Difference between revisions of "Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT)"

Revision as of 20:34, 2 April 2016

Summary

The Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT) is a private non-profit located in the Monterey, California. The trust promotes conservation of land and water in California's Central Coast Region and has protected approximately 40,000 acres of land as of 2016. ^[1]. The organization also manages ~17,000 acres ^[2] of conservation easements, and partners with land owners to maintain the natural resources and prevent development in perpetuity. The land trust envisions cooperative and mutually beneficial management of land resources that supports a vital community and natural environment. The land trust provides numerous benefits to the local community in the form of recreational space, educational opportunities, and hands on land stewardship. In addition, the BSLT has been a leader in the restoration of Glen Deven Ranch and influential in the progress of the Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement (Carmel River FREE) Project.

Location

Big Sur Land Trust headquarters are located in central Monterey. In general, the organization manages properties located within Monterey County ^[3]. Vierra Ranch and Rancho Colinas are the most northern properties located in the foothills of the Gabilan Mountains. Circle M Ranch is the southern limit of the BSLT propoerties and is located near Lucia,CA on the Big Sur Coast.

History

In 1978, the Big Sur Land Trust was formed by seven families who envisioned the preservation of Big Sur's pristine natural beauty for the benefit of future generations. ^[4]. Nancy Hopkins, served as the trusts first president. She was succeeded by Zad Leavy who served as executive director for 25 years. ^[4]. David Packard^[4] and several others^[5] helped the land trust purchase the first property. Purchase of Circle M Ranch,a 3,000 acre ranch located south of the Big Creek Reserve, was a pioneering example of the successful collaboration of community members to protect and preserve natural resources.

Founders

Founders envisioned the conservation of the landscape and cultural heritage unique to Big Sur and the California central coast for the benefit of future generation. The 1978 founding members of the Big Sur Land Trust include ^[6]:

• Zad and Laela Leavy
• Sherna and Kipp Stewart
• Roger and Beverly Newell
• Nancy Hopkins
• Lloyd and Pat Addleman
• Martin and Suzanne Forster
• Peter Harding

Mission

Big Sur Land Trust seeks to connect the community to the land, and promotes conservation of treasured landscapes unique to Central California.^[2]. BSLT achieves this mission by providing various opportunities to engage with nature through the development of land conservation projects that establish green infrastructure and protect working landscapes^[2]. Summer nature camps began in 2013, and teach youth in the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas Valley communities the value of natural spaces. Summer camps aim to inspire future generations of land stewards^[2]. BSLT believes sustainable land stewardship can be enhanced by increasing the opportunities available for the community to connect with nature; many of the land management projects led by the organization reflect this ideal. Stewardship projects led by BSLT include river restoration, wildfire prevention, and wildlife corridor protection. Finally, BSLT believes natural beauty is one of the greatest inspirations for art and music. The trust organizes events that foster the connection between the earth and artists.

Board of Trustees

As of 2015, The Big Sur Land Trust Board had 16 board members. The board includes 12 trustees and four administrative roles: board chair, co-chair, treasurer, and secretary. The board is supported by a 10 memeber advisory council.^[7].

George N. Somero- Board Chair. Mr. Somero has expertise in a variety of natural sciences, and specializes in rocky intertidal ecosystems of Central California. He is an active member of the Monterey Peninsula community and serves as a board member for the Monterrey Bay Research Institute [MBARI] and numerous scientific journals.

Robert Montgomery- Co-Chair. Mr. Montgomery practiced corporate law for 30 years, and served as assistant to to the Army's General Counsel in the Pentagon and held a General Counsel position for the Federal Energy Administration. Mr. Montgomery advocates for foster youth in the Monterey Peninsula and is a member of the international advisory board of the Monterey Institute's Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

• Judy Logan - Secretary
• Nigel Lovett- Treasurer
• Judy Sulsona- Trustee
• Mike Thomas- Trustee
• Jeane Landreth- Trustee
• Tom Archibald- Trustee
• Steve McIntyre- Trustee
• John Gamble- Trustee
• Alfred Diaz- Infante- Trustee
• Michael E. Marcus- Trustee
• Eric B. Lo Monaco- Trustee
• Sarah Berling- Trustee
• Tom Reeves- Trustee
• Julie Drezner- Trustee

