A conservation easement at Estrada Ranch will preserve land for wildlife movement while keeping it in productive use as a working ranch.

Thanks to our partner, Save the Redwoods League, for connecting us to Peter Smithey who helped us build a beautiful new kiosk at San Vicente Redwoods. The Douglas Fir used for this project was harvested during fuel reduction work at SVR.

The Estrada Ranch—1,205 mountainous acres in the heart of the Pajaro Hills in Santa Cruz County—has been protected in perpetuity through a conservation easement, which will allow the Frank Estrada family to keep the land in productive use while permanently protecting it from development.

This land protection strategy is unique in that it preserves habitat and a critical piece of the wildlife corridor between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Gabilan Range while enabling the Estrada family to continue their generational working ranch.

It's a very positive outcome for people, wildlife, and the environment.

In this article, learn about the how fire and other vegetation management treaments can reduce fuel buildup and enhance habitat in the Santa Cruz Sandhills.

The Land Trust had the opportunity to participate in the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Presliminary Competition Student Fair held by UC Santa Cruz in March.

This article by the Land Trust's Events Manager, Audrelina Mendiola-Arriola, shares highlights from our recent Introduction to Field Mycology member hikes at the Land Trust's weelili onyenmak property in the forested hills near Rio del Mar.

In early December, a new batch of fresh-faced heifers (first year females) arrived at Rocks Ranch for the 2024-2025 winter/spring grass season. Assuming an average rainfall year, the cattle will gain 300-350 pounds before they return to Utah sometime in June.

In this story, the writers explore the relationship between conservationists and landowners as they work together to prepare for some of the worst impacts of climate change.

Photo courtesy of Richard Stockton

In this article, Hilltromper writer Bridget Lyons provides a terrific recap of our HWY 17 Wildlife Crossing First Year Impacts event at the Rio Theatre on November 9th.