Update: Marks Ranch and the River Fire

Dear Friends, I wanted to give you a brief update on Marks Ranch. After playing a critical role in supporting our local community, much of the property, including the water infrastructure, burned in the last two days. However, we are happy to report that the Hacienda along with other buildings have been spared. Staff has been on site throughout the week … Read More

Cal Fire stages firefighting equipment at BSLT’s Marks Ranch

Dear Friends of Big Sur Land Trust, Since you may have heard of the large River Fire that is raging in Salinas after a lightning strike early Sunday morning, I wanted to update you on our conserved lands at Marks Ranch. Big Sur Land Trust has closed our solo hiking program at the ranch in order for Cal Fire to … Read More

Watch Meredith May’s Talk on The Honey Bus + Land Steward Needed!

Watch a Recording of Author Meredith May From Our July Book Club The Honey Bus Great news! You can now share the experience that over 100 enthusiastic readers enjoyed when author Meredith May joined our last virtual book club on The Honey Bus. Watch the video to see Meredith’s special presentation about her beloved grandfather and the life lessons he taught her through … Read More

Find Your Wonder

I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and well. As a reminder of the beauty, joy and solace that people can find on many of the 40,000+ acres that our generous donors have helped conserve and care for throughout Monterey County, we invite you to take a moment to see our new “Find Your Wonder” video. As we … Read More

Join Meredith May, Author of “The Honey Bus” on July 23

July Book Club: The Honey Bus July 23, 20204:00 – 6:00 PM (PT)Virtual Meeting Meredith May, author of The Honey Bus, will have a very special presentation for us at our upcoming virtual book club event on July 23 from 4:00 – 6:00pm (PT)! Her memoir reveals life lessons she learned in her grandfather’s Big Sur bee yard. She’s won the PEN USA … Read More

Author Meredith May Will Join Our Book Club Event!

July Book Club: The Honey Bus July 23, 20204:00 – 6:00 PM (PT)Virtual Meeting We are honored that Meredith May, author of The Honey Bus, will be joining us for our upcoming virtual book club event on July 23 from 4:00 – 6:00pm (PT)!  Her memoir reveals life lessons she learned in her grandfather’s Big Sur bee yard. She’s won the PEN … Read More

New Project @ Mitteldorf + Donor Survey + A Gift for You

Redwood and Tanoak  Salvage  Project In our continuing efforts to restore and care for Mitteldorf Preserve after the damage from the Soberanes Fire, storms and flooding in 2016/2017, Big Sur Land Trust will be conducting a dead tree salvage operation in late June. Except for June 25th, limited solo hiking access will continue with opportunities to view the work at … Read More

Hopelessness is the enemy of justice.

This week has been really hard. Our communities and our nation are hurting. I’m sure I’m not alone in having found sleep elusive. I know I am not alone in feeling sad and worried for our shared future. I got into the work of conserving and stewarding natural lands because the outdoors was a place of refuge for me in my youth. Nature … Read More

Our Dewing Redwood Tree is 1200+ years old!

In March of 2019 a small team of researchers led by Steve Sillett – a world-renowned old-growth forest canopy researcher from Humboldt State University – came to Mitteldorf Preserve to climb and study the Dewing Tree, the large redwood next to the lodge. Sillett’s team has been asking questions about redwoods and giant sequoias for decades, and have been building a … Read More

Find your next story. Find your wonder.

Do you remember the first time you felt a deep sense of wonder? Chances are, this experience happened in nature. Maybe it occurred watching birds nesting in your backyard, or the first time you saw a seed you planted sprout with tiny fluorescent green leaves. Maybe it was the first time you stood in the glorious shade of a giant oak tree. … Read More