Reduction of Climate Change Through Land Conservation

Shasta County is no stranger to the effects a changing environment can have on a community. Through increased wind events, shortened seasons of rain, increased temperatures, and wildfires stretching into the winter months, we are experiencing rapid climate change.

This rapid change we are experiencing today is caused by the release of greenhouse gases. In the atmosphere, these gases trap heat from the sun, essentially over-insulating the Earth. But forests and other undeveloped lands can absorb greenhouse gases, keeping them out of the atmosphere.

Forests, farmland and other natural habitats absorb approximately 15% of the U.S.’s carbon dioxide emissions. That’s a huge benefit — but one that we stand to lose if we keep converting open land for development.

In fact, land conservation offers a double benefit for the climate. It not only helps absorb greenhouse gases; it also prevents significant greenhouse gas emissions that would result from development — including deforestation, construction and the additional driving required by poorly planned growth. 

This is why agricultural land conservation has always been at the heart of the Shasta Land Trust. Through our 15 conserved properties totaling over 24,000 acres we are proud of our ongoing work to protect agricultural land for farming, for food, for wildlife and for community. We are also proud to be a part of the movement to implement long-term climate change solutions.