13892 BSLT fall 2015.qxp_Layout 1 10/27/15 4:55 PM Page 1

For loveof the land

FALL 2015 LAND TRUST

Could an Enormous, From the President/CEO IS MOnTH, BSLT Staff and a few our region has Central Park Bridge a Board members went out on an out- to offer. There iHng to the Martin Dunes just north of is something City’s Divides? Marina. Our group of about a dozen walked magical about Story by Rachel Saunders, Director of Conservation T along a sandy trail which hugged the Reprinted from Zocalo Public Square http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org spending time windswept dunes. The Martin Dunes is one outdoors, In the heart of the city of Salinas sits a nearly 500-acre of the best examples of native coastal dunes whether you property known as Carr Lake. While the city’s general plan habitat in , which includes several are with old refers to it as “parkland,” Carr Lake is neither a lake nor a rare and threatened plant species as well as friends or get- park. It’s farmland, under cultivation in a heavily urbanized critical nesting habitat for snowy plover. ting to know new people. setting. But that’s not to say the property could never live up Although it had been one of the warmest Help us ex- to its parkland designation. days on the Peninsula all summer, the reli- pand our family President/CEO Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis able onshore breezes typical of the area Indeed, the idea of turning Carr Lake into a major center- by bringing a friend on a hike to one of our cooled us down quickly. As we emerged piece park for Salinas goes back decades. If that were to properties. We promise wonderful things from the dunes, we saw an enormous come to pass, it would be an opportunity to transform Sali- await you! nas in many ways. stretch of beach that seemed to go on for- ever. It was wonderful and rare to feel so SEPTEMBER, BSLT had a Get Ac- Before Carr Lake became farmland, it was the largest of a isolated along the California coast. quainted Hike at . Our seven-lake system that captured water from an upper wa- gnroup of about 30 included both sup- ST AS WE WERE HEADED back inland, tershed beginning at Fremont Peak, the summit of Central porters new to the BSLT family as well as California’s Gabilan uwe began seeing some action in the I long-time friends. It was a cold and foggy oJcean about two hundred yards out. A mountain range, and morning and our troupe was anxious to get If redesigned, Carr baby humpback whale was breaching and then discharged the out on the trail. Lake would be flow into a magnificent tail slapping. This playful display went on more than just a network of creeks and for about ten minutes as we all stood in Todd Farrington, Community Engagement wetlands flanked by a awe. needless to say, it was an incredible Manager, led our group out to the ridge, park. . . it would be lush riparian forest for day to be on the land with the BSLT family. sharing the history of Glen Deven and re- cent stories from the nature Camps this a bridge between more than 10 miles to As a donor and supporter of BSLT, you are summer. We learned about our new sup- Monterey Bay. an important part of our family, and we plan communities in a porters, heard stories of their travels and to organize an outing with you at Martin Early in the 20th cen- outings on the land and what inspired their city that many feel Dunes next year. Together we have con- tury, a reclamation ditch support of BSLT. is divided. was built to drain Carr served one of the most spectacular land- Lake and allow flood- scapes in the world. We are a family bound As we approached the ridge and overlook, prone areas to be farmed. In the 1930s, three families of by our love for the region with its rich natu- the fog began to lift, revealing the majestic Japanese heritage took ownership of Carr Lake and con- ral resources, scenic valleys, incredible and the Big Sur Coast. tinue to farm the land to this day, growing high-value crops wildlife and diverse human communities. Thank you to all of our new donors and long-time supporters for joining us on the such as lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, and leeks. As we move into the fall season, we hope hike! Now the farmland is entirely surrounded by the densely that you get outside to enjoy all the beauty populated city. It’s a beautiful spot—you’re in a basin with a head-spinning 360-degree view of Salinas and the nearby mountains that surround it—the , as well as the and the Sierra de Salinas. And it’s a rare open space—by far the largest—in a city of 155,000.

