VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH ventanawild.org

Newsletter of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance Volume 22 Number 1 I Spring 2021

Splendor in the Big Sur High Country Photograph by Leor Pantilat I pantilat.wordpress.com

An Iconic Trail Vision 2020 The Year Soon to Reopen Strategic Plan That Was

Protecting the Big Sur Backcountry VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 22 Number 1 I SPRING 2021

VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH Newsletter of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance Message from the President As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, the VWA was forced to scale back our outreach activities and field programs. This afforded

PO Box 506 I Santa Cruz, California 95061 the board, staff, and key stakeholders time (831) 423-3191 I ventanawild.org to concentrate efforts on the completion The mission of the of our Vision 2020 Strategic Plan, which Ventana Wilderness Alliance will guide our actions over the next five is to protect, preserve, and restore years. This exhaustive and collaborative the wilderness qualities and effort was facilitated by the VWA’s first biodiversity of the public lands Executive Director, Paul McFarland. within California’s northern Santa Lucia Mountains What emerged was a functional structure and Big Sur coast. for the organization that allows us to BOARD of DIRECTORS proceed in a consistent and orderly manner. David Jacobs, CPA, President These functions have always existed in the Tom Hopkins, Treasurer VWA, but now they are more clearly defined, with Maria Ferdin, Secretary Ben Bruce, Director-at-Large comprehensive and detailed strategies and tactics supporting five key pillars: Mackenzie Little, Director-at-Large Advocacy Stewardship Fundraising & Membership Betsy MacGowan, Director-at-Large Dottie Massey, Director-at-Large Communication Management & Governance Greg Meyer, Director-at-Large Please see pages 6–7 of this newsletter for an outline. We know that the greatest of plans Leor Pantilat, Director-at-Large can sit on shelves and gather dust if they do not have leaders responsible for progress. STAFF Accordingly, we assigned responsible parties with due dates for each specific activity. We will Jacqui Bergner, Youth in Wilderness Program Director hold ourselves accountable. Toan Do, Field Program Director For the VWA to continue being a highly effective and professional organization, this type of Lucy Logsdon, Operations Manager Richard Popchak, Communications exercise was necessary. And with this hard work behind us, we look forward to increased and Development Director boots-on-the-ground activity in the very near future. Although the pandemic persists, as do Mike Splain, Executive Director the ongoing impacts of the Dolan Fire, and now the shutdown of Highway 1 at Rat Creek, NEWSLETTER PRODUCTION we are undaunted. Editor: Richard Popchak Design: Lynn Piquett The pandemic will pass, Mother Nature will heal the land, plants, and animals as she sees Printing: Community Printers, Santa Cruz fit, and Caltrans will fix the gap in the highway. We look forward to Congressman Jimmy Printed on 30% post-consumer waste Panetta’s Save our Forests Act being re-introduced in the new Congress. This legislation recycled paper with Agri-based inks. will direct the U.S. Forest Service to fill critical vacancies to mitigate wildfire risk and safe- guard our natural resources. We are actively working to restore access to the Carmel River ON THE COVER Trail at Los Padres Dam. Thanks to VWA volunteers and staff, the long-closed Pine Ridge Trail Leor Pantilat may be reopened as you read these words. Pent-up demand for Youth in Wilderness programs captured this stunning image is enormous. Our Volunteer Wilderness Ranger program has barely missed a beat through the of his wife, pandemic and Dolan Fire. Erica Namba, on the upper reaches of the We will emerge from this time with scratches and bruises. But we will emerge stronger and Pine Ridge Trail, ready to seize new opportunities to protect, preserve, and restore the incomparable public high above the Church Creek drainage. Generations of lands of the Big Sur backcountry. ■ visitors have enjoyed this vista while on their way to China Camp, Pine Valley, and camps along the Big Sur. Learn more about Leor and Erica’s adventures at pantilat.wordpress. com. Note: Erica is standing on the trail in 2 this photo. She reminds us to not “doom the David Jacobs I [email protected] bloom” by going off trail for photo ops. Collaboration Key to Pine Ridge Trail Reopening For generations, the lower (or western) section of the Pine Ridge Trail (PRT) has been the most popular backcountry route in the Ventana Wilderness. It has been long valued for its redwood- cloaked canyons, bounteous natural resources, and bucolic camps. Day hikers, trail runners, backpackers, and equestrians flocked to the Big Sur River valley for the benefits of simple, unconfined forms of recreation. VWA Trail Crew But then in 2016 somebody abandoned a hot campfire in Garrapata chief Betsy State Park (20 miles to the north) and the resulting conflagration MacGowan (foreground) with became the Soberanes Fire. This tragic, avoidable event burned volunteers Katia 57 homes, killed a bulldozer operator, and cost $260 million to Silva (left) and Carrie Edsinger suppress, making it at the time the most expensive wildfire to (right) clear fallen fight in United States history. redwood trees from the Pine Pushed by prevailing winds to the south and east, the Soberanes Ridge Trail. Fire burned over 132,000 acres, including much of the Ventana Photo: Sandra Aspacio-Flores Wilderness. The trails and camps along the Big Sur River suffered tremendous damage. Powerful storms the following winter added to the destruction. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) closed the PRT character of the Big Sur River and protect Wilderness qualities like from Big Sur Station near the coast to Redwood Camp, 12 miles primitive recreation, naturalness, and solitude. into the backcountry. The closure order was renewed again and The lower Pine Ridge Trail may be open to the public very soon. again as the USFS searched internally for funding to restore the We are excited and nervous about the reopening. Will the novel trails and camps. While unplanned, the closure gave the habitat a self-registration process enlighten visitors? Will the accumulated reprieve from the consistent, heavy visitation that had become the data lead to better management of a fragile ecosystem? norm in recent years. There is an elephant in the room (or should we say elephant in the In 2019, the USFS finally secured funding to reestablish the canyon?). The natural warm springs near Sykes Camp have long PRT and replace infrastructure lost in the fire. VWA staff and attracted oversized crowds detrimental to natural resources in a volunteers, along with our friends at Los Padres Forest wild and protected locale. The USFS prohibits impoundments and Association, quickly joined in as agency partners. In 2020 a structures at Sykes, stating that they cause resource damage, committee was established to set and prioritize goals around and will not be tolerated due to the unsustainable problems that access, management, and communications. human built tubs create. The VWA supports their position. But A significant project component given the remote location, we have to wonder: will human visitors is the implementation of a self- demonstrate self-control, obey the law, and resist altering a wild registration permit system. The landscape for their personal pleasure? Stay tuned. ■ objective is to impart information about fire safety, Wilderness regulations, and minimal-impact recreation practices, while compiling critical data like group BIG THANKS! size, destination, and trip duration. Data ■ PRT Reopening Committee gleaned through self-registration will Los Padres Forest Association – Tim Bills, Brian Conant guide future management decisions and USFS – Tom Murphey, Andrew Madsen, Finn Eifert determine whether additional steps are VWA – Toan Do (chair), Beth Benoit, Steve Benoit, Maria needed to preserve the Wild and Scenic Ferdin, Betsy MacGowan, Mike Heard, Mike Splain, Rich Popchak ■ California State Parks

