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Byrne-Milliron Update – from Land Trust Board of Trustees
by Land Trust Santa Cruz
on January 8, 2020

We are writing to clarify the rationale for the decision to close the Byrne-Milliron Forest for the winter and address access and use impacts. Most importantly, we want everyone to understand that our intention has always been to re-open the forest as soon as reasonably practical.

We are gratified that so many hikers who treasure the peace, the serenity and the beauty of the forest have offered suggestions and assistance to help re-open Byrne-Milliron. We respect and value the feedback you have provided.

The board and staff of the Land Trust are exploring a number of ways to address specific challenges related to winter weather impacts and vehicle access up a narrow, winding road to the trailhead at Byrne. Our goal is to enhance the visitor experience, provide access improvements, and protect the land in a cost-effective manner compatible with the character of the property. While we can’t yet predict the exact timeline for resolving the most critical issues, we can share that significant progress already has been made. We ask for your patience and continued support as we sort out the remaining issues.

In the meantime, we will continue to focus on assuring that the forest thrives and the wildlife that depends on it prospers.

The Land Trust has been involved in providing access on other beautiful properties that remain open for public use this winter. Please check our website and consider exploring one of these properties. We look forward to seeing you on the Land Trust’s trails in this new year and in decades ahead. And, we will periodically update folks on the status of access to the Byrne-Milliron Forest on the website as more information becomes available. Thank you for your ongoing understanding and support.

— The Land Trust Board of Trustees

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