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

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Revision as of 21:15, 13 April 2016

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


Big Sur Land Trust is a non-profit located in Monterey, CA. The trust promotes conservation of ecologically important lands and waters in Monterey County.[1]

Summary

The Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT) is a private non-profit located in Monterey, California. The trust conserves land in California's Central Coast Region for the benefit of people and the environment. BSLT protected 40,000 acres of land as of 2016 and manages ~17,000 acres of conservation easements. [1] [2] It also partners with land owners to maintain natural resources and prevent development in perpetuity. The organization envisions cooperative and mutually beneficial management of land resources that supports communities and improves the environment. BSLT benefits local communities by providing open space for recreation, educational opportunities, and hands-on land stewardship.

Location

Big Sur Land Trust headquarters are located in Monterey, California. The organization manages properties within Monterey County. Circle M Ranch near Lucia, CA is the most southern property and Vierra Ranch and Rancho Colinas in the foothills of the Gabilan Mountains are the most northern properties. [3]

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 its first property, a 3,000 acre ranch located south of Big Creek Reserve.

Mission & Organization Structure

Big Sur Land Trust seeks to connect the community to the land, and promotes conservation of landscapes unique to central coast of California. [2] BSLT achieves this mission by providing 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 Monterey County the value of natural spaces and inspire future generations of land stewards. [2] Many land stewardship projects led by BSLT reflect their commitment to connect the community with open spaces and also conserve and improve important habitats such as coastal redwoods and grasslands, oak woodlands, and spawning locations for threatened steelhead trout.

Prior to 2013, BSLT's mission was to conserve significant lands and waters of California's Central Coast and focus on purchasing property for conservation in perpetuity. However, due to economic constraints from increasing property values and decreasing public agency budgets, BSLT reprioritized their goals to make a broader impact. Elements of the new mission include development of nature camps and green landscape infrastructure such as parks and trails. A refocused mission allowed BSLT to continue to impact the preservation of open spaces 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 the California Natural Resources Agency. More information about numerous other state, federal, and community partners can be found 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 Acquisitions: Land acquisition are the purchase of land by the trust. In this instance the trust obtains the property rights, and 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 interests. 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 property management is undertaken by the receiving organization and the property extent is not expanded.
  3. Conservation Easements: Land conservation easements are negotiated between BSLT and private property owners to preserve the land without transferring ownership. In this instance property owners enter into an agreement with the trust to prevent development of the property and resources in perpetuity. [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.Imaged sourced from the Big Sur Land Trust Landscapes page.[12]

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. [12]

Property Name Estimated Acreage Location Year Acquired
Arroyo Seco Ranch 1,675 Greenfield 2007
Circle M Ranch 3,040 Lucia 1978
Glen Deven Ranch 860 Big Sur 2001
Marks Ranch 816 Near Toro County Park (HWY 68) 2007
Mittledorf Preserve 1,057 Santa Lucia Foothills 1990
  • Arroyo Seco Ranch [13] Arroyo Seco Ranch is the future site for environmental education and recreation programs. BSLT is coordinating a conservation grazing program to utilize the grassland resources of the property responsibly. Unique and threatened species located on Arroyo Seco Ranch include the sycamore alluvial woodland forest, California Red-legged frog, and Steelhead Trout. The Arroyo Seco River runs through the property and has been prioritized for steelhead habitat restoration.
  • Circle M First property purchased by BSLT in 1978.
  • Glen Deven Ranch[14] Glen Deven Ranch is located in the iconic Big Sur landscape and is surrounded by central coast grasslands and woodlands. Many coastal perennial rivers and wildlife habitats are protected on the property. The property is also a location for summer nature camps where youth learn about coastal ecosystems.
  • Marks Ranch[15] Marks Ranch was once an egg farm and cattle ranch, but now serves as a gathering location for Salinas and Monterey peninsula families to enjoy the outdoors. BSLT transferred much of the property to Monterey County for incorporation with Toro County Park. Certain portions of Mark's Ranch that were not transferred are accessible through Toro Park Trails. The trust continues to host recreational events on the Ranch, and improve facilities on the property.
  • Mitteldorf Preserve[16]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.[16]

Other BSLT properties include:

  • Canavarro
  • Carmel Point
  • Carmel River Songbird Preserve
  • Curtis
  • Kopp
  • Gelbart
  • Glen
  • Mission Trails
  • Murphy
  • Notley'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.

