E26: Small Land Trust, Big Landscape with Ellie Routt of the Mother Lode Land Trust

About this episode

Ellie Routt discusses the community-driven conservation efforts of the Mother Lode Land Trust in rural California.

In this episode, I sit down with Ellie Routt, executive director of the Mother Lode Land Trust (MLLT), to explore the unique character and on-the-ground work of a land trust serving some of California’s most rural counties—Tuolumne, Alpine, Calaveras, Amador, and El Dorado. Ellie offers a look into the organization’s distinct, community-driven approach to conservation and how it shapes both the land and the people who depend on it. We talk about their flagship property, the C & C Ranch—more than protected open space, it’s a community hub that hosts programs and partnerships ranging from biking and gardening, to art and outdoor education. Ellie also highlights MLLT’s commitment to preserving the region’s cultural and historical heritage, ensuring these landscapes remain vital to local identity. Unlike many land trusts that transfer conserved properties to public agencies, MLLT retains direct stewardship, allowing them to manage, restore, and protect these lands with long-term continuity. Looking ahead, projects like their planned acquisition near Kirkwood Ski Resort aim to expand public access and educational opportunities while safeguarding important natural areas. This…

People in this episode

Host: Marshall Gorham

Guest: Ellie Routt

Topics covered

• land trust
• conservation
• community
• California
• cultural heritage
• environmental stewardship

Keywords

• land trust
• conservation
• community-driven
• California
• C & C Ranch
• environmental stewardship
• cultural heritage

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mother Lode Land Trust

Places: California, Tuolumne, Alpine, Calaveras, Amador, El Dorado, C & C Ranch, Kirkwood Ski Resort

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