■ VWA Trail Crew and Volunteer Wilderness Rangers

■ Marc Eldridge and Esperanza Hernandez (trailhead infrastructure)

■ Last but not least, special thanks to the Community Association of Big Sur, the Nepenthe/Phoenix Corporation Donor Advised Fund at CFMC, and National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance for funding to implement the visitor self-registration process. Tim Bills (left) of the LPFA and Toan Do of the VWA take a break from helping 3 to guide the Pine Ridge Trail reopening project. VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 22 Number 1 I SPRING 2021 A Rough Chronology of a Rough Year Looking back over the past twelve months can be disheartening, but there is much to be thankful for. Despite the tumult, we took on a bevy of new challenges in 2020, all the while addressing perennial obstacles to the VWA mission. 2020 MARCH 7 I Over 130 members gather in Carmel Valley to celebrate VWA’s 20th birthday with memories, food, and fun. For many of us, this was the last gathering of the year. None could predict the changes yet to come. Photo: U.S. Forest Service MARCH 26 I Due to the burgeoning pandemic, the Forest Service (USFS) closes recreation sites across California. AUGUST 16 I A widespread electrical storm ignites some 650 wildfires throughout coastal California, including the River APRIL 21 Los Padres National Forest issues a “COVID-19 I Fire (4 injuries, 30 structures destroyed) and possibly the Carmel Emergency Closure” order that effectively eliminates public access to Fire (73 structures destroyed). Moving northward, the storm all roads and trails (frontcountry and backcountry) in the Monterey sparks the CZU Lightning Complex in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Ranger District (MRD). The VWA objects to the exclusive, compre- causing tremendous loss and disruption for VWA volunteers, hensive nature of the closure as none of the southern four ranger partners, and staff. Miraculously, the Ventana and Silver Peak districts is subject to the same access restrictions. Wildernesses are spared. MAY 18 I The MRD permits Volunteer Wilderness Ranger (VWR) AUGUST 18 A new conflagration is reported along the patrols to resume. With no USFS presence in the backcountry, VWRs I Big Sur coast south of Esalen Institute. The Dolan Fire is believed are the only boots on the ground to observe conditions, report to be caused by drug trafficking organizations that set up shop violations, and protect resources. during a long-term District closure following the 2016 Soberanes AUGUST 4 I The Great American Outdoors Act is passed by Fire. By the time the Dolan Fire is “controlled” on December 31, Congress and signed by the President. Two major components of the it has burned 124,924 acres and destroyed 14 structures. Untold law may directly benefit the Ventana region: permanent funding for resources are again compromised by anthropogenic wildfire the Land and Water Conservation Fund and $9.5 billion over five years and suppression damage. A new round of District closure orders to address deferred maintenance on federally managed public lands. ensues.

4

SEPTEMBER 8 I The Dolan Fire races towards a Forest Service fire station atop Nacimiento-Fergusson Road; 14 firefighters deploy emergency shelters in a last-ditch effort to survive. Captain Casey Allen is severely injured and airlifted to a medical center in Fresno. All suffer from smoke inhalation and the life-long trauma of nearly being burned alive. (After 50 days of treatment, Captain Allen was released on October 28 to continue a long road to recovery. You can help at gofundme.com/f/26fojbl76o). OCTOBER 1 through DECEMBER 31 I Dolan Fire suppression repair work gets underway throughout the burn perimeter. OCTOBER 8-13 I The VWA’s annual presentation of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival goes virtual. See page 8. NOVEMBER 8 I Volunteer Wilderness Rangers brave cold temps and icy breezes at an annual Summit in Big Sur. Four promising trainees join 20 veteran rangers for a masked and safely-distanced celebration of 2020 accomplishments, with a strategic eye to the year ahead. DECEMBER 31 I The annual Monterey County Gives! Campaign concludes as the VWA’s most successful year-end fundraiser to date. See page 12. 2021 JANUARY 22 I A revised Forest order finally opens most unburned sections of the Monterey Ranger District. JANUARY 29 I An “atmospheric river” washes a large section of Highway 1 into the sea at Rat Creek, ground zero for the August 18 Dolan Fire. Storm damage to the 300-mile network of trails in the backcountry is still being assessed. MARCH 24 I In collaboration with the Esselen and Salinan Tribes, Community Association of Big Sur, and fellow conservation organizations, VWA submits Great American Outdoors Act project recommendations to Los Padres National Forest Supervisor’s Office. Projects include restoration of Bottchers Gap and Salmon Creek Station, and enhanced management These before and after photos illustrate fire suppression repair work done on dozer lines and of the Milpitas Special Interest Area. trails near the intersection of Cone Peak Road and the Vicente Flat Trail. Photos: C.M. Heard

While this chronology is instructive, it simply cannot convey the scope and magnitude of the epic work being done every day by VWA volunteers, staff, partners, and funders to keep the Big Sur backcountry wild and accessible. We could devote dozens of pages to the work of the VWA board, Trail Crew, and Rangers alone. Your support makes this critical work possible. THANK YOU. ■

