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THE BIG SUR LAND TRUST

THE BIG SUR LAND TRUST - POST OFFICE BOX 221864, CARMEL, CALIFORNIA 93922 T ELEPHONE (831) 625-5523 FAX (831) 625-0716 - WWW.BIGSURLANDTRUST.ORG

spring 2004 conserving our precious lands and waters for al l generations

Land Trust EmbracesExpanded VisionUnder New Leader

Pause for a moment and recall the first time you experienced

California’s Central Coast. What was it that made a lasting impres-

sion on you? Perhaps it was the beauty of Big Sur, the magnificent

meeting of land and sea that has inspired millions worldwide.

Or, maybe the magic of the fog-shrouded coastline; the towering

redwood groves; the windswept dunes surrounding Monterey Bay;

the stately oaks and flowing grasslands of the Carmel River Valley,

the rugged peaks and vistas of the Santa Lucia Mountains, or the

 wonder of the many plants and animals that depend on these lands.

Conservation biologists recognize the Central Coast as one of the most

important natural landscapes in the world due to its great diversity of plants and

animals. This diverse landscape not only defines the ecological character of the

Central Coast but also has shaped the character of its communities. The fisherman

and the farmer, the painter and the writer, the rancher and the vintner; their liveli-

hoods depend on our lands and waters to sustain and inspire them. Even those less

connected to the land value clean air and water that a healthy environment provides.

This natural world is – for the moment –

in a rare and delicate balance with the diverse

and growing communities that surround it.

The projected growth of Monterey County—

an estimated 48% population increase by 

2020—will dramatically increase development

pressures and could radically alter the area’s

beauty and ecological system. The time is

now to ensure that this balance is sustained.

The lessons learned over the past 25 years

have prepared The Big Sur Land Trust for

future challenges. BSLT is developing a long-

term strategic approach that will improve

both the quality and relevance of our future conservation efforts. Our vision for

the next 25 years is to secure the unique character, scenic landscapes, and rich

natural resources of our communities through collaborative partnerships andsupport. BSLT will focus on those significant lands and waters that are most at

risk and where our involvement will generate lasting results.

continued, page two

I N S I D E the zirker family a bequest

I N S I D E wildflowersof the dunes

I N S I D E the broomsweepers at it again

It is the marriage of the soul withNature that makes the intellect fruitful,

and gives birth to imagination.

- Henry David Thoreau

to reach us:

Telephone (831) 625-5523

Fax: (831) 625-0716

E-mail: mail@bigsurlandtrust.org

 www.bigsurlandtrust.org

Board of Trustees

PRESIDENT

 Ann Peterson Mahoney 

VICE PRESIDENT

Marsha McMahan Zelus

TREASURER

David Bates

SECRETARY

Phillip Butler

Paul Danielson Janet Effland

Kent EvansKaren Ferlito

Sharon MeresmanRod Mills

Diane Sena

Leslie Snorf  William Soskin

Honorary Advisors

Clint EastwoodLeon Panetta

Robert RedfordTed Turner

Staff

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Bill Leahy 

GENERAL MANAGER

Cynthia Holmsky 

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

Margee Bennett

FOUNDATION AND

CORPORATE RELATIONS

Shirley Coly GLEN DEVEN RANCH MANAGER

 Jim Cox

CONSERVATION PROJECT MANAGER

Susanna Danner

MEMBERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER

COORDINATOR

Stacy Schmidt

MITTELDORF PRESERVE MANAGER

David Zweifel

Post Off ice Box 221864,

Carmel, Cal i fornia 93922

Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePA ID

Permit No. 93Carmel, CA

93922

 c  ont     a c t    

Design - Bunne Hartmann, Hartmann Design Group. Photography - Douglas Steakley, Stephanie Sendell and BSLT Staff.

LaKamp Takes a Shot for BSLTat the AT&T Charity Shoot Out

Bob LaKamp represented BSLT inthe AT&T Charity Shoot-Out that took place during the February AT&T PebbleBeach National Pro-Am. More than 100amateur golfers representing local chari-ties participated in a closest-to-the-pinqualifying event. Bob, sporting BSLTattire, performed beautifully underpressure however, he was not amongthe final four who were paired withprofessional golfers and given a chanceat a $40,000 purse. Nonetheless, allenjoyed a great view of Palo CoronaRanch from the golf course which was aperfect backdrop for the event and is part

of what attracts events like the AT&T toour community. A big thanks to Bob forparticipating on our behalf and to theMonterey Peninsula Foundation formaking fundraising a bit more interesting!

