Redwood Coast Land Conservancy

Programs: Conservation easements and public outreach & education and future projects we continue to sponsor education about conservation easements. In 2014 we published one newsletter and have received inquiries from private landowners about placing conservation easements on their properties. We provide fact sheets and an application form and have an on site review and further discussions for these requests. We also monitor and maintain conservation easements. We have made a commitment to follow land trust alliance standards and practices for all conservation easements. In 2009,2010, and 2011 the us fish and wildlife service provided funding to rclc for landowner outreach to identify and help preserve habitat for two local endangered species, the behren's silverspot butterfly and the point arena mountain beaver. Rclc has been working with willing landowners to establish voluntary conservation easements to protect habitat for these species. At the end of 2009, the milhollin property at 31800 south highway 1, gualala,ca was donated to rclc as a memorial to william craig whiteley. Rclc is preserving this outstanding natural parcel with its views of coast and offshore rocks. We have obtained natural resource surveys and are preparing a limited public access plan. This property will provide butterfly habitat and preserve the special native vegetation and natural features.

gualala bluff trail (gbt) the initial phase of the public access gualala bluff trail was created in 1998. In 2004 rclc received coastal development and building permits for phase 2 to continue the trail south another 700 feet. The bluff top trail overlooks the mouth of the gualala river estuary and beach and is centrally located in the commercial area of gualala. We were successful in 2005 to obtain additional grant funding from calif. Coastal conservancy. A pedestrian bridge was built in 2006 and railings and fencing was added to the trail. Landscaping was added in 2007. The remaining part of phase 2 was delayed because of a lawsuit by a property owner. The lawsuit was settled and our attorney fees were repaid. In 2014 the gbt continues to have increased public use. The rest of trail improvements and landscaping were started again in 2012 as our grant funding was expiring in 2013 and coastal commission had still not heard landowner's permit for expanded retaining wall that would impact our trail. The trail area was improved with landscaped planters and fencing. Also several parts of trail with steps have been much improved to give easier and safer public access. We have lots of volunteers that monitor this trail every week and help with its maintenance.

public access lands and easements. Hearn gulch headlands and beach was acquired in 2001 and 2005. The property is 5 plus acres in five parcels, just south of schooner gulch state beach on the ocean side of highway 1. It provides coastal views and public access to a beautiful pocket beach and also has rare species of wildflowers. The california coastal conservancy provided the majority of funds. The california native plant society and the community foundation of mendocino county also provided funds for acquisition and improvements. New signage and trail improvements were added in 2008 and 2009 and we held a grand opening in may 2010. In 2002 we also accepted a donated ocean access easement at st orres creek. We have added caution signs and so far it has not been feasible to develop a public access viewing area. In 2003 we accepted a public access easement to cooks beach and a viewing area on the bluff above it. In 2008 and 2009 we improved the trail and a new concrete stairway to cooks beach was constructed. The new trail and stairway were dedicated in april 2010. We received a grant from california state coastal conservancy for the cooks beach and st orres projects. In 2014 we are working on studies for possible new coastal trails at a donated 1-2 acre parcel north of anchor bay. It has wonderful coastal views and interesting native plants. There will be a memorial for a son of the donor. We are also working with state and local agencies to develop a coastal trail south of anchor bay. There are some survey problems with this easement that will need to be solved before we can continue this part of our public access project. California state coastal conservancy has provided financial help for these projects.