In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the Land Trust’s conservation priorities – to protect and manage working lands to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability.

The vibrant working lands of Santa Cruz County face the dual threats of suburban sprawl and a changing climate, which will increase flooding, drought stress, and fire. Actively managing working lands—especially in flood-prone areas or on steep slopes—can have multiple benefits for surrounding areas.  To help us dig into this fascinating topic, we’re talking with Barry Baker, the Land Trust’s Director of Land Protection, about what it means to protect prime farmland and how this work will ultimately contribute to building climate resilience in our region’s forests and rangelands.