Funding

The Big Sur Land Trust receives support through memberships, donations, and public conservation funds.^[8]. To fully accomplish program goals BSLT established a diverse funding raising strategy. The strategy focuses on acquiring public conservation grants, increasing private donation and developing public funding from sources with similar goals to the Land Trust. ^[9]. Recently,the trust secured $14 million in State and Federal grants for the Carmel River FREE project.^[10] Between 2006-2013, BSLT received seven grants from the California Natural Resources Agency and State Coastal Coservancy for completion of various land management, access, improvement and acquisition projects. ^[11]

Land Ownership

Conserved and lands acquired or protected by agreements with the Big Sur Land Trust. In 2016, BSLT helped to conserve about 40,000 acres of land in Central California.^[12]

• Glen Deven Ranch^[13]- Location for the summer youth nature camps and artist in residence programs, Glen Deven Ranch is set in the heart of the Big Sur Landscape. It is surrounded by iconic central coast grassland and woodland landscapes; the coastal rivers and wildlife thrive in this protected environment and offers members and visitors the opportunity to experience a pristine coastal ecosystem.
• Marks Ranch^[14] - Previously a bustling egg production farm, Mark's Ranch is now a gathering location for Salinas and Monterey peninsula families to safely enjoy the outdoors. BSLT transferred much of the property to Monterey County Park for incorporation with Toro County Park, and much of the property is accessible through Toro Park Trails. The trust continues to host theatrical and recreational events on the Ranch, and upgrade usable facilities on the property.
• Mitteldorf Preserve^[15] - The preserve is nestled between Joshua Creek Canyon Ecological Reserve(south), Palo Corona Regional Park(north), and Santa Lucia Preseve (east). Mitteldorf preserves a special ecosystem home to the largest redwood trees in Monterey County, rare madrone, oak woodland, coastal chaparral and grassland habitats. BSLT is currently developing infrastructure for a nature camp and research program on the property.^[15]
• Arroyo Seco Ranch ^[16]- Arroyo Seco Ranch is the future site for environmental education and recreation programs. BSLT is coordinating a conservation grazing program to utilize the resources of the property responsibly. Unique and endangered species located on Arroyo Seco Ranch include the sycamore alluvial woodland forest, California red-legged frog, and steelhead trout. The Arroyo Seco River that flows through the property has been prioritized for steelhead habitat restoration.
• Conservation Easements - BSLT protects lands through numerous partnerships and conservation easments. Easements ensure the protection of resources found on allocated properties and prohibit land development in perpetuity. BSLT and land owners agree donated lands will be managed under terms reflective of conservation values and intentions of both parties.

Land Transfers

Summary of Previous Work

• South Bank Trail: Located in Carmel Valley on the south bank of the Carmel River, the South Bank Trail is a 1.5 mile ADA accessible pedestrian and bicycle path. It begins at Palo Corona Regional Park and continues to Quail Lodge. The project was funded in part by a $1.2 million grant from the California Resource Agency River Parkways Program, and was designed by the County of Monterey. ^[17]

Current Projects

Partnerships

References

1. ↑ BSLT, Home Page
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} BSLT, FAQ
3. ↑ BSLT, Landscapes
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Sam Farr Tribute
5. ↑ Big Sur Gazette 1979
6. ↑ BSLT Founders
7. ↑ BSLT, Trustees
8. ↑ BSLT, Support
9. ↑ BSLT, Plan
10. ↑ Freeing the river to use its floodplain, BSLT newsletter
11. ↑ BSLT 2014 Audit
12. ↑ BSLT, Landscapes
13. ↑ BSLT, GD
14. ↑ BSLT, Marks
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} BSLT, Mittel
16. ↑ BSLT, ASR
17. ↑ Yuba News

Links

• California's Central Coast Region

• Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement (Carmel River FREE) Project

• Carmel River Watershed: Map of Geology

• Maps of the Carmel River Watershed

• Carmel River Lagoon

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.