Cloverdale Ranch - Peninsula Open Space Trust

Bolsa Point RanchesCHARTING A COURSE FOR THE COASTLANDSCAPES ❧ FALL 2000PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST

PENINSULAFARMSPESCADEROBEAN HOLLOWSTATE BEACH✵ N 1BEANHOLLOWFARMCLOVERDALECOASTALRANCHCloverdaleRoadBUTANOSTATE PARKBOLSA POINTRANCHESLIGHTHOUSE RANCHWHALER’SCOVEPIGEON POINTLIGHTHOUSELEGENDBolsa Point RanchesPOST-owned landsOther protected landsUnprotected landsGazos Creek RoadAÑO NUEVOSTATE PARKPhotos: Robert BueltemanAÑO NUEVOSTATE RESERVE

Another Victory on the Coast!POST Acquires Option on 1,700 Acres for Record $39 MillionPOSTis about to score a major coupin the fight to preserve ourspectacular San Mateo Coast and protect it fromdevelopment. In July, hot on the heels of ourWhaler’s Cove at Pigeon Point purchase, we acquiredan option to purchase 1,719 acres of prime agriculturalland, grassland, and sweeping beachfrontsouth of Pescadero for $39 million. This is the mostmoney ever paid by any local nonprofit land trust topurchase open space in the western United States.This also makes it the most expensive property everpurchased by POST — costing more than we spentin three years during our last capital campaign.However, the importance of this incredibly diverseland and the essential water rights obtained werefar too compelling for us to turn away from thechallenge. At stake are pristine beaches, miles ofundisturbed wildlife habitat, significant waterresources, and some of the richest agricultural landin San Mateo County. When combined with neighboringparkland and open space, this purchase willcreate nearly 54 square miles of contiguous openspace! The price we are willing to pay is directlylinked to the threat that faces this irreplaceable land.The CompetitionWith 51 legal lots ready for immediate building,this area of Highway 1 beachfront, coastal prairie,and farm land was slated to turn from undevelopedopen space to a collection of very expensive, privatemini-estates. It was a tough negotiation process.We competed against a number of well-financedbidders with plans on the table for luxury oceanfrontmansions.We acquired the option to purchase this landby agreeing to pay $39 million over the next 18months. The initial installment of $13 million willbe borrowed entirely from POST’s land acquisitionfund, moneys we must replenish through yourcontributions. This is a gamble for us to be making,but we know that with your support, and our twentythreeyears of expertise, we will be able to save notonly this remarkable land, but also a significantportion of our incomparable Coast.FALL 2000 ■ 3

The property actually consists of three separateranches. The 88-acre southernmost parcel, LighthouseRanch, includes nearly a mile of beachfront stretchingfrom Pigeon Point north toward Bolsa Point.We’re very pleased that by acquiring this particularsection of Bolsa Point Ranches, coupled with ourJune purchase of Whaler’s Cove, POST has now protectedall the land surrounding the historic PigeonPoint Lighthouse as permanent open space.Continuing north toward Pescadero is the next,and largest parcel of Bolsa Point Ranches: 1,490 acreBean Hollow Farm, stretching from the sands ofBolsa Point across Highway 1, up to the mesa adjacentto POST’s Cloverdale Coastal Ranch. The lovelybeachfront on Bolsa Point was destined to be thelocation for a very large luxury home, and thisworld-class beach might have never had a chanceto be publicly accessible if POST had not negotiatedto purchase this “bolsa,”or pocket, of land thatbows into the sea. Therich land of Bean HollowFarm yields crops ofartichokes and brusselssprouts, and at thenorthern tip is the Lake Lucerne reservoir —collecting all the fresh water from the creeks that runthrough adjacent Butano State Park.The northernmost parcel of Bolsa Point Ranchesis 141-acre Peninsula Farms, located just south ofthe Pescadero Marsh. Currently farmed in artichokesand leeks, these broad fields provide completelyunimpeded views of the coastline from the PigeonPoint Lighthouse to Pillar Point!saving the remaining, most critical San Mateo Coastlands will cost $200 million.“There is no question that our focus must remainon keeping a sound amount of capital on hand tomove quickly,” said POST President Audrey Rust.“The Bolsa Point acquisition required aggressivenegotiation, and the ability to act immediately. Coastalproperties POST has had on its wish-list for yearsare more threatened than ever as luxury homes movein and land prices shoot skyward.“It’s knowing that the San Mateo Coast is thevery last undeveloped coast next to a major metropolitanarea that propels us. It is absolutely criticalthat we raise this money and make every effort toprotect our Coast forever.”It’s knowing that the San Mateo Coast isthe very last undeveloped coast next to amajor metropolitan area that propels us.❧Charting our CourseWe have serious work to do on the Coast. Thepurchase of Bolsa Point Ranches, so soon after ourWhaler’s Cove acquisition, clearly signals ourintention to continue a determined land-savingprogram to protect this very special part of theworld. Including this purchase, we estimate thatPhoto: Robert BueltemanFALL 2000 ■ 5

