Dear Friend,
Wildlife connectivity is one of the defining conservation challenges of our time. As Monterey County’s population grows, roads, neighborhoods, housing, and commercial centers increasingly divide the landscapes that mountain lions, badgers, bobcats, and countless other species have relied on for generations. At the same time, drought, wildfire, and more extreme weather are reshaping the habitats our animal neighbors depend on.
Without connected landscapes, wildlife populations become isolated and face greater risks from disease and local extinction. The recent state listing of the Central Coast mountain lion as a threatened species underscores the urgency of protecting the natural corridors that allow wildlife to move, adapt, and survive.
Big Sur Land Trust is taking a long-term approach. As we rehabilitate and steward lands, from the Restoration Area at Ensen Community Park to Mitteldorf Preserve and Glen Deven Ranch, we are working alongside neighboring landowners, public agencies, and conservation partners, to restore habitat, remove barriers to wildlife movement, and care for the connected network of lands that sustain both wildlife and healthy ecosystems.
As we celebrate National Wildlife Day, we are especially grateful for the continued partnership of our many collaborators in preserving, expanding, and, in some cases, reestablishing the pathways that keep our wild places–and wild neighbors–thriving.
Thank you for loving these lands and all their inhabitants with us,
Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis
President/CEO
Big Sur Land Trust
In the News
Roseann Cattani/Salinas Californian
Thanks to The Californian for their thoughtful coverage of the restoration process and expected impacts of the 67-acre restored wetlands area of Ensen Park in the heart of Salinas. We look forward to continuing to work with the City and our awesome community of partners and volunteers to nurture this soon-to-be reopened urban wilderness area. Note that access to this article requires a subscription which helps support local journalism. Read more>>
Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
California Biodiversity Day Bioblitz at Marks Ranch
Saturday, September 12
9:00am – 12:00pm
Marks Ranch
Join our bioblitz volunteers for a morning of ‘iNatting’, collecting iNaturalist observations of the biodiversity found on and under the beautiful Coastal Live Oaks at Marks Ranch. Our observations will contribute to (1) the California Biodiversity Day 2026 project, (2) the “Find 30 Species for CA Biodiversity Day 2026” project, (3) CA Biodiversity Week 2026 Bioblitz at Marks Ranch, and (4) the Big Sur Land Trust iNat project. Join these projects to make sure your observations support them during the week of California Biodiversity Day (Sept 5-13) and beyond!
Ensen Park Cleanup
Saturday, September 19
10:30am – 11:30am
Ensen Community Park
Join Big Sur Land Trust and Friends of Ensen Community Park Volunteers for our Monthly Park Clean-up at Ensen Community Park! Let’s work together to keep our local green space beautiful and clean. This is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors, get some fresh air, and hear updates on the restoration project.