THE BIG SUR LAND TRUST

THE B IG SUR LAND TRUST - POST OFF ICE BOX 221864, CARMEL, CAL IFORNIA 93922 TELEPHONE (831) 625-5523 FAX (831) 625-0716 - WWW.BIGSURLANDTRUST.ORG

fa l l 2005 conser v ing our prec ious lands and waters for a l l generat ions

Carmel River Parkway“The mark of a successful man is one that has spent an entire

day on the bank of a river without feeling guilty about it.”

- CHINESE PHILOSOPHER

The mouth of Carmel Valley, a beloved landscape where a rolling

river valley joins the sea, is getting a fresh new look thanks to a

landscape design team from Cal Poly Pomona. The Big Sur Land

Trust (BSLT) recently sponsored a landscape design project to cre-

ate a Vision Plan for existing parklands at the mouth of Carmel

Valley. The Vision Plan blends professional landscape design prin-

ciples with new ideas from community members to create a master

plan for parkland and trails. The plan was produced by a design

team of faculty and graduate students from the Department of

Landscape Architecture at California State Polytechnic University,

Pomona, through the University’s 606 Studio program.

BSLT’s vision for the mouth of the Carmel River Valley is to enhance existing parklands bydesigning a parkway featuring special outdoor places, trails, and educational experiences.Experiencing such a place will punctuate the value of healthy lands and waters as central toour communities and our way of life.

continued on page 2

I N S I D E studio 606 ecosystematic design focus

I N S I D E donors thanks to you

I N S I D E palo corona stewardship issues

I N S I D E marks ranch advisory committee

Eventually, all things merge into one,and a river runs through it.

- Norman MacLean

By restoring these parklands and connecting them with a trails network, the mouth of the valley will become an outdoor showcase of nature where the best of the rich and diversenatural resources that grace the mouth of the river can be walked, experienced and enjoyed.

The boundaries of the Vision Plan reach Jacks Peak in the north, Point Lobos to the south,and extend from Carmel State Beach inland, three miles up the Carmel River. Within theseboundaries, the plan focuses on five sub-regions:

1) Mouth of the Valley

2) Hatton Canyon

3) Martin Canyon-Jacks Peak

4) The Carmel River Lagoon and Front of Palo Corona

5) Point Lobos Ranch and Reserve

6) The Big South (the gateway to Big Sur)

In a subsequent plan, the Carmel Valley ConceptualPlan, ideas were captured that extend trails from themouth of the valley to Carmel Valley Village

By initiating the vision plan for a parkway, The Big SurLand Trust is pursuing goals and values implicit in itsnew strategic plan, led by Executive Director Bill Leahy."In our vision for the future, we see our communitiescelebrating the unique character, scenic landscapes, and rich natural resources that make them unique. To achieve that vision, collaborative partnerships amongvarious groups must be both a goal, and a fundamentalpractice."

Another key strategic direction for the Land Trust iscommunity-based conservation. Through communityinvolvement and support, BSLT seeks to cultivate a personal connection between people, and the lands andwaters that define their communities.

In this project, community members were activelyinvolved in planning meetings, helping to generate creative ideas and a vision. More than 250 communitymembers participated in planning workshops in thespring in which they were able to provide ideas, shareuseful insights of the region and share potential concerns.

Implementation plans have not been developed, and will be dependent on community interest and support.Ultimately, implementing a parkway plan of this scalewill involve many collaborative partnerships includingpublic and private organizations, and on-going commu-nity dialog, spanning many years.

As part of the strategic plan of The Big Sur Land Trust,Carmel Valley has emerged as a key focus area for conser-vation. The Land Trust’s 25-year, overarching goals arethree fold:

1) Protect and conserve a connected network of the diverse lands and waters,

2) Establish an expanded network of regional parks and trails that is recognized as a model park system

3) Ensure responsible and ecologically-driven management for all priority conservation lands.

The plans for a Carmel River Parkway embrace these goals, and demonstrate BSLT’s commitment to this future direction.

Carmel River Parkway continued from page one

One distinguishing characteristic of a healthy, effective human being is a continual commitment to self improvement through renewal, reinvention and understanding about the changes in their lives and the world aroundthem. The same may be said for sustaining healthy, effective organizations.The Big Sur Land Trust, faced with rapidly accelerating forces of social, eco-nomic, and environmental change, is in the process of reevaluating its priori-ties and developing new partnerships and alliances to better adapt to thesesalient forces in the world of land and water conservation.

Twenty-six years ago, the Land Trust’s prescient founders tapped into a com-munity desire for a proactive land conservation movement in Big Sur. Whatthey could not forecast was the dizzying pace of change to Monterey County25 years later.

Perhaps more than any time in the County’s history, communities once recog-nized as distinct and separate from one another are now connected in a myriadof ways. At a County wide level, the collective decisions and actions we maketoday will have a direct and meaningful impact on our children’s adult liveswhether in Big Sur or Salinas. “Quality of life” concerns—affordable housing,libraries for children, retirement security, adequate health care and a healthyenvironment—transcends political and geographic boundaries more than ever.Further, they are all competing for attention with greater intensity than theywere in the early 1980’s. The increasing price of land and diminishedresources for adequate land stewardship create additional, significant chal-lenges to an organization committed to land and water conservation. Unlesswe adapt to this scenario by broadening our partnerships with key institutionsand community members, seeking new ideas and approaches to our mission,and expanding our geographic focus, the Land Trust runs the risk of fallingshort of its mission.

In this edition of our newsletter, you’ll see some examples of our shifting focusincluding new partnerships that are shifting how we conceive of and imple-ment our land and water conservation mission. In the lower Carmel RiverValley, a collection of adjacent public park and conservation lands offers anunprecedented opportunity to build public awareness and education about oneof California’s most important coastal rivers. The Land Trust has secured fundingto work with public and private partners at the mouth of the valley to develop aplan for ecological restoration, safe and appropriate public access, and enhancededucational opportunities for people. Working with Cal-Poly Pomona’s 606Studio in the Graduate School of Design, we are participated in a planning exer-cise that solicited input from a wide array of people within our community tocreate a vision for public use that reflects the needs of the community.

Also featured is one of our most important community partners, the MontereyPeninsula Regional Park District (MPRPD). More than two years ago, TheBig Sur Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy entered into a cooperativeagreement to work toward a collective, holistic vision for long-term manage-ment of the Palo Corona Ranch and the lands that adjoin it. This partnershipis now entering a new phase as we begin collaborating on the first major stew-ardship projects under this agreement.

The Land Trust’s new cooperative relationship with CSUMB, the launch ofour Marks Ranch Citizen’s Advisory Council, our participation in a communi-ty visioning effort in Big Sur, and a look at private land conservation agree-ments as a conservation tool are others stories that highlight the more expand-ed approach we are taking in our conservation projects.

Operationally, the Land Trust’s Board of Trustees recently voted on a resolu-tion to adopt the revised and updated “Land Trust Standards & Practice.”These guidelines, developed by the Land Trust Alliance, outline ethical andtechnical standards for the responsible operation of a land trust that respondto the new challenges of land conservation today. We are also supporting theAlliance’s efforts to develop an accreditation process that will further engrainthese Standards & Practices throughout the Land Trust community. Ourdemonstrated commitment to these “industry” upgrades reflects an extensionof our own efforts to grow and improve.

All of these examples represent the approach that all land trusts must aspire to in this day and age. In some cases, it may take us out of our “comfort zone”and challenge our capacity to listen to the needs of others. However, I believethese are steps worth taking if they can broaden our reach, build bridgesbetween conservation and other community interests, and consider the needsof local people.

F R O M T H E

E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

New Approaches

The Carmel River Parkway Design Plan

What is the 606 Studio?

The 606 Studio is part of the third-year

program for graduate students in the Landscape

Architecture program at California State

Polytechnic University, Pomona. During the

studio course, graduate students and faculty

function as a design team in a landscape design

studio to complete a comprehensive plan for

a real project.

Meet the Design Team

Sarah Peterson, Kirsten Christensen and Ty

Casey are the three graduate students who

committed a semester in their academic

career to the Carmel River Parkway Vision

Plan. With diverse personal and academic

backgrounds, they formed a strong team to

tackle the complex issues of the Carmel River

Valley and create an exciting vision for what

this region could become.