2020-21 Volunteer Wilderness Rangers. VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 22 Number 1 I SPRING 2021 VISION 2020 STRATEGIC PLAN Following twenty years of success in fulfilling our mission, the leadership of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance has re-affirmed the need for its continued service to the Wilderness qualities, native biodiversity, and human visitation on the public lands of the northern Santa Lucia Mountains and Big Sur Coast. The following outline of the VISION 2020 STRATEGIC PLAN builds on the organization’s three previous plans and re-confirms commitment to our mission and acknowledges the necessity to expand our service to meet current and future needs. We’ve augmented this admittedly dry information with images of native plants and animals to remind us that our ultimate mission is to protect biodiversity and Wilderness character in the Big Sur back- country. Many thanks to Amy Patten — formerly a VWA staffer and currently with the California Native Plant Society — for the use of her photographs. Arroyo Seco Bushmallow (Malacothamnus palmeri var. lucianus) ADVOCACY I Leverage regulatory, administrative, legislative, and judicial means with community involvement to advance the VWA mission. ■ Monitor proposals that affect the public lands, cultural and historical resources, and ecological integrity of the northern Santa Lucia Mountains and take appropriate action. ■ Preserve public access to public lands. ■ Educate, inspire, and motivate future Wilderness advocates. California Condor ■ Advocate for expanded Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River designations to (Gymnogyps californianus) ensure that roadless lands and free-flowing streams remain wild. Advocate for enforcement of existing regulations. ■ Establish Advocacy Committee and maintain relevant and timely targets. ■ Encourage and support scientific research and education. ■ Build coalitions to advance the VWA mission.

STEWARDSHIP I Use hands-on projects to preserve and restore ecological health of public lands Venus Thistle across the Ventana region. (Cirsium occidentale var. venustum) ■ Educate, inspire, and motivate future Ventana region public land stewards. ■ Preserve and restore public access by engaging volunteer and professional crews to maintain public trails. ■ Establish Field Programs Committee. ■ Develop, organize, prioritize, and implement habitat restoration and stewardship projects.

6

Blainville’s Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma blainvilli)

FUNDRAISING & MEMBERSHIP I Build and sustain the human and financial resources necessary to achieve the VWA mission. ■ Expand major donor giving and cultivation. ■ Two-Striped Gartersnake Continue to build a sense of the VWA community and common purpose among (Thamnophis hammondi) members and volunteers. ■ Renew organizational focus on endowment funds. ■ Sustain and cultivate a diverse source of restricted funds to support specific mission-driven programs and projects.

COMMUNICATION I Advance an understanding of the VWA’s work, the place we protect, and how people can experience and care for the Ventana region.

■ Cultivate relationships with stakeholders and communities adjacent to and Acmon Blue affected by the public lands and waters of the Ventana region. (Plebejus acmon) ■ Craft and adopt a Communications Plan with policies and protocol to ensure quality, consistency, and effectiveness of all publicly facing organizational communications across all platforms. ■ Continue a broad events calendar designed to increase public knowledge of the VWA’s mission and work while building a community of people who actively care for the Ventana region.

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE I Develop and maintain a sustainable, effective, accountable, and Canyon Live-Forever (Dudleya cymosa ssp. cymosa) compliant non-profit organization. ■ Sustain organizational culture of strategic plan implementation, cross-program collaboration, organizational cohesion, adaptation, and accountability. ■ Demonstrate an organizational commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. ■ Build a culture of engagement across the organization. ■ Enhance and sustain staff effectiveness. ■ Build and sustain effective board governance.

■ Enhance organizational visibility and recognition in Monterey County with a Common Buckeye satellite office. (Junonia coenia) ■ Create tools for long-term administrative continuity, financial integrity, accountability, and regulatory compliance.

All photos: Amy Patten 7

Bitter Root (Lewisia rediviva) VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 22 Number 1 I SPRING 2021

Wild & Scenic Film Festival Goes Virtual Having never done a virtual event before, VWA staff and volunteers were a bit nervous about our 2020 presentation of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. We were confident about one thing: we had an excellent slate of films and guest speakers. And thanks to attendees, sponsors, and the kind folks who donated online auction packages and the bidders who won them, our 8th annual presentation was a unique, fun, and special success. Since this event was watched at home with friends and family, the 454 tickets sold correlates to approximately 1,135 film festival viewers.

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is essential to the VWA’s outreach efforts. Our conservation work in the Big Sur backcountry depends on the funding, volunteers, and partnerships that this event nurtures. Please join us in extending a big thanks to all involved. We encourage you to support the businesses that support the VWA. The numbers tell a great story: Special Thanks to Online Auction Donors! ■ $14,243 in ticket sales Alvarado Street Brewery ■ 196 brand-new VWA members Brett Bell ■ $3,980 in online auction income Calwise Spirits Co. ■ $16,850 in sponsorship support! Dottie Massey Feral Wetsuits Special Thanks to Our Presenters Frame Circus and Guest Speakers Frans Lanting Tom Little Bear Nason – Esselen Tribal Chairman Heyday Books Tim Paule and Nicole Lindsey – Detroit Hives Founders Juniper Ridge Ben Bruce – VWA Board of Directors Kennan Ward Daniela Cervantes – YiW Field Instructor Peak Design Obi Kaufmann – Writer and artist REI National Geographic Maps Wild & Scenic Film Festival graphics: Obi Kaufmann Obi Kaufmann Tom Hopkins Special Thanks to Our Sponsors! Prior to the pandemic, the VWA’s Youth in fun and informative newsletter. And to bring the Wilderness program was humming. Led by outdoors closer to the lives of shut-in students, program director Jacqui Bergner, our Jacqui assembles “Take Home Kits” and unique outdoor education platform delivers them to to our education served 517 students in 2019. Partici- partners. The packages include a pants enjoyed nearly 5,000 hours of cloud reading activity, instructions engagement in the ultimate outdoor on how to use iNaturalist to identify classroom; the northern Santa plants, and materials to build a rain Lucias and Big Sur coast. As you gauge and a pine cone bird feeder. can imagine, convening disparate During the holidays she even threw students and Field Instructors for in hot chocolate and a candy cane. outings in the backcountry does not Well done, Jacqui! Field activities are stand up to COVID-safe protocols. So we resuming with day hikes and it won’t had to adapt. Jacqui put a plan in place be long before backpacking outings take that continues to connect students to wild place at cherished Wilderness locales. ■ places. With help from Field Instructors, she shares stories and videos on social media. She publishes a Students from the Drummond Culinary Academy at Rancho Cielo enjoy a YiW outing at Garrapata State Park.

