Conservancy and Ranchers Protect 11,000 Acres

The Nature Conservancy partners with three-generation ranching family to safeguard wildlife habitat, migration corridors and scenic vistas

San Juan Bautista, Calif.—June 14, 2006—The Nature Conservancy and the Gabilan Cattle Company announced today a $4.2 million agreement to preserve Gabilan Ranch, an 11,190-acre expanse of woodlands, ponds, grasslands and chaparral. The Conservancy acquired a conservation easement from the company, which is owned by the Reeves-Baldocchi-Boyle family, heirs of Dr. Rollin and Arline Reeves, who purchased Gabilan Ranch in 1929. This legally-binding agreement allows the family to continue working the ranch as they have for three generations, but restricts future development that would harm habitat and water quality.

"Partnering with ranching families like the Reeves enables The Nature Conservancy to protect biologically rich lands and waters while also helping to preserve a cherished part of California’s cultural heritage," said Christina Fischer, Project Director for The Nature Conservancy in the Monterey Bay area. "Many of California's important natural areas are in the stewardship of ranchers. The Gabilan Ranch, in particular, is an ecological treasure because of its size, diversity of rich habitat and its important position within a regional wildlife corridor."

As the result of a long history of excellent land management, the ranch boasts healthy representations of some of the region’s most threatened biological communities, including oak woodlands and savannas, wildflower fields and maritime chaparral. Rich in marshes, ponds and springs, the property is a haven for wildlife and plants in an otherwise arid region. Blacktail deer, elk, bobcat, jackrabbit, great blue heron and the endangered tiger salamander and California red-legged frog can be found on the ranch.

"Our family chose to work with The Nature Conservancy because we share a belief that conservation-oriented ranchers are among the best keepers of the land," said Darrell Boyle, CEO of Gabilan Cattle Company. "We are strongly committed to managing the ranch to preserve its natural resources and beauty. Establishing a conservation easement allows us to protect the land forever."

As Chairman of the Board of the non-profit conservation group California Trout, Boyle is keenly aware that the ecological health of Gabilan Ranch has far-reaching consequences for surrounding lands. Because the property’s many streams feed the Salinas and San Benito Rivers, keeping the ranch in a natural state will help protect water quality for residents and farmers. The ranch plays an important part in keeping the region’s wildlife populations robust by providing habitat and movement corridors for wide-ranging species, including newly reintroduced California condors. In recent decades, the Reeves family has partnered with state and federal agencies to reintroduce elk to the ranch and safeguard steelhead trout runs among other conservation initiatives.

Located 55 miles south of San Jose, the ranch spans both Monterey and San Benito Counties and lies just south of Fremont Peak State Park. Dr. Rollin Reeves donated the 70-acre park to the State of California in 1932 because of its unique position in California’s history. Colonel John C. Fremont’s infamous stand against the Mexican army took place on the peak in 1846. Today the park is used by thousands of hikers, naturalists, historians and stargazers each year.

"We operate the ranch as a family business and try to get everyone involved in one way or another," said family patriarch, Dr. Bill Reeves. "The land has enhanced our family values in so many ways. Now we can be assured that the lessons we’ve learned will carry forward for generations to come."

The appraised value of the Gabilan Ranch easement is $5 million. The Reeves family chose to donate a significant portion of the value of the easement – $800,000 – to The Nature Conservancy as part of their collective commitment to preserving the ranch. The Conservancy provided $2.2 million toward the purchase, one million of which came from the David and Lucille Packard Foundation. The Wildlife Conservation Board provided $2 million. The Reeves family intends to use the funds to provide for the future operating and capital needs of the ranch. As with all easements acquired by the organization, The Nature Conservancy will monitor conservation targets on the ranch to ensure proper management and adherence to the agreement.