may-jun 2009 landlines newsletter ~ land conservancy of san luis obispo county

8/8/2019 May-Jun 2009 Landlines Newsletter ~ Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County

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lease join us in congratulating Land Conservancy Board Trustee, Herb Kandel, for win-

ning this years San Luis Obispo County Environmental Award for the 2008 Environment

Achievement of the Year.

The Land Conservancy and County Supervisor Katcho Achadjian jointly nominated Herb

for his outstanding work in pulling together the Dana Adobe Cultural Landscape conserva-

tion project.

Herbs leadership and tireless work ensured the

permanent preservation of 129 acres surrounding theDana Adobe in Nipomo. As a result of his efforts,

Dana Adobe Historic Park is the first adobe in the county

to have a substantial amount of its surrounding landscape

preserved as well as the structure itself.

Not only was a substantial amount of land set aside for-

ever, Dana Adobe Historic Park is also the site of a large-

scale restoration effort by the Land Conservancy.

Generations will come to know this place and its

fascinating history because Herb had the passion,

initiative, and perseverance to make it happen.

The great triumph of this project is that Herb was able to enlist so many diverse people

elected officials, private financiers, granting agencies, and the communityto focus on a

clear goal. The story he wove captivated the imaginations of so many, he couldnt fail. Her

joins a list of dedicated Land Conservancy Board Trustees that have been honored by this

award in the past, and is more than deserving of this tribute.

As I see it, the Land Conservancy is the gold standard of excellence,

the place that takes idealism to work, crosses social boundaries and gets results.

Each of the project successes and individual recognitions that come to any of

our Land Conservancy team (and we have had many) are also a LandConservancy team product and thus, a Land Conservancy team honor.

- Herb Kandel, Board Trustee & Environment Achievement of the Year Recipient

Herb is one of three local environmental heroes to win a 2008 county environmental award

Others winners include: Pete Sarafian, Small Wilderness Area Preservation Conservation

Chairman [Sustained Environmental Contribution] and Shelby Bohl, Pier Watch founder [Envi-

ronmental Initiative award]. The annual environmental awards are administered by the San Lu

Obispo County Community Foundation through an endowment by Lou and Ann Robinson

of San Luis Obispo. The prizes will be awarded at a ceremony May 27 and each winner wil

receive $2,000. Much deserved congratulations and appreciation to you, Herb!

Vol. 25 No. 3 - May/June 2009

Environmental Achievement of 2008

SLOPE Art ShowcaseMay 5th thru June 5th

M-F: 9am - 5pm

547 Marsh Street, SLO

View or purchase SLOPE

artwork featured during

Art at the Octagon Barn

Art after Dark:

San Luis BeautifulFri. June 5th6pm 9pm

547 Marsh St., SLO

Purchase SLOPE artwork

to benefit local land!

WaterFestMorro Rock

Sat,. June 20th

Family Fun 10am - 12pm

Live Music 124:30pm

www.slowaterfest.org

President's HikeJohnson Ranch

Sun. June 21st

10am - 12pm

MEMBERS &

VOLUNTEERS ONLY

RSVP at 544-9096 x14.

California CondorBenefit Mixer

Saucelito Canyon

Tasting RoomSun. July 19

th

3 - 6pm

3180 Biddle Ranch, SLO

www.condorlookout.org

This newsletter will soonbe printed quarterly.

Sign up for monthlye-news at


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Los Osos Lands Protected Forever

e are very pleased to announce the permanent conservation of two

parcels of sensitive habitat land totaling about 15 acres in the Los Osos

Greenbelt.

Directly adjacent to California State Parks property, the protected parcels

overlook Los Osos Creek near the Morro Bay Estuary and feature fan-tastic maritime chaparral, oak woodland, and intact habitat supporting a

variety of plants and animals.

Although we have recently been less active in the Los Osos area, in 1998

the Land Conservancy wrote the Baywood and Los Osos Conservation Plan.

The lands being set aside today add to the good conservation work of oth-

ers and help make the vision we set

forth back then a reality.

The Land Conservancy will act as an interim landowner, with plans to transfer the

land into State Parks ownership sometime within the next year. Other plans for

the property include restoration and stewardship activities, hiking trail improve-

ments, and, over the long term, linkages with other existing State Parks property

in the area.

