The Nature Conservancy in California

CA Home | Features

Press Releases

In the News

Santa Cruz Island's Bald Eagle Nest Cam Returns

They're back! For the third year in a row, bald eagles are nesting on The Nature Conservancy's preserve on Santa Cruz Island.

Parker Ranch Easement Keeps Wildlife Connected

Working closely with the Parker family, The Nature Conservancy purchased a conservation easement on the family ranch to protect it from development, regardless of future ownership, and ensure this segment of this critical wildlife corridor and the Parker family’s ranching heritage are preserved for generations to come.

A Chance to Protect Ancient Redwoods

To preserve forests and wildlife in California's Humboldt County, a coalition of financial, conservation and community partners have united to permanently protect 209,000 acres of redwood groves. The group hopes to form the largest redwood conservation area in the world and create a sustainable timber operation to support the community that depends on this forest.

Santa Cruz Island Restoration Success

After almost thirty years of careful planning, close collaboration and tireless field work, restoration efforts on Santa Cruz Island are finally paying off.

2007 Wildfires: Your Questions Answered

In late October 2007 fires ravaged Southern California, destroying 2,000 homes and causing well over $1 billion in damage. Our hearts go out to the individuals directly affected by this disaster.

California: Eagle Reunion Yields New Chick!

For the second year in a row, bald eagles have produced a wild-born chick on Santa Cruz Island. With spiky hair and bleary eyes, the newest star in the family emerged from its shell early on April 13. Watch the parents and chick live via 24-hour webcam.

"A Problem of Riches"

Protecting Ranches and Wildlife in California's North Coast

California's wild North Coast is home to unparalleled natural abundance-lush coastal forests, rolling oak woodlands and vast watersheds with hundreds of rivers, streams and creeks. Working farms and ranches-mostly dairy and cattle-span huge tracts of open space. One of the last undeveloped coastal areas in California, the North Coast is a place where the pace of development has not yet overtaken the pace of conservation.

Californians Vote for Conservation

Thank you for passing Prop. 84

On November 7, millions of Californians cast their vote for conservation by passing the largest natural resource bond in U.S. history. Prop. 84, the Clean Water, Parks and Coastal Protection Bond, will provide an unprecedented $5.4 billion to protect California's drinking water, rivers, lakes, streams, parks, forests, beaches and coastline.

California Marine

New Strategies to Protect Our Marine Habitats

Degraded seafloor communities and depleted fish species will now get the chance to recover in a large swath of ocean off the coast of central California, thanks to an innovative trawler buy-out program initiated by The Nature Conservancy.

The Eagle Has Landed

Scientists celebrate the birth of the first bald eagle in 50 years on Santa Cruz Island

Life has come full circle for America's symbol of freedom in the northern Channel Islands off the coast of southern California. On April 12, the first bald eagle chick born on the islands in more than half a century carefully pecked away its shell and became an instant star.

A Landmark Conservation Purchase in Napa County

In December 2005 The Nature Conservancy joined forces with five public and private organizations to protect 12,575-acre Napa Ranch, the largest conservation purchase in the history of Napa County.

Preserving Fisheries in the Lower Klamath Basin

The Nature Conservancy and a Shasta Valley rancher have found common ground in their desire to protect both an important salmon nursery and a ranching lifestyle long cherished by local residents.

Ramona Grasslands

Protecting California's Remaining Grasslands

Scientists estimate that as little as 10 percent of the grasslands of Old California remain today, yet they harbor a high concentration of imperiled species. The Ramona Grasslands' rare habitat, central location and high density of sensitive species prompted The Nature Conservancy to identify the area as a high conservation priority.

Bald Eagles Return to Santa Cruz Island

June 7 was moving day for seven American bald eagles. Only eight weeks old but nearly full-grown in size, the young eagles were relocated from their nursery at the San Francisco Zoo to their adult stomping grounds the valleys, hills and coastline of Santa Cruz Island.

Protecting the Garcia River at the Stornetta Brothers Ranch

Acquisition of the scenic Stornetta Brothers Ranch has helped to protect the Garcia River — one of the North Coast's most important rivers for coho and chinook salmon. In 2004, the Conservancy also assisted with the purchase of 24,000 acres of forestland high in the mountains at the river's source.

The Nature of Science on the Sacramento River

The Sacramento, California's largest river, supports a rich and ancient mosaic of aquatic habitats. Its oxbow lakes, sloughs, seasonal wetlands, riparian forests, valley oak woodlands and grasslands harbor important habitat for birds, fish and other species. The river also supplies 35 percent of the state's total water supply. However, 150 years of human activity have taken their toll on this diverse ecosystem.