Sarah Peterson’s interests in land use planning

have been cultivated by her previous work

experiences on California’s Central Coast work-

ing in a landscape architecture and planning

firm, as a hiking guide and naturalist in Big Sur,

and for the local organic agriculture industry.

Her professional areas of interest include land-

scape preservation and restoration, greenway

corridor planning and trail design, coastal plan-

ning issues, community input and interagency

cooperation, and the integration of social and

environmental responsibility.

Kirsten A. Christensen is a future landscape

architect, interested in specializing in ecological

restoration, sustainable watershed management,

habitat protection, and the health of coastal

ecosystems. Fifteen years as a volunteer coun-

selor and programs director at a local camp has

inspired her to promote environmental educa-

tion for children in public school curricula.

Ty Kasey who born and raised in Austin, Texas

received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Botany

from the College of Natural Sciences at the

University of Texas at Austin. His studies in

Botany focused on cacti and native plants of

the Texas Hill Country. His course of study

included minors in Geography and Chemistry

as well as four different foreign languages.

Ty’s professional interests include restoration,

regional-scale planning, biodiversity, arid

climates, connectivity, and trail systems.

A Semester of Design

Projects for the course are selected through a

highly competitive process. In January 2005, the

Land Trust was notified that the Carmel River

Parkway Vision Plan project had been chosen

for the Spring 2005 606 Studio. Following a

schedule determined by the academic year,

project proposals begin in the fall, with actual

work starting in the first week of January.

During March and April the design team facili-

tated open, community meetings to engage

community members in ideas, models and

concepts for the project. The final step was

a comprehensive design report which has

been completed and was presented to the

community in October.

Scope of the Design Plan

Working under the direction and with continuous

participation of the faculty, graduate students

perform the tasks of research, analysis, planning

and presentation, using the Ecosystematic

Design framework, which stresses sensitive

understanding of ecology principles in relation

to human uses.

Research on the Mouth of Carmel Valley

explored its history, present characteristics

and condition, and plans for future use. Using

these data, the design team applied analysis

and design, with particular emphasis on the

preservation and restoration of sensitive

natural systems and landscapes.

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Cal Poly’s graduate program in the Department

of Landscape Architecture applies advanced

methods for establishing strong, well-defined,

and mutually life-sustaining and enhancing

relationships between people and the land.

The curriculum, leading to a Master of

Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree, empha-

sizes case study projects at scales varying from

the garden to the region. Noteworthy assets to

the program include the John T. Lyle Center of

Regenerative Studies located on campus, and

the award-winning 606 Studio capstone experi-

ence for third-year graduate students.

For more information, go to the Cal Poly

Pomona website at www.csupomona.edu.

See the Graduate Program, and 606 Studio for

examples of past projects.

Thanks to the Cal Poly Foundation

The Big Sur Land Trust is grateful to the Cal

Poly Foundation for their generous support

and funding of the Carmel River Parkway Vision

Plan. Because of their support, the 606 Studio

design team presented our community with a

new design concept for parklands at the mouth

of the Carmel River Valley, and in doing so set

the roadmap for an important legacy project

on the Central Coast.

For more information about the Cal Poly

Foundation, go to:

www.foundation.csupomona.edu

California State PolytechnicUniversity, Pomona

Cal Poly’s graduate program in the Department of Landscape

Architecture applies advanced methods for establishing strong,

well-defined, and mutually life-sustaining and enhancing

relationships between people and the land.

Studio 606An Ecosystematic Design focus on the mouth of Carmel Valley with particular emphasis on the preservation and restoration of sensitive natural systems and landscapes.

The success of The Big Sur Land Trust depends not

only on the support of the community and its generous

donors, but also on partner organizations whose

conservation efforts are compatible and who are willing

to collaborate and coordinate. The Big Sur Land Trust

is fortunate to have many such partners from the public,

private, and non-profit sector. Below is a profile of

one such partner.

Central Coast folks and visitors wholove the outdoors probably haveenjoyed an exhilarating hikethrough Garland Ranch RegionalPark or a stroll along the scenicMonterey Bay Coastal Trail.These are just two examples ofthe many parks and preserves theMonterey Peninsula Regional ParkDistrict (The Park District) hasestablished for the community.Created in 1972 by a voter-approvedmeasure, The Park District acquires, protects,and manages parklands and natural areas for publicbenefit and enjoyment. Additionally, The Park Districtprovides educational and interpretive services designedto increase appreciation and understanding for theCentral Coast’s unique natural resources. TheDistrict’sboundaries cover over 500 square miles and includethe seven incorporated cities of the Greater MontereyPeninsula, and the unincorporated areas of CarmelValley, and the Big Sur Coast.

Since its inception, The Park District has successfullyprotected approximately 20,000 acres by acquiring orhelping to acquire a total of 26 parks and natural areas.Most recently, The Park District played a key role inthe Palo Corona Ranch acquisition by working closely with The Big Sur Land Trust and The NatureConservancy to solidify the deal. With the transfer of the ranch now complete, the three organizationshave committed to a collaborative stewardship effortfor the property. This agreement allows the partners to combine resources, test new approaches, and share

best practices that will benefit the communi-ty while safeguarding the significant

habitat and sensitive wildlife thatmake the property so valuable.

This collaborative managementmodel is a new approach amongconservation groups and govern-ment agencies and is particularlyimportant as state budgets con-tinue to shrink and land manage-

ment expectations increase. “We are committed to encouraging col-

laboration between park agencies andcommunity organizations to maximize

efforts to produce a collective vision that tran-scends traditional agency boundaries. This progressiveapproach allows The Park District to complete valuablepark acquisitions, like Palo Corona Ranch, that other-wise would be beyond our limited financial meanswhile providing the opportunity for private conserva-tion organizations like The Big Sur Land Trust andThe Nature Conservancy to fulfill their conservationgoals,” explains The Park District’s General Manager,Joe Donofrio.

Partners in Conservation:MONTEREY PENINSULA REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT

LAND PRESERVATIONAGREEMENTSBENEF IT ING LANDOWNERS AND PROTECT ING PROPERTY

Conservation groups working in California are facing the double challenge of exorbitant real estate prices and state budget cuts that have virtually eliminated publicfunds for protection and maintenance of additional parks and open space. An alterna-tive scenario is to actively engage interested private land owners in conservation usingland preservation agreements. This popular method of conserving significant land-scapes actually allows the property owner to retain ownership and only forgo certainrights, generally related to subdivision, further development or other activities thatmight disrupt the natural resources on the property.

Also referred to as a conservation easement, the benefits of land preservation agree-ments are numerous. Based on the value of the property rights that are forfeited, the landowner may claim an income tax deduction. The restrictions that are establishedin the agreement dramatically reduce the land value, which also can lower estate andgift taxes, helping families pass their land intact to the next generation. This is becom-ing increasingly important to families wishing to preserve their heritage but who fearsteep taxes for their heirs. From the conservation angle, the agreement is importantbecause it is permanent, even if the property changes ownership.

"The permanent nature of the agreement is just one of the advantages of this type of conservation tool," explains Conservation Project Manager, Sus Danner. “Theselegally binding agreements allow the Land Trust to engage willing landowners in ourconservation efforts, while reducing the management and cost burden for us. Eachagreement is tailored to the specific values and current use of the property.”

Once the agreement is finalized, the Land Trust is responsible for monitoring the property on a regular basis to ensure that the conditions set out in the agreement are upheld. Currently, BSLT monitors 32 preservation agreements ranging in size from 1 acre to 3,040. "We consider our easement landowners active partners in our mission. As such, we want to keep them up to date on land management issues,techniques and resources," says Bill Leahy, Executive Director of the Land Trust.

A CASE IN POINT: Pat and Lloyd Addleman

As part of the group who founded the Land

Trust, the Addlemans have been supporters

and conservationists for years. It was the

beauty of the Big Sur coast that originally

inspired them to help create a non-profit

group that would ensure these landscapes

would be conserved as a defining feature of

the Big Sur community. In 1970, Pat and

Lloyd purchased a 285-acre property along

Burns Creek. With a combination of redwood

forest, coastal sage scrub, and a section of

Buck Creek, the property is rich in natural

resources. The land borders National Forest

to the north, which increases its conservation

value. Over time as the pressure to subdivide

property increased, the Addlemans realized

how valuable their landscape was—both in

terms of development and natural resources.

