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Conservancy Purchases Land to Protect One of California's Last Stands of Native Monterey Pine

Acquisition allows for scientific research into deadly pine pitch canker disease

Cambria, California — Nov. 21, 2003 — The Nature Conservancy announced today is has purchased 106 acres of forested property along the scenic central coast, further protecting one of the world’s last stands of native Monterey pine. The Cambria stand of Monterey pine is one of only five native populations left on the planet. Two other stands are located in California — one on the Monterey Peninsula and the other at Año Nuevo, north of Santa Cruz. The remaining stands are two small populations on islands off the coast of Baja California.

The Conservancy purchased the 106-acre Williams property, valued at just under $1.2 million, in August with funding assistance from the Coastal Conservancy and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The property lies next to the 1,450-acre Cambria Coast Ranch—which the Conservancy permanently protected through a conservation easement in December 2000. The ranch, in turn, lines up with San Simeon State Park, which covers 543 acres.

"Today, more than 2,000 acres of habitat supporting one of the world’s rarest pine forests is permanently safeguarded, thanks to the hard work and commitment of many people, including Joyce Williams and her family, the California Coastal Conservancy and the Packard Foundation," said Nature Conservancy Field Representative Anne McMahon. "The Williams acquisition, in concert with the Cambria Coast Ranch conservation easement and San Simeon State Park, preserves the vast majority of the undeveloped pine forest and an important wildlife corridor for the region."

Larger Monterey pines and coast live oaks provide nesting habitat for Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Pygmy Owls and other avian species.

The Williams acquisition provides opportunities for scientific research and conservation management of a major and intact portion of Cambria’s pine forest. Monterey pines are increasingly threatened by the spread of pine pitch canker disease. The Cambria Monterey pine forest, the southernmost stand, is distinguished by having relatively low levels of infestation by pitch canker. Although Monterey pines are fast-growing and grown as a source of lumber throughout the world, the remnant native stands are significant because they alone contain the natural genetic diversity of the species.