BSLT SUMMER 2016 6.9.16_Layout 1 6/16/2016 11:55 AM Page 1 sUMMeR 2016 For loveof tBIGh sUeR Lalnda tRnUst d camps! 2016 From the President/ceo “When you close your eyes, you feel nature. You hear the wind passing through the trees, the birds chirping in a recent Saturday morning, I read When we finally the distance, and also the sound of your very own an article about the difference reached our breathing. You allow yourself to fulfill this very moment bnetween personal success and summit with your heart and soul knowing there might not be significance. Success was described as destination O happens to another day like this day.” something that someone or (success!), a Camper, age 17, from Greenfiled something and is often measured in terms magnificent 360- of what has been acquired. In contrast, degree view was “With all the imagination of our dreams and wishes, significance was described as something waiting. A fellow playing music under the great sunset, I start to think how I can make my dreams to be true.” that happens through someone or sweaty and Camper, age 14, from Salinas something. Attaining both success and smiling hiker significance is possible, but success does exclaimed, not always lead to significance. And it is “What an he green grass of Glen Deven Ranch is significance that creates a sense of purpose amazing slowly turning to fields of gold, and the and cultivates joy. landscape!” I President/CEO Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis northwest winds of spring are quieting. But thought about the significance of Arroyo soon this hushed landscape will be filled with T I continued to think about the difference Seco and other lands we have conserved as new and yet familiar voices. Starting June 21, between the two words as I laced up my unlimited sources of inspiration and our young campers will arrive for a three-day, boots and headed out for a BSLT-led hike at possibility. I thought about all of the Salinas two-night experience at one of Big Sur’s many Arroyo Seco. BSLT has had incredible Valley youth who will be experiencing the magical spaces. success in conserving more than 40,000 Big Sur coast this summer. acres of magnificent places and important As we prepare for the 10 camps we will be habitat throughout Monterey County. This Whether we are working in coastal, inland, hosting in our fourth season here, we’re success can easily be measured in maps rural, or urban areas, your support of Big reminded of the way BSLT’s mission of demonstrating a vast and connected Sur Land Trust helps ensure positive connecting people to the land has continued to landscape that will forever remain scenic environmental and community outcomes. grow. In the course of three successful summers open space. The significance of this work, Because of you, we can prioritize multi- at Glen Deven Ranch and the inaugural season however, is better measured by how benefit projects that increase the quality of of day camps at Marks Ranch, a youth conserved lands impact people. life for everyone. This issue features community of BSLT camp alumni and advocates examples of how your generosity enhances has taken hold throughout the Salinas Valley. At As I slowly made my way up the steep the significance of our conservation work events like El Grito, Ciclovia, and our own Take slopes with fellow BSLT members, we talked while transforming lives and landscapes. It Outside, California!, we have been greeted about our travels and the outdoor with kids excitedly asking us through toothy grins experiences that inspired us. This was not a We appreciate the significance you bring when they can go to Glen Deven Ranch again. hike for the fainthearted; it rises 2,400 feet with your support of BSLT! As we travel to various schools and community in 3.2 miles. It was both exhausting and centers in the area to speak with parents about exhilarating. We passed through majestic the camp experience, we keep hearing how valley oaks, lush stream crossings in moved their children have been by our program. canyons, and steep hillsides where sticky Many Glen Deven camp alumni also joined us for monkey flower was still in bloom. our day camps at Marks Ranch this year, further deepening their connection to nature and their home. With the help of our donors, we are What the Rancho cañada Land deaL Means to BsLt cultivating a new generation of land stewards u may have seen the news reports on Regional Park District, California State and youth leaders who intrinsically know the the “Rancho Cañada land deal.” This Parks, and the Point Lobos Foundation to boundless personal growth that is available to oplanned acquisition of 140 acres along create the next great parks and them when they step into the wild. Ythe Carmel River is led by a coalition of conservation landscape in California. It will One of our camp alumni, Jennifer Vasquez of conservation organizations including the connect to the South Bank Trail, completed Salinas, came to us first as a camper and then Trust for Public Land, the Monterey by the Big Sur Land Trust in 2011, which became a junior counselor. This summer she will Peninsula Regional Park District, the Santa serves as the eastern entrance to Palo be a seasonal staff member! In June, Jennifer Lucia Conservancy, and Trout Unlimited. Corona Regional Park. joins us as coordinator of the Girls’ Outdoor We feel this could be an important We are excited Programs. Just back from her first year of component of an integrated park, open- that the Rancho college at UC Santa Barbara, Jennifer will draw space system, and trail network connecting Cañada project, from the leadership training she received at Girls regional parklands and state parklands. It combined with Inc. and from her own experiences at Glen builds on BSLT’s extraordinary legacy of the recent Deven Ranch—passing on her wisdom, land conservation in this region and a host removal of the compassion, courage, and passion for of collaborative projects aimed at restoring San Clemente experiencing nature to a whole new generation the landscape and significantly enhancing Dam in the of campers and aspiring leaders and stewards of public recreation, outdoor education, and upper Carmel watershed, and the Carmel the land. stewardship opportunities. One of our most River Floodplain Restoration and This season also brings new partnerships with significant collaborations resulted in the Environmental Enhancement (Carmel River community partners—for instance, with Mary acquisition of Palo Corona Ranch – the FREE) project now being planned by Big Sur Chapa Academy in Greenfield. After students largest land deal in Monterey County Land Trust and Monterey County in the from this school enjoyed two Marks Ranch day history. lower watershed, could ultimately transform the Carmel River into a healthy, camps this spring, they were well-prepared and The Rancho Cañada project will help eager to attend the longer Glen Deven summer vibrant, flowing river system, benefiting implement the vision of the Lobos-Corona both nature and people. program. We are also excited to be working with Parklands, a multi-agency effort led by the the Village Project, which has facilitated Big Sur Land Trust, Monterey Peninsula mentoring services and other life-changing experiences for Seaside youngsters..