In 1984, after consulting with their three children, the couple worked with the Land Trust to

develop a preservation agreement intended "to preserve and protect in perpetuity, and to

enhance by restoration, where feasible and practical, the natural, open space, aesthetic and

ecological values of the Property, and to prevent its use or development for any purpose or in

any manner that would conflict with the maintenance thereof as open space and predominantly

natural area." By donating their development rights on the property to the Land Trust, they real-

ized a significant tax benefit while contributing to the mission of the organization by ensuring

the conservation of significant lands and waters of California’s Central Coast for all generations.

The agreement allowed the family to keep their home site and also allowed access to a trail to

their water source which is on the protected part of the property. More than 20 years later, the

couple has no regrets about their decision. The protected part of the landscape remains pristine

wilderness that will be enjoyed by many generations of Addlemans. Lloyd would encourage private

landowners to consider this tool to meet personal conservation goals and for the financial benefits.

“Go for it! You can draft an agreement that exempts certain things—like your favorite foot path or

limited water use. The Land Trust has been great to work with and the agreement has required little

effort on our part. We’re glad to have this special place to share with our grandchildren.”

Property owners who would like more information on the benefits and process of developing

a land preservation agreement should contact BSLT’s Conservation Project Manager,

Sus Danner, at (831) 625-5523. All discussions are confidential.

T H E M I S S I O N O F

T H E B I G S U R L A N D T R U S T

I S T O C O N S E R V E T H E

S I G N I F I C A N T L A N D S

A N D WAT E R S

O F C A L I F O R N I A ' S

C E N T R A L C O A S T

F O R A L L G E N E R AT I O N S .

What do enthusiastic hikers, hungry

cows, rare red-legged frogs, sensitive

archeological sites, and persistent invasive

weeds have in common? They are all

being considered in a comprehensive,

state-of-the-art management and access

planning process for Palo Corona Regional

Park, the newest addition to the Monterey

Peninsula Regional Park District’s

(The Park District) portfolio.

As the new owners of roughly 4,300 acres of the former

Palo Corona Ranch, The Park District is working on an

interim plan for visitor access. However, preparing a

property for recreational use is far more complex than

just clearing trails and creating parking space (although

both of these items pose difficulties as well).

In creating an access plan, The Park District, with assis-

tance from BSLT and The Nature Conservancy, has the

challenge of providing optimal, safe use for visitors with

minimal disruption to special habitats, wildlife, and

important archeological sites that are part of the land-

scape. Long-term management must also address issues

such as maintaining healthy grasslands and controlling

invasive weeds.

Palo Corona Regional Park is an ongoing and evolving

model of a sound partnership between public agencies

and non-profit organizations. Starting in 2001, the

partners--The Park District, The Nature Conservancy,

The Big Sur Land Trust , State Coastal Conservancy, State

Wildlife Conservation Board, California Department of

Fish and Game, and State Water Resources Control Board

– worked closely to secure and fund the acquisition,

finalize the sale, and complete the transfer of the property

for maximum public benefit.

Now the partnership enters a new phase – a collaborative

management and stewardship effort that combines the

strengths and resources of the three property-owning part-

ners (The Park District, Department of Fish & Game, and

The Nature Conservancy/Big Sur Land Trust) to tackle the

long-term ecological conservation issues that are particu-

larly challenging with a large property and limited funds.

Some of the current stewardship-related activities that

are planned include:

MANAGING THE SIGNIFICANT GRASSLANDS: Palo Corona Regional Park is made up of several habitats,

but the most rare and unique is the coastal terrace prairie

found on the northern end of the ranch. This extraordinary

habitat is thought to have the most plant diversity of any

grassland in North America and is home to at least 30

species of important, often endangered wildlife. This habi-

tat is ideal for cattle grazing, which has taken place on

the ranch for generations and has helped control exotic

grasses, thereby protecting its diverse flora and dazzling

wildflowers. Grazing also helps reduce fire hazard by

lowering fuel load—something that is particularly impor-

tant in conservation lands like Palo Corona Regional

Park that border urban areas.

With the help of a certified rangeland specialist, an adap-

tive management tool is being developed that will include

recommendations for using cattle grazing to manage the

coastal terrace prairie and grassland/coastal sage scrub

habitats while reducing exotic weeds without damaging

streams, ponds and other sensitive habitat.

CONTROLLING INVASIVE WEEDS:Invasive weeds are a land management issue throughout

the Central Coast. Over the past 12 months, a group of

conservation partners (including BSLT, The Nature

Conservancy, The Park District, California State Parks,

Elkhorn Slough Foundation /NERR, UC’s Hastings Natural

History Reservation, Santa Lucia Conservancy, Department

of Fish and Game, U.S. Forest Service and several regional

ecologists) have started work on an Invasive Weeds

Initiative for the area. The group has engaged in a strategic

planning process based on The Nature Conservancy’s 5-S

Project Management Process (see box). Once complete,

the 5-S management tool provides a dynamic planning

framework that can be revised based on specific conditions

and outcomes.

The Palo Corona Regional Park landscape is favorable to

the use of this framework because invasives pose a serious

threat to the many habitats there and it is an ideal testing

ground for new abatement methods. The management part-

nership already in place ensures that the removal and

restoration work can be carried out efficiently and cost-

effectively.

MONITORING AND PROTECTING AMPHIBIANS:The amphibian community within Palo Corona Regional

Park includes rare species like the California tiger salaman-

der and the red-legged frog (both federally listed). These

species are particularly sensitive to habitat disturbances

and so need to be given special attention when planning

trails and grazing programs in the park. The Big Sur Land

Trust and The Nature Conservancy are assisting The Park

District with this management issue by engaging a team

of university scientists who will conduct an in-depth survey

of these rare species. Data collected over a two-year period

will be used for an amphibian monitoring plan including

specific recommendations for protecting amphibian habitat.

RESTORING THE LANDSCAPE:A grant to The Big Sur Land Trust from the Bella Vista

Foundation is funding the restoration of an abandoned,

eroding ranch road in the park. Unchecked erosion from

this road is impacting sensitive grassland habitat and a

Native American cultural site. The loss of grassland cover

and exposed soil invite and harbor exotic weed invasion.

Currently, the hillside is being restored to its natural slope,

with the erosion scar being seeded with native grasses,

and the success of the revegetation will be monitored.

For more information on Palo Corona Regional Park, contact Tim Jensen, The Park District’s Special Projects and Planning Manager at (831) 372-3196 ortjensen@mprpd.org.

Palo Corona Regional Park: PARTNERSHIP TACKLES STEWARDSHIP ISSUES

CASE STUDY: The 5-S Adaptive Management Process

Conservation professionals can identify and

classify the priority issues facing an area using

the following process:

1. System: An area containing rare biodiversity

is identified and a project goal is stated. The

Central Coast is considered a biodiversity “hot

spot” with diverse and rare habitats that need to

be protected.

2 & 3. Stresses and Sources of Stress: The area is

evaluated--Is there reason to be concerned about

this habitat? What measurements can be used to

prove that concern is valid? What factors are

responsible for fragmenting or shrinking the habi-

tat (invasive weeds, poorly designed roads, exotic

pathogens)? In the case of the Central Coast, inva-

sive weeds such as Cape ivy, jubatagrass, Genista

and Eupatorium were identified as a major stress

affecting rare habitats.

4. Strategy: A strategy is developed that addresses

the stress and then an action plan to carry out the

strategy is created. The group decided that creat-

ing an Invasive Weeds Initiative would encourage

collaboration, include public and private landown-

ers, include education, and attract private funding.

5. Success: Each conservation site will be meas-

ured for success on the criteria of biodiversity

health and threat status/abatement. Once the

strategy is carried out and evaluated using these

measures, results are analyzed and lessons

learned are shared with others.

Adapted from “The Enhanced 5-S Project Management

Process,” The Nature Conservancy, June 2003.

Palo Corona Regional Park is

an ongoing and evolving model

of a sound partnership between

public agencies and non-profit

organizations. Starting in 2001,

the partners –The Park District,

The Nature Conservancy, The

Big Sur Land Trust , State Coastal

Conservancy, State Wildlife

Conservation Board, California

Department of Fish and Game,

and State Water Resources

Control Board – worked closely

to secure and fund the

acquisition, finalize the sale,

and complete the transfer of

the property for maximum

public benefit.