Since the ’70s, city leaders and community members have called for Carr Lake to serve as a badly needed park for Salinas residents. The city has one of the lowest ratios of parkland per resident in California—just 2.9 acres per 1,000 residents, compared to 6.2 acres per 1,000 people in Los Angeles, 6.6 in San Francisco, and 16.6 up the road in San Jose. The national average is about 10 acres per 1,000 people. New research showing the connection between ac- cess to parks and public health benefits has made the need Inside Stories for more parkland even more urgent. Continued on page 2 . . . 3 The Magic of Big Sur 4 Hearts and Minds 5 Volunteer Spotlight - Tom Reeves 7 Meet our new team members! 13892 BSLT fall 2015.qxp_Layout 1 10/27/15 4:55 PM Page 2

For Decades, Salinas Has Wanted to Transform a Drained Lake into Badly Needed Public Space Continued from cover . . .

rr Lake could be a hub of outdoor recreation ated hospital; well-used community soccer fields; that includes trails and nature viewing, as well the Sherwood Hall performing arts space and as areas for play, and new community spaces sports stadium (home of the annual rodeo); and Cfor music, arts, and culture in a city that lacks places for newer neighborhoods comprising some of the youth and families to gather. Carr Lake could also pro- highest household incomes in the city. Bringing vide opportunities for the community to get involved in people from different parts of the city together a hands-on way to restore the landscape to bring back would help build a stronger, more connected, native habitats. and resilient community. In 2003, the city commissioned a 227-page Carr Lake vi- A park would offer so many benefits to the city sion plan arguing that turning the land into a regional that it seems surprising it doesn’t already exist. park would also improve water quality and flood con- But the land is still privately owned. One can trol. Over the years, continued development upstream imagine that when family history is tied to a spe- and downstream has increased water flow into the cific place, it’s not easy to leave. So far, the fami- lakebed. This has made the site even more important lies that own Carr Lake have not been ready to as a water detention basin that prevents flooding part with their properties, though farming in downstream. The city now requires all proposed devel- that location has become a lot more challeng- opments in the watershed area to neither increase the ing. water flow into Carr Lake nor diminish its ability to hold It is a strategic priority of the Big Sur Land and absorb water. Trust to restore critical landscapes that benefit both Recently, the conversation has been gaining momen- As part of a well-designed park project, Carr Lake could people and the environment. This includes ensuring tum. There has already been some wonderful restora- help manage stormwater, recharge ground water, and that all communities have access to natural outdoor tion in portions of Carr Lake by Cal State Monterey improve the quality of the water that ultimately flows spaces, near where people live and work. Bay’s Watershed Institute and its “Return of the na- into the Monterey Bay national Marine Sanctuary by tives” project. An economic development element The Land Trust is interested in working with the Sali- slowing, infiltrating, and absorbing water, and trapping was recently added to the city of Salinas general plan nas community to help realize the vision of Carr and recycling nutrients. Improved water quality for the that identifies the Carr Lake area as a Lake as a historic park development. This kind of vi- bay would be good for the whole region—from the “recreational/sports/cultural/commercial center- sionary, large-scale project takes time, care, and at- wildlife to the many visitors who enjoy the area’s natu- piece” for the community. This should elevate the tention to city residents’ needs. What would people ral beauty and help fuel its economy. transformation of Carr Lake as a priority for the city, in the many neighborhoods that surround Carr with a robust community engagement process to cre- If redesigned, Carr Lake would be more than just a Lake, including those who historically have not been ate and implement a design that will serve as a posi- park, too. It would be a bridge between communities in heard, most like to see there? What would the Carr tive focal point for Salinas. a city that many feel is divided. Bordering or near Carr Lake property owners like to see? And, of course, a Lake are East Salinas, a predominately Hispanic neigh- crucial piece of any plan must be a financing strat- The Carr Lake vision is truly worthy of a decades- borhood home to thousands of farmworker families; egy that includes a mechanism for public ownership long pursuit. ultimately, it would benefit the whole natividad Medical Center, a county-owned and oper- and management of the land over the long term. community.