Leor Pantilat Joins VWA Board

We’d like to welcome Leor Pantilat to the organization’s all-volunteer Board of Directors. It is no exaggeration to say that Leor is a profound Ventana Wilderness enthusiast. He is captivated and inspired by virtually all aspects of the land, from the coast to the interior, from the rugged canyons to the summits. He is passionate about adventure running to the most rugged and remote corners of the Ventana and throughout Califor- nia. Leor’s adventures have led him to catalog hundreds of waterfalls in Big Sur. He also enjoys nature photography and meticulously tracking weather models. Leor understands that access to public lands facilitates his adventures and his deep connection with the land, and is committed to ensuring the protection and expansion of public lands and accessibil- ity for the benefit of all. He earned a B.A. from Rice University and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. Leor currently practices law while residing Leor Pantilat in San Carlos, California. Thank you for joining the board, Leor! ■ Remembering Anneliese Suter I by Randy May

Editor’s note: One fine spring day years before Carol and I moved from theBay A longtime Area, I sampled a day hike sponsored by the Sierra Club’s Ventana Chapter. Waiting at the Pine Ridge trailhead was Anneliese Suter, friend to many with her beatific smile, gentle voice, and hiking legs of carbon steel. in the Ventana A few hours later, as we emerged onto the gaily flowered hillsides conservation above Coast Ridge Road, Anneliese’s beaming face reflected not community, only the natural beauty but also her joy of sharing it with friends. Anneliese Suter Anneliese’s energy and enthusiasm seduced one person after passed away another into a similar love, both for the Ventana itself and for the people who appreciate it. During her 25 years as chair of the last September. chapter’s hikes and outings, a regular highlight was the annual We asked her New Year’s hike from Garland Ranch Regional Park to Anneliese’s friend Randy apartment for Kaffee und Kuchen. Anneliese personified the value May to offer a and rewards of “giving back,” and those of us who were touched few words of by her warmth and generosity can only feel gratitude and offer remembrance. something of ourselves in return. ■ Anneliese Suter VENTANA WILDERNESS WATCH I Volume 22 Number 1 I SPRING 2021