Announced last fall with a special mailing, The Big Sur Land Trust’s DonorBenefits Program was launched this year and has been a great success. The program offers several giving categories, with special benefits starting at the Land Guardian level ($250) and increasing up to the Wilderness Seeker level($10,000 or more).

BSLT has the unique ability to offer activities and experiences on the special lands that were preserved through donor support. Our goal is to offer donors an intimate look at the lands and waters preserved through their commitment to, and support for land conservation.

A few of the highlights include:

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE members ($5000 and above) got a sneak preview ofthe Land Trust’s newest acquisition project, Marks Ranch during the height of wildflower season. Donors were treated to an exclusive tour of the property and a picnic lunch served in a lupine filled meadow. In September, a bird walk led byCraig Hohenberger, President of Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society, receivedvery enthusiastic feedback after a hike on the Carmel River Lagoon and spotting 61 species of birds. In October, President Circle members enjoyed a magicalevening at Rancho Grande in Big Sur with the evening culminating in a beautifulsunset framed by Hawaiian dance and music.

Earlier in the year, TRUSTEES OF THE LAND ($1,000 +) participated in a walk on Martin Dunes led by Conservation Program Manager Sus Danner andKriss Neuman, Wetlands Project Biologist, of the Point Reyes Bird Observatory.Participants were treated to an intimate look at the native flora of the dunes andlearned about the animal species that thrive in this sensitive habitat. In August,

they were also invited to attend a sneak peek of the Carmel River Parkway VisionPlan at Palo Corona Ranch.

LAND CONSERVATORS ($500 and above) have enjoyed breakfast at MitteldorfPreserve with executive director, Bill Leahy, followed by a guided walk on theNature Trail. Participants have been treated to a hearty breakfast in the splendor of Mitteldorf Preserve while sharing in a conversation with Bill about the work of the Land Trust.

LAND GUARDIANS ($250 and above) have experienced the beauty of GlenDeven Ranch as they walk along the ridge in the light of the full moon. As theyenjoy dinner overlooking the redwoods, friends have been made and stories shared.

“Our members value experiences as opposed to tangible items like hats or mugs.We designed the Donor Benefits events with this in mind and the response hasbeen impressive,” explains BSLT’s Philanthropy Director, Lana Weeks. “We’veplanned activities that give participants an intimate experience while exploring new landscapes and really learning about the environment, which creates an addedincentive for members to increase their gift to the Land Trust.” The Land Trust will continue expanding the program to include more activities including lectures,slideshows and more specialized hiking opportunities.

As a non-profit organization, the Land Trust relies on philanthropic support fromits community of members and donors to finance its programs. For more informa-tion on the Donor Benefits Program and the 2005/2006 schedule of events, visitthe Land Trust’s website at www.bigsurlandtrust.org or contact Lana Weeks at (831) 625-5523.

Donors Experience the Land

BOB BROWN

A MAN KNOWN

FOR HIS LOVE

OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Robert “Bob” Brown, an avid supporter of Big Sur Land Trust, passed onthis fall in his community of Portola Valley. Bob grew up in Palo Alto andmajored in electrical engineering at Stanford and received an MBA in 1950.While at Stanford, Bob met Pat and they were married. For many years,Bob ran the construction company started by his father in 1932.

“Bob was definitely the leader for Portola Valley becoming a town inde-pendent of the county,” says Bill Lane, former publisher of Sunset andmember of the original Town Council. Bob wanted to preserve open spaceand especially the trails that threaded Portola Valley from the developmentthat was spreading into the hills. He and many others testified at countyhearings, passed petitions, and rang door bells. After incorporation passed,Bob sat on the Town Council for 18 years and was mayor three times.

Bob was above all a true environmentalist. His commitment to land conser-vation is impressive. Bob and his wife Pat were major contributors to thePalo Corona Ranch, longtime donors to the Point Lobos Ranch acquisitionand a lead donor to our Marks Ranch project. The Browns’ – Bob and Pat– stepped forward as the first major gift to an arena that the Land Trust hadnot been in before – the Salinas Valley.

Bob was committed to the Land Trust and the work that we do and he wascommitted to protecting this special place that we are all so gifted to live in.

A M E M O R I A L N O T E

The Land & Legacy Circle is a group of donors who have made the important decision to include the LandTrust in their charitable estate plans. This legacy gift willmake a lasting impression in the protection of the landsthat are so important to all of us.

Besides the satisfaction of knowing that their legacy will support BSLT’s conservation efforts, participants areinvited to a special annual luncheon and are included onspecial hikes and tours. There are a variety of ways thatthe Land Trust can be part of your estate, including:

■ Bequests

■ Reserved Life Estates

■ Real Estate

■ Stock

■ Retirement Plans and Insurance Policies

Life income gifts, such as a pooled income fund or acharitable remainder trust are also options that allowdonors to realize multiple benefits with one investment;to increase their income, receive a charitable contributiondeduction, avoid capital gains tax and support local conservation goals.

If you would like more information about our Land &Legacy Circle and the creative gift options that can helpyou achieve both your financial and philanthropic goals,please contact the Land Trust at (831) 625-5523.

C O N S I D E R B E C O M I N G A M E M B E R

Land &Legacy Circle

Nisene Marks inspired a profound respect

of nature in her children, which led to a legacy

of natural areas for public recreation through-

out Monterey County. The Marks Ranch

property represents the final component to

the Marks family legacy.

An enthusiastic and distinguished group of

Monterey County community leaders have

stepped up to champion protection efforts at

Marks Ranch and ensure the Marks legacy

will live on as Herman, Agnes and Andrew

Marks intended. The Marks Ranch Advisory

Committee kick off meeting took place

on February 7, 2005 at the Tanimura

& Antle Headquarters in Spreckels.

Committee members include:

Co-Chair Basil Mills - Founder and President of MillsDistributing Company, a grower and shipper of fresh vegetables headquartered in Salinas since 1958. Basil’s community involvement includes immediate past Presidentof the National Steinbeck Center, Board of Trustees of theMonterey Bay Aquarium and the Panetta Institute for PublicPolicy, Board of Directors of the Hide ‘N Seek Children’sFoundation, Board of Directors of the Children’s ServicesInternational Children’s Cabinet, and member of theExecutive Committee of the United Way of MontereyCounty.

Co-Chair Leon Panetta - Former U.S. Representative,Office of Management and Budget director, and WhiteHouse Chief of Staff. Leon currently serves as a professor of politics at Santa Clara University, Distinguished Professorfor the California State University, and Director of thePanetta Institute for Public Policy. Leon also writes commen-taries which appear on the feature and op-ed pages of TheMonterey County Herald, San Jose Mercury News, The New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, TheWashington Post, and other newspapers.

Dr. Diane Cordero de Noriega - Acting President atCalifornia State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB). For the past 6 years Diane has served as the Second in commandto the President, directly responsible for academic affairs,student affairs and information technology. Under her lead-ership CSUMB crafted its first strategic plan and its first aca-demic plan. Diane led the campus to its initial accreditationby the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Theaccreditation team highlighted CSUMB’s approach to assessment of learning and institutional effectiveness as anational model.

Paul Danielson – Paul currently serves as a Board memberwith The Big Sur Land Trust and as Earth Science Corpsvolunteer with the USGS mapping program. He is the for-mer Chaplain at All Saints Episcopal Day School, FormerPastor at the Church of the Good Shepherd and FormerBoard Member of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance

Bill Doolittle – Partner of Doolittle & Ganos InvestmentCounsel, LLC based in Carmel. Bill’s community activitiesinclude serving as Past Vice Chair of the CommunityHospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Past President of The Big Sur Land Trust, Past President of the Carmel Rotaryand Founding and Past Board Member of Friends of CarmelUnified Schools. Bill was the co-recipient of the CarmelCitizen of the Year award in 2003. Bill also served asCampaign Chair of Sunset for Arts, the $21 million renova-tion of the Sunset Theater.

