The American Land Conservancy is working with numerous partners and
supporters to protect the Wild Cherry Canyon property.* The appraised purchase
price is $24 million. ALC plans to acquire and subsequently transfer the property
to the state to be added to California’s state park system. Without this cooperative
effort, the land would be a prime target for development. As one of the few properties
in the Irish Hills directly accessible by road, it could easily accommodate stunning
rural home sites – a powerful attraction to developers, especially as alifornia’s
population pressures and land values increase.
The preservation value of Wild Cherry Canyon is increased by its adjacency to
the pristine and undeveloped Hibberd Preserve, owned by the Land Conservancy
of San Luis Obispo County. The 1,600-acre preserve will be transferred to the state
as well, making the new park unit a full 4,000 acres. The area is surrounded by some
60,000 acres of additional protected lands that act as a buffer to help protect the
wildlife habitat and natural resources of the area.
Those natural resources not only add to the beauty of the property, but are
important to numerous plant and animal species. Coastal bluffs, terraces, and
inland areas support coastal scrub, coast live oak woodlands, wildflower fields, and
maritime chaparral. Within the property, the watersheds of Wild Cherry Canyon,
upper Harford Canyon Creek, the headwaters of Rattlesnakes Canyon Creek,
and the eastern half of the Upper Pecho Creek support aquatic species, including
threatened California red-legged frogs, and riparian forests that are prime habitat
for neotropical migratory birds.
Managed by California State
Managed by California State Parks, Wild Cherry Canyon would also provide
multiple recreation opportunities to visitors. One of the most exciting possibilities
is a 15- to 20-mile extension of the California Coastal Trail, stretching from the
existing boundaries of Montaña de Oro State Park to Avila Beach. Hiking trails,
camping areas, and other amenities could also be developed.
Please visit www.alcnet.org for more information about ALC’s efforts to protect
Wild Cherry Canyon and find out how you can support this exciting conservation
opportunity.