We Can’t Thank You Enough: Our 2020* Members and Funders BUSINESSES Allison Arteaga George Chadwick Diane Evans Michelle & David Hamerslough Kelsey Jordahl & Alice Shumate Soondeuk Lowney 1st Capital Bank Ruth Ashbach Mark Chaffey & Heidi Hall Keith & Meg Evans Nadia Hamey John K Ada & Sal Lucido Alex Cole Construction Charmon Ashby Gail Chambers Steven Evans Patricia Hamilton Robert Kafka C. Lucretia Alvarado Street Brewery Patricia Ashe-Woodfill Sarah Chaney & Daniel Richards James Ewart Rich Hamilton Bobbi Kamil Devin Lueddeke Backcountry Medical Guides Michael Atkinson Nona Childress Linda Fahey Juliet Hannafin Janet Kamiya Doreen Luke Backcountry Press Sean Atsatt Yvon Chouinard Jim Fairchild Krista Hanni Dave & Marjorie Kanyer Erika Lutz Biocidin Molly & Steve Attell Julie Christie Craig & Debby Farmer Chris Hansen Josh Kaplan Susan & Gary Luxton Bunter Spring Winery John Avera Teresa Chuang Catherine Farrant & J. V. Hansen Chris Karpenko Marilyn M. Chiorini, Platt & Jacobs Veronica Babcock Jan Doelman & Nicole Chupka Mary Dainton Harry Hanson Patricia & Zaheer Kasad Martha MacAmbridge Frame Circus Larry & Sharon Bacon Alan Church Kim Farrar Ginger Harmon Daniel Kasting Leah MacCarter Great Expeditions Jesse Bader Lorna Claerbout Cathy Thome & Barry Farrara David Harnish Kara & Douglas Kasunich Betsy MacGowan iFixit Margaret Badger Michael & Ranjana Clark Jamshid Faryar Kes Harper Kakani Katiji Janelle Machnee International Produce Group Nelson & Laura Balcar Nadine & Dan Clark Claire Fay Mary Harper Patricia Katsky Salem & Laurie Magarian Juniper Ridge Alan Baldwin Ann & Duncan Clarke Kimm & Lawrence Fay Steven Harper Steve Lustgarden & Shalyn & Kate Magditch KindPeoples Geoffrey Balleisen Patricia Clark-Gray Michael Featherston Gwendolyn Harper-Metoyer Susan Kauffman Miranda Maher Frans Lanting Studio Britta Ballerini Eileen Clark-Nagaoka & John Fedak Meredith Harrill Obi Kaufmann Nicholas Malkovich Makers4Good John Barclay Gary Nagaoka Gary & Darlene Felsman Chris Harrington Michael Keenan Larry Manes National Geographic Maps Bruce Barnes Michael Closson Maria Ferdin Annchen Harris Patricia Keenan Ann & Keith Mangold Otter B Books Courtney Barry Joey Cobley Karen & Hugo Ferlito Morgan Harris Adam Kell Christopher Manke & Parks Project Julie Barta Mark Cohen Victoria Finder Wendell Harry Eleigh Kelly Lesley Miller Patagonia, Inc. Candice Basham Peter Kwiek & Robin Cohen Alisa Fineman & Kimball Hurd Emily Hart Karen & Brendan Kelly Melissa & Bob Mannix Pearce European & Japanese Thomas Bastasch Sandra Cohen Bert Fingerhut John Harter Sean & Charmaine Kelly Grace Manyell REI Jo Ann Baumgartner & Stephen Collier Wesley Finley Daniel Hartmann Patty Kennedy Eric Marchbien Ristorante Avanti Sam Earnshaw David Collins Meade & Denise Fischer Dawn Hartsock Fredrick Kennifer Lidia Marchioni Joyce Bausch George Collins Leigh Fitz Eric Hartwell Kat Kennifer Elizabeth Marks FOUNDATIONS Richard & Susan Beach Tom Collins Timothy Flanagan Shari Hastey John Kenny Leslee & Charles Marlow Kali Beard Shalom Compost Bruce Flatow Kim Hastings Deanna Kern Charles Martin AND FUNDS Roger Beaudoin Phyllis & Bob Conlan Patricia Brown & Jennifer & Chris Hauser Bill Keye Flo Martin Applewood Fund Alan Beck Neil Connor Paul Fleischman Kim Havbo Henrik Kibak Amy Marton Barnet Segal Charitable Trust Doug Beck Mark Conover Dean Flippo Michael Hawk Ellie Kincade Mark Maslow & Regina Pettus Beers-Neubert Foundation Patrick Belanger Vickie Conte Peter Fonken Anne Hayes Dennis King & Lee Ure Maureen Mason Carmel Valley Kiwanis Brett Bell Mary Conway Donna Foote Autumn Hays Jamey King Dorothy Massey Foundation Steve & Beth Benoit Carol Courtney Leslie Foote Spencer & Heather Hays Sue Kirkpatrick Patricia Matejcek Cleo Foundation Sandra & Roger Bergam Janet Covell Chris Ford Lois Hazard Jamie Kitz Cynthia Mathews Community Foundation Jacquelyn Bergner Kailey Cox Tim Forsell Lenis Hazlett Chantel & Alex Kjellgren Liana Mathon for Monterey County Kathleen Bergner Tom & Karla Cravens Richard Forster Nola He Mary Ellen Klee Betty Matterson Community Foundation Carol Bernthal Diane Creasey Barbara Foster Charles Heard Denise Klein Maria Mattioli Santa Cruz County Kelli Berryhill Robert Creek Michael Foster & Daniel Heaston Elaine & Robert Klein Kim Mattoch Fenton Family Gift Fund Paola Berthoin Tom Criswell Vivian Key-Foster Matthew Heath Marvin Klein Randy May & Carol Greenstreet Monterey County Weekly Simon Bertrang Michael Cross David Fox & Catherine Heather Heen Alec Knapp Diane Mayer Community Fund Charles Betlach Leslie Cucuel Spellacy-Fox John Heimann David Knapp Ronald Maysenhalder Monterey Peninsula Foundation Robert Beverly Jesse & Sandra Cude Harry Fox Gero Heine Robert Knapp Cam McAra Nancy Buck Ransom Len Beyea Sheilah Cummings & Natasha Fraley Ross Heitkamp Kathryn Knauf Molly McCarty Foundation Jolita Bisson Mark Burden Michael Framberger Gay Heller David Knight Dale McCauley Nepenthe/Phoenix Corporation Peggy Black Dawn Cunko Carina Franco Sandra Heller Bill & Bethany Koenig Bob & Victoria McCay Donor Advised Fund Mary Blackler & Phil Wagner Jonathan Libby & Charles Franklin Anne & Ken Helms Jacob Koff James McCay Nonprofit Insurance Alliance Dan Blakely Kate Cunningham Laura Franklin Peter Hemming Alice Kollmann Andrew McClelland Patterson Family Foundation Philipp Bleek Mary Cunningham-Welsh Melanie Freitas Ellen Henrici Daryle Kool Ross McClenahan Pebble Beach Company Michael Bliden Mary Cunov Calvin French Jeni Henrickson Mari Kool Bailey McCormick Foundation Gordon Mayfield & Janet Bloom Erik & Kristin Cushman Rachel Fresco Adrienne Herman Ellen & Robert Korstanje Robert McCormick Richard & Susan Beach Family Dan Blunk John Cusick Gernot Friederich Stephanie Herrera Ryder Kovach Christine McEnery Fund Deb & Tom Bobrowski Mike Cussen Katherine Friedman Kimberle Herring Keith Kowalczykowski Joan McGonagle River Styx Foundation Tom Boehme Steve Cypher Greg Fries John Heyl & Kathryn Greenwald Brook Kraeger Mickey McGuire Tides Foundation Lynn Bomberger Andrew Czerny Jill Fu Dale Hillard Jon Kramer Trevor & Allison McHenry Ventana Wilderness Alliance Debora Bone Danielle Dale Rebecca Fuller Lisa Hindley David Ohanesian & Susan Krivin Gemma McLintock Fund (CFMC) Eva Bonnano Rita & John Dalessio Sherry Funke Marina Hobson Patricia Kronlund David McMillan Ventana Trails Forever Fund