Dear Friends,
Summer in Monterey County is a season of abundance. Most wildflowers may have faded, but the landscapes protected by Big Sur Land Trust are alive with activity. Young animals are learning to forage, pollinators continue their essential work, and countless species depend on healthy habitats to survive the hottest, driest months of the year.
What many visitors don’t see is the ongoing stewardship that helps these lands thrive. Throughout the summer, land managers and volunteers monitor sensitive habitats, remove invasive species, maintain trails, and protect waterways that provide critical resources for wildlife. They also work to reduce wildfire risk by managing vegetation, maintaining access routes, and helping ensure that conserved lands are as resilient and fire safe as possible.
Every acre protected is more than open space, it’s a living system that supports wildlife, clean water, and opportunities for people to connect with nature. As you enjoy the beauty of summer, we invite you to remember the quiet work happening across our preserves and the community of supporters who make it possible.
Happy Summer!
Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis
President/CEO
Big Sur Land Trust
A Historic Homecoming: Big Sur Land Trust Returns Ancestral Homeland to the Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation
In a landmark act of conservation, partnership, and restorative justice, Big Sur Land Trust proudly and humbly celebrates the return of 84 acres of ancestral homeland to the Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation (OCEN). The property, formally known as the Hiss Parcel, lies along the south side of Highway 68 near Canyon Del Rey Creek and represents a significant step toward restoring Indigenous stewardship of lands that have sustained Native peoples for countless generations.
The land return marks the culmination of years of collaboration and shared vision between Big Sur Land Trust and OCEN. Acquired by Big Sur Land Trust in 2024 to protect its significant ecological and cultural values, the property is now being transferred to OCEN, ensuring that this ancestral homeland will once again be cared for by the descendants of those who have maintained a deep and enduring relationship with it since time immemorial. Read more >>
Stewardship and Gratitude
Summer is also a busy season at Big Sur Land Trust. Across Monterey County, our team is stewarding protected lands, maintaining trails, caring for sensitive habitats, supporting wildfire resilience, and creating opportunities for people to connect with nature. Every effort helps ensure these special places remain healthy and accessible for generations to come.
This month, we were honored to gather with members of our Land & Legacy Society for our annual appreciation luncheon. It was a wonderful opportunity to thank those who have chosen to include Big Sur Land Trust in their estate plans. Their generosity and vision will help protect the lands, wildlife, and outdoor experiences we cherish long into the future, for generations to come.
Whether you volunteer, make a gift, or have included Big Sur Land Trust in your legacy plans, thank you. Together, we are protecting the places we love and building a lasting legacy for Monterey County.
Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
Carmel River FREE Tour
Friday, September 25
9:00am – 12:00pm
Palo Corona Regional Park, Carmel
Enjoy a 3.5-mile round-trip hike of the Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement (Carmel River FREE) project, led by Big Sur Land Trust’s Vice President of Conservation, Rachel Saunders. Using a nature-based green infrastructure approach, it will reclaim the southern floodplain to direct water away from developed areas north of the river. Register >>