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The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™
We're working with you to make a positive impact around the world in more than 35 countries, all 50 United States and your backyard. Support our work
California
Explore
Stories from the Golden State
Get a Bird's-eye View
Once on the brink of extinction, bald eagles were reintroduced to Santa Cruz Island in 2002. This spring, watch the adventures of a new generation of bald eaglets.
Visit a Hidden Oasis between LA and Vegas
Stargaze in the desert, tap into the beauty of the Amargosa River, see a waterfall in the Mojave, visit a local date farm or spot one of 250 bird species in the area.
Partnering with Patagonia for People and Nature
Is there a way to save the land and the local economy while getting sustainable outdoor gear in the process?
Love to Die For
How do animals express their love in the wild? Watch this slideshow of some of nature’s most die-hard romantics. It’s a Valentine’s twist you’re not used to seeing!
Best Exotic Getaways
Explore one of these five exotic vacation spots where the Conservancy works. It’ll be an adventure you’ll never forget—and will likely brag about for years!
Bald Eagles Nesting in San Diego
"Nobody anticipated having nesting bald eagles as part of the conservation success here in the Ramona Grasslands," said Conservancy ecologist Zach Principe.
Unorthodox Conservation in California
CA regional director Brian Stranko explains unconventional yet effective conservation made possible by partnering with farmers, ranchers and fishermen.
Passing on the Family Business
Hear from Bill Blue, a California fisherman, who had reservations about passing on his family business until conservation improved both the local economy and the vitality of the ocean.
How Protected Is Your California Drinking Water Source?
Explore our interactive map and discover the level of protection around your California drinking water source.
Cook Sustainably This Winter
Celebrate the cooler months with recipes that showcase seasonal and sustainable California ingredients.
Thank You for Supporting Us!
Your support has helped us achieve big wins for people and nature in 2012. See where we are making a big difference!
Renewable Energy in the Desert
Can renewable energy developers in California’s Mojave Desert meet our energy needs, stimulate the local economy and protect desert habitat? Find out.
Saving Salmon in the Garcia River Forest
In the Garcia River Forest we've restored more than 30 miles of streams and implemented new, cost-effective salmon habitat restoration techniques in a challenging economic environment.
Is Economics the Way to Change Conservation?
Off California’s Central Coast, we are working with fishermen to develop fishing practices that support the local economy and the ocean.
Outdoor Adventures in L.A.? We'll Show You!
Looking for a quick outdoor trip in and around Los Angeles? Plan your next adventure with this video tour.
What Do These Two Have in Common?
It’s the 50th anniversary of "Silent Spring," Rachel Carson's book that catalyzed the ban on DDT. So what does that have to do with bald eagles? Read on to find out!
Cool off Streamside This Summer: Ten Uniquely California Rivers
What makes the best summer vacations? Rivers. Swimming, fishing, napping on a shady riverbank—there’s no better summer getaway. Check out our list of the most Uniquely California rivers and start exploring!
Santa Cruz Island Eaglets Have Flown the Coop!
The Santa Cruz Island eaglets are all grown up and have left the nest. Take a look back on an amazing eagles season.
Top Five Movies Inspired by Nature
Are you a nature movie buff? We’ve got actor Kyle Howard’s fave movies inspired by nature and a fun quiz to test your movie knowledge.
Meet California's 2012 LEAF Students!
Ten students from Los Angeles’s Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) headed out for a four-week internship to train for green jobs and participate in conservation activities.
Gaumer Ranch: Enhancing a 15-mile Conservation Corridor
The Nature Conservancy worked with the Gaumer family to protect their 8,455-acre ranch, which enhances a 15-mile conservation corridor from the Sacramento River to the foothills of the Cascade Mountains near Lassen National Forest.
Send Us Your Photos
Have a favorite food photo or two? We want to see your best shots—share your photos with us!
Outside Magazine Recommends
Santa Cruz Island was named as one of Outside's 10 Best Adventures. Outside recommends sea kayaking around the island, and we agree—that sounds like an amazing spring break adventure.
Salmon's Unsung Heroes
Did you know that timber companies can help restore salmon habitat? The Nature Conservancy has teamed up with loggers to save iconic coho salmon.
