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The Nature Conservancy Announces Largest Conservation Purchase in Northern California History

San Francisco, CA — July 21, 1998 — The Nature Conservancy of California announced today that it is making the largest single conservation purchase in northern California history. The Conservancy is acquiring two large ranches in the Diablo Range between the Silicon Valley and the Central Valley from Wells Fargo Bank for a combined price of $19 million. Together, the ranches cover 61,000 acres or 95 square miles — more than twice the size of the city of San Francisco. The properties are located approximately 30 miles east of San Jose and 20 miles southwest of Modesto, not far from Henry Coe State Park. They lie on the eastern side of the undeveloped area surrounding Mount Hamilton, a prominent peak that is the site of the University of California's Lick Observatory.

The Nature Conservancy, a non-profit organization devoted to safeguarding natural habitats and native species, often purchases critical natural lands or the development rights to them and works with private landowners and local conservation groups to ensure their long-term conservation management. Financing for the deal combined $9 million in low-interest loans with $8.7 million in private donations and a $1.3 million federal grant. To repay the loans, the Conservancy will seek to raise $9 million over the next twelve months.

The purchase of the Simon Newman and Romero ranches marks the inauguration of the Conservancy's new Mount Hamilton project. "We are committed to preserving the wild character of the Mount Hamilton area," said Steve McCormick, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy of California. "Here as elsewhere in California, explosive growth is threatening our remaining natural landscapes. California's population is expected to increase by almost 50 percent over the next 25 years — that's as if everyone in New York State were to move here by the year 2025. Our Mount Hamilton project will protect critical habitats and open spaces between two rapidly-growing urban areas, the Silicon Valley and the Central Valley."

McCormick added, "We bought these properties because the revived real estate market is whetting developers' interest in these lands. Another ranch just to the north of the Simon Newman Ranch is already being developed. We got a favorable price on the ranches, but to close quickly, we had to take out $9 million in low-interest loans. We need to raise the money to pay off those loans in the next year."

"Safeguarding the scenic landscapes around Mount Hamilton will have a significant impact on the quality of human life in this region," McCormick continued. "If we are successful, our work will preserve this huge, little-known wild area right in our own back yard for future generations. We want to link up the extensive public lands in the area by protecting privately-owned properties that lie between them. At the same time, we intend to help working ranches stay in business and manage their lands so that their natural habitats are protected and even enhanced."

After conducting an extensive assessment of the Central Coast and San Joaquin Valley regions, Conservancy scientists highlighted the naturally rich Mount Hamilton area as one deserving special attention. It features some of California's finest remaining blue oak and valley oak woodlands — landscapes unique to this state — as well as wildflower fields, seasonal ponds and pools, and high-quality streamside forests. These diverse habitats are home to a wide variety of native plants and animals including bobcats, mountain lions, golden eagles, several kinds of hawks, many other types of birds, and a number of species at risk such as the California red-legged frog, the southwestern pond turtle, and the San Joaquin kit fox. Streams that rise in the interior of Mount Hamilton's wilderness provide much of the drinking water for the fast-growing South Bay Area.

Carol Whiteside, president of the Great Valley Center and former mayor of Modesto, said, "The Conservancy's purchase of these ranches will reduce the potential for conflict between development and conservation in this area. Not every acre can be saved for conservation, and not every acre should be developed. The idea is to strike a balance between the two. Development that does take place in this area will be more valuable because of these nearby protected lands."

According to Michael Mantell, former undersecretary of resources for the State of California and presently director of special projects for the non-profit California Environmental Trust, "There is an urgent need for corporate and public conservation funding in addition to donations from private individuals and foundations. The Nature Conservancy's new Mount Hamilton project will provide a model of top-notch economic and resource partnership and conservation management. To ensure the best possible future for all Californians, the state government and the general public should approve substantial funding to protect wildlife habitat, enhance water quality, and improve flood control. Measures being considered in the state legislature would set up a public conservation fund requiring matching donations, which is a good strategy. Political leaders, voters, and philanthropists must move into high gear if Californians are to preserve our best remaining natural areas."

Dale Irwin, vice president at Wells Fargo Bank, said, "Wells Fargo actively sought a buyer for this land that was committed to conservation. We are pleased that The Nature Conservancy stepped forward to acquire this land with the intent to safeguard it for the appreciation of future generations."