Basin 13892 BSLT fall 2015.qxp_Layout 1 10/27/15 4:55 PM Page 3

2015 Nature Camps at Glen Deven Ranch

The Magic of Big Sur Story by Trent Hodges, Outdoor Programs Coordinator ter spending the summer at Glen Deven Ranch leading 148 youth on af three day journey filled with activi- Aties, music, and the transformative powers “Without my cell phone of Big Sur, the time has come to process the stories, the lessons learned, and to gauge how our program outcomes are matching these past few days, I with the vision of the Big Sur Land Trust. felt like I interacted As we pore through photos, journals from the campers, and memories, the impact of these camps is clear. Young men and more with other people. women from the and beyond slept under the stars for the first time, hiked I also noticed I wasn’t barefoot up Garrapata Creek looking for crawdads and steelhead, and made gen- as depressed as usual. uine, lasting friendships with peers they did not know beforehand. This helped me get my Our last camp with partner organization CHISPA is a perfect example of how these mind off of so many experiences deepen the youth connection to nature, to themselves, and to one another. things so I’m happy Upon arrival at Glen Deven Ranch, I scanned the faces and body language of our about that because that last group of campers. Unlike some of our previous camps, most of these young women did not know each other before ar- way I had a better riving at the ranch. Though they all shared a common Mexican heritage, community, and experience of nature. age, the hesitancy to engage with one an- other and the fear of being outside in the ex- Camper, age 13, Castroville pansive Big Sur landscape could be felt in the air.

By the last night of camp, young women Clearly, these camps directly expose our youth to the magic of Big Sur. But these from different schools could be seen holding camps also provide an experience of free- hands as they walked towards the tents. At dom for a youth population that rarely has a stopover at Garrapata Beach, they the opportunity to access open landscapes laughed and played together in the waves, for personal growth and expression. We strong and embracing the cold salt air. look forward to seeing the youth that come These young women had truly made a through our programs continue to find their breakthrough in connecting to each other in own voice and personal connection to the the context and landscape of Big Sur. landscapes we all love so dearly.

3 13892 BSLT fall 2015.qxp_Layout 1 10/27/15 4:55 PM Page 4

EARTS && mmiinnddss

Story by Dr. George Somero, BSLT Board Chair henever I present public lectures on BSLT’s mission, I begin by raising the question of why we have worked so hard, since our founding in 1978, to protect the HHiWconic landscapes of Monterey County. Two primary concerns motivate us, and they are summarized concisely in the phrases on our web site’s home page: “For Love of the Land,” and “The nature of Well Being.” Historically, our mission was centered on land conservation: increasing the amount of land that is main- tained in ecologically healthy, esthetic states. In recent years, we have taken on another large—and in some ways more chal- lenging—mission: connecting people to these lands for the ben- efit of human health. Here, the title of this short essay, “hearts and minds,” encapsulates what motivates us. America faces an enormous and growing health crisis that involves not just our physical well-being (“hearts”) but also our mental health (“minds”). We are all familiar with the effects on physical health (increased diabetes, heart disease, and obesity) that are due to our increasingly sedentary lives spent glued to screen devices—computers, smart phones, iPads, video games, etc. I term this behavior “Screen Addiction Disorder” (SAD): it is a bonafide addictive state whose serious medical consequences are being studied by many teams of biomedical scientists. The

