Biological Diversity of the Santa Lucia Preserve

By Christy Fisher

Deep, cold and nutrient rich, the waters of the world’s largest ocean well up along the shores of this land. Driven by wild offshore winds and powerful currents, this ‘upwelling’ sets the stage for an amazingly gentle climate: a slow waltz of seasons in which temperature extremes are muted and plants and animals flourish year-round. Cooling fog in the evenings and sea-run steelhead in the glittering streams are subtle reminders of the bond between land and sea. n The Santa Lucia Range rises above the rocky coast in a series of sweeping terraces, each graced by a mosaic of natural communities: coastal prairies and grasslands, maritime chaparral and coastal scrub, rolling oak savanna and woodland, creeks and wetlands, stately redwood and pine forests. The sounds of birdsong and the afternoon sea-breeze fill the air, inviting the listener to slow down, to breathe in the majesty, history, and enduring wildness of this land. n There is, quite simply, no place on Earth like California’s Central Coast. Unique combinations of geology and a rare ‘Mediterranean’ climate sustain a rich tapestry of life. Many plants and animals here are found nowhere else, making this one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world.

Biodiversity is a measure of the health and wealth of the land. A complex web of plants and animals offers resilience in the face of challenges like severe storms, wildfire or drought and can prevent outbreaks of insects or disease affecting both people and nature. Since people arrived here over 14,000 years ago, the clean air, water and healthy food produced by this ecosystem have nurtured vibrant cultures with deep connections to the land.

Conserving this treasure-trove of diversity has always been a core value of the Santa Lucia Preserve design. Recognizing the land’s global conservation significance, Tom and Alayna Gray and their partners set an ambitious goal: to create an innovative model to help people and nature coexist and thrive together in our changing world. Their vision transcended even the ‘avant guard’ approach of the time–tightly clustered neighborhoods set apart from protected land. Rather, they chose to mindfully weave the natural and human communities together in a manner that would inspire an abiding sense of stewardship in current and future generations.

To guide this process, the Partnership envisioned the Santa Lucia Conservancy as an independent and permanently endowed non-profit land trust.

Through the Conservancy’s community engagement, land management and research efforts, The Preserve serves as a model and ‘living laboratory.’ At this pivotal moment in history, with the fate of perhaps a third of all global species in question, our work is growing in importance.

What is so remarkable about this community and the people who have chosen to live here? It starts with the ‘lay of the land.’ The Preserve design sustains an open, sweeping landscape which is individually owned, maintained and cherished by 300 families with a shared set of conservation values. Each family commits to being good stewards of their land, and abides by covenants that ensure it remains a vibrant, exquisitely wild home for all the living creatures with whom they share it.

Simply protecting the land through goodwill and thoughtful restrictions, however, is not enough to keep it healthy. Our 18,000+ acres of native habitat are vulnerable to the ravages of exotic plants and animals, climate impacts, loss of keystone species such as native bees and elk, and pathogens such as Sudden Oak Death. Sustained hands-on habitat management is essential, and our small, dedicated staff are out on the land every day. The scale of the need can be overwhelming, so adaptive planning and prioritization is key.

The Conservancy recently completed a rigorous ‘Biodiversity Management Needs Assessment’ integrating national conservation planning tools with our deep knowledge of this land. Through this effort, we’ve determined that our coastal prairies, grasslands and wetlands are in greatest need of immediate action.

Grasslands are essential to a tremendous variety of wildlife: eagles and hawks, badgers and bobcats, meadowlarks and chorus frogs to name just a few. They are also globally imperiled. Invasive plants from four continents, expanding cities and farms, and loss of natural processes like seasonal grassfires are inexorably converting the world’s remaining grasslands and wildflower fields to weeds and brush. This onslaught diminishes both the splendor and natural productivity of the land, and increases the risk of destructive wildfires and floods.

The Conservancy is launching an innovative program to use promising new ‘conservation grazing’ techniques which emphasize managing the timing and intensity of livestock to mimic important natural disturbances such as Tule elk herds. Here at The Preserve we’re taking a leadership role in testing this exciting approach. This spring, 1,400 visiting goats briefly joined our growing cattle herd to help us attain our goal: vibrant sweeps of grasslands alive with birdsong and wildflowers, native pollinators and other grasslanddependent species.

To guide this work, the Conservancy is also leading groundbreaking research: the rare tricolored blackbird is one of many imperiled native species that require high quality grasslands with nearby wetlands to survive. For the first time anywhere, we’re using radio telemetry to determine the habitat conditions needed for these amazing creatures to thrive. This effort will allow us to set specific goals for our grazing and offers essential insights into conservation strategies for our partners throughout the state. In all our research efforts, Preserve residents are always welcome to lend a hand. The challenges and opportunities of biodiversity conservation we see before us are not unlike those faced by communities all over the world. And yet, the Santa Lucia Preserve is an extraordinary place where by design, the future of the community and the land is clearly interwoven. Through innovative land stewardship, research initiatives and community collaboration, we can provide a meaningful model of hope and adaptation for California and beyond, even as we ensure a legacy of enduring health and wild natural beauty here at home.