Catherine Kobrinsky Evans – Partner of QuadrangleInvestments, a family-owned commercial real estate assetdevelopment firm based in Salinas. Catherine is thePresident of the Board of Directors of the Oldtown SalinasAssociation, member of the National Steinbeck CenterBoard of Trustees, member of the Downtown ReboundProgram Committee, and the Salinas Valley BusinessDevelopment Task Force as well as many other Salinas community groups. She was the 2003 recipient of theAthena Award for Business Woman of the Year from the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Jim Gattis – Commercial Real Estate RedevelopmentInvestor. Jim was Salinas Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year and Salinas Jaycees Humanitarian of the Year in 1981, and Monterey Bay Boy Scouts Humanitarian Good Turn Award recipient in 1997. Jim served as Hartnell College Foundation President and received their Distinguished Service award. After serving on theCommunity Foundation for Monterey County, he and hiswife Jeri were presented the Distinguished Trustee Award.He was also named the National Steinbeck Center Trustee ofthe Year in 2001. Jim is a member of the President’s Counciland a Fellow at CSUMB. He serves on the board for FirstNational Bank of Central California and was recently electedto the Board of Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System.

Peter Hoss - Founding Partner of Noland, Hamerly, Etienne& Hoss. Peter recently retired after 40 years and now spendsmost of his time writing. He writes a monthly column forthe Salinas Californian about Salinas Valley activities. Peter is actively involved with the Steinbeck Center and DixielandMonterey.

Steve Pearson – Attorney at Law, Principal with Noland,Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss based in Salinas. Steve is a pastmember of the Board of Directors of the Monterey CountyBar Foundation, Past President and Executive Committeemember of the Bar Association of Monterey County, andmember of the American Bar Association.

Claudia Pizarro – Executive Director of the MontereyCounty Health Consortium. Ms. Pizarro also serves on various community groups including Vice Chair for theSalinas League of Women Voters, Chair of Adelante MujerHispana and a mentor for the Action Council / E.C.H.O.(Education, Careers, Health and Opportunities). She was the 2004 recipient of the Outstanding Citizen Award fromthe Consulate of Mexico.

The Reverend Jerome F. Politzer – Rector Emeritus,St.John’s Chapel. Jerry’s community service includes theSalinas Rescue Mission, Monterey County Anti-PovertyCommission, Monterey Salvation Army, Co-founder YorkSchool, and Episcopal Church Prayer Book Society. Jerry has published: “A Lantern Unto My Feet”, “A Light UntoMy Path”, Editor “Lex Orandi”, and numerous magazinearticles. Jerry was a close personal friend of Herman Marksand the Marks family.

Chris Steinbruner – CPA, Partner at Dunlap, Steinbruner& Ludlow. Mr. Steinbruner is the current Director of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer for Juvenile Impact, Member of the Monterey County CentralRepublican Committee, Past Treasurer for the Carmel SunsetCenter for the Arts, and Past Director and Treasurer of theMonterey County SPCA.

Assemblymember Simón Salinas – California StateAssemblymember representing the 28th Assembly Districtsince 2000. Assemblymember Salinas chairs the Local Government Committee and serves on the Transportation,Agriculture and Housing & Community Development com-mittees. Assemblymember Salinas was named Legislator ofthe Year by the California Transit Association and was fur-ther honored by the Latino Caucus of the League of Citiesand the Association of California Healthcare Districts. Mostrecently, he has been honored as Legislator of the Year by the League of California Cities and also by the AmericanPlanning Association for his work on affordable housing and other local government issues.

Joanne Taylor-Johnson - Joanne has been a communityactivist since she was 8 years old when she sold over$25,000.00 in war bonds. From there Joanne has workedwith numerous community groups throughout MontereyCounty. Past service includes: Founding Board Member of the youth science center, 1st Female President of SalinasValley Memorial Hospital Foundation, Founding ExecutiveBoard Member of the National Steinbeck Center, ExecutiveCommittee for the Hospice Foundation, ExecutiveCommittee and Finance Chairman for the MontereySymphony, Board Member for the Community Foundationfor Monterey County and the Fort Ord reuse committee.She was the 2002 recipient of the Community Foundation’sdistinguished trustee award. Joanne currently serves on the Panetta Institute for Public Policy Board of Trustees,CSUMB president’s council, AFS scholarship committee,and the Bruce Church Educational Foundation.

Blanca Zarazúa – owns her own law practice in MontereyCounty and is also an Of Counsel with the firm of Noland,Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss. She currently serves as the Chairof the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of MontereyCounty. Ms. Zarazúa was appointed by Mexico’s PresidentVicente Fox to serve as Honorary Consul of Mexico forMonterey and Santa Cruz counties and was recently nomi-nated to serve on the board of Chartwell School.

Each committee member expressed a

particular connection or interest in

working to save the Marks Ranch. The

Advisory Committee is helping BSLT

create a vision for the Marks Ranch;

build collaboration for the project

among government and community

leaders, potential partners and the

general population; secure funding;

and develop a long-term management

and stewardship plan for the property.

A FAMILY LEGACY CONTINUES

The Marks Ranch Advisory Committee

2004 WILDERNESS SEEKERArkay FoundationBarnet Segal Charitable TrustStephen & Elizabeth Bechtel, Jr.Betty Eschen Family TrustRobert & Pat M. BrownCommunity Foundation

for Monterey CountyBill & Nancy DoolittleEstate of Philip & Edith PhillipsKent & Lyn EvansMarit EvansGiant Steps FoundationTrish HibbenEstate of Sam HopkinsJ.A. Woollam FoundationJack & Syb Zaches FoundationFlorrie & Paul KaganTedd & Kathy KraftLumpkin Family FoundationAnn & John MahoneyDr. & Mrs. Hugh A. McAllisterBlaine McDonoughCatherine L. & Robert O.

McMahan FoundationMarsha McMahan ZelusBruce & Harriet NewellSusan NewmanNewman’s Own, Inc.Robert Stephens & Julie PackardHarrison ThomsonJanet Effland & Bill UrbachWhiteley & Nick Wheeler

2004 PRESIDENT’S CIRCLEBob & Marilyn CallanderDebbie & Bob CervenkaRandall & Linda CharlesPaul & Margaret DanielsonDean Witter FoundationJean L DraperClint & Dina EastwoodLowel FigenRosalind & Howard FisherJulia Foster & David BatesHarlan & Barbara HallRuth HartmannKip & Jay HudsonLawrence FoundationGary & Judy LoganJoseph ManganelloSue McCloudHeidi & Scot McKaySharon & Stan MeresmanGreg MinshallStephen & Margaret SchulteBarbara SeeburgerTiger FundBrigitte WassermanWebb Family Charitable TrustJulia B. Wilson

2004 TRUSTEE OF THE LANDPat and Lloyd AddlemanKen AgleRobert & Angela AmarantePeggy & Jack BaskinSharon W. BatesMrs. Talcott BatesMary BellRoberta BialekBig Sur International MarathonFred Terman & Nan BorresonErik BuenoBarbara Baldock & Phillip ButlerMike & Nancy CanningPeter Channing WellsEric & Katharine ComstockDawn CopeCTB McGraw-HillDavid E. Reese Family FoundationBunny & Craig DavisRobert & Rosalind DavisNed & Sandra DeweySusan DraperSusan DuCoeurDavis & Christine FactorRickey FeldnerKaren & Hugo FerlitoHappy FitzgeraldLisa Boczar & Chris FordElaine FoxFox Family FoundationCharles & Susan FranklinMarion GetzJeffrey GormanDr. & Mrs. Tony GreeningSara HarkinsMr. & Mrs. Sydney P HarrisonJohn & Marcia HarterRobert & Elizabeth HelfrichRod & Alma HolmgrenHolmsky FamilyCatherine M. HorneDr. & Mrs. Rolf JohnsenRichard KalinyakErling LagerholmDave & Suzanne LarkyBill & Lorien LeahyDoug & Shawn MacKenzie

