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 two acquisitions represent a unique approach to large-scale conservation, and help to ensure that species on the Garcia River have the lands and waters they need to survive.
 

The Garcia River originates high in the cathedral redwoods and lush Douglas fir forests of California's steep Coast Range. Cascading through mountains, it empties into the vast Pacific Ocean just north of historic Point Arena lighthouse in Mendocino County. On the Stornetta Brother's Ranch, amid foraging cattle and long rows of vegetables, the Garcia River supports a timeless tidal estuary, providing habitat for wintering tundra swans and threatened coho and chinook salmon.

Migratory waterfowl, shore birds, raptors, California red-legged frogs, Point Arena mountain beavers and steelhead all rely on the river that runs through this resplendent property, which includes 2.5 miles of bluffs overlooking California coastline. In July, The Nature Conservancy and partners permanently protected the estuary, coastline and surrounding habitat — as well as a 7-acre island known as Sea Lion Rocks - by acquiring 1,711 acres of the Stornetta family ranch. This is the second acquisition on the Garcia River in which the Conservancy has been involved, and ispart of a larger strategy developed with numerous partners to protect this important river system.

From the Forest to the Sea

In partnership with the State Coastal Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the State of California Wildlife Conservation Board, The Nature Conservancy purchased the Stornetta Brothers Ranch for $7,693,500 using public funds, and will contribute to a land-use plan being developed for the property. Once the acquisition was completed, The Conservancy immediately transferred ownership of the ranch to the Bureau of Land Management for long-term care.

"Scientists at The Nature Conservancy are working alongside staff at the Bureau of Land Management to develop a plan for this vital piece of land," said Wendy Millet, North Coast ecoregional director for The Nature Conservancy. Millet's team has identified the Garcia River as one of the most important systems in the region for salmon and other threatened species. "With BLM supervising public access and safeguarding the property's conservation for the future, The Nature Conservancy will focus its efforts on protecting even more of California's threatened North Coast."

This isn't the first time The Nature Conservancy has acted to protect the Garcia's sparkling waters. In February of 2004, working closely with The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy helped purchase 24,000 acres of forestland high in the mountains at the river's source. Now the Conservancy's science staff is assisting with a land use plan for the forest. In turn, The Conservation Fund will carefully manage the area to balance its conservation, recreational and economic values.

Together, these dual acreage acquisitions encompass 33% of the Garcia River watershed and represent a unique approach to large-scale protection of natural habitats -- collaborative conservation that produces lasting results.

"Safeguarding the river's headwaters — through the mainstem to its mouth  or from the forest to the sea — keeps the watershed intact," said Millet. "These two acquisitions will help to ensure that resident species on the Garcia River have the lands and waters they need to survive, and leave in place dedicated stewards to care for each property."

The Bureau of Land Management will build on the Stornetta family's long history of caring for the land.

"We're proud of our heritage as stewards of this important acreage on the Garcia River," said Larry Stornetta, one of the ranch's principal operators. "Over the years we have tried hard to practice good land management and we have been keenly aware of the property's abundant resources."

The Stornettas have worked on and cared for the property for three generations, and want some part of their family legacy to continue. As a result, their agreement with The Nature Conservancy includes provisions for portions of the property to continue operations as a family ranch. Through an agricultural conservation easement and a grazing lease crafted to protect habitat for threatened and endangered species, both human and natural communities will continue to thrive.

On July 15, 2004, the Bureau of Land Management's Ukiah office opened 1,132 acres of the historic Stornetta ranch for public access. For more information, visit the Bureau of Land Management web site at blm.gov.