We were honored and pleased to play a part in this partnership land deal, which

included close coordination with California State Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Pygmy oaks and other coastal flora remind visi-

tors of similar habitat found in the Elfin Forest.

he Land Conservancy would like to recognize the hard work ofKyle Finger and his Boy Scout Troop #308 for

enhancing the Bill Roalman Memorial site. Under Kyles leadership, his troop helped with an access trail re-

alignment and re-construction as part of the requirements for his Eagle Scout

Badge, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. The original access path

had become overgrown because visitors were not using it. Rather, users had

formed another informal trail through the grass at another location. Working

with the City of SLO and the Land Conservancy, 14 year old Kyle got approval

to replace the old trail with a new trail along the informal path so that usershave more direct access to the site.

"Thank you for finding an awesome Eagle project for me to lead

Troop 308 in doing. With your planning help and tools, we had fun

making the trail, helping the community and being together."

- Kyle Finger, Volunteer & Eagle Scout Pledge

Kyle has been volunteering with the Land Conservancy since he was 3 years

old along with his parents Helene and Troy, and his brother Brian. The Finger Family has donated hundreds of

hours of time doing everything from planting trees to testing water quality. Read their Local Story online at

www.LCSLO.org . Thank you, Kyle, for your hard work & leadershipCongratulations on your Eagle Scout Badge.

Youth Volunteer Blazes New Path

Both protected properties boast

stunning views of Hollister Peak and

surrounding natural areas.

Kyle Finger


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Art at the Octagon Raises Dollars & Hopes

ur 25th Anniversary celebration San Luis Beautiful,

Art at the Octagon, was a tremendous success. The event

raised over $26,000 to support local land conservation

efforts in San Luis Obispo County and provided a unique

opportunity to connect community members with our

mission. Hundreds of people were touched by The Land

Conservancys 25-year legacy of conservation achieve-

ments and our future vision for the Octagon Barn Center.

Sometimes we are complacent enough to believe

that what we see around us will last forever,

but without an organization like The Land

Conservancy, that is just a lazy fantasy.

- County Supervisor Adam Hill speaking at the event

We sincerely appreciate the many volunteers, sponsors and SLOPE partner artists whohelped make the event a success. Special thanks to the Board Trustees and volunteers

of our 25th Anniversary Committee, and to SLOPE Co-chairs Eileen Pritchard &

Marguerite Costigan. We also warmly welcome the new friends who are reading this

newsletter for the first time!

As many of you know from attending our events and reading our outreach materials,

The Land Conservancy is the only land trust working to set aside special places exclu-

sively in San Luis Obispo County for the benefit of people and wildlife. The Octagon

Barn Center will be a keystone icon of our communal connection to land, agriculture,

history, and our cultural heritage.

You put on a very classy eventwith outstanding food!

- Cal Wilvert, long-time member & Plein Air poet

View and purchase the same stunning SLOPE artwork

depicting unique Land Conservancy properties at our

Art After Dark reception on June 5th at 547 Marsh St.

More info available at 544-9096.

Thank You Sponsors

Chevron Corporation

Ernst & Mattison Law

Graphics by ErickNew Times

RRM Design Group

SILVER STREAM

Allyson Nakasone, EcoBrok

California Valley Solar RanchSunPower Corporation

Founders Community Bank

Gaia Graphics & Associate

Marguerite Costigan &Terry Sanville

Promotion Plus

BRONZE RANCH

Coast National Bank

Hart Family Chiropractic

Natural Investments Scott Secre

Oasis Consulting

Pacific Energy

Padre Associates

Rincon ConsultingSan Luis Realty Monique Carlt

Sinsheimer Juhnke Lebens & McIv

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

The Gallery at the Network

Crawford, Multari & Clark

Lunalily Photography

Turley Wine Cellars

President's HikeJohnson Ranch Exploration

Trailhead, SLOSunday, June 21st 10am-12pm

Join Gary Felsman, President of The LandConservancy, in exploring the newly openedJohnson Ranch Open Space Area, and learn

about past & current efforts to expand theSLO Greenbelt.

RSVP to Dave at 544-9096 x14.

Summer Fun & Learning

Guests viewing art in the barn.

Adam Hill

Trustee BK Richard explains the

vision of the Octagon Barn Center..

