The California Coastal Conservancy announced
the approval of a $5 million grant toward the purchase and eventual protection
by the US Forest Services of Landmark Big Sur (CA) Bixby Ranch. The
ranch, 13 miles south of Carmel, will be split into nine separate properties
and sold for development if it is not purchased for conservation. TPL will
purchase this crown jewel of the Big Sur Coast, easily identified by the
historic Bixby Bridge on Highway 1, to protect it from looming development.
Hoping to safeguard its sweeping views, rocky shoreline, and magnificent
rolling hills for public enjoyment and critical wildlife habitat, TPL is
attempting to purchase the ranch (which was previously owned by Allen Funt
of Candid Camera fame), and then transfer it to the U.S. Forest Service,
creating an 11-mile stretch of permanently protected coastline beginning
at the Bixby Bridge and extending south through Andrew Molera State Park.
Public and private fundraising continues.
"The protection of the Bixby Ocean Ranch
as the Big Sur Coast's most recognized property is conservation on a national
scale benefiting the millions of people who visit the coast now and for
generations to come. The property, once it is open to the public, will
provide unprecedented recreational opportunities along the Big Sur Coast.
Protecting this important national landscape is a top priority," says United States
Congressman Sam Farr.
Funding is needed to protect important American landscapes. For more information find TPL on-line at tpl.org.
Information in this section was supplied by TPL.