statistics on SAD are horrifying. Parents are using screen de- Get Acquainted Hike at Glen Deven Ranch, September 2015 vices like their iPhones to function as pacifiers for very young children, defying the recommendations of the American Acad- emy of Pediatrics, which says that children should have nO screen time before age two. The AAP further states that ”Various studies have found that teenagers should spend no more than 1-2 hours per day “on screen.” Doesn’t sound like the universe we live in, does it? urban dwellers with little access to Young videogame players have died at the screen from exces- sively long bouts of gaming, which are commonly fueled by high green spaces have a higher inci- caffeine beverages. SAD thwarts development of empathy and ability to interact face-to-face (as opposed to Facebook “Friend” interactions). Moreover, lack of time spent out of doors, espe- dence of psychological problems cially in beautiful natural settings, can foster anxiety and de- pression. than people living near parks and But, in addition to this bad (SAD?) news, there’s good news too, which may help us find our way out of the SAD labyrinth. A recent that city dwellers who visit natural study done up at Stanford using cutting edge brain scan technology showed that even a 90 minute walk in a relaxed, green setting environments have lower levels of could reduce activity in the brain center (the subgenual prefrontal cortex) that is the site of brooding and development of “dark” stress hormones immediately after- thoughts that lead to depression. Studies in Scandinavia and Japan have shown an almost instantaneous fall in stress hormone levels ward than people who have not re- when one begins a sojourn in a beautiful woodland. The fear cen- ter in the brain (part of the amygdala) has reduced activity when cently been outside. one is in nature. Those of us who are avid hikers know all of this; ” we, too, are “addicts,” but it’s an addiction to the pleasure we get from nature, not from a continuous flux of images on a screen. Suf- From the July 22, 2015 New York Times article “How Walking in Nature fice to say, we’re finding more and more good reasons to prosely- Changes the Brain” tize our health-focused mission at BSLT, to get people out of doors to experience the freely available “antidepressants” and cardiovas- cular improvements that our beautiful local landscapes can pro- vide. I end my talks by saying, “Go take a hike.” now you know why. THANK YOU TRAILBLAZERS! We sincerely apologize that some of our generous donors were omitted from the 2014 donor list. We would like to acknowledge Jesse & Carol Kahn for your love of land and support of the Big Sur Land Trust.

4 13892 BSLT fall 2015.qxp_Layout 1 10/27/15 4:55 PM Page 5

VVOOLLUUNNTTEEEERR SSPPOOTTLLIIGGHHTT LLAANNDD AANNDD TOOMM REEEEVVEESS LEEGGAACCYY SOOCCIIEETTYY Tn the twenty-eRighth year of my Lndividuals and families wSho include the Big Sur Land Trust in their career I started to ponder when charitable estate plans exemplify the spirit of stewardship that con- I would retire. I knew some peo- sIerves Monterey County treasured landscapes for generations to ple who went into retired life come. Big Sur Land Trust established the Land & Legacy Society to with seemingly no difficulty and I honor and acknowledge those who provide support by including the knew a couple of people that Land Trust in their estate plans. were depressed. Retirement can break relationships with col- We invite you to join a growing group of open space enthusiasts who, leagues and make one question as a part of their legacy, have already made a lasting commitment to their identity which is often tied preserving our treasured landscapes. to our career. I wanted to remain active, yet free myself from the For more information about including BSLT in your tyranny of the urgent. plans or joining the Land and Legacy Society, please contact Kate Mitchell Mehle, Director of So after a thirty-three year ca- Development, at 831-625-5523 ext. 105 or email reer, I decided it was time to do [email protected]. something else and I had a plan.

The Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT) was a natural fit for me. I endorse the goals of BSLT and since it is focused on the local environment, it's easy to see the results of the positive work that is accomplished by BSLT. And BSLT owns a number of properties that happen to have roads, bridges, build- ings, water and sewer systems. As a retired City Engineer, I thought that even though BSLT is a conservation organization, there is infrastructure that must be maintained and managed and that is something for which I have considerable experience. That's not to say that I am averse to the idea of swinging a hoe or operating a rake to help keep trails open too. So far I've been able to apply my professional credentials as a Land Surveyor and Civil Engineer. I was once working at Mitteldorf Preserve looking at the ten road bridges and I realized what a great job I had even if it didn't pay!

The Big Sur Land Trust has been instrumental in protecting the unique beauty and ecology of our region. Their efforts are not possible without the numerous volunteers that make this organization possible all the way from the Board of Directors to the occasional trail clearing volunteer.

“We encourage you to join us in making a big difference by leaving beautiful, unspoiled land for our posterity.”

