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

Nature Conservancy Purchases 15,000-Acre South Chimineas Ranch Neighboring Carrizo Plain National Monument

San Luis Obispo, CA — July 10, 2001 — The Nature Conservancy of California announced today the purchase and protection of a key property adjacent to the newly designated Carrizo Plain National Monument. Known as the South Chimineas Ranch, the property contains approximately 15,000 acres and provides important habitat for a variety of wildlife, including the San Joaquin kit fox, tule elk, pronghorn antelope, and California condor.

The purchase leaves in place the North Chimineas Ranch, which the landowners will continue to use as a residence and for grazing and other agricultural operations.

The South Chimineas Ranch is significant not just for its wildlife, but also for its strategic location between the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain National Monument and near the Bitterwater National Wildlife Refuge. Putting the ranch under conservation management, as The Nature Conservancy plans to do, will help establish a regional system of large, protected areas rich in native habitats. These habitats are home to native species that are unique to California and increasingly threatened by population growth and development.

Because of its biological significance, the South Chimineas Ranch was a primary target of The Nature Conservancy's countywide project, "Conserving the Landscapes of San Luis Obispo County," which was launched in October 1999 with a grant from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The Packard Foundation also provided funding for the purchase through an additional generous grant.

"The purchase of the South Chimineas Ranch provides a balance between conservation and agriculture," stated Central Coast Project Director Kara Woodruff Smith. "The Nature Conservancy will safeguard the property's most sensitive natural resources, and the landowners, the Dow family, will continue private ranching operations on the North Chimineas Ranch. We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the Packard Foundation and the dedication and cooperation of Dr. and Mrs. Dow and the rest of their family."

Dr. Neal J. Dow commented, "I am very pleased with the arrangement because it conserves the South Chimineas Ranch and ensures that my family will able to continue to enjoy and use the North Chimineas Ranch for cattle operations and other activities.