California Condor Benefit MixerSaucelito Canyon Tasting Room, Edna Valley

3180 Biddle Ranch, SLOSunday, July 19th 3 - 6pm - $20

Learn how a bottle of wine, a remote lookout towerand your local land trust are working together to

bring the California Condor back from the brink ofextinction. Enjoy live music, Saucelito Canyon wine

and learning from professionals in the field.

www.condorlookout.org


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Second Home on the Range

his spring the California Conservation Corps cleared the Oak Education

Tail to make way for a small army of young scientists as part of the Learn-

ing Among the Oaks education program. As of mid-May, more than 110

students and 20+ parents/grandparents from Santa Margaritas eleven K-

3rd grade, Home School, and Special Education classes will have partici-

pated in the spring program.

Cal Poly biology students Kelly Thornton and Joshua Junkermeier are

doing a great job guiding the education hikes and rotating responsibility for

setting up the interpretive station activities. Docent volunteer, Carol

Sinsheimer, and Program Coordinator, Bev Gingg, also support the on-going education effort alongside a cadre of

dedicated teachers, parents and helpers.

Friday morning trail hikes will continue through June 5. Please contact Bev

Gingg at 549-9319 or [email protected] if youd like to join or help with the

Learning Among the Oaks program.

Thank you to Santa Margarita Ranch,The Land Conservancy, CCC,projectvolunteers and an anonymous donor for keeping us on the trail

through tough economic times.

Beverly Gingg serves on The Land Conservancy Board of Trustees and has been managin

this exceptional education program with UC Cooperative Extension for nearly 5 years.

PhotosbyCarol Si nshei mer

Page

Kelly

Joshua


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Don Moves On

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t is with sincere gratitude and appreciation that we wish all

the best to former Restoration Project Manager, DonApplegate, as he moves on to other professional endeavors.

While working with The

Land Conservancy fornearly 3 years, Don pro-vided caring stewardship toour sensitive lands, helpedconnect hundreds of volun-teers with our mission, andserved as a dedicated cham-pion of local land protec-tion.

How Can You GiveWithout Going Broke?

Most of us are feeling uneasy about the economy

these days. Heres a few simple ways to support us

that wont break your bank.

GoodSearch.com Use this Google-based

search engine to donate a penny each time you

look for something on the web. Heres your

chance to feel good about surfing the net when you should

be doing something else.

Tell a FriendThe more community support

we have for land conservation, the more special

places well set aside forever. Soget out there and

gossip!

Send Us Your TestimonialHow do you

connect with the land? Why do you support

local conservation projects? What makes The

Land Conservancy special? Share your thoughts

to help tell our story. Send us an email:

[email protected].

Pass Along this NewsletterWeve heard

that there are people out there who dont know

what we do or why they should support us(gasp!). Spread the word and recycle all at once.

VolunteerWere looking for docents, hands-

on assistance at the Barn & restoration sites,

and help with mailings & special projects.

Contact Dave Rau at 544-9096 x14 or

[email protected].

Write a Letter to the EditorWith all the

negative drama that makes headlines people are

looking for good news. Send your commentaryto local media outlets. Who knows, you just might

end up a local celebrity!

Make Small Monthly DonationsYour $5 o

$10 monthly donation makes a difference and

can be automatically deducted securely from

your credit card. If Netflix is worth it, isnt

permanent local land conservation?

On Earth Day 2009, Barbara Boxer acknowledged The LandConservancy of San Luis Obispo County in comments that appeared intheU.S. Congressional Record. Heres an excerpt of her comments:

Created in 1984 by a group of local residents determined toprotect lands throughout San Luis Obispo County, LCSLO hasexperienced many successes over the past 25 years in its effortsto ensure a proud legacy of scenic beauty and healthy landsthroughout the county.

The Land Conservancy is a grassroots movement that empow-ers local farmers, ranchers, and residents to protect the landthat makes San Luis Obispo County so beautiful. By partneringwith local organizations and offering residents the opportunityto contribute hands-on to the preservation of their own com-munity, LCSLO is able to conserve the unique rural culturethat is so closely tied to this coastal environment.

For 25 years, LCSLO has worked passionately and effectivelyto sustain a high quality of life for residents and visitors in ahealthy natural environment. I commend LCSLO staff andvolunteers for maintaining the natural beauty of San LuisObispo County and for supporting the county's agricul-tural and tourism-based economy. I look forward to futuregenerations having the opportunity to enjoy this specialpart of California for many years to come.