Barbara Baldock and Phil Butler BSLT members, volunteers and supporters since 1988 and Land and Legacy Society members since 1995

5 13892 BSLT fall 2015.qxp_Layout 1 10/27/15 4:56 PM Page 6

Nature Camps Reunion at Marks Ranch

“L ET OUR STORIES BE ENTWIWINNED....”.” Story by Trent Hodges, Outdoor Programs Coordinator

October 4, the Land Trust carried out the return of their camp journals, and many of onur first nature Camps Reunion and the campers shared words with all of the at- Ofamily event at Marks Ranch. nearly 100 peo- tendees about their oftentimes life changing ple including 2015 camp alumni and their experiences in nature and at camp. Some families from the Salinas Valley came out to even shared a nature inspired poem they celebrate their summer experiences at Glen wrote from their time at Glen Deven Ranch. Deven Ranch and learn about the next excit- This event was the next step in our holistic vi- ing opportunity to experience the out of sion for our outdoor programs and commu- doors on a BSLT landscape. nity conservation. We believe that the A guided hike to the historic hacienda, a fam- relationships with our home landscapes begin ily picnic and a live theatrical performance of with tangible experiences on the land and are Barry López’s Crow and Weasel by The West- fortified by the support of our loved ones and ern Stage with participation from campers families. We look forward to our next phase and their siblings made the event truly a day and building on these experiences to foster to remember. The Land Trust recognized the community appreciation, love, and ultimately accomplishments of our camp youth through stewardship of the land.

“Remember on this one thing, said Badger. The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them. If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive. That is why we put these stories in each other's memories. This is how people care for themselves. ”

― Barry López, Crow and Weasel

6 13892 BSLT fall 2015.qxp_Layout 1 10/27/15 4:56 PM Page 7

What is the biggesto f the Big Sur Land Trust’s bigideas? Find out in the november 12th issue of the Mon- terey County Weekly or visit www.mcgives.com for more information. Monterey County Gives! is a project of the Mon- terey County Weekly Community Fund in part- nership with the Community Foundation for Monterey County and the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. We are proud to once again be part of Monterey County Gives! this year. Your gift will grow due to matching dollars offered by the cam- paign. Donations accepted november 12 through December 31, 2015. Thank you! www.mcgives.com

NNEEWW SSTTAAFFFF...... MMEEEETT TTHHEE NNEEWW MMEEMMBBEERRSS OOFF OOUURR TTEEAAMM

te Mitchell Mehle joined the Marketing and minored in Women’s program and volunteering in leader- Big Sur Land Trust as Director Studies at Penn State university. upon ship roles with organizations such as oaf Development in May 2015. graduation, she moved to Boston to Junior League of Monterey County She joined the BSLT team bringing join a media buying firm serving and the Parenting Connection for K clients such as WGBH, Jordan’s Furni- nine years of experience with united Monterey County. Way Monterey County. While there, ture, Cracker Barrel and Comcast. She Kate lives in Marina with her husband Kate was a team member and became left a marketing and advertising career Matt and their two young children, the team leader, raising nearly $28 to follow her dream of working in the Colin and Tyler. Kate’s favorite pastimes Kate Mitchell Mehle million for Monterey County. nonprofit industry. Director of Development include taking her boys camping or to A native east coaster, Kate grew up in Kate has expanded her knowledge of 831.625.5523 ext. 105 the beach, visiting microbreweries with new Jersey, developing her love of na- nonprofit management by participat- [email protected] her husband and taking Zumba classes ture by enjoying the beautiful area of ing in the Community Foundation for with friends. Her favorite hike is the Bear Mountain and the Palisades Park. Monterey County’s LEAD (Leadership Vernal Fall and nevada Fall Trails at She earned a bachelor’s degree in Education and Development Institute) Yosemite national Park.

