Stevens Canyon Ranch - Peninsula Open Space Trust

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POST TransfersPigeon PointProperties toCalifornia State ParksPigeon Point photos © Robert BueltemanAfter four years of workingwith State Parks, POSTcelebrated the transferof Whaler’s Cove, LighthouseRanch Beach and Bolsa Point Beachto California State Parks onFebruary 16. These propertiescomprise 64 acres of landsurrounding the Pigeon Pointlighthouse and offer some of themost scenic views on the SanMateo Coast. They also provideexcellent public recreationopportunities and rich ecologicalhabitat for wildlife.POST began working toacquire Whaler’s Cove in 1993.The three-acre property was finallypurchased in 2000 as the firstproject in POST’s Saving theEndangered Coast campaign. Atthe time of acquisition, a nine-unitmotel was under constructionon the bluff top directly adjacentto the Pigeon Point lighthouse.By March 2002, POST had“deconstructed” the property by8 ■ LANDSCAPES
emoving the motel and itsfoundation and began restoringthe natural contours of the land.With the permanentprotection of these three properties,a 101/2 mile stretch of uninterruptedopen coastline extends south toAño Nuevo State Preserve.The adjacent waters along thiscoastline are protected by theMonterey Bay National MarineSanctuary and provide habitat toa variety of coastal birds, seamammals, and intertidal marinelife. It is possible to spot sea lions,seals, sea otters, and gray whalesfrom the beaches and bluff tops.Tide pools along the shoreprovide habitat for intertidalcommunities including abalone,starfish, and sea anemone.© 2001 Paul ReimerWith the transfer to StateParks complete, POST is movingahead with the planning andpermitting of a portion of theCalifornia Coastal Trail along thebluff top. This trail will be knownas Mel’s Lane in honor of POSTfounder and conservationist MelLane. A kiosk on the trail willinclude a listing of every donorwho contributes to the historicSaving the Endangered Coastcampaign. The Council Circle,a special donor recognition arearesting just off Mel’s Lane, willpermanently recognize donorswho have made gifts of $100,000or more to the campaign.The transfer of thesecoastal properties is a significantmilestone in the Saving theEndangered Coast campaign.Whaler’s Cove, Lighthouse RanchBeach, and Bolsa Point Beach arethe first of the campaign propertiesto be transferred to a publicagency. The sensitive habitats ofBolsa Point Beach will be protectedforever and a planning process todetermine an approximate timelinefor public access will be initiatedin the near future. One daywe will all be able to watch fromLighthouse Ranch Beach as brownpelicans skim the ocean waves andview sunsets from the shelteredbeach of Whaler’s Cove. ■SUMMER 2005 ■ 9
Page 1 and 2: Stevens Canyon RanchPOSTLandscapesP
Page 3 and 4: Canyon Ranchphoto © 2005 Karl Kroe
Page 5 and 6: DISCOVER STEVENS CANYON RANCHSponso
Page 7: Step-by-Step the Trail Becomes Real
Page 11 and 12: THE Council Circleat whaler’s cov
Page 13 and 14: POST Welcomes Larry Jacobs andCharl
Page 15 and 16: Steevns Canyon Ranch photo © 2004

Stevens Canyon Ranch - Peninsula Open Space Trust

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