Washburn ReplacesTroubled Bridge

On a recent Palo Corona Ranch volun-teer work day, Al Washburn constructeda foot bridge for the Animas Creek toreplace the planks formerly used as amakeshift crossing. In the true spiritof conservation, Al was able to build thebridge reusing material from a burn pileof wood next to the corrals. Even thenails were reused! Hikers will get achance to try out Al’s bridge in May.

Service DayBeneficialfor Giversand Receivers

 As part of its “Service OutreachProgram,” Santa Catalina Schoolsent 16 students to spend a day pullingGenista on the front slopes of Palo

Corona Ranch. Battling broom provedto be a great teamwork exercise as thegirls worked in pairs with weed wrenchesto remove the stubborn invasive weeds.More than 20 organizations in Monterey 

County participated in Santa Catalina’sSpring Service Day which is designedto educate young people about theimportance of community service.

Dalessio Creates Nature Trailat Mitteldorf Preserve

Thanks to Rita Dalessio, the Mitteldorf Preserve now has an official Nature Trailcomplete with markers and an informa-tive booklet describing each of the12 stops along the mile-long path.Rita took on this project in honor of her friendship with Art and HarrietMitteldorf. Rita mapped out the route,identified the places of interest, and

 wrote the text for the trail guide. Herson Marc painted the watercolor imagesin the guide book. Last fall, a group of 

volunteers finalized the project by installing the signage and cleaning upthe trail. Rita’s Trail Guide will be avail-able to hikers near the main entrance of the preserve.

membersA T W O R K

 In Your Neighborhood Celebrate spring and our beautifulsurroundings at these area events:

April 16 -1843rd Annual Wildflower Show

More than 600 species and varietiesof Monterey County wildflowers arecollected, identified, and organized bymembers of the Monterey Bay Chapterof the California Native Plant Societyduring the week prior to this special

event. Free to the public at the PacificGrove Museum of Natural History.For more information visit online atwww.pgmuseum.org

April 24, 11am - 2pmEarth Day CelebrationWhole Foods Market800 Del Monte Center

Stop by Whole Foods Market for food,live music, giveaways, and exhibits bylocal environmental groups active inour community.

May 2 and 310th Annual Bird-a-Thon

Sponsored by the Ventana WildernessSociety. For more information call877-897-7740 or 831-455-9514.

May 29 and 30Sunset in Bloom

The beauty and diversity of music

expressed through flora is the themeof this year’s Flower Show presentedby Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Clubat the Sunset Center. Free to the public.For more information visit the web atwww.cbsgc.com or call831-624-3294.

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Our vision encompasses the essential role of stewardship. We plan to engage

partners from all sectors in this aspect of our work. Whether private property 

owner or public agency, our work must provide tools and resources to ensure

the long-term care of these unique lands.

The Land Trust’s success at achieving these goals depends largely on community 

involvement and support. We plan to engage communities in conservation solutions

that address community needs and that are sustainable. We will create more

opportunities and places for people to connect with nature. We will look for ways

to expand trails and parks with an emphasis on making nature more accessible and

the time spent there more educational.

In the cycle of nature, a quarter century is minuscule. In conservation, our

accomplishments in the next 25 years must be monumental.

Thanks to all of you who have so warmly welcomed me

to The Big Sur Land Trust community. I joined the Land

Trust at a time of opportunity—an opportunity to take the

organization’s illustrious 25-year history and build a future

vision that addresses the emerging challenges faced by this

region and embraces the changing needs of the unique

communities that make up the Central Coast.

 As Executive Director of the Land Trust, I am humbled

and exhilarated by the organization’s legacy; humbled by the

enormous responsibility that accompanies our past success

and exhilarated by the future challenges. I believe our work 

truly begins when we accept responsibility to care for the

places entrusted to us by those that came before. One of our future challenges will be to ensure that lands we have

helped conserve and those we hope to secure, remain healthy 

and viable for the benefit of our communities.

I am exhilarated by the challenge of developing innovative

approaches to conservation as this will ensure another 25

years of success. We must connect with the people and

character of the communities where we work. We must

connect with sustainable and compatible economic prosperity.

 We must connect with families and their ongoing struggle to

stay connected to the land.

 Within our new vision, we plan to develop new relationships

 within the community by increasing the number of people

 who support and are engaged in our mission. We can do this

by developing clear messages about why we do what we do,

and fostering the link between conservation and community.

The Central Coast and Monterey County include many 

recognized natural treasures – places like Big Sur, Monterey 

Bay, and the Carmel River. Our responsibility is to ensure

that these great places, which are fundamental to our social,

economic, and spiritual well being, will endure not only for

our children, but for their children and beyond.

