Happy Thankuary!
January is “Thankuary” at Big Sur Land Trust, a time when we express our gratitude for the generosity of our community of hikers, volunteers, staff, partners, and supporters who continue to show up for our lands and our mission.
Protect. Thank you for protecting our conserved spaces by helping keep them safe and welcoming. Through trail clearing, invasive plant removal, and ongoing stewardship efforts our volunteers — both seasoned and new — play a vital role in maintaining access for hikers, supporting fire mitigation efforts and providing safe vehicle access. Learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities >>
Restore. Thank you for helping restore the lands we all love! Last August, we celebrated the completion of Phase 1 of Ensen Community Park in Salinas with the opening of a Neighborhood Park for all. Today, Phase 2 is under way! The 67-acre Floodplain Restoration Area will include 6,000 plants, 100 trees, 1.7 miles of public trails, and 3 bridges — serving as refuge for wildlife and a welcoming space for the community. Learn more about Phase 2 of Ensen Park >>
Preserve. Together, we have preserved over 45,000 acres across Monterey County. Since 1978, with your support, Big Sur Land Trust has conserved over 15 protected properties that provide crucial habitat, clean air and water, and opportunities for people to connect with nature. Learn more about our history >>
For Generations to Come. Every donation we receive helps create a future where natural landscapes, working lands, and urban open spaces are cared for and enjoyed by communities that value both nature and cultural diversity. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and sponsors, Big Sur Land Trust is able to continue our shared vision for healthy lands, healthy people, and healthy communities for generations to come. Become a donor today >>
From all of us at Big Sur Land Trust, thank you! We are grateful for the dedication, support, and time our volunteers, partners, and community members invest to inspire love of land across generations, conservation of our unique Monterey County landscapes, and access to outdoor experiences for all.
Happy “Thankuary!”
Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis
President/CEO
Big Sur Land Trust
Good Fire: How Prescribed Burns Can Protect Local Nature and People
A growing movement is bringing back good fire, the intentional and carefully planned use of prescribed burns to reduce fire risk and support ecosystem health. Using fire as an important tool is by no means new. Indigenous peoples have stewarded these lands with good fire for millennia, using it to promote culturally important plants, open habitat for wildlife, and maintain the resilience of the landscape.
Unlike mechanical thinning or grazing— methods that BSLT has used effectively in the past—prescribed burns consume fuel directly and remove thick thatch that smothers native wildflowers. Burning can promote biodiversity, support culturally significant plants, and help meet state goals for restoring fire to fire adapted landscapes.
Big Sur Land Trust has not yet used prescribed burns on our properties, but our land managers know that a larger set of tools leads to better stewardship. As we work to care for both the land and the people of Monterey County, prescribed fire offers a powerful opportunity. It can reduce danger, increase resilience, and help our landscapes and our communities thrive.
Read more on Page 7 of our Fall/Winter Newsletter >>
Race for Open Space — Register Today
Big Sur Land Trust’s Race for Open Space is our largest annual fundraising event, but it’s so much more. It’s a one-day trail race for runners, walkers, and hikers that promotes healthy outdoor recreation, connects people to local landscapes and the lands we love, while raising funds and awareness to support BSLT’s work and mission.
From the early planning stages to day-of execution and post-race, an incredible amount of partnership and collaboration goes into every Race for Open Space. Each year, we strive to ensure that the event is as responsible for participants and partners as it is for the land. We’re constantly talking with our partners at Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, California State Parks, Santa Lucia Conservancy, Inside Trail Racing, Alvarado Street Brewery, and Bay Physical Therapy to ensure a well-executed, professional-level trail race experience for each participant and the community at large.
Race for Open Space takes a village, and as such, it brings our village together to run, hike, cheer, volunteer, and celebrate each other and the lands we love.
The 2026 Race for Open Space will be on Saturday, May 9 on and around Palo Corona Regional Park’s backcountry with five courses: 1mi, 5k, 12k, 25k, and 35k+.
Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
Floodplain Habitat Stewardship Day/Cuidado de la Llanura de Inundación
Saturday, February 7
9:30am – 2:00pm
Ensen Community Park, Salinas
Join us for a hands-on volunteer effort at Big Sur Land Trust’s Floodplain Restoration Project site in Ensen Community Park! Volunteers will have a unique opportunity to enter the restoration area — currently closed due to construction — to learn about ongoing habitat improvements and help with essential weeding and clean‑up efforts. Register >>
Sticky Eupatorium Pull
Saturday, February 14
10:00am – 2:00pm
Mitteldorf Preserve, Carmel Valley
Volunteers will help Big Sur Land Trust staff manually pull sticky eupatorium invasive plant along William’s Canyon Road and the Nature Loop Trail. Big Sur Land Trust staff will also point out native flora and fauna on the property and teach volunteers about invasive plant management techniques. Register >>
LGO! Carmel River FREE Tour
Friday, March 20
9:00am – 11:30am
Palo Corona Regional Park, Carmel
Enjoy a 3.5-mile round-trip hike of the Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement (CR FREE) project site, led by Big Sur Land Trust’s Vice President of Conservation, Rachel Saunders. Our hike will be a slow-paced, staff-led tour of this project site. Register >>
Join Our Team
Big Sur Land Trust’s team is growing! Check out and apply for several exciting new roles:
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Be a strategic leader responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive fundraising program aligned with Big Sur Land Trust’s mission and growth objectives.
Conservation Easement Specialist
Conduct annual monitoring of BSLT’s conservation property portfolio of conservation easements and BSLT-owned properties, maintain effective relationships with easement landowners, and, when necessary, coordinate easement enforcement or appropriately respond to protect the conservation value of these lands.
Marketing & Development Associate
Support fundraising and marketing efforts through compelling storytelling, thoughtful visual direction, and consistent brand messaging across all communication channels. You’ll work closely with a collaborative team dedicated to conserving land, fostering access to nature, and building lasting relationships with supporters.