Who We Are
Our History
Kings River Land Trust (KRLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission of safeguarding the Kings River and its surrounding lands in California’s Central Valley for future generations.
In 1998, individuals serving on the city of Reedley’s Rails-to-Trails Committee conceived of KRLT, and in February 1999, the organization was formed.
The founders recognized landowners of the most-precious resources in the region needed an advocate and tools to help them achieve their conservation goals and educate the public, which consists of socioeconomically underprivileged communities.
KRLT services the Kings River watershed throughout Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties by placing land in permanent voluntary agricultural and riparian conservation easements to protect land from harmful development.
The decreasing aquifer in the Kings River watershed is concerning. Currently, more groundwater is being pumped from the Kings Basin aquifer on an average annual basis than is replenished naturally or artificially. In drought conditions, the aquifer levels are even more dire.
This problem, and the imbalance of absentee vs. family-led farming operations, leaves the Kings River and its surrounding lands even more vulnerable to over-development and short-term endeavors.
According to the California Department of Conservation, farm and grazing lands in California decreased by more than 1.6 million acres between 1984 and 2018. This is larger than the size of Ventura County. This loss averages just over 47,000 acres per year, or about one square mile every five days.
KRLT is governed by a volunteer board of directors who have deep agricultural roots and natural resource experience throughout the Central Valley who understand and appreciate the long-term benefits and challenges of maintaining the Kings River area in a manner that supports its thriving agricultural and natural resources.
Our conservation efforts and the treasure that is the Kings River are unknown to much of the population we serve. This knowledge gap threatens the landscape where river water flows as well as the ability of KRLT to permanently protect these important lands. Educating all ages is key to saving this threatened region from harmful development.
Kings River
Conserving the Kings River and its landscape enriches our lives and ensures that future generations will be able to enjoy the Kings River’s unique natural treasures.
Cascading from the highest reaches of the Sierra Nevada Mountains through the deepest river gorge in North America, the beautiful Kings River flows through Kings Canyon National Park and the Sequoia National Forest into the foothills where it is captured by Pine Flat Dam creating Pine Flat Lake. It later escapes from the dam to spread out on the San Joaquin Valley floor where its waters give life to the fertile valley. On its fascinating journey, it provides breath taking scenery, electric power, white water rafting, trout and warm water fishing, boating, recreational floating, and educational opportunities while at the same time nourishing plant and animal communities adjacent to it.
Our Values
Our board members work with uncompromising ethics to stay on mission and serve our community. The board’s core values include:
A commitment to excellence and actions in accordance with the highest industry standards.
Dedication to fulfilling KRLT’s mission with uncompromising ethics, and personal and professional integrity.
Valuing relationships and recognizing - and appreciating - the contributions and diverse opinions that each individual brings as KRLT works to protect the Kings River landscape.
A commitment to responsible stewardship of resources and financial oversight, holding that private land ownership is among the most important aspects of land conservation.