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The mission of the Fond Land Preservation Foundation (the “Foundation”) is: (i) to acquire land, in Los Angeles County, California and/or Ventura County, California, for the establishment and maintenance of one or more parks or open spaces for the use and enjoyment of the general public to be named and dedicated in honor of Charles Fond and Rosemary Ann Fond; (ii) to donate Foundation assets to one or more charitable organizations, as described in Internal Revenue Code Section 2055, which in turn will acquire land, in Los Angeles County, California and/or Ventura County, California for the establishment and maintenance of one or more parks or open spaces for the use and enjoyment of the general public to be named and dedicated in honor of Charles Fond and Rosemary Ann Fond.
“Open space” shall mean land or other property held in its natural and unaltered state – that is, preserved as nature intended after considering society’s influences thereon. Some examples of open space would be: chaparral, forest, wetlands, agricultural land, meadows or beaches.
“Public use” shall mean any and all activities which do not cause significant unnatural erosion and permit access for enjoyment both actively and passively. Due to erosion, noise and fire concerns, the use of motorized vehicles within park or open space boundaries shall be prohibited.
The Fond Land Preservation Foundation serves the community through its ability to: (i) acquire land for the establishment and maintenance of one or more parks, open spaces and natural landscapes in Los Angeles County and/or Ventura County, California for use and enjoyment by the general public; (ii) preserve the natural scenic beauty and natural resources of those parks, open spaces and natural landscapes by educating the public; (iii) expand the recreational opportunities for the general public within Los Angeles County and/or Ventura County, California; and, (iv) to represent the interests of the Fond Land Preservation Foundation before public and private agencies or organizations.
- We would like to assist local governments in the implementation of their trails, parks and open space master plans. With budgets being cut everyday, one manner in which the public can insure that it still have parks and open space is to assist in their acquisition.
- We would like to educate the public, government, and businesses about recreation, environmental, wildlife and riparian protection, as well as the benefits to their health and physical fitness of using open space. In addition, this is a great opportunity for “city” dwellers to experience the wilderness in their own backyard. A number of learning opportunities are present at the Fond Family Open Space. There are numerous opportunities for learning about such things as -- blue-line streams and riparian vegetation; the propagation of some of California’s native plants, the animals present in this ecosystem; the geology and geomorphology of the area by hiking through the hills and mountains and observing outcrops and slumps. In addition, we think this type of environment would be a great opportunity for some of our community organizations who seek to spend time in the wilderness and learn about the beauty of nature.
– We are in the process of developing a number of volunteer programs such as cleaning up x; leading nature hikes in the Fond Family Open Space focusing on plants, birds, animals, riparian habitats, historical, geographical and geologic tours of the area. Volunteers are needed. If you or your organization is interested in providing these services, please contact Bill@flpf.org.
– We are actively raising funds to continue our acquisition, advocacy, education and volunteer efforts.
The Fond Land Preservation Foundation locates open space within Los Angeles County and Ventura County, California, raises money for the purchase of the property, creating parks and open spaces and thus preserving the natural landscape for future generations. Once the Foundation raises sufficient funds to pay off any mortgages, liens or encumbrances on the property, the park or open space is dedicated.
Currently the only activities that the Fond Land Preservation Foundation has on a regular basis are (1) the clean up of existing open space it has purchased; and, (2) raising additional funds via direct donations of cash, securities or property, grants and bequests.
We work with individuals, business, community groups, organizations and governmental agencies.
Currently we have three employees who also serve as the board of directors.
During our ramp-up period, we expect to spend less than $150,000/year on non-land acquisition items.
Those items would include, but are not limited to, accounting fees, property taxes, professional services, fencing, brush clearance, surveys, and the repair and maintenance of real properties.
The annual budget for the acquisition of open space varies considerably. Our first acquisition in April 2005 was for nearly 500 acres at a little over $800/acre. Half of the acquisition cost was paid in cash and the remaining 50% was paid off in 2007 by financing other real property owned by the Foundation.
The initial funds for the establishment of the Foundation were obtained through Planned Giving. The Foundation is seeking additional funds with which to purchase additional open space. These funds will hopefully be derived from new donations. The funding for the acquisition of the initial open space came from the borrowing of money secured by other non-open space property owned by the Foundation.
Any rents in excess of the debt they service are also available for acquisition.
In April 2005, approximately 500 acres of chaparral were obtained in the City of Los Angeles.
There is not set amount of acreage. Our acquisitions are limited by our funds, the cost of land, and our ability to locate suitable property.
No yearly land acquisition goals have been established as our ability to acquire land is limited by our funds, the cost of the land and our ability to locate suitable property.
The negotiation of land acquisition is currently handled by the Foundation. Appraisals, surveys, escrows are contracted out as needed.
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