Carol & William McCareyJohn & Jane McCoyRod & Peggy McMahanDick & Grace MerrillNatural Selection FoodsCary & Debbie NeimanArmand & Eliane NeukermansNew Masters GalleryPeter & Francie NewfieldDon & Laura NewmarkShirley NootbaarPam & Jim PattersonSharon & Judd PerryGregory PickertMichael & Michelle RaggettRancho Canada Golf ClubPaul RembertNancy Riddle IversenJon Kannegaard & Pat SandovalDr. Don ScanlonFrank & Denise SchiavoneSeifert Family FoundationDiane SenaMary ShawMr. & Mrs. Furman SheppardSidney Stern Memorial TrustRoy & Sarah SignerLeslie & Charles SnorfMarian Penn & Bill SoskinAudrey TalbottRichard TevisRobert & Connie LurieMarilyn ThomasDr. & Mrs. Mike TurbowMr. & Mrs. Louis UngarettiUpjohn California FundMary Martha WaltzDoug & Ann WilhelmPhil & Carol WilhelmSusan & Michel WilleyR.A. WilliamsPaul WittShelia & Mark WolfsonBill & Shari YoungDawn Zinser Church

2004 LAND CONSERVATORSue AddlemanMr. & Mrs. Robert BeckSarah & Clay BerlingJames & Nancy BildnerBruce & Anne BloxomLacy & Bob BuckRobert & Pat BurgessCharles M. Weinberg FundShirley & Edgard ColyWilliam & Sandra CooperPauline K. DallMr. & Mrs. Ralph DavisDaniel DeKimpeCliff & Ruby DeupreeTena & Bill FarrJudy FieldDon & Carol HilburnJoanne HivelyLarry & Jean HoranIBM Matching Grants ProgramJustin Dart Family FoundationMr. & Mrs. Robert LeahyGifford LehmanDavid & Norma LewisLarry & Judith LippmanSkip & Mary Anne LloydLee Jay & Julie LorenzenRobert Reid &

Jacqueline McManusLeslie Montgomery &

Paul McManusAnne & Rod MillsJim & Michael Ann MitchellKonny MurrayCynthia & Patrick NowlanCharles & Karen OsborneCharlie & Linda PageSue A PiusMr. and Mrs. Lee RosenJan Avent & David RossettiDrew Goodman & Myra RubinBob & Nancy SchumackerEvangelos & Kathleen SimoudisZaza & Howard SkidmorePatricia Smith RamseyMr. David TaggartJim & Fran VorhesBetty White LuddenJo & George White, Jr.Paul Wineman & Jennefer

Lloyd WinemanMargaret Eaton & Ron Yara

2004 LAND GUARDIANBarry & Betsy AdlerFrank & Regina AmatoMr. Ted BalestreriWendy & Dave BanksAudrey Barris & Randall BarkanLetitia A BennettDr. & Mrs. Robert L. BlackRandell Kent Bishop &

Robert Boger

Mr. Frederic BohlanderDr. Robert CardinalliMarvin ChandlerJudi Wallner & Larry ChandlerMr. Alan W. ChurchMr. & Mrs. Nick CraftDick & Betty DalsemerFred DietrichNancy & Hugh DitzlerDavid & Kathleen FinkDr. Anne FitzpatrickLinda and Howard B. FoslerTodd & Cindy GanosKathleen GatesFred W GilbertMigsy & Jim HamasakiHomer HaywardHayward LumberMarianne & George HillMrs. Jeanne S. HolmquistHSBC - North AmericaGeorge & Lillian HuenerfauthMr. & Mrs. Charles J. KittrellLauryn Taylor GalleryJoseph & Barbara LeeDr. and Mrs. Mark LiebermanMarjorie LongoMarjorie LoveSal & Ada LucidoLaurie MacTavish BestKevin & Deeann MahoneyConstance MahoneyJoe & Sheila Mark Elizabeth MartinSherrie & Tom McCulloughMick & Nicki McMahanEric & Susan MillerMax Lloyd & Sharon MillerPaul & Karen MunninghoffFrederick McGarrity &

Helen OgdenJoy B. OsborneJo OwenMichael Glenn & Mo PierceFuensanta PlazaDr. James PretzerBarbara & Buzz RainerCarl RehnborgTraci ReidKim RichardsonClyde & Dottie RobersonWayne & Jennifer RossDr. and Mrs. James RossenDrs. Jerome & Suellen RubinDr. & Mrs. Alf RydellRobin & Chris SawyerDarren & Stacy SchmidtLary & Carlleen ScottDennis & Deborah SharpAlan & Sandra SilvestriDavid Ligare & Gary SmithRaymond StevensonConnie StroudTreadmillJonathan TuckerDr. & Mrs. Joseph VerskaElizabeth Chornesky &

Charles WahleLana K. WeeksOtto & Idell WeissWalt & Beth WeissmanDiane WilsdonPeter Heublein & Jean Wright

2004 LAND STEWARDMargot A. AbeloeDr. & Mrs. Michael AdamsRich & Susan AjeskaSteve AlexanderJoele B. AllisonDawn AnderleJudy & Tom ArchibaldDavid & Christine ArmanascoHarold & Doris AuerbachSteve & Pam AustinBarbara BabcockDr. Barbara BannonLinda & Richard BarrForbes BastianSeth A. BatesSeth & Tanya BatesTony BatesJohn & Priscilla BeckerLaurie & David BenjaminBetsy BennettJohn & Alice BerginDr. James M. BettsHenrietta Stern & Tom BiggsWalter BilgerScott & Janet BilletsEdwin & Miriam BlissCarol & Fred BlonerMaehr & Ken BloodMarshall & Suzanne BloomRoger & Barbara BolgardEvalyn Gendel & Emmett BonnerDavid & Georgene BowenMr. Scott BrackeBeau & Helen BreckJanet Brennan

Jean BrennerFrieda & Frank BreskBob Utley & Elizabeth BrintonNellie & Paul BrocchiniMary BroggieKeith & Suzanne BrownMarilyn BrownJohn & Jane BuffingtonDr. & Mrs. Kenneth BullockJody BunnLynn BurgessAnthony J Bushlow, IIIRobert ByersMr. Gregor CaillietNancy CallahanDaniel & Maxine CallinanGordon & Elizabeth CampbellRosemary CanfieldVicki CanningShirl & Vic CarderCarmel by the Sea Garden ClubBernard & Sylvia CarrollAndrea CarterJoseph & Margaret CaseyMax & Cynthia ChaplinShirley ChapmanMichael & Audrey MacLean ClairMarjorie ClarkMr. Robert CliffordAnn & Ed CliftonMike & Sandie CloranBob ClovisRoger W. ColemanRobert CooperJim & Jeanne CostelloRichard CotchettMerryll M. CottrellMr. & Mrs. David CovellJanet CovellAmelia CraigSharon & Joseph CrescenteMr. & Mrs. William CrockerBrian E. CronwallElizabeth CrowellWayne & Linda CruzanStuart & Penny CrymesCurtis & Betty CuretonJacqueline & Douglas CurranRita & John DalessioGreg & Lucia Choi DaltonGillian DannerBob DanzerStephen DaviesSusan DavisAngela DavisWilliam & Helen De MartiniSandra DelayMartha DennisLyndon C. DespardRoderick & Sue DewarDave & Carol DixonSheila DixonJohn & Esther DolanRoger & Rochelle DolanDoreen Croll-Donahoe &

Bernard DonahoeBruce & Fran DoughertyHallie & Brad DowDianne DriessenGail & Stan DrydenBruce D. DunlapMr. James DunnRobert & Susan DuttonHal EastmanSandra & Larry EdgettJames & Helen EgertonDr. & Mrs. Eugene EldredgeJohn & Kristine EllisonLaura B. EnosDavid & Lois EpelDr. & Mrs. Ronald M. FaiaFran M. FarinaHilary FarnellSharon & Sam FarrKent Marshall & Nan FarrellMr. and Mrs. Dan FeldmanMrs. Carroll FergussonMr. & Mrs. Antonio P. FerrazRev. & Mrs. Ken FeskeSue Ann FewBob FieldGuy & Libbie FitzwaterDean & Rene FlippoAlexandra & Randy ForbesJoe & Mary Ann FordPeggy & Steve FossettRuss FosterNorman & Muriel FosterDean & Marcine FrancisLinda & Peter FrederiksenAllene & Roger FremierLarry FrisoneVirginia F. FryDr. and Mrs. Ron FuerstnerGeorge & Priscilla GalakatosMary R. GaleRob & Pam GallawayIris Litt & Dale GarellFrances & Donald GaverPaul & Linda Geiger