James Booth Lane Daniels Patrick Furtado David Hoffman Ella Labor Cassie McSorley (CFMC) Wayne & Jeanne Boss Amy Dawe Paul Gallagher David Hofvendahl Susan Lacey Marcus Melander Youth in Wilderness Fund Celia Bosworth Jane Dawson Ursula Gallichotte Astrid Holberg & Gail Lack Stan Mellin (CFMC) Mendal Bouknight June Dawson Bill Gammons David Awerbuck Allison & James Ladio Joe Mello Youth in Wilderness Fund Kelsey Boulger Luis DelaGarza Robert Gangemi Annie & Craig Holdren John Laird Dorthea Melville (CFSCC) Patricia Bova David Delfino Angelica Garcia Allegra Holland Stephanie Lam Frank Menagh Robert Boyce Natalie Zayas Delgado Paul & Diana Garneau Mark & Roxane Holman Jennifer Lance Steven & Linda Mendivil ORGANIZATIONS Judith Boyer Arthur & Anne Delibert Christian Gates Heidi Hopkins & James Merz Heather Lang Bruce Merchant & Sandra Reel California Coastal Commission Eva Boynton Natalie DellaMaria Guilbert Gates Matt Hopkins Louis Langlois Sheridan Merritt Carmel Valley Garden Teri Bradley Luke Demi Heather Gates Tom Hopkins Jerome & Gena Lapointe William & Teresa Merry Association Amber Brandom Susan Denny Daniel & Julia Gearhart William Hopkins Kristin Larson Karen & Dennis Mestemacher Community Association Eric & Mary Jo Brazil Liliana Diaz Brian George Heather Horton Guy Lasnier Ted Meyenberg of Big Sur Sally Brazil & Don Bendernagel Peggy & Edward Dickson Gina Gianfala Kevin Hoshiko Marilyn Lauer Veronica Meyer Environmental Protection Richard Bredeson Mark Diekhans Jason Gibilisco Kerry Hosley David Laurits & Leslie James & Keith Meyerhoff Agency Carrie Bretz-Barry Kirsten Dillehay Coco Gill Annie Hostetler Katharine Martin Grover Meyrose National Wilderness Jocelyn & Peter Bridson Gary Dillon Bonnie Gillooly Nancy Howden William & Katherine Lauster Matt & Kristy Michie Stewardship Alliance Claire Brindis Dave & Carol Dixon Pinki Gilmore John Howerton David Lautzenheiser Mark Miculian New Camaldoli Hermitage Maria Briscione & Paul Vizza Michael Dobler Kaitlin Girtin William Howser Susan Lavelle Kelly Mielke Point Sur Lighthouse Tommy Brisley Joel Dodge Deanna Giuliano Kip Hudson Sean Lawley Catherine Milazzo Rotary Club of Justin Bronson Olaf Domis John Glendening Della Huff & Mike James Mary Layman Christine Miller Carmel-by-the-Sea Bill Brooks Nina Donna Sarah Glommen Boon Hughey Laela Leavy David Miller Save the Redwoods League Bonnie Brooks Darryl Donnelly Anneke Glore Diana Hull Barbara Lebeck Elaine Miller Los Padres National Forest Benjamin & Guadalupe Molly Donohue Kimberly & Toby Goddard Nathan Hunsperger Genevieve LeBlanc Hayley Miller Supervisor’s Office Arias-Bruce Sarah Donovan Josh Goldberg William Hyman Jean LeBlanc Jenny & Larry Miller Tassajara Zen Mountain Center Brita Bruemmer George Doolan Rachel Goldberger Alisa Ibsen Cindy Lee John G. Miller Janet Bruman Bruce Dormody Sam Goldeen Kyoko Ikemoto Kathleen & Rob Lee Nina Miller INDIVIDUALS Eva Brunner Jennifer Douglas Jennifer Golden Ann Isely Edie Lemon Alexanne Mills Stuart Abel Benjamin Bryant Marie Downard Myra & Drew Goodman David Jacobs Brian & Carol LeNeve Anne-Marie Mockus Gavin Achtemeier Alan Buchwald Laurence & Kimberly Drucker Chris Gordon Randa Jacobs Nicole Lenggenhager Mark Moehling Patricia Addleman Katherine Bucquet Dianne Dryer Benjamin Grainger Frances Jaconette Frances Lenzi Lynn Moncher Sue Addleman Wendy & Joe Burnett Dean Dubbe Mike & Cindy Grall Nicole Jakaby Judy LeRoy Janette Moody Samuel Adelson Richard Burton Vicky Duke Steven Graves Susan Jamison Florence Lesur Andrea Moore Betsy Buchalter & Barry Adler Donna Burych Patrick Dundon Dick & Lyn Graybill Hans & Elizabeth Jannasch Heidi Lewin Mik & Nancy Moore Anneliese Agren Linda Bussey James Dunn Barbara Grealish Rosemary Jarrett Mark Lewis Suzanne Worcester & Donn Ahearn Susan Butkus Jacquelyn Dupuis Susan Greco-Neubert Joanna Jarvis Rebecca Liechty Steve Moore Mark Alderson & Anne Secker Tatum Byrd Peter & Sherry Duveneck Jacquelyn Griffith Lindsay & Myoung Jeffers Jessica Lienhardt David Morris Lauren Alexander Beth Callaghan Malcolm Dydo David Groll Jim Jeffery Laura Lee Lienk James Morris Ramie Allard Nancy Callahan Owlswan Eagle Hal Grotke Janette Jensen Casey Lightner Joseph Morris John Hain & Jennifer Allen Jim & Lynda Campbell Philip Easton Don Gruber Laura & Dru Jensen Tauria Linala Penny Morris Mary Jo Aloi George Campion Norma Edson David Gryska Clayton Jerlow Erin Lingren Ryan Morris Anita Alvarez Michael Campos Cherilee Eide David Gubernick Alana Johnson Mark Lippert Carla & Eric Moss Everett Amburn Miranda & Don Canestro Kenneth Ekelund III Rob & Susie Gularte Cedar Johnson Robert Lipshutz Steven Most Gideon Amparo Anne & David Canright Marc Eldridge John Gump Linda Johnson Kirsten Liske Judith Mostyn Dawn Anderle Stuart Carlson & Michael Elliott Melissa Gunner Monica Johnson Mackenzie Little Caroline & David Moyer Brad Anderson Solange Nascimento Rebecca Elliott Sundeep Gupta Richard Johnson Wayne Lockwood Todd Muck & Kim Cole Gene Anderson Mindy Carner Sarah Eminhizer Lisa Gustafson Steve Johnson Lisa & Mark Logsdon Bob Mueller Krystle Anderson Elizabeth Carpenter Nico Emmer Gerhard Hahne David Johnston Ph.D. Lucy Logsdon Hans Mueller & Jane-Ling Wang Mark Anicetti Jeffri Carrington John Equitz Vinzenz & Barbara Hake James Johnston Andrea London Scott Mullins Jeff Antolini Flynn Carroll & Treea Clements Carole January Erickson Marilyn Halberg Stephanie & Neil Johnston Jan Loomis Greg Meyer & Eileen Murphy Ginny Aragon Mike Splain & Gabrielle Carroll Irene Espinoza Samuel & Hope Hale William Johnston M.D. Gary Lopez Laura Murphy J. G. Archuleta Joan Carroll Sergio & Julian Espinoza Tom Haley Elizabeth Anne Jones Chris & Debi Lorenc Susie & Rich Murphy 10 Vernita Ares Tiffany Carroll Amy Essick & Frank Takacs Andrew Hall Gordon Jones Cynthia Lott Constance Murray Robert Armstrong Maureen Casey Alexis Estrada John Hall Janet Jones Marcia Love-Jackson & Deana Myers Jesse Arnold Joey Cassidy Peggy Estrada David Halligan & Simone Hoelck Tamara Jones Robert Jackson Theresa Myers Laura Arnow Joaquin Cervantes-Castellanos Catherine Kobrinsky Evans Laurie Hedden & Cliff Halverson Teresa Jones Darlene Lowery Seaberry Nachbar *For donations received January 1, 2020, through February 15, 2021. Our apologies if we somehow missed you. Please notify us at [email protected]. — Members and Funders continued

