RANGELAND TRUST TALK
CONSERVATION COMMITTMENT RANGELAND TRUST RECOGNIZES ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS from the California Rangeland Trust On Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, the California Rangeland Trust recognized three special individuals during its Landowner Appreciation Luncheon held in conjunction with the CCA/ CCW Convention. Ernest Bufford was presented with the 2024 Conservationist of the Year Award, which acknowledges extraordinary achievement in volunteer conservation by a private landowner. Cindy and the late Orrin Sage were recognized as the recipients of the 2024 Conservation Impact Award for their significant contributions toward the advancement of rangeland conservation. Bufford, a former Los Angeles officer for the California Highway Patrol and first-generation rancher, is a man on a mission. After acquiring several parcels of rangeland in the Walker Basin of Kern County in the early 2000s, he partnered with the Rangeland Trust in 2013 to conserve the whole 575-acre ranch. With the easement money, he purchased an adjacent stretch of land in 2016, which he then conserved. The income from the second easement was then put toward the purchase of a third piece—a 65-acre parcel that was conserved with help from private donors in 2023. In total, Bufford has conserved 910 acres in the Walker Basin, which the locals admirably call “Ernieville”. Bufford’s goal is not to simply own land, but to protect it. Cindy and the late Orrin Sage have long been known as driving forces in rangeland
conservation. Together, they held a common vision for their life works, owned and operated SAGE Associates—a successful consulting firm, and shared a love of teaching in the Environmental Studies Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. SAGE Associates has provided environmental and agricultural consulting for over 50 years and was instrumental in the early development of conservation easements. Through their consulting firm, the Sages performed agricultural studies on more than 3 million acres of land in California and Nevada. And of that, over 700,000 acres are now within conservation easements, including the historic Hearst Ranch in San Luis Obispo County that was conserved in partnership with the Rangeland Trust. “It is the Rangeland Trust’s honor to recognize Ernest Bufford and Cindy and the late Orrin Sage as the recipients of our coveted 2024 conservation awards,” said Michael Delbar, Delbar, Chief Executive Officer of the Rangeland Trust. “Both Ernest and the Sages could not be more deserving. Their work in helping to protect our cherished working landscapes is inspiring and impactful. We congratulate them for their achievements and thank them for their efforts in helping to preserve the best of the Golden State for future generations.”
Cindy Sage, along with her daughter, Amy Thomsen, accept the 2024 Conservation Impact Award presented by Rangeland Trust CEO, Michael Delbar.
Ernest Bufford accepts the 2024 Conservationist of the Year Award presented by Rangeland Trust CEO, Michael Delbar.
48 California Cattleman January 2025