Barry & Jane GendelmanGus & Julie GianuliasVearl & Sharon GishNadya & Valerio GiusiRobert & Ginger GlocknerJack R. GoddardWilliam GoldenAnn Prego & Andy GonzalezDick & Claire GormanRosanne GouldOssie Luis & Kristan GraceNatasha GranoffJudy & Mike GreenDaniel & April GreenAlicia GreenanJane GregozekHilde GrillJim & Ann GronvoldRodney & Betty GuilfoilWolfgang HaasRuss & Monty HaisleyHope & Sandy Hale, Jr.George & Mary HaltinerJonathan Penn & Karen HandyFaye HangerPeter & Peggy HardingDr. & Mrs. John HarrisJudy & Chris HarroldLillian & Cal HartmanArt HaseltineAnn & Joe HasselbachGinny HawesLillian HazdovacBen & Carole HeinrichRolf Lygren & Katherine HellerMr. & Mrs. Kenneth HelmsConnie & Ken HessDick & Feesie HeuerJohn HicksCol. and Mrs. J. Jack HilgersCeleste Williams & Peter HillerAnn & Glen HinerIrene C. HinesHarvey & Margaret HinmanArch & Suzanne HodgeLouise HoldenTheodore & Sue HookerLucy G. HornMrs. Lyman Dorothea HortonPeter T. HossJay HouseDorothy B. HuntCharles HutchinsPatricia HutchinsNancy HutchinsonJoanne IrmasSharon IversenPatricia A JacobsCarol JacobsEric & Cheryl JacobsonJim JefferyLise JensenBruce & Martha JohnsenVernon J. JohnsonJames & Barbara JohnsonMr. & Mrs. Stoddard P.JohnstonWilliam JohnstonElizabeth JonesReggie & Anne JonesMerrill JonesShirlee JonesMary Jane JosephRobert & Kyuja KafkaJesse & Carol KahnVictor T. KasikDorothy KayDr. Richard KehoeWayne & Phyllis KelleyBrian & Marsha KellyIrene KennedyJoe & Madeline KeppNancy McCullough &

Sherrick KernollDr. and Mrs. Melvin KlineSandy & Dan KoffmanMarge KolarBarbara KorpGregory & Teresa KraftBob & Patty LaKampEd & Belle LandaRichard & Mary LawrenceFreda Le NeveSusan Galvin & Michael LeavyLaela LeavyLee & Rose Warner FoundationDr. & Mrs. Jeffrey LehrLorin & Karen LetendreDayle Sarasohn, Psy.D & DavidLevenson, M.D.Richard & Lindy LevinPaul & Elizabeth LevinsonWilliam W. LewisJames & Judith LipmanAlan C LisserBarbara LivingstonLucinda LloydBarbara LockeKurt & Bettie LoeschAlan Sandler & Laura London

Patrick LondonSkip & Liz LordMylo & Charlene LoweryMr. & Mrs. Edwin R. LowryRosemary LukeMr. & Mrs. Patrick LynchJennifer & Roderick MacleodDr. Christopher MankeNathan MannDonna ManningDr. & Mrs. Arnold ManorJim MatherDuane & Betty MattersonNanette MaysonaveKatie Clare MazzeoLinda Mc HarryConnie Smith & Don McBrideTimothy & Kirsten McCarthyMajor General & Mrs. Charles

M. McCorkleMr. Michael McGibneyMr. Donald McNeelyAllen & Sandra Lee MearsDr. & Mrs. Herman MedwinBill & Mariam MelendezJohn & Doris MelvinJackie MenkeNita MessersmithGlen MetzDr. & Mrs. Bruce MeyerNeil Shapiro & Sandra MeyroseHolly MikkelsonMary MikkelsonDavid MirkinMr. & Mrs. Mike MoellerPeter MollmanBruce & Michelle MooreJoann MoreyMarikay & Robert MorrisBarbara MorrisGraeme MorrisDerek MoulaisonRachel & Richard MuellerDan L. MyersDr. Spencer W MyersMs. Sandra NeelandMary W. NewellLee & Kathy NewellNancy B. NewgardWalter & Joanne NewmanRita M NicelyAnika NicolasLaura & Brad NieblingRoger & Kathleen NivaWies NorbergMr. Thomas NorthMichael NybergDavid OakesJulie & William OberingBarbara & Savanna

Occiogroso-GroocockGrady O'HaraJohn & Jane OlinJohn & Carol O'NeilHelen H. OrdwaySuzanne H. PaboojianMary PaceySteven & Ann PackerGary & Beverly PalmaGaudenz & Sneha PanholzerDr. Manuel PardoDr. & Mrs. Jerry ParkerThomas ParkerEric & Jane ParkerJane ParkerAl & Laura ParmisanoJudy ParsonsLon ParsonsChris & Robert PattonDennis PeakSusie PearsonMark & Mia PetersonBob & Kathy PettyDr. & Mrs. John P PhillipsFred & Helen PinkhamJon & Care PittmanGeorge & Carole PooleDr. Michael Heymann &

Deborah PortNancy PorterPierre & Carol ProdisMichael & Mary QuiritGerda RayneBruce Merchant & Sandra ReelTom ReevesBill ReevesJanet & Niels ReimersDerek & Margaret RenautTony & Barb RicciardiMr. & Mrs. Ronald RicoJames RingroseGlenn & Elizabeth RobinsonTerry RockwoodMr. & Mrs. Larry L. RodockerMrs. RodriguezBarbara N. RoeckerTom & Lori RolanderAlan & Lyn RosenGail & George RothmanMuriel Isom Rowland

Monique Mikrut & Emily RubinRichard Farfan & Nancy RubinStephanie RuskellTom & Virginia RuthKarin SalomonRay & Celia SanbornTimothy & Jane SandersPatricia & Albert SantiniDr. George SardinaBill & Blanche ScheideckerChris & Dick SchmidtEric SchreckenbergerHelen SchuttishSeidler FoundationH.C. Rockey & Eileen SeligsonBert SemtnerPaul ShabramBill & Kathy SharpeMichael DeLapa & Becky ShawConnie ShelstadSusan ShendelMr. Ron G. SherwinMrs. Sandra ShoemakerDr. & Mrs. David ShollenbargerDr. John SinnhuberRudy Zucca & Veronica SisonSidney SladeMr. & Mrs. Thomas SmithStanley SmithPamela Dormandy SmithDan SojkaKatherine C SpringerTom & Margaret StaleyMichael W. StampRita & Shelby SteeleMorgan & June StockVirginia & Warren StoneChristopher & Nancy StoutTom & Carol StrattonMr. & Mrs. Wilbur J. Strohm, Jr.Louise StuartMarcella StullDavid & Jane StyerJohn & Gail StypulaEarl Meyers II &

Bonnie Jean SunwoodVivian SweeneyJoseph SzewczakAmy Essick & Frank TakacsEdith TannenbaumCarol & John TegtmeierDaniel & Patricia TellepShirley ThackaraJames & Barbara ThomasJudy ThompsonLoreen ToddRobin TokmakianHarold TokmakianMr. & Mrs. Vince TorrasMr. & Mrs. J. Breck TostevinJames & Margaret TracyMark & Katy TravailleNoah & Candace TroskyLonni TrykowskiMichael & Diane UppmanBill & Cecy UsslerMadeline & John Van ZanderJim & Pat VanceNoradele VeronisTed VoigtCatherine & Joseph Von SchwindMargard WagnerMrs. Cecil M WahleJohn & Priscilla WaltonStuart & Paula WalzerNed & Kate WashburnChase R. WeaverBill WeigleSteve & Dannie WelkomMarian E. WeygersGigi WhartonRichard WheatMichael & Marilynn WhitcombMrs. George WhiteMr. Paul WhitmanAnne WhitsonDon Edwards & Edith WilkieMrs. Roger WilliamsHope WilliamsSylvia WilliamsFrederick B WilliamsJosephine & Roger WilliamsGordon & Beverly WilliamsJerri McMillan & Sam A WilsonMaryellen & Michael WilsonWilliam & Patricia WilsonMartin & Karen WiskoffKathi & Bill WojtkowskiJudith WolfeBrian Grossi & Marilyn WoodsReid & Karen WoodwardMrs. Darby Moss WorthKen & Mary WrightWutke FamilyVern YadonDr. Rod M. YeagerMargaret YoungG.E. & Ruth YoungDr. & Mrs. Rick ZugMartin Zuniga

Donors 2004

Phil Wilhelm was born

and raised in Chicago,

Illinois where he co-

founded Huron Partners,

Inc., an investment

holding company

with concentrations

in commercial real

estate and various

operating companies.