Ana Nadal Curt & Lori Parker Martha & Dennis Renault Daniel & Betty Schlothan Sarah & Chad Stacy Tony Tollner Max Weinreich Joseph Nangle Sharon Parker David Reneau Gordon Schmeisser Bob Stallard Brian Tomasini Evan Weissman Tom Little Bear Nason Larry Parrish Roxanne Renedo Howie Schneider Erin Stanfield Nick Tomb Susan Welch Nicole Nedeff Judy Parsons Katherine & Ben Reneker Robert Schumacker Alison Stanford Kathy Toner Susan & Michael Wellborn Kerry Neece Patricia Pasetta Ellen Reyes Michael Schwieterman Margaret Stang Clare Tooth Gloria & Fredric Wells Steve Neff Andrew Passell Victor Reyes Dougald Scott & Virginia Ingrid Stearns K. Carolyn Ramamurti & Douglas Wenger Kim Neill Amy Patten Julianne Rhodes Morgan-Scott Margaret Steele Breck Tostevin Kimberley Werr Brooke Nelson Edward Patton Jesse Richards Jacqueline & Michael Sedgwick Brian Steen & Sandra Wilson Leslie Tremaine Rachel West Eric Nelson Gary Patton Neil Richman Richard Seely Bobby & Kim Steger Chuck Tremper & Sue Thomas Cynthia Westbrook Kenneth Nemire Daryl-Lynn Paul Michael Ridder Laura Segelman Rita Mae Steger Mary Trotter Douglas Westphal Thomas Neu Mary K. Paul Bruce Rienzo Laura Seidenberg Annette Steiner Hillary & Robert Trout Gordon Wheeler Alyssa Newman Deyess Payne Judith & Daniel Riley Fern Selzer Cindy Stephens Chia-hsuan Tsai Jessica Wheeler Jingbo Ni & Cuiyun Han Christa Peacock James Ringland Jolene Semtner Tawny Sterios Johnathon Turner Marcin Whitman Jeanette Nicely Kyle Pearsall Marcelo Rios Carol Setinek Henrietta Stern Rushia Turner Gregg Whitnah Abby Nichols Vicki & John Pearse Cameron Ripley Trent Sever Winona Stewart & Kaci Turpin Margie Whitnah Mark Nicolson Sheila Peck Brett Ritchie Sharol Sevilla Austin Keegan Mari Tustin Brian Wiese Britney Nielsen David Pedersen Thomas Hughes & Cathy Seyferth James Stiefel Mike Uhl Laura Wilkerson Dianne Nielson Sophia Pelafigue Catherine Rivera Conor Shaffer Justin Stimatze Ellen Uhler Constance Willett Douglas Nienhuis & Jackie Pelosi-Harris & Eugene & Maya Rizzo Heidi Shaffer Kathy Stowell Ruth Updegraff Gordon & Beverly Williams Twylla Erickson Matthew Harris Alan Robertson Betsy Shannon Meredith Stricker & Jan Valencia Mark Willison Kathy Nitayangkul Annette Pendleton Christine Robertson Dawn Shaw Thomas Cowen Lois Van Buren Betsy Wilson Adrienne Allen & Robert Nixon Steve Perez Eric Robertson Lonna Sherwin Robert Stroshane Keith Vandevere Lindsay Windsey Sara Noguera Mara & Robert Perkins Brian Robinson Analisa Shields-Estrada Paulette Struckman & Michele Vanhentenryck Lynnelle Wing & Derek Williams David Norris Todd & Tracy Perkins Elliott Robinson S. G. Shilling John Uscian Connor VanZant Bryce Winter Mariann Novarina Laura Schulkind & Robin Rogosin Erik Short Abigail & Morgan Stryker Mary Ann Vasconcellos & Jake Winter Kate Novoa Daniel Perlstein Anthony Romano Mark Shwartz Carol & Fred Stuart David Smiley Eby Wold Sandy Nunnally Teresa Pfau Daniel Rosen Burkhard Siedhoff Anthony Stuhan Tony Vastola Karla & Patricia Wolf Daniel O’Brien Andrea Phelps & Marc Rosen Jessica Sierra Camilla Sulak Alaya Vautier Nanlouise Wolfe & Doug O’Brien & Marcia Lo Joshua Eisenbenberg Martin & Joan Rosen Gino Signoracci Eileen Sullivan Francesca Verdier Stephen Zunes Maureen Louise O’Connell Peet Phyliis Oren & Amy Rosen Jan & Mary Simek Lindsay Sullivan Dustin Vereker Leslie Wolfson & Tim Colette O’Connor Cindy Pierce Leslie Rosenfeld Karen Simmons Matthew Sundt Aja Viafora McLaughlin Brynn O’Donnell Susan Pierszalowski & Gayle Ross Gary Sims Stephen Svete Leslie Viall Alexandra Woods Helen Ogden & Frederick Michael Broome Jeri Ross Marcia Sivek Anton Swarm Helena Virga Reid & Karen Woodward McGarrity Julia Pinsky Marianne Rowe Jane-Ashley Skinner Melissa & Robert Swedberg Paul & Cindy Vizza Catherine Wooten Joseph Oliver Lisa Plunkett Brian & Michele Rowlett Mary Skipwith David Sweigert Bill Vogt Ray Wootten Amelia Olson Joe & Lynn Pokrifka Lester Rowntree Giuseppi Slater Jan Sweigert William Vogt Evan Wride Anne Olson Grace & Kyle Pollak David Rubin T.J. Slocum Chloe Swick David & Rosann Wachtel Jackie Wright Jean Olson Mary Pommerich Sara Rubin Clyn Smith III Sherry Sybertz Karen Judkins & Steven Wade Christian Wuflestad Carol & Steve Olson Rich Popchak Steve Rubin Douglas Smith Peter & Marie Szydlowski Richard Wadsworth Christy Wyckoff Jane Orbuch & Bryan Cockel Caprice Potter & Terence Welch Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts John L. Smith Doris Tabieros Elissa Wagner Vern Yadon Vivienne Orgel Aaron Powell Deborah Ruiz Laura Smith & Rowland Morin Amy Essick & Frank Takacs Shawn Wagoner Robert H. Yang Bruce Orinstein Richard Pozzi Greg Russell Nichole Smith Adrian & Amy Taron Fay Wagus Lynn Yeh Anthony & Margaret Oropeza Danielle Price Neara Russell Philomene Smith Emily & Andy Tatro Chris Wahl Bernard Yin Karen Orso Nancy Pryer & Denise Ryan Scott Smith Suzanne Francoeur Taunt Jeannine Wahl Rei & Barbara Yoshinobu Jennifer & Javiere Ortiz Winthrop Jackman Nina Ryan Tim Smith & Kris Markus Dennis Taylor Ximena Waissbluth Carol Young Sharon Osgood Mando Quesada David Sadowski Sara Snyder Ken & Debe Taylor Erica & Loren Walden Colleen Young Roger Ostarello Elizabeth Quinn Parissa Salimian & Nina Sokolov Cameron Tehranchi Kathleen Wall Kakani Young Michele Ostovar Murphy Quinn Michael Vizza Rob Somers Fred Terman & Nan Borreson Kymm Ann Wallin Andrew Youssef Janna Ottman John Radford William & Diane Salmon James Sommerville Antony Tersol Eric Walmsley James Yurchenco & Douglas & Denise Overman Darien Raistrick Dani Sanchez Joe & Mary Lou Sortais Brian Thayer John & Priscilla Walton Amy Lauterbach Brin Owen Whit & Darcey Rambach Joanne Sanchez Kristen Sortais Reed Thayer Scott Waltz Vera Zakharova Christina Padilla Joshua Ramey-Renk Paula Sandas-Harvey Renee Sosa & Donna & Peter Thomas Kennan & Karen Ward Don Reynolds & Christina Zaro Jennifer & Jeffrey Paduan Adam Raskin Miriam Sauer Alexander Michael Cole Thompson Lisa Wartinger Marsha Zelus Dennis & Ollie Palm Ana Rasmussen William Saunders Christian Sousa Stephen Thompson Kristen Washburn Bradley Zeve Jonathan Pangburn & Alex Davi Maritza Ravelo Dhani Say Maysha Sperry Claire Elizabeth Thorson Kirk Washington Darryl Zimmerman Leor Pantilat & Erica Namba Barbara Ray & Ken Daughters Stephanie Sayler Joanne Spetz Daniel Tichenor Christina Watson Alex Zlatic ■ Courtney Pantos Burris Ray Elizabeth & Robert Schaefer Joyce Spetz John Tilley William & Diana Waycott Melissa Paquette Evelyn & John Readdie Jeffrey Schaffer David Spilker Jude Todd Roger Wayne Sheri Parelskin Patty & James Reese Scheid Family Wines Terry Spitz Megan Tolbert Scott Weber Rick Parfitt Alison Reitz Eric Schlitter George St Clair Cathy Toldi & Gene Bush Bill Weigle

