Revision as of 16:31, 7 April 2016

This wiki page was created by students in the ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.

Big Sur Land Trust's mission is to inspire love of land and conservation of our treasured landscape.^[1]

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 support a vital community and improve natural environments. The land trust provides numerous benefits to the local community in the form of recreational space, educational opportunities, and hands-on land stewardship. Additionally, BSLT has been a leader in the restoration and preservation of the Monterey area and has been influential in completion of many projects. Recent projects BSLT has been involved with are listed below.

Location

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

History & Founders

In 1978, the Big Sur Land Trust was formed by seven families who envisioned the preservation of the iconic Big Sur landscape for the benefit of future generations. ^[4]. Nancy Hopkins served as BSLT's 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,a 3,000 acre ranch located south of the Big Creek Reserve. Purchase of Circle M Ranch was a pioneering example of community collaboration to protect and preserve natural resources.

Mission & Organization Structure

Big Sur Land Trust seeks to connect the community to the land, and promotes conservation of treasured landscapes unique to central coast of California.^[2]. BSLT achieves this mission by providing various opportunities for citizens to engage with nature through the development of land conservation and environmental education projects^[2]. In 2013, BSLT began development of summer nature camps to teach youth in the Monterey County region the value of natural spaces, and ultimately aims to inspire future generations of land stewards^[2]. Many land stewardship projects led by BSLT reflect their commitment to join the community to space and also conserve and improve important habitats. Stewardship projects led by the trust focused on river restoration, wildfire prevention, and wildlife corridor protection, and open space development.

Prior to 2013, BSLT's mission was to conserve significant lands and waters of California's Central Coast, and primarily focused on purchasing land for conservation in perpetuity. However, due to the economic constraints from increasing property values and decreasing public agency budgets, BSLT reprioritized their goals to make a broader impact. Elements of the reprioritized mission include development of nature camps and green landscape infrastructure, such as parks and trails. A refocused mission has allowed BSLT to continue to impact preservation of wild lands under changed conditions. ^[6]

Board of Trustees

As of 2015, The BSLT 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].

Funding

The BSLT receives support through memberships, private donations, and public conservation funds. Recently, BSLT secured grants for the Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement^[8] project and the Carr Lake Project^[9].

Partnerships

BSLT collaborates with numerous governments and community partners to achieve its mission. As property values have continued to rise in California's Central Coast Region partnerships have become essential to mission success. Principle partners include The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District and California Natural Resources Agency. BSLT has collaborated with numerous other state, federal, and community partners to to conserve the lands and waters of central California. More information about these partners can be located on the BSLT partnership page^[10]

Land Acquired and Managed

The Big Sur Land Trust uses three key strategies to promote land conservation and improve natural spaces.

1. Land Acquistions: Land acquisition is a the purchase of land by the trust. In this instance the trust obtains the property rights. Depending on the circumstance the trust can choose to retain the land in perpetuity or coordinate with another organization to transfer the property into a larger conserved area.
2. Land Transfers: Land transfers are instances when BSLT has acquired property and then sold or donated property to another party with similar conservation goals. When lands are transferred it is agreed they will remain undeveloped. Typically transfers result in the incorporation of the property into a larger park. However, it can also be the case that the property management is undertaken by the receiving organization and the extent of the property remains the same.
3. Conservation Easements: BSLT also negotiates land conservation easements with private property owners. In this instance property owners enter into an agreements with land owners to prevent development of the property and resources in perpetuity. In conservation easement arrangements the trust does not hold a title to the land.

Each of these is described below.

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.Imaged sourced from the Big Sur Land Trust Landscapes page.^[11]

The table below summarizes major acquisitions of the BSLT. The information was complied using the landscape map available on the BSLT webpage and other sources ^[11].

• Arroyo Seco Ranch ^[12] 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 flows through the property and has been prioritized for steelhead habitat restoration.
• Circle M First property purchased by BSLT in 1978.
• Glen Deven Ranch^[13] Glen Deven Ranch is located in the iconic Big Sur Landscape and is surrounded by central coast grassland and woodland landscapes. The coastal perennial rivers and wildlife habitats are protected on the property. The property offers members and visitors an 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 for incorporation with Toro County Park. Portions of the property are accessible through Toro Park Trails. The trust continues to host recreational events on the Ranch, and improve facilities on the property.
• Mitteldorf Preserve^[15]The preserve is located between Joshua Creek Canyon Ecological Reserve(south), Palo Corona Regional Park(north), and Santa Lucia Preseve (east). Mitteldorf conserves a special ecosystem home to the largest redwood trees in Monterey County. It also protects rare madrone, oak woodland, coastal chaparral and grassland habitats. Currently, BSLT is developing infrastructure for a nature camp and research program on the property.^[15]

Other BSLT properties include:

• Canavarro
• Carmel Point
• Carmel River Songbird Preserve
• Curtis
• Kopp
• Gelbart
• Glen
• Mission Trails
• Murphy
• Notely's Landing
• Odello East
• Owens
• Tor House

Conservation Easements

BSLT protects lands through numerous partnerships and conservation easements. 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.