He graduated from Duke University (BA 1969) and

Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management (MBA

1972). In 1980, he became an owner and managing

general partner of the Highlands Inn directing its re-

development and subsequently he became an owner

of several other Monterey Peninsula hotel properties.

Phil now resides in Carmel Valley with his wife Carol.

He is Board President of Big Brothers and Big Sisters

of Monterey County and his outside interests include

golf, travel, biking and hiking. Carol and Phil have

two adult children, Phillip Jr. and Julia.

Scot McKay was born

and raised in Evanston,

Illinois. He attended

the University Of Iowa,

Lake Forest College

and Keller Graduate

School of Management.

Scot is a successful

entrepreneur whose

business interests include an auto dealership, several

restaurants, a real estate development company, a soft-

ware company, and Chinese hotels and casinos. Most

recently, he purchased and renovated the 13-acre

Carmel Valley Athletic Club. Under his ownership,

CVAC was voted “Outstanding Facility of the Year –

2005” by the USTA. Scot’s most important “business”

is his family of seven children, ages 7 to 22, which

he “runs” with Heidi, his wife of twenty-five years.

The McKay Family moved to Carmel permanently

in 2003. Scot enjoys automobiles, tennis, golf, hiking

and being at the ocean. When asked why he wanted

to join the Land Trust board, Scot says, “Simple, love

of the land and sea... how can you not want to

conserve that?”

Linda Charles was born

in Pensacola, Florida and

traveled the country as

her Dad followed his Navy

career. She graduated from

Florida State University

with a Master’s Degree

in Math Education.

Linda moved to southern California to teach elementary

school, but soon became involved with staff develop-

ment presenting new ideas about teaching through

courses and workshops. She moved to Palo Alto to begin

work with an Educational Publishing company and pur-

sued this career for the next thirty years as an editor,

writer, speaker, manager and executive. Linda retired in

2002 and moved to Carmel fulltime with her husband

Randy. Linda loves to hike the beautiful hills of Monterey

and Big Sur and she looks forward to serving on the

Board of Trustees to further the important mission of the

Land Trust.

Stephen Schulte comes

to the Central Coast from

New York City, where he

continues in his role as

Counsel to Schulte Roth

& Zabel LLP, a large New

York City law firm, which

he co-founded.

Stephen earned his undergraduate degree from Brown

University, and completed his law degree at Columbia

University School of Law, where he has also been on

the adjunct faculty for many years. Stephen’s philan-

thropic commitments include serving as a board

member for Cardozo School of Law, Choate Rosemary

Hall School, The Innocence Project, and The York

School. Stephen and his wife Patsy have three children

and five grandchildren. In his free time, Stephen enjoys

fly fishing, cooking, hiking, and grandparenting.

Heather BradyStewardship Coordinator

Heather joined the BSLT

staff in 2005 after working

for three years as the Staff

Botanist for LBJ Enterprises,

a biological consulting

firm in Northern California.

She previously worked with Ecology Action of Santa

Cruz educating the community about pollution preven-

tion and waste reduction.

Heather graduated with honors from UC Santa Cruz

with a degree in Environmental Studies in 2002. She

has a wealth of experience in field biology, volunteer

and land management, permaculture, community

outreach and green design. She enjoys knitting, contra

dancing, bicycling, and swimming and is constantly

inspired by the beauty of our natural world.

Donna WaldenExecutive Assistant

Donna has recently joined

the staff of BSLT. She is

a native of Salinas and

a lifelong resident of the

Monterey Peninsula.

After twenty-five years

in real estate she is now

making the BSLT an area of application for her skills

and experience.

She and her husband Bill enjoy hiking the many,

varied trails of the area and of the Sierras. Donna

considers living on the Monterey Peninsula to be

both a privilege and a responsibility.

Land Trust is Pleased to WelcomeNew Board Members & Staff

We abuse land because we regard it

as a commodity belonging to us.

When we see land as a community

to which we belong, we may begin

to use it with love and respect.

- ALDO LEOPOLD

to reach us:

Telephone: (831) 625-5523

Fax: (831) 625-0716

E-mail: mail@bigsurlandtrust.org

www.bigsurlandtrust.org

Staff

Bill Leahy EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Heather Brady STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR

Jim Cox GLEN DEVEN RANCH MANAGER

Sus Danner CONSERVATION PROJECT MANAGER

Cynthia Holmsky GENERAL MANAGER

Jo Lynn Rosbach PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Stacy Schmidt ANNUAL FUND COORDINATOR

Donna Walden EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Lana Weeks DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY

David Zweifel MITTELDORF PRESERVE MANAGER

Consultants

Law Offices of Zad Leavy and Robin Jepsen LEGAL COUNSEL

Doolittle & Ganos INVESTMENT ADVISOR

Martin McCarthy ACCOUNTANT

Pos t Of f i ce Box 22186 4Carmel , Ca l i forn ia 93922

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PA I DPermit No. 93Carmel, CA

93922

contact

Newsletter Design - Bunne Hartmann, Hartmann Design Group. Photography - Douglas Steakley, and BSLT Staff.

printed by an economical direct-to-plate process, on recycled paper using soy-based inks.

As The Big Sur Land Trust continues its efforts to

purchase Marks Ranch, which will one day be an

855-acre addition to Toro County Park, our work

includes more than just fundraising and educa-

tion. We also have to contend with corrosive

liquids, tires, waste oil, and junked cars.

In August, BSLT partnered with the California

Integrated Waste Management Board’s Solid Waste

Disposal and Codisposal Site Cleanup Program to

conduct remediation of Marks Ranch. Since the

Marks family ended their chicken ranching activi-

ties on the property decades ago, illegal dumping

and vandalism of existing structures on the prop-

erty has been ongoing. An Environmental Site

Assessment conducted by BSLT recommended

removal of oil drums, barrels, trash, containers,

abandoned appliances, vehicles and other junk

and building debris. Several of the drums and

barrels contained fluids, primarily waste oil and

paint. Wastes were scattered over the northerly

portion of the site, where access is relatively

easy and there has been minimal security against

illegal dumping. A portion of Marks Creek had

been filled in with debris, which then washed

downstream in high flows.

BSLT requested the involvement of the State of

California to assist BSLT in conducting remedia-

tion operations. CIWMB staff visited Marks Ranch

and found that because of the degree of risk to

public health, safety and the environment on a

future public park, the cleanup of Marks Ranch

was a priority project. The State Board voted in

June 2005 to approve $175,000 in funds to reme-

diate Marks Ranch. Work commenced in August,

with heavy equipment, hand crews, and dump

trucks working for two weeks to remove nearly

200 tons of waste. All recyclable materials were

recycled and non-recyclables were trucked to

disposal facilities. An abandoned shooting range

near Portola Road will be the final phase of the

State’s cleanup of the site. As part of this final

phase, lead bullets will be sifted out of the soil

and erosion control measures will help ensure

the site is restored to grassland.

The Land Trust is committed to preserving this

spectacular property, and ensuring that it is safe

for future visitors. BSLT is fortunate to have found

an excellent partner and funder in the California

Integrated Waste Management Board.

Cleanup Facts:

13 truckloads of debris removed from

site – a total of 195.85 tons

2 truckloads of metals

3 truckloads of wood - total woods

and metals of 29.29 tons

2 truckloads of tires - 3.48 tons

2 drums of waste paint

4 drums of corrosive liquids

8 drums of oil/water wastes

10 drums of oil contaminated soils

M A R K S R A N C H P R O J E C T

Cleanup Effort Removes 200 Tons of Trash From Future Salinas Parkland

Board of Trustees

PRESIDENT

Ann Peterson Mahoney

VICE PRESIDENT

Marsha McMahan Zelus

TREASURERDavid Bates

SECRETARYPhillip Butler

Linda CharlesPaul Danielson

Kent EvansKaren Ferlito

Rosalind FisherScot McKay

Sharon MeresmanStephen Schulte

Diane SenaLeslie Snorf

George N. Somero. Ph.D.Phil Wilhelm