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

Conservancy Helps State to Protect Chimineas Ranch

31,000-Acre Property Links Carrizo Plain to Los Padres National Forest

San Luis Obispo, Calif.—October 25, 2004—The Nature Conservancy today announced it gave the final $1 million needed to secure the recent conservation purchase of 15,350 acres of oak- and juniper-studded grasslands on north Chimineas Ranch in eastern San Luis Obispo County.

The purchase of north Chimineas Ranch by the California Department of Fish and Game is the second transaction in four years to protect the 31,000-acre property, which serves as an important wildlife corridor between Carrizo Plain National Monument and Los Padres National Forest. In 2001, The Nature Conservancy acquired the southern half of Chimineas Ranch and transferred the property to the Department of Fish and Game. The Department will also own and manage the northern portion of the ranch.

“The Nature Conservancy has long identified Chimineas Ranch as a high priority property to protect against threats from residential development and destructive recreational activities,” said Michael Bell, project director for The Nature Conservancy. 

“Not only does it serve as a very important ecological link between the Carrizo Plain National Monument and the Los Padres National Forest, but the ranch harbors a diverse array of native animal and plant life, including blue oak, saltbush scrub, annual grasslands and juniper woodlands, some of which are almost 1,000 years old,” Bell added.

Almost all of the mammals found on the central coast can be found on the property, including endangered species such as the San Joaquin kit fox and giant kangaroo rat.  In addition, the ranch is home to deer, pronghorn, black bears, mountain lions and more than 200 tule elk.

The Nature Conservancy will work with the Department of Fish and Game and local ranchers to develop a grazing management plan for the property.  The Department is working to have the property open for public access in fall of 2005.

The total purchase price was $9 million for the northern half of the ranch. The Wildlife Conservation Board contributed $8 million, and The Nature Conservancy contributed the remaining amount with funds from The David and Lucille Packard Foundation.