Jean Schulz offers $2 million matching gift to Sonoma Land Trust
Gift advances $18 million land protection campaign
(SANTA ROSA, CALIF., September 16, 2009) —Local philanthropist Jean Schulz has offered the Sonoma Land Trust a $2 million matching gift to advance the Land Trust’s recently announced $18 million fundraising campaign, Redwoods to the Bay: Saving Sonoma County’s Signature Landscapes. This pledge, which must be matched dollar for dollar, will bring the total amount raised thus far to $10.3 million.
“This is not a gift I make lightly,” says Schulz, a longtime supporter of the Land Trust. “I am frankly worried about the ongoing development pressures on our lands and about our need to preserve large open spaces. I want our grandchildren and their children to be able to enjoy the same stunning vistas that you and I treasure today.”
The Redwoods to the Bay campaign will protect the 5,630-acre Jenner Headlands, help keep Sonoma County’s landscapes intact, link up protected lands to provide wildlife corridors and trails, preserve the county’s rural character and create a legacy of open lands for future generations.
“This is a bold gift for a bold campaign and we appreciate Jean Schulz’s leadership,” says Ralph Benson, executive director of the Sonoma Land Trust. “This is the right time to act — there are opportunities now to protect major landscapes throughout Sonoma County that we won’t see again. Thanks to Jean Schulz, contributions to our campaign will make double the impact — and save twice as much land.”
In addition to the $2 million matching gift from Schulz, the Land Trust has received $6 million from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and $2.3 million from board members, individuals, foundations and businesses. Approximately $7.7 million remains to be raised by the end of 2010.
“I am excited about this opportunity and urge those who love Sonoma County like I do to make a generous gift so that I may match their contribution,” says Schulz. “Let’s give our children open space in which to dream about their futures.”
Donations to the Land Trust’s Redwoods to the Bay campaign may be made online at www.sonomalandtrust.org or by calling (707) 526-6930 ext. 108.
About the Sonoma Land Trust
The Sonoma Land Trust preserves scenic, natural, agricultural and open land for future generations. Since 1976, the Sonoma Land Trust has protected nearly 20,000 acres of beautiful, productive and environmentally significant land. For more information about the Sonoma Land Trust, please visit www.sonomalandtrust.org.
