Preserving Land In & Around
Santa Clara Valley
The mission of the Land Trust of Santa Clara Valley is to preserve agriculture, other working lands and open spaces in Santa Clara County and adjacent areas.
About
The Land Trust of Santa Clara Valley (LTSCV) is a private nonprofit public benefit corporation under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. LTSCV has been accredited by the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) through November 15, 2026.
Why
Once celebrated as the "Valley of Heart's Delight" for its perfect climate and fertile soils, Santa Clara Valley has lost over 21,000 acres of farmland and rangeland to development in the past 30 years, with nearly 28,000 additional acres at risk. This loss threatens our local food security and agricultural economy while diminishing open spaces that provide crucial habitats for native species and help mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as extreme heat and flooding.
We are committed to protecting agricultural land and natural areas for future generations.
We believe in the power of working together with other organizations and individuals to effectively safeguard our working lands and open spaces.
We actively support local farming practices, including grazing, to promote sustainable agriculture in our community.
We strive to be a fair, honest, and reliable partner for property owners, the local community, and affiliated organizations and agencies, including our funders.
The Land Trust Accreditation Program recognizes conservation organizations that meet national quality standards. These standards support the permanent protection of important natural lands and working lands.
The Land Trust of Santa Clara Valley is pleased to announce that it is applying to renew its accreditation, and a public comment period is now open. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant's policies and programs. Renewing our accreditation reaffirms our commitment to strong conservation practices, responsible stewardship, and accountability to the communities and landscapes we serve. This independent review also helps ensure that our work continues to meet nationally recognized standards for effective land conservation in Santa Clara County. The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications.
Comments should relate to how the Land Trust of Santa Clara Valley complies with national quality standards addressing the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of accreditation standards, visit: www.landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and- resources/indicator-elements
To learn more about the accreditation program or to submit a comment, visit: www.landtrustaccreditation.org/why-accreditation-matters/comment, or email info@landtrustaccreditation.org
Comments may also be mailed to: Land Trust Accreditation Commission Attn: Public Comments 36 Phila Street, Suite 2 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Comments pertaining to the Land Trust of Santa Clara Valley's application will be most useful by December 27, 2026.