Easements
Name Acreage
Addleman 285[17]
Dorrance 4,300[18]
Harkins
Horse Pasture 160[17]
Mule Creek Canyon
Patterson St. Lucia
Patterson Mayor
Patterson Lime Creek
Rancho Colinas 1,110[19]
Vierra Ranch 965[19]
Violini 3,200[18]

Land Transfers

BSLT collaborates with state and regional agencies 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 conserve through land transfers, and key habitats or resources they have protected. Transfer names indicate the park or property the lands were incorporated into.

Land Transfers
Transfer Name Acreage Year Transferred Location Key Habitat and Resources
Ewoldsen Big Sur,CA
Granite Rock Dunes 51[20] 2001 Marina,CA Coastal dunes habitat and multiple endangered species[20]
Henry Miller Library Big Sur,CA Cultural site
Joshua Creek Canyon Ecological Reserve 640 [21] South of Carmel Valley Highlands Coastal Redwoods
Kent Big Sur,CA
Long Valley/ Elkhorn Slough Foundation 4,260 (with The Nature Conservancy (TNC))[22] 1999 East of Moss Landing,CA Oak woodland and maritime chaparral
Mill Creek Redwood Preserve ~1,534 [23] Between Big Sur, CA and Carmel,CA Coastal Redwoods
Monterey State Beach Seaside, CA Coastal dune
Palo Corona Ranch ~10,000 (with partners)[24] 2004 Carmel Valley Coastal grasslands and woodland, ponds, and perennial creeks.[21]
Point Lobos Ranch ~1,312[25] Carmel Valley,CA Monterey Pine Forest, Gowen Cypress and maritime chapparral[26]
Prentiss Big Sur, CA
San Carlos Beach Park Monterey, CA
Toro County Park ~737[27] 2010 West of Salinas, CA Oak Woodland and Maritime Chapparal [28]
Zmudowski State Beach North of Moss Landing,CA Coastal dunes

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 the opportunities available for community members to connect with the environment. An expanded explanation of recent projects undertaken by BSLT is given below.

Lobos-Corona Parklands Project

The Lobos- Corona Parklands Project is a collaboration between the Big Sur Land Trust, Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District (MPRPD), 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. The organization has also contributed to land acquisition and development at Palo Corona Regional Park. [29]

  • The Carmel River Parkwayproject is a conservation plan that seeks to restore and enhance the Carmel River ecosystem. A major component of the plan is development of a recreational trail to connect the lower Carmel Valley to upper reaches of the watershed. [17] Establishment of a trail network provides community members a safe place to recreate and promotes the connection of community and nature.
  • 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. [30] The South Bank Trail section was completed in 2011, and 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[25] and sold the property to MPRPD in 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. [31] In collaboration with MPRPD, 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.[17] BSLT also helped establish a visitor access and land management plan.[17] to address land managment issues such as:
  • Habitat monitoring for Special Status Animals on the Central Coast including California Red-legged frog and California Tiger Salamander
  • 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: [32]

  • Improved habitat for Steelhead in various development stages
  • Increased connectivity between the river channel, floodplain, and lagoon
  • Restoration of native riparian and grassland habitat

Carr Lake Multi-Use Park

The 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, presently dominated by farmland. The runoff from the farmland in this area is drained by a reclamation ditch that cuts through the middle of Carr Lake and flows northeast toward Tembladero Slough and the Old Salinas River. [33] Accretion of sediments in certain sections of the reclamation ditch has increased flood risk to surrounding homes. The city of Salinas and BSLT are working on a plan to repurpose the land from farmlands to a community park. In January 2016, BSLT received a grant from the California Coastal Conservancy to acquire the land and begin restoration. [9] The park is postulated to provide many benefits to the area such as:

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. Conservation Easements
  12. 12.0 12.1 BSLT, Landscapes
  13. BSLT, ASR
  14. BSLT, GD
  15. BSLT, Marks
  16. 16.0 16.1 BSLT, Mittel
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 BSLT, newsletter 2007
  18. 18.0 18.1 Monterey Herald 2008
  19. 19.0 19.1 BSLT, Vierra Ranch
  20. 20.0 20.1 Monterey County Weekly 2001
  21. 21.0 21.1 MPRPD Palo Park
  22. EHS Cons.Plan 2009
  23. MPRPD Mill Creek Purchase
  24. MPRPD Palo Purchase
  25. 25.0 25.1 Monterey County Weekly 2012
  26. Lobos Ranch Park Property
  27. Monterey Herald 2012
  28. Van Dyke and Holl 2003
  29. Lobos-Corona Vision Plan
  30. Yuba News
  31. BSLT Whisler-Wilson
  32. BSLT, Carmel River FREE
  33. Reclamation Ditch

Links

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.