-acre property in Meiners Oaks remains undeveloped. Richard Handley, president, P.O. Box 772, Ojai 93024.

Land Trust for Santa Barbara County: Formed in 1982, the trust hired its first staffer in 1985 and since then has spent about $250,000 on land acquisitions. It owns 110 acres and has obtained conservation easements that block building on another 2,261 acres. Linda Krieger, executive director, 1114 State St., Suite 231, Santa Barbara 93101.

Nationally:

American Farmland Trust: Founded in 1980, the Farmland Trust reports that it has assisted in the protection of 26,000 acres in 19 states by keeping properties in agricultural use. The group has 16,000 dues-paying members, and in California has been most active in the northern region and in the San Joaquin Valley. It also lobbies in Sacramento and Washington, and runs education programs. Greg Carnill, regional director, 512 2nd St., 4th floor, San Francisco 94107.

The Nature Conservancy: Widely considered the wealthiest environmental organization in the United States, with more than 500,000 dues-paying members and 1,000 paid staffers. The group acquires open land--including a 500-square-mile New Mexico ranch--and either manages it or resells it to government agencies. Harvey Carlson, director of programs and operations in California, 785 Market St., San Francisco 94103.

Trust for Public Land: A group based in San Francisco that acquires and resells undeveloped land. The group estimates that since its founding in 1972, it has protected nearly 500,000 acres nationwide--including 2,146 acres of Cheeseboro Canyon in Ventura County, which the trust acquired in two phases and resold to the National Park Service in 1981 and 1985. The group also takes an active role in encouraging formation of local trusts. Woody Robertshaw, Western regional manager, 116 New Montgomery St., 3rd floor, San Francisco 94105.