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Grizzly Academy cadets help restore the health of

special creekside project sites in Nipomonear the

Dana Adobe and in Old Towne Nipomo.

Local People, Local Land

Community Outreach staff,Judith Hildinger &Wende David,

celebrate a successfulArt at the Barn event.

Best of luck this summer in Tahoe, Judith!

Nipomo High School Senior andEagle Scout candidate, Scott

Thompson, shows the improvedsignage he constructed at Olde

Towne Nipomo Creekside Preserve.

SLOPE artists, such as Bruce

Everett, were treated to a

private tour of Eagle Ranch.

The landscape they painted is

planned for conservation and

will permanently set aside

3,000 acres of wild lands.

Members of the Santa Barbara AudubonSociety enjoy a private bird walk at our Black

Lake preserve in coordination withTheDunes Center.

Members of a collaborative regional steel-

head recovery initiative include (L to R)

Domenic Santangelo, Brian Stark, Kaila

Dettman, Neil Havlik, Meredith Hardy,

Sarah Paddack, Freddy Otte and Dan

Berman.

Land donors, Pat &Fred Franktalk with

SLOPE artist Margue-rite Costigan and

Conservation Director,Bob Hill during the

25th anniversaryfestivities at the Barn.

Stewardship Volun-teer,Ted Aclan, isawarded the goldentrowel in honor ofhis steadfast help atvarious restorationsites. CommunityConnection Liaison,Dave Rau, presentedthe awards during theVolunteer Recogni-tion Reception in

April.


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Special Thanks

Wish List

Page 7

Digital camera (5 megapixels +)

Gardening tools (used or new; good condition)

Wooden, L-shaped deskwith drawers (gently used or new)

All donations are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Gary Felsman, PresidentHerb Stroh,Vice President

Lisa Wise,TreasurerValerie EndresBeverly GinggHerb KandelPenny RappaBK Richard

Alex RothenbergEd Carson, Emeritus

Executive Director: Brian Stark

Conservation Director: Bob Hill

Restoration Program Manager:Kaila Dettman

Membership & Development Manaand LandlinesEditor:Wende David

Stewardship Manager:Daniel Bohlman

Business Manager: Crystal Elwood

Project Managers:Mark Skinner & Michael LeBrun

Conservation Planning Associate:Margo Heekin Clark

Community Connection Liaison:Dave Rau

Community Program Aide:Judith Hildinger

Crew Leader: Brian OSullivan

Restoration Specialists:

Ryan Ihm , Matt Logue & PaulValley

LANDLINES is printed on recycled paper. Sign up for our eco-friendly on-line newsletter and preview all the same great photos & stories in full color!

Nipomo ChapterContact Herb Kandel at

[email protected]

Santa MargaritaCommunity Forestry

Contact Beverly Gingg at

[email protected]

hank Youto the following for your outstanding contributions:Growing Grounds Farm, Johnson Framing Studio, SLO Baked Bakeries,

Los Osos Valley Nursery, Trader Joes, Wild Birds Unlimited, Miners Ace

Hardware, Farm Supply Company, Rons Lifestyle Nursery, Starbucks,

Vons, and F. McLintocks for donating to our Volunteer Recognition event.

Kerry Smith for donating a refrigerator for use at the Octagon Barn.

Scott Thompson for constructing & installing a signage shelter at our preserve.Kyle Finger & Boy Scout Troop #308 for enhancing the Roalman Memorial.

547 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo, CA 934

The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo Countyis your local, non-profit land trust working to permanently set aside local lands

for the benefit of people and wildlife.

If you support what we do, please tell your friendsand encourage others to join.

We know there are many of you who enjoy the feel of this paper newsletter held

snuggly between your fingers while you flip through the pages for your local

conservation updates. We get it. But exciting things are happening here every

week, and we want to spend your donations as wisely as possible.

The Land Conservancy has decided to mail our printed newsletter less often

(4 instead of 6 issues per ear) to save resources and money. Yet we want to stay in

touch more often, so we will be offering a monthly e-news bulletin filled withcolorful images, event info, article links and essential conservation updates.

Stay on top of whats happening each month by

signing up for the Landlines e-newsletter on

our website at www.LCSLO.org.

Dont worry about spamwe will NOT sell your

email, and we promise not to overload your inbox.

may-jun 2009 landlines newsletter ~ land conservancy of san luis obispo county

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