January 20, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Mark Silberstein or Stephen Slade, (831) 728-5939

  From the Ridge Tops to the Deep Sea:
Nine Miles of Protected Land
(photos, map)

Elkhorn Slough Foundation protects key properties

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation has purchased three properties, totaling 140 acres, in the hills above Elkhorn Slough. These properties, linked with other previously protected lands, complete a nine-mile continuous corridor of protected land running from the rugged hilltops above Elkhorn Slough all the way to Monterey Bay. These acquisitions bring the total acreage under ESF protection to almost 3,600 acres. "This is a big day for the health of Elkhorn Slough," said ESF Executive Director Mark Silberstein. "These properties protect important natural resources, provide significant groundwater recharge, and buffer the waterways from erosion and runoff."

The Renteria property, in red, completes a nine-mile corridor of protected lands around Elkhorn Slough.

The latest land purchases came at the end of the year and are part of the nonprofit community group's long term effort to conserve Elkhorn Slough. Five years ago, the foundation identified the ridge that runs east along the upper reaches of Elkhorn Slough as a top priority for protecting the slough's health. Over the last four years the Foundation has acquired 900 acres along this ridge in a series of transactions.

The Foundation identified the ridge as a priority for protection in 1999 because it contained valuable natural resources and was also a major source of soil erosion, one of the major threats to the long term health of Elkhorn Slough. Steep hillsides that had been cultivated in the past contributed eroding sediment to Carneros Creek, which supplies the bulk of the slough's fresh water. Farming on steep slopes in these hills resulted in staggering erosion rates of up to 33 tons per acre per year.

The Foundation continues farming on many of its lands and currently leases land to six farmers and ranchers, who graze cattle and grow strawberries, perennial herbs, and other crops. "We've worked very hard to balance various uses on these lands," says Silberstein. "We want to insure the continued viability of farm and ranching operations and, at the same time, maintain and enhance the natural environment."

Three properties, three strategies

Silberstein says the latest three acquisitions illustrate the three key strategies behind the Foundation's work. "We are conserving pristine lands, restoring damaged lands, and continuing farming where it is productive and environmentally sound."

The Cormack property is a pristine piece of land – an 11-acre peak overlooking Elkhorn Slough. The steeply sloping property is densely covered with maritime chaparral, a rare plant community that thrives on the ridges above the slough. The owners donated more than half the appraised land value, Silberstein said, and will be able to use the donation as a tax-deductible charitable contribution.

The last gap in the nine-mile protected corridor was a 95-acre property which the Foundation acquired from the Renteria Family. The property includes 17 acres of fallow fields. Since the 1980s the land had been cultivated in strawberries, much of it on slopes exceeding 20%. The result is the serious erosion of sediment and chemicals into Carneros Creek, which supplies 70% of the freshwater into Elkhorn Slough. ESF will remove these steep slopes from cultivation, stabilize the sandy soils, and dramatically reduce soil erosion. Work on stabilizing these soils began before the heavy rains started after Christmas, Silberstein says.

ESF's commitment to working farms is illustrated by the third acquisition of the 32-acre Harris/Vasquez Ranch, located at the tip of Porter Marsh at the north end of the slough. The Harris/Vasquez agreement involved two owners with different needs. One wanted to sell now and the other wanted to continue his small agriculture operation for a few more years. ESF agreed to immediately acquire half and acquire the other half in installments over the next five years.

These three properties total 140 acres, the vast majority of which is undisturbed oak woodland (75 acres) and maritime chaparral (42 acres), the dominant natural habitats of the Elkhorn Highlands. ESF Executive Director Mark Silberstein says, "They stabilize soils, help recharge groundwater supplies, and provide food and shelter for the many species that have lived here for millennia."

In 2002 the community non-profit announced plans to double the amount of land it protects from 2,000 to 4,000 acres by the end of 2005. Since that announcement the foundation has protected 1,600 acreses.

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