El Río Reyes Conservation Trust is a California land trust based in Reedley California. Reedley is a community with the Kings River at its front door and the Sierra Nevada Mountains at the back door. A few individuals serving on the City of Reedley’s Rails to Trails Committee conceived the Trust in 1998. While working on establishing a trail within a railroad corridor, they envisioned connecting this trail with the Kings River and further expanded their horizons to include the Kings River riparian landscape. They also realized that the Kings River had been taken for granted far too long and needed to be safeguarded as a treasure for future generations. Changing times brought about the realization that to effectively protect the river, its surrounding farmlands should also be preserved. To this end El Río Reyes Conservation Trust created a program to offer conservation easements to preserve and conserve the Kings River and its lands.
ERRCT's main area of interest on the Kings River is from Pine Flat Dam at Piedra to the Empire Weir No. 2 near Stratford, California — a total of approximately 81 miles. The Trust works closely with landowners and other interested parties and stakeholders, and with government agencies to minimize the impacts of housing developments and mining activities on Kings River lands. The Trust also endeavors to assist local residents and landowners in enhancing the environmental and economic benefits attached to the well being of the river and its agricultural lands. Along with its own resources, El Río Reyes Conservation Trust draws on the expertise of other conservation organizations and other individuals to assist it in the furtherance of its mission.
El Río Reyes Conservation Trust works with individuals, businesses, other non-profit organizations, and agency partners to accomplish its mission by providing stewardship in preserving and conserving ecological life, scenic, and historic places. The Trust endeavors to develop educational opportunities and recreational uses consistent with the protection of Kings River resources.
El
Río Reyes Trust is a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Public
Benefit Corporation.
