lANDS WITHIN THE LOST COAST OF CALIFORNIA PROTECTED!
In May 2006, the Trust purchased a 10-acre property
on the beach of the King Range National Conservation Area,
also known as the Lost Coast of California. The property is
deep within the King Range proposed wilderness area and was
a potential development site surrounded by protected land.
It is a remnant property from historic cattle ranching, when
cattle operators would graze livestock up and down the fragile
grasslands along the coast. “This is the Trust’s
first beach front acquisition!” said Reid Haughey, President.
“It is wonderful to be able to contribute to increasing
the diversity of protected wilderness lands”
View from the property
On August 3, 2006, the Trust transferred this
parcel to public ownership, allowing it to be officially included
in the surrounding protected area. The King Range National
Conservation Area is a spectacular, secluded and biologically
diverse hiking area, which is becoming increasingly rare and
unique as California develops and expands,” said Nikki
Nedeff, Vice President of the Trust. “By purchasing
this property from a willing seller and transferring it to
public ownership, we are ensuring that the wilderness qualities
that led Congress to protect these lands in 1974 will always
be available for future generations to enjoy.”
On October 17, 2006 the Northern California
Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act was signed into law,
officially designating the King Range as wilderness! Located
in southwestern Humboldt and northwestern Mendocino counties,
approximately 18 miles west of Garberville, CA, the King Range
proposed wilderness area is the longest stretch of undeveloped
coastline in the United States outside of Alaska.
Recreation opportunities include hiking, hunting,
camping and mushroom collecting and the coast attracts surfers,
anglers, beachcombers, and abalone divers among others. The
California Coastal Trail traverses the entire length of the
area. Offshore rocks and islands, which are part of the California
Coast National Monument, are inhabited by seals, sea lions
and a variety of marine birds. California grey whales can
be spotted off the coast in winter and spring. Endangered
species found in the area include leafy reedgrass, California
brown pelican, steelhead trout, coho salmon, bald eagle, peregrine
falcon, northern spotted owl, and Roosevelt elk. Overall,
nearly 300 species of native and migratory birds have been
spotted in the King Range.
