Hello Friends,

In the spirit of staying connected, I wanted to share this brief video message.

As we shelter in place for the fourth week, our Big Sur Land Trust team is still very busy! This week we announced our acquisition of 83.5 acres at Patriarch Ridge in Carmel Valley. The ridge is an important physical connection between conserved lands, supporting important pathways for wildlife while providing a critical route for fire access and offering incredible biodiversity. The land is a beautiful mix of old-growth evergreen woodland, chaparral and grassland habitat. It’s also an important part of the Esselen Tribe’s sacred historic lands. At this time, we are still able to offer solo self-guided hikes here (and at our other properties) and we can’t wait to share this incredible place with more of you when we can all be outdoors together again.

In honor of our annual Race for Open Space (originally planned for tomorrow) we invite you to join us in a virtual Race for Open Space this weekend. Join us by posting on social media with #ROS2020 this Saturday 4/11 or Sunday 4/12 to share your #SIP-safe activities. Walk laps in your yard, run in place, hit the treadmill, gaze out your window at a tree…and share your love for the outdoors with us! Happy racing!

And, in anticipation of Earth Week and Arbor Day later this month, we’re starting a virtual book club! We’ve chosen The Overstory, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Richard Powers. Many staff members have been raving about it. We’re partnering with Pilgrim’s Way, an independent community bookstore in Carmel, who will help us safely distribute books. Simply call them at 831-624-4955 and they will have the book drop-shipped to you. We plan to set up a video call in May to discuss this fantastic story. RSVP here to join the book club and we’ll send more details about our virtual meeting soon.

As always, we are so grateful for you. Now more than ever, your continuing support and dedication to conserving and caring for the lands you love means that we can remain working to deliver on our vision for healthy lands, healthy people and healthy communities throughout Monterey County.

Stay safe and healthy,

Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis,
President/CEO, Big Sur Land Trust