The Conservancy Wins Sunset Magazine Award
Sunset’s 2012 Environmental Awards features two places The Nature Conservancy helps protect. Independence Lake was named Best Lake, and the Mojave Desert was named as one of the three Most Endangered Lands in the West.
What’s Tortoise-safe Energy?
You’ve heard about dolphin-safe tuna—what about tortoise-safe energy? California’s Mojave Desert is targeted for renewable energy development and home to endangered species like the desert tortoise. Can renewable energy and endangered species coexist?
Hikers: Lace Up Your Boots
Join us at California’s Ormond Beach property for a guided hike. Make sure to keep an eye out for native fish, amphibians, shorebirds and waterfowl on this wetlands tour!
An Unusual Way to Show Your Affection
California Conservation Question of the Month: What species’ larvae must attach to a host fish as part of the mating process: mussels, salmon, dragonflies or crayfish?
2011 Eagle Season a High-Flying Success
The Santa Cruz Island bald eagles celebrated another successful season. Check out this season's wrap-up, and stay tuned for next year's eagles tour
LA Conservation Corps on Santa Cruz Island
What does Los Angeles’ inner city have in common with a rugged island off the southern California coast? A group of young people who are dedicated to making the world a better and greener place.
Mountain Lions and Guacamole: What's the Connection?
Think that avocado you're eating is just an avocado? Learn how simple food choices you make can help protect California's native species, like mountain lions
Saving Salmon One Log at at Time
Check out our cool new approach to restoring salmon habitat and helping in this iconic species’ fight for survival.
Conservation Is Tasty
When you think about helping the planet, does eating come to mind? From where you shop to what you eat, the food on our plates plays a vital role in helping people and nature.
Drinking in Nature's Benefits
Our water is a precious, finite resource. Read about five simple ways you can conserve water.
SF Marathon a Runaway Success!
Actress Sophia Bush was one member of Team Nature Conservancy who used her feet to raise money for nature as part of the 2011 San Francisco Marathon. Find out how we finished!
Foxes, and Eagles, and Jays! Oh My!
Our Santa Cruz Island sweepstakes winner caught island fever as she traveled to the island to discover what inspired best-selling author T.C. Boyle's latest novel. Read about her adventures!
Victory for People (and Kangaroo Rats)!
Nature lovers can now explore a portion of the Conservancy’s Ramona Grasslands Preserve — one of Southern California’s last remaining stretches of grasslands — thanks to a newly opened public trail here.
California's Migratory Birds
Springtime affords birders ample opportunities to watch thousands of birds as they migrate across the Golden State. Learn a few simple actions you can take that will help you protect and enjoy the birds that pass through your own back yard.
Earth Day 2011
This year, the Conservancy's California office hosted a variety of fun events throughout California — all of which highlighted our state’s tasty and delicious food — for Earth Day. Learn more about these festivities and check out ideas for additional places to go and ways to celebrate Earth Day.
Santa Cruz Island: A Novel Idea
Renowned author T.C. Boyle’s latest novel is set in a place near and dear to the Conservancy — Santa Cruz Island. Learn more about what inspired Boyle to use the island as a backdrop to his story, which explores the difficult choices we must take to protect nature.
In-Seine Fishing Technique
Meet Steve Fitz, a veteran Half Moon Bay fisherman who has cast away more traditional trawling techniques for a more environmentally friendly fishing method—Scottish seine fishing. Learn about Steve’s innovative partnership with the Conservancy and how it will benefit the entire West Coast groundfish industry.
Can Mussels Make a Comeback?
Learn what the Conservancy is doing to protect our diminishing freshwater mussel populations — a vital species to the overall health of our freshwater systems.
Independence Lake: Protecting an Alpine Treasure
Majestic Independence Lake and its surrounding Sierra wilderness will remain protected from development.
Treasures of Monterey County
Hidden throughout the county are some spectacular natural attractions that few people know about. Check out our list of the top five of these hidden gems, and go explore!
Counting Rats from Space
These incredible little creatures are actually helping the Conservancy make big conservation decisions and plan for the impacts of climate change.
Protecting the Island Scrub-Jay
What do you get when you combine a box, a stick, a string and a peanut? A simple yet ingenious way to help protect the rare island scrub-jay from West Nile virus.