Photo: Robert BueltemanAll the beaches surrounding Pigeon Point are now protectedfrom development.PIGEON POINT UPDATE:Your Responsehas been GratifyingWe’ve been getting wonderful feedback as a result of thetelevision and newspaper coverage about our work on theCoast, beginning with our June acquisition of Whaler’sCove at Pigeon Point. Many gifts have been received, andadditionally inspirational for all of us at POST have beenthe accompanying personal letters of congratulations.POST is currently reviewing the many offers receivedfrom various groups to remove the motel units from PigeonPoint. All units and construction debris will be removedfrom these beautiful Coast bluffs by this time next year!We’re happy to report that with our Bolsa PointRanches purchase, all the land surrounding the historicPigeon Point Lighthouse will be free from the threat ofdevelopment and can become publicly accessible. This isa great example of the Coastal land protection work thatyour monetary support and POST’s negotiating know-howcan accomplish. POST has the experience and knowledgethat position us as your partner in shaping the destiny ofour Coast. We are prepared to take on the projects thatmust be done to save the Coast we all know and love. ❧FALL 2000 ■ 7

Artist’s rendering of Wilbur's Watch lookout at Cloverdale Coastal Ranch.Illustration: Dillingham AssociatesA Bird’s Eye View of the CoastPOST has been busy working on a public hikingtrail at our Cloverdale Coastal Ranch. Known as“Wilbur’s Watch” this approximately mile-long trailand overlook is being underwritten by The Davidand Lucile Packard Foundation and is in honor ofCole Wilbur, the Foundation’s recently retiredExecutive Director. Cole’s tireless efforts and dedicationto the preservation of California’s nativelandscapes led to the protection of many acres ofopen space.In the near future you will be able to take agentle hike up this trail past coyote brush, wild lilacand sage, to reach a superb bird’s eye view of threestate parks, and open lands POST, with your help,has saved on the Coast. From the overlook you willbe able to see across the neat rows of Cloverdale’sagricultural fields, to the waves crashing at rockyWhaler’s Cove at Pigeon Point. To the south is thecurving arm of coastline that leads to Año Nuevo,and to the north is an unhindered view of lovelyBolsa Point beach, crowned by the shimmering bluePacific. Simply put, these vistas are possiblebecause you give POST the financial tools to buyland — and save it.We plan to have a preliminary trail mowedthis fall. If you are interested in trying out the“rough cut” before the official path is built, contactour office for directions. Either way you hike it,look carefully… the overview is known for itsexcellent whale watching!❧8 ■ LANDSCAPES