2020 Annual Report I 2020 WAS A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER. Over 100 members convened to celebrate VWA’s 20th anniversary on March 7, and within a week the world was in lockdown. As the pandemic ravaged the nation, many thousands of visitors flocked to the public lands of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Backcountry trails and camps endured the impacts of heavy use; frontcountry visitors engaged in activities ranging from healthy and safely distanced to irresponsible or downright illegal. This strained law enforcement and search and rescue resources. Then there was the disastrous Dolan Fire, which ignited on August 18. Through it all, VWA field programs bolstered Forest Service capacity, contributing 6,091 volunteer hours and 3,996 contract crew hours to 82 trail projects and 101 ranger patrols. While youth outdoor experiences were limited to 653 field hours, an unavoidable shift to social media and remote learning nevertheless brought outdoor education to hundreds of new participants. Five staff members and nine board members managed fundraising, program logistics, and communications on an ever-changing playing field. This was only possible thanks to generous financial contributions from 1,423 supporters—businesses, foundations, organizations, and members like you. For every dollar raised, 89 cents went directly to programs on the ground. Thank you! ■ SUPPORT AND REVENUE 2020 CONTRIBUTIONS PERCENT OF TOTAL

Grants (2020 + 2019 carryover) $ 476,844 66.3% Annual Appeal $ 94,376 13.1% Member Dues $ 71,406 9.9% Events $ 35,384 4.9% Endowments $ 24,520 3.4% Corporate Giving $ 13,810 1.9% Interest $ 2,802 0.4% TOTAL $ 719,142 100.0%

$450,000 PROGRAM EXPENSES $400,000 2020 EXPENSES PERCENT OF TOTAL $350,000 $300,000 Advocacy $ 129,443 21.2% $250,000 Stewardship $ 415,139 67.9% $200,000 Fundraising $ 33,749 5.5% $150,000 Management & Governance $ 32,631 5.3% $100,000 $50,000 11 TOTAL $ 610,962 100.0% $0 Advocacy Stewardship Fundraising Management & Governance NON PROFIT ORG Post Office Box 506 I Santa Cruz, CA 95061 US POSTAGE PAID SANTA CRUZ, CA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED PERMIT NO. 109 EVENTS Wild & Scenic Film Festival

October 7 - 9 I Details TBA

Please like our page on and Be sure to join us on

Generosity Reigns Imagine life in your community without nonprofit organizations. Think about the many benefits and services they provide to people, imals,an and wild places. Now let’s throw pandemic, wildfire, economic turmoil, and physical and mental challenges into the mix. Oh my! Thank you for supporting the VWA and other nonprofit orgs in 2020. Here in the Ventana region, the northern Santa Lucia Mountains provide essential benefits to all living things. They give us fresh air, clean water, and opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. They also provide pollinators, carbon sequestration, and habitats for wild plants and animals to thrive. Yet these places are threatened and need our help. The final numbers for our year-end campaigns are in and thanks to generous donors and focused organizers it was our most successful effort ever. Monterey County Gives! This campaign is a partnership between Monterey County Weekly, the Community Foundation for Monterey County, and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, coupled with the generosity of their major partners — the Neumeier Poma Invest- ment Counsel, Cannery Row Company, the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, and the Colburn and Alana Jones Foundation at CFMC. The VWA received all time highs with 304 donations totaling $115,497. Wow! This total includes a 9.32% match provided by the campaign organizers. Giving Tuesday also was a great success. Thanks to a generous $3,000 challenge gift by Spencer and Heather Hays, we leveraged our peer-to-peer networks to a raise a one-day total of $6,400 for Wilderness conservation. On behalf of the VWA board, staff, and volunteers … thanks to everyone for stepping up during difficult times. We are inspired! ■