Counting These Sheep Won't Put You to Sleep
Conservancy staffer Anne Zuparko braved the desert summer heat to help count sheep — read about her experiences and check out her cool video diary!
Protecting Our State Parks
The Conservancy has been a dedicated partner in helping to create, protect and support these spectacular natural playgrounds for decades.
Hatching Hope 2010: Bald Eagles Return to Santa Cruz Island
Even though the 2010 bald eagle nesting season has come to a close, we still have a lot to celebrate. Get a rundown of this year’s successful mating season.
Save America’s Great Outdoors
Learn how the Land and Water Conservation Fund has benefited people and nature in California—and how you can support it.
California's Climate Change Program
Our changing climate is disrupting nature’s perfect balance and threatens the very resources which sustain us all. Learn what the Conservancy is doing to help fight climate change.
Learning from Lions
Learn how southern California mountain lions are helping Conservancy scientists protect the wildlife corridors these wide-ranging animals need to survive.
On the Road Again...
Spring has sprung, and some of California’s iconic species are on the move again. Check out our top five must-see migrations, and catch a glimpse of these spectacular events.
Steering toward Sustainability
Have you “herd” the news? The Nature Conservancy’s partnerships with California ranchers are yielding food for families, conservation results for grasslands and now sustainability awards as well.
And the Winner Is...
Thanks to everyone who voted, our ROV has been christened. Find out the winning name, and watch a video of the ROV in action!
Verging on a Solution to California's Water Woes
California’s leaders recently passed the most comprehensive water package the state has seen in more than 30 years.
Central Coast Groundfish Project
Together with fishermen, The Nature Conservancy is working to find sustainable ways to fish in order to protect nature and preserve California’s maritime heritage.
Saving the Santa Cruz Island Fox
Learn how the Conservancy and partners helped to bring the Santa Cruz Island fox back from the brink of extinction.
Saving Salmon in the Lassen Foothills
With salmon populations dwindling in the West, the Conservancy has been fighting to protect some of the best spawning habitats in California — the creeks of the Lassen Foothills.
Shasta Big Springs Ranch
The Nature Conservancy has protected the 4,543-acre Shasta Big Springs Ranch in Siskiyou County, California — one of the last strongholds for endangered coho in California.
Santa Cruz Island Bald Eagles: Unhappy Endings
What happened to the Santa Cruz Island eaglets? Read a Q&A with a wildlife biologist to learn more about the 2009 nesting season for bald eagle parents K-26 and K-10.
The Delta: A Water Source for Most Californians
The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta is an ecosystem on the verge of collapse. Learn about the Delta and what we're doing to protect it.
Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Q&A
Here we answer some of the key questions about why the Delta is important and what we need to do to protect it.
Winged Migration above the Magnificent Carrizo Plain
Take a trek to the Carrizo Plain for spectacular winter birding in a dramatic landscape. And if you can’t make the drive, take a tour through our slideshow!
Salmon Thrive on Conservancy Restoration
Conservancy ecologist Jennifer Carah spotted juvenile endangered coho salmon in the Pardaloe Creek of the Garcia River watershed — the first sighting here and a significant distance upstream from where the salmon have previously been seen.
Sandhill Cranes
Each year, thousands of sandhill cranes return to the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta — many of them to land that has been preserved by the Conservancy.
Surviving Summer in the Sonoran Desert
Day after day of 110 degree temperatures. Heat radiates up from the sand by early morning. To the human eye, there appears to be no shade, no haven from the sun’s brutal rays. How does anything survive out here?
Preserving California's Grasslands
The Nature Conservancy has accomplished its goal of protecting at least 4,000 acres of the Ramona Grasslands, one of southern California’s last remaining stretches of native grasslands.
San Felipe Ranch: Protecting the Heart of Mount Hamilton
The Conservancy has protected the 28,359-acre San Felipe Ranch through a conservation easement. The ranch — located between two county parks and one state park — is the missing link in a corridor of protected lands that stretches 70 miles.
Read More
Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories
Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos
Conserving California
Learn more about how The Nature Conservancy is protecting California at conserveca.org.