trick Riparetti became BSLT’s and California and spent his youth ad- earn a Bachelo of Science degree in Stewardship Project Manager venturing in the outdoors on back- Wildland Restoration from the univer- ian June 2015. Prior to joining packing, river running, and surf trips. sity of Montana. the BSLT team, Patrick worked for five His love for wild places and desire to P For fun, Patrick enjoys: backpacking, years on ecological restoration and share the experience with others led photography, surfing, leatherworking, species recovery projects. His projects him to become a Grand Canyon river river running, ceramics, exploring cul- have focused on mining reclamation, guide. As is often the case when pur- tural sites and history, mountain bik- stream and riparian restoration, inva- suing outdoor adventures, Patrick de- ing, travelling, and latte art. His Patrick Riparetti sive species removal, and endangered veloped a strong sense of favorite hike is the John Muir Trail Stewardship Project Manager population and habitat monitoring. responsibility to learn ways in which from Yosemite Valley to Mt. Whitney. 831.625.5523 ext. 116 we can best conserve and manage Patrick grew up in utah, Washington, [email protected] special landscapes. Patrick went on to

ent Hodges joined the Big Sur for Latin culture, Trent enjoys working sions of surfing and open water swim- Land Trust in June 2015 serving in diverse and underserved communi- ming. He also enjoys fishing and skiing ars the Outdoor Programs Coor- ties to ensure equitable access to awe- in the winter. dinator. After finishing his conserva- inspiring landscapes. He believes that T Trent’s favorite hike is one he recently tion-focused Peace Corps Service in youth engagement in nature is critical completed in nootka Sound in north- Guatemala, Trent graduated from the for personal growth and transforma- ern Vancouver Island, Canada. Walk- Middlebury Institute of International tion, healthy and happy communities, ing up a river and seeing Chinook Studies at Monterey with an M.A in In- and the creation of the land stewards salmon packed together for their jour- Trent Hodges ternational Environmental Policy. and conservationists of tomorrow. ney upstream, a bald eagle ripping Outdoor Programs Coordinator Trent has a deep interest and passion Trent is originally from Idaho and rev- open ruby red salmon flesh, and black 831.625.5523 ext. 111 for connecting people to the land. A els in the mountains and rivers of his bears scanning the shorelines left him [email protected] fluent Spanish speaker with a passion home, but has since been called by awashed with wonder. the ocean where he pursues his pas-

7 13892 BSLT fall 2015.qxp_Layout 1 10/27/15 4:56 PM Page 8

non-Profit Org. u.S.Postage PAID Monterey, CA Big Sur Land Trust 2015 Permit no.163 MISSION: To inspire love of the land and conservation of our treasured landscapes. BOARD OF TRUSTEES George Somero Chair Bob Montgomery Vice-Chair Judy Logan Secretary nigel Lovett Treasurer Tom Archibald Michael Marcus Sarah McCloud Berling Steve McIntyre AlfredD iaz-Infante Judy Sulsona John Gamble Mike Thomas Jeanne Landreth Eric B. Lo Monaco

ADVISORY COUNCIL Luis Alvarez Bill Landreth Bill Doolittle Jane McCoy Steve Dorrance Julie Packard Rosalind Fisher Phil Wilhelm Alan Lacy

STAFF ROSTER Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis President/CEO Rich Hamilton Chief Operating Officer Guille Barbosa Executive Assistant Jim Cox Glen Deven Ranch Caretaker Joanna Devers Conservation Projects Manager Todd Farrington Community Engagement Manager Sarah Hardgrave Conservation Programs Manager Trent Hodges Outdoor Programs Coordinator Kate Mitchell Mehle Director of Development Adrienne Otis Accounting Manager Gary Peterson Development Manager Jeff Powers Director of Land Stewardship Tracy Rhoades Office Manager Patrick Riparetti Stewardship Projects Manager Amber Sanchez Leon Philanthropy Assistant Rachel Saunders Director of Conservation

Thank you for your love of the land and support of the Big Sur Land Trust.

BIG SuR LAnD TRuST DONOR PRIVACY POLICY The Big Sur 509 Hartnell Street Monterey, CA 93940 Land Trust will not sell, trade or share PO Box 4071 Monterey, CA 93942-9967 personal information or send mailings onbehalf of other organizations. Telephone 831.625.5523 Fax 831.658.0716 www.bigsurlandtrust.org

Printed on recycled paper using vegetable oil based ink