D1, does this refer to land in the Santa Monica Mountains and San Gabriel Mountains? I am curious, as I recall the Conservancy acquiring Solstice Canyon back in the mid-'90s but haven't kept track of their acquisitions since then.
I thought the Santa Monica Mountains were either federal or state lands...
The Conservancy has established control over some relatively small parcels in the San Gabriels immediately above La Canada, adjacent to the Angeles National Forest, and in the Verdugos. They have been the prime movers behind the "Rim of the Valley Corridor", which, if implemented, would give them effective control of all undeveloped land in the Verdugs, the San Rafaels, and portions of La Tuna Canyon.
Prop. 90 would drive this particular group of proto-totalitarians nuts.
The federal and state lands angle is important here. I don't know what the actual status of these lands is. Is the federal government granting these lands to the consevancies? Is it granting them the funds to purchase these and or other land tracts? Is it merely using these NGOs to manage public lands?
It's amazing how many land conservancies there are out there.