The Mother Lode Land Trust (MLLT), formerly the Amador Land Trust, was established in 1990 by a coalition of ranchers, conservationists and other concerned citizens to preserve the foothill landscape of the Central Sierra Nevadas. As a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization, MLLT accepts conservation easements, provides technical assistance to landowners on preservation techniques and promotes public awareness of the importance of preserving our lands.

MLLT holds 17 conservation easements and over 2800 acres in Amador, Calaveras, Alpine and El Dorado Counties. Most of the easements are at mid elevation containing oak woodlands, chaparral, and mixed coniferous forests. Three easements are in Alpine County and are at elevations greater than 8000 feet. MLLT monitors the properties annually to ensure that the rights and restrictions of the conservation easements are upheld.

MLLT is guided by a 7 member board of directors with expertise in botany, education, farming, ranching, forestry and water rights. MLLT also has a 4 member Advisory Bard with expertise in forestry, agriculture, wildlife biology and public policy. MLLT is staffed by a part time executive director who has a background in Rangeland Resource Science, and a quarter time fundraising consultant with a background in community development.

MLLT produces and distributes two newsletters a year. This newsletter highlights individuals with conservation easements on their land and recent land trust activities.

MLLT is funded through grants, board member donations, memberships and endowments.

MLLT is currently concentrating its efforts on broadening its service area and identifying key areas for conservation in Amador and Calaveras Counties. MLLT has also begun working with developers and government organizations on mitigation projects concerning wetlands, blue oaks, elderberry longhorn beetle, and red legged tree frogs.