None The Nature Conservancy in California Press Releases Search All Press Releases Misty Herrin Phone: (213) 327-0405 E-mail: mherrin@tnc.org

Big Sur Land Trust and Nature Conservancy Partner to Preserve Arroyo Seco Ranch

Ranch’s unique character, location offers unprecedented opportunity to provide outdoor conservation education to youth and families, as well as protect a critical landscape

Carmel, Calif. — June 14, 2007 — The Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT) has taken the reins from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) on the 1,675-acre Arroyo Seco Ranch located just west of Greenfield and cities along the south Salinas Valley corridor.

Arroyo Seco Ranch, known previously as the Mueller Ranch, is a priority conservation target for the two organizations because of its diverse habitats, native plant and animal species, river and creek systems, linkage to surrounding wilderness areas and future opportunities to deliver outdoor education programs.

The property fronts the Arroyo Seco River, an important tributary to the Salinas River and one of the few remaining undamned, free-flowing rivers in the Central Coast. Monterey County has identified it as having the highest water quality of any tributary of the Salinas River. The Arroyo Seco River is the primary tributary for the spawning and rearing of steelhead trout in the Salinas River system, is a “critical habitat” as designated by the National Marine Fisheries Service, and has been identified as one of the California Department of Fish and Game’s priority steelhead restoration sites.

The Arroyo Seco floodplain supports one of the best examples of intact sycamore forests in the state, and provides important habitat for an array of native wildlife, including the California red-legged frog and western pond turtle.

Arroyo Seco Ranch also provides an ideal setting and location to establish a conservation education program where families from nearby Salinas Valley communities who already access this region for recreation can learn about diverse plants and animals native to this area.

“Acquisition of this property fits perfectly with our interwoven goals of conserving important lands and waters of our county, engaging communities in land stewardship and broadening our outreach to diverse populations,” said Bill Leahy, Executive Director of The Big Sur Land Trust. “Our objective now is to develop a management plan for the property that includes working with area communities and partners to implement long term environmental education programs at the property so that children and families can experience the amazing wildlands of this region.”

The Nature Conservancy purchased Mueller Ranch in 2002. To recover its costs and reinvest its money in preservation of additional lands in the County, TNC sought out and secured state bond funds (Proposition 50) through the California Department of Fish and Game’s Wildlife Conservation Board ($1.3 million) and the California River Parkway Program ($1.7 million). The Big Sur Land Trust provided $660,000 to cover the balance of purchase costs and took ownership of the property in May 2007. Additionally, the Monterey County Agricultural and Historical Land Conservancy partnered to assist with completing the transaction.

“We are thrilled to see the Arroyo Seco Ranch in the hands of Big Sur Land Trust,” said Christina Fischer, Monterey Project Director for The Nature Conservancy. “Our vision has always been to share this property with the communities of the Salinas Valley for education and inspiration, while preserving sensitive habitat and continuing compatible traditional uses, including cattle grazing. There is no one better to do this than the Big Sur Land Trust, so we can now confidently turn our attention to other priorities in the County.”

The Big Sur Land Trust will look to recover its investment through private donations and to partner with local organizations with expertise in youth and environmental education. The California Department of Fish and Game will hold a conservation easement on the property that will protect it and Nature Conservancy scientists will monitor the easement for at least 10 years. Although Arroyo Seco Ranch is not yet open to the public, BSLT is working diligently to develop a comprehensive plan for the property that will include several miles of public trails, hiking programs, and educational opportunities. Properly managed seasonal cattle grazing by two local ranchers will continue on a portion of the ranch.

The Arroyo Seco Ranch project reflects the new vision and values of the Big Sur Land Trust in which rich natural resources, working landscapes, prospering human communities and the unique character of place are conserved and cared for through collaborative partnerships and mutual support.

The Nature Conservancy is working with a diverse group of local partners to protect the most ecologically rich and irreplaceable lands and waters in Monterey County. Over the past 40 years, TNC has protected nearly 30,000 acres in Monterey County, including Palo Corona Ranch in Carmel, Jack’s Peak County Park in Monterey, and Gabilan Ranch near Fremont Peak.

The Big Sur Land Trust is a public benefit organization with more than 2,400 members and supporters. Founded in 1978, The Land Trust works to conserve the significant lands and waters of California’s Central Coast for all generations and has protected more than 25,000 acres of land since its inception. For more information, visit bigsurlandtrust.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an international non-profit membership organization, whose mission is to preserve plants, animals, and natural communities by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Founded in 1951, The Conservancy has also worked with like-minded partner organizations to preserve more than 100 million acres in Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and Asia. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at nature.org.