More information about conservation easement in general is explained in the page by The Nature Conservancy.

Land Transfers

BSLT collaborates with state and regional agency's and other conservation partners to preserve larger extents of lands. Many lands purchased or donated to BSLT are transferred to regional park districts or federal land management agencies. Land transfers help expand habitat for wildlife and native plant populations within watersheds and improve connection corridors between separated lands. Listed below are some lands BSLT has helped to acquire, and key habitats or resources they have protected. Transfer names indicate the park or property the lands were incorporated into.

Projects

BSLT works on a number of projects in the Monterey County region. Projects focus on the expansion of preserved natural habitat for unique central coast species and increasing and enhancing the opportunities available for community members to connect with the environment.

Lobos-Corona Parklands Project

The Lobos- Corona Parklands Project is a collaborative project with between the Big Sur Land Trust, Monterey Regional Parks District, California State Parks, and the Point Lobos Foundation. Big Sur Land Trust has been a leader in a number of components of the overarching Lobos- Corona project including development of the Carmel River Parkway Project and the South Bank Trail. They have also contributed to land acquisition and development at Palo Corona Regional Park. ^[28]

• The Carmel River Parkwayproject is a conservation plan the seeks to restore and enhance the Carmel River ecosystem. Development of a recreational trail to connect the lower Carmel Valley to upper reaches of the watershed is a major component of the plan. ^[16] Establishment of a trail network provides community members a safe place to recreate and promotes the connection of community and nature. The South Bank Trail section was completed in 2011.
• 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. ^[29] It is an integral part of the Carmel River Parkway vision plan.
• Palo Corona Regional Park Project: BSLT purchased the Whisler Wilson Ranch property in 2010^[24] and sold the property to Monterey Park District 2013. The property spans the East side of Hwy 1 from Carmel to Pt. Lobos and connects Palo Corona Regional Park to Point Lobos Ranch. ^[30] In collaboration with Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks, BSLT developed the 4.5 mile Hatton Canyon recreational trail that connects the top of Carmel Hill to the lower Camel River Trail System at Carmel Valley Road.^[16] BSLT also helped establish a visitor access and land management plan.^[16] Land management issues addressed include:
• Habitat monitoring for Special Status Animals on the Central Coast such as California Red-legged frogs and California Tiger Salamanders
• Maintenance of healthy grasslands and control of invasive plant species
• Protection of biologically diverse habitats

Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement

Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement (Carmel River FREE) Project seeks to restore the natural hydrology of the Carmel River near the Carmel Lagoon and minimize flood risk. Completion of this project will provide ancillary benefits such as: ^[31]

• Improved habitat for Steelhead in various development stages
• Increased connectivity between the river channel and floodplain, consequently expanding habitat for many amphibian species
• Restoration of native riparian and wetland plant species

Carr Lake Multi-Use Park

Conversion of Carr Lake to a Multi-Use Park is one BSLT's longest running efforts. Carr Lake is not a lake. It is a 500- acre undeveloped space in the middle of Salinas and is presently dominated by farmland. Presently, Reclamation ditch #1665 drains the Salinas agricultural valley and cuts through the middle of Carr Lakr. The reclamation ditch flows north toward Tembladero Slough and the Old Salinas River.^[32]. Accretion of sediments in certain sections of the reclamation ditch has increased flood risk to surrounding homes. The city of Salinas and BSLT have been working on a plan to repurpose the land from farmlands to a community park. In January 2016, BSLT received a grant from California Coastal Conservancy to acquire the land and begin restoration.^[9] The park is postulated to provide many benefits to the area such as:

• Improved water quality for streams and rivers flowing into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS)
• Recharged groundwater
• Flood control
• Enhanced wildlife habitat
• Restored native plant populations
• Increased recreational space
• Improved steelhead migration

Marks Ranch

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} 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, 2013 New Mission
7. ↑ BSLT, Trustees
8. ↑ Freeing the river to use its floodplain, BSLT newsletter
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Coastal Conservancy Funding 2016
10. ↑ BSLT, Partners
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} BSLT, Landscapes
12. ↑ BSLT, ASR
13. ↑ BSLT, GD
14. ↑ BSLT, Marks
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} BSLT, Mittel
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4} BSLT, newsletter 2007
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} Monterey Herald 2008
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1} BSLT, Vierra Ranch
19. ↑ ^{19.0 19.1} Monterey County Weekly 2001
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1} MPRPD Palo Park
21. ↑ EHS Cons.Plan 2009
22. ↑ MPRPD Mill Creek Purchase
23. ↑ MPRPD Palo Purchase
24. ↑ ^{24.0 24.1} Monterey County Weekly 2012
25. ↑ Lobos Ranch Park Property
26. ↑ Monterey Herald 2012
27. ↑ Van Dyke and Holl 2003
28. ↑ Lobos-Corona Vision Plan
29. ↑ Yuba News
30. ↑ BSLT Whisler-Wilson
31. ↑ BSLT, Carmel River FREE
32. ↑ Reclamation Ditch

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

• Conversion of Carr Lake to a Multi-Use Park

• Special Status Animals in the Central Coast Region

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.