Keeping You POSTed:BEAR CREEK REDWOODSSUCCESS!With the help of many Los Gatos residents, POSTwas awarded a grant of $50,000 from the town ofLos Gatos for the preservation of Bear Creek Redwoods.Thank you Los Gatos City Council!With Monte Sereno’s grant to POST in May, theLos Gatos grant is POST’s second donation from alocal government to make this redwood park forSilicon Valley a reality. It is definitely a trend: localgovernments such as Los Gatos and Monte Serenosupport our efforts — because of the strong, vocalresponse from POST donors in their communities.At the suggestion of some of our Saratogadonors, we plan to approach the Saratoga city councilin the coming weeks.Another great piece of news to report regardingBear Creek Redwoods is that on August 24th,Elemental Arts Gallery in Los Gatos generouslyopened its doors to POST and hosted a receptionand update on this and many other POST projects.Gallery owner Tracy Halgren announced that 10%of the store’s sales that week were to be donated toPOST and Bear Creek Redwoods. This is a greatexample of how businesses and POST can worktogether for the benefit of the community.To date, we’ve raised $9 million in gifts andgrants in an effort to repay our loan and directexpenses totaling $10.5 million for the Bear CreekRedwoods project. Best of all, POST has acquiredalmost 1,600 new donors! Thank you for yourcontinuing support.❧Photo: Dewitt JonesIf you are interested inparticipating in encouragingyour town’s government tohelp protect Bear CreekRedwoods, please contactDaphne Muehle, POST’sDirector of Annual Giving,at 650-854-7696.GIANT TRILLIUMTrillium chloropetalumSpring flowering trillium are bursts of color onthe quiet green floor of the redwood forest. Alsoknown as the giant wakerobin, this variety cangrow more than a foot and a half tall.10 ■ LANDSCAPES

Photo: Robert BueltemanPOST’SMISSION STATEMENTThe mission of the Peninsula Open SpaceTrust (POST) is to give permanent protectionto the beauty, character, anddiversity of the San Francisco Peninsulalandscape for people here now and forfuture generations. POST encourages theuse of these lands for agriculture, lowintensity public recreation, wildlife habitatand other natural resource protection.Stock Gifts to POSTA gift of stock can be an excellent way to support POST’s landconservation work. You avoid the capital gains tax and receive acharitable deduction for the full value of the stock, regardless ofappreciation. POST can then sell the stock tax-free and use 100% ofthe proceeds to protect our Peninsula open space.It’s easy to do — contact:Banc of America Securities LLCMontgomery Private Client Services600 Montgomery StreetSan Francisco, CA 94111(415) 627-2191Relevant information for a transfer of stock:Account Name:Peninsula Open Space Trust,#1 Land PurchasesAccount #: 110-66982DTC #: 773Tax ID #: 94-2392007It is important that you also notify POST directly of your gift toensure that it is recorded accurately. Please call Mary Shields,POST’s Public Affairs Program Manager, at (650) 854-7696.However you choose to support POST’s work, your contributionmakes a difference and is greatly appreciated. Thank you!POSTLandscapesLandscapes is published quarterlyby the Peninsula Open Space Trust3000 Sand Hill Road, 4-135Menlo Park, CA 94025Telephone: (650) 854-7696Fax: (650) 854-7703Website: www.openspacetrust.orgPOST is a nonprofit California corporationand is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3)of the Internal Revenue Code.Contributions to POST are tax-deductible.Edited by Mary ShieldsDesigned by DiVittorio & AssociatesPrinted by TradeMark Graphics, Inc.BOARD OF DIRECTORSAllan F. BrownPatricia A. ComptonSusan FordVince S. GarrodSukey GrousbeckChristina A. HollowayRobert C. KirkwoodNorman E. MatteoniDianne McKennaDavid W. MitchellPaul NewhagenBill RellerKarie ThomsonT. Chester WangAnne M. WesterfieldSTAFFAudrey C. Rust PresidentWalter T. Moore Vice PresidentKathryn Morelli Vice PresidentJoni Evans AdministrativeManagerCristina Harris DevelopmentAssistantJean Lauer Land ManagerSarah McCarthy Land AssistantSummer Morlock Land AssociateDaphne Muehle Director ofAnnual GivingJeff Powers Cloverdale ProjectManagerPaul Ringgold Director ofStewardshipMary Shields Public AffairsProgram ManagerFALL 2000 ■ 11

I fix on the land, I am stuck to earth. What I love here is old ranches,leaning seaward, lowroofed spreads between rocks, small canyonsrunning through pitched hillsides, liveoaks twisted on steepness,the eucalyptus avenue leading to the wrecked homestead…Adrienne Rich, An Atlas of the Difficult World, 1991Cover Photos: Robert BueltemanPOSTLANDSCAPESFALL 2000Peninsula Open Space Trust3000 Sand Hill Road, 4-135Menlo Park, CA 94025NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGEPAIDSAN FRANCISCO, CAPERMIT NO. 925A land conservancy for theSan Francisco PeninsulaAddress Service RequestedRecycled Paper/Soy Ink