Press Democrat Editorial, Thursday, March 16, 2000 Open Space Access Sequeira Ranch's
oceanside location, Ask anyone in Sonoma County to characterize the ideal open space property, and their wish list would likely include accessibility, visibility, hiking trails that link to other parks, ocean views and unspoiled natural areas. On Tuesday a fairy godmother -- in the form of the Board of Supervisors in their role as the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District -- granted that wish. The Board's $1.37 million allocation, combined with a $1 million grant from the California Coastal Conservancy in a deal brokered by the Sonoma Land Trust, allows public access to the 910-acre Sequeira Ranch. There is a lot to say about this amazing property. But one of its standout qualities is location. Straddling Highway 1 just south of the Russian River, the ranch is unique for both its visibility to travelers and its proximity to Sonoma Coast State Beach. Unlike many open space purchases which have been criticized for keeping out the public, the Sequeira Ranch will be managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation -- an agency with a track record of accessibility. Trails throughout the property will allow hikers to take in the ocean views from Red Hill and, eventually, link-up with other ocean front trails. Fairy godmothers seem to abound in California these days. While four organizations in Sonoma County were working cooperatively toward the purchase and management of the ranch, the Packard Foundation has preserved 271,800 acres statewide over the past two years. In celebration of their second anniversray, the nation's second largest foundation revealed that in 1998 and 1999 they spent $76.6 million purchasing environmentally critical land in California. While their activities may differ in scale and sources of funding, both the county district and the Packard Foundation are preserving space for nature in an increasingly crowded California. |