In the days and months ahead, I look forward to sharing

 with you more about our emerging vision and land and

 water conservation initiatives. In the words of Aldo Leopold,

a founder of the modern land conservation movement,

“Conservation is a state of harmony of human beings living

sustainably on the land.” The Big Sur Land Trust is ready to

strive for this noble goal. Won’t you join us in this great work?

Bill Leahy, Executive Director

Expanded Vision continued from page one 

Bill Leahy is leading the BSLT team in develop-

ing an expanded vision for the Land Trust as it

broadens its works and mission in the region.

With over 11 years of experience at The Nature

Conservancy (TNC), Bill is well versed in land

and water conservation transactions and related policy issues. Bill worked most recently

as project director for Monterey County and as the key liaison with The Big Sur Land Trust

on behalf of the Conservancy. Bill received his bachelor’s degree in economics from

Vanderbilt University. After spending eight years in commercial real estate, he decided to

redirect his expertise toward a more fulfilling mission and joined The Nature Conservancy

as the director of Land Protection in Missouri. At TNC, Bill successfully carried out sever-

al landscape scale conservation plans in southern California, negotiated more than $20

million in land acquisitions in California, and managed staff in acquiring over $14 million

in critical properties. He is known for his ability to develop effective partnerships and

alliances and for testing innovative approaches to land protection. Over the years he has

served on numerous environmental and community-oriented steering committees and

planning groups in the communities where he has lived.

Bill and his wife Lorien live in Pacific Grove with their four-year old daughter, Amelia.

Lorien is completing certification training to become a yoga instructor. Amelia is finishing

up her second year of preschool. The entire family enjoys backpacking, telemark skiing,

running, and gardening with native plants.

P R O F I L E :

Meet the Leahys

F R O M T H E

E X E C U T I V E

D I R E C T O R

Richard and Ruth Zirker, long time Carmel

residents, recently made a generous bequest of 

their interest in the historical Smith Ranch to

The Big Sur Land Trust. Located south of 

Notley’s Landing, the ranch runs along approxi-

mately one-half mile of coastline on both sides

of State Highway 1. Some of Richard Zirker’s

fondest childhood memories are of times spent

visiting his grandmother, Helena Smith, on theranch where she lived in a wooden house over-

looking the Pacific Ocean. The Zirkers made the

gift in the hopes that future generations will also

have a chance to enjoy and appreciate t he beauty 

and serenity of the land that has meant so much

to the Smith family for more than a century.

The ranch has numerous owners in common, nearly all of them members of the Smith

family. The Zirkers’ bequest gives The Big Sur Land Trust a one-sixteent h undivided intere st

in the 360 acres. With its breathtaking beach, gently sloping coastal terraces, and rich bio-

diversity, Smith Ranch offers exciting possibilities for a collaborative community-based

conservation project.

“We wanted to make sure it was environmentally protected. We like what The Big Sur

Land Trust does,” said Richard Zirker when describing why he and his wife decided to

make the gift. Mrs. Zirker said they discussed their wishes with all six of their children,

 who supported their decision.

THE ZIRKER FAMILY

Gives Interestin Historical Ranch

Conservationand Community 

Not just another  pretty flower...

BROOM SWEEPERSGET DOWN AND DIRTYIN STEWARDSHIP EFFORT

 Weeds. . . everyone has them, everyone

 wants to get rid of them, or at least keep

pace. But that’s easier said than done on a

landscape of 800 acres. This winter BSLT

tackled the task on Glen Deven Ranch the

practical way—with VOLUNTEERS! The

first step was to find dedicated people who

 would commit a day to dig in the dirt.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Bella

Vista Foundation, we were able to make the

invitation a bit more enticing by offering

tools, free food, a t-shirt, and a day inGarrapata Canyon communing with nature.

Our phones started ringing just days after

the colorful Broom Sweeper flyer reached

mailboxes and the ten work days were

quickly filled to capacity. “What a

great way to spend a day. It was hard

 work, but rewarding, and educational!

I have a whole new appreciation for

the challenges property owners face in

maintaining large parcels of land,” said

volunteer, Bill Bennett.

The hardy volunteers who joined us in this effort are

referred to as “Broom Sweepers” as they are ridding the

landscape of the pesky invasive weed, Genista, more

commonly known as French broom. With the help of our

enthusiastic work crews, our efforts along Garrapata Creek 

 will improve the habitat for songbirds and other wildlife.

Using heavy duty weed wrenches, t he Broom Sweepers’

have dusted off a noticeable section along the ranch slopes.

“We’ve made more progress than I estimated, which means

 we can expand the area we cover. These folks are hard workers and quick studies,” reports Conservation Project

Manager, Sus Danner. A second round of work days will

be scheduled this winter to ensure that seedlings left behind from the initial sweep don’t flower and

proliferate. This type of long-term restoration and monitoring project is feasible because BSLT will

own and steward Glen Deven Ranch in perpetuity.

The Big Sur Land Trust is pleased to introduce its three newest Board of 

Trustee members who bring a wealth of experience and a strong com-

mitment to furthering conservation efforts on the Central Coast.

Diane Sena has lived

on the Peninsula for 20years and has spent seven

years with the Monterey

Bay Aquarium in senior

management positions

including managing

director. Diane’s extensive

experience in both the non-

profit and corporate sectors

will be invaluable to the Land Trust. Currently, Diane is president of 

her own consulting company, Sena and Associates, that specializes in

program management services for strategic marketing and planning.

Diane is vice-chair of the Advisory Board of Cal State University at

Monterey Bay’s Business School. Diane lives in Carmel Valley with her

teenage daughter.

Paul Danielson (“Father

Paul” to those who know

him) has been involved

with BSLT most recently as

a volunteer in our outreach

activities. He served for 17

years as the chaplain at All

Saints Episcopal Day School

until his retirement in 2001.

Currently, he serves as part-

time chaplain at York School. Paul’s conservation activities include

volunteer work with the Ventana Wilderness Alliance where he has

assisted with site steward protection for the numerous Native American

archaeological sites in the region. Father Paul enjoys hiking, backpack-

ing, reading, camping, and attending sporting events.

 Janet Effland recently

retired as general partner

of Apax Partners, Inc.

where she managed the

firm’s U.S. health care

investment strategy.

In 2002, she was named

the nation’s fifth most

profitable venture capitalist

by Forbes magazine in its

ranking of 100 Venture

Capitalists. She serves as a board member for the ASU Foundation and

is board chairman of the Arizona Technology Enterprises. Janet and her

husband Bill split their time between Carmel and Scottsdale, Arizona

where they enjoy golfing and relaxing. Janet and Bill bought their home

in Carmel about 15 years ago mainly because of the open space and

beautiful scenery.

New officers were also tapped for 2004. Ann Peterson Mahoney is the

new president; Marsha McMahan Zelus is now vice-president; David

Bates continues in his role as treasurer; and Phillip Butler is the new

secretary for the board.

Three New 

Board Members

 Appointed

COMING SOON

TO MAILBOXES EVERYWHEREThe BSLT Spring Hike Schedule

with hikes for all levels in a variety of settings.

Genista, or French broom, isn’t just another common shrub with fragrant yellow flowers; it’san invader of our native prairie, forests and coastal scrub. This plant, considered a noxious weedin California, quickly colonizes disturbed ground and chokes out native flora. Without humanintervention, Genista spreads unchecked throughout the landscape, each shrub scattering as many as 10,000 seeds per year! These seeds can survive in the soil for as long as 80 years. Both thefoliage and the seeds of Genista are toxic, and if all that weren’t enough, the plant is a firehazard, burning readily and more intensively than native vegetation.

 At Glen Deven Ranch, weed control is a major component of our land stewardship strategy.If you’ve visited the ranch, you may have noticed the Genista plants around the main house,invading the coastal scrub, and crowding into the creek canyon. Other weeds also pose problems

for our native habitats: cape ivy, Eucalyptus , and kikuyu grass are all targets of our weed controlprogram. We’re taking onGenista first because the adult plants are easily removed by using a

 weed wrench, a specially designed tool that extracts the stout roots of the plant eliminating theneed for herbicides.

Our job doesn’t end with the extrication of the adult plants—remember that 80 year figure? We will continue monitoring Glen Deven Ranch for decades, pulling the fresh crops of seedlingsthat sprout each year. To this end, we are photo-monitoring all Genista removal sites, documentingtheir location with Global Positioning System and mapping with Geographic Information System.Even the piles of dead plants are monitored for any remaining viable seeds.

The Big Sur Land Trust is ready to make the long term commitment that exotic weed controlrequires and with the help of volunteers will continue to put this commitment into action onthe lands that we steward.

Fast Facts about Genista:

• Latin name Genista: from which the Plantagenet kings and queens of England took their name, planta genesta, and alluding to a story that when

 William the Conqueror set sail for England, he plucked a common broomflower where it was holding fast, tenaciously, to a rock and stuck it in his hel-met as a symbol that he would also hold fast in his risky endeavor.

• Native to the Mediterranean region and Azores Islands

• Sold in California nurseries as early as 1871

• Naturalized on Central Coast by 1940s

• Grows up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall

BROOM

SWEEPERS

 U n i ted