The Nature Conservancy in California

Press Releases		Contact Info
November 05, 2009: Passage of Bills Mark a New Era for California’s Delta After decades of research and discussion, California’s leaders have reached consensus on a solution to end California’s water crisis. These six pieces of legislation mark a new era to rebuild a healthy Delta and provide for sustainable water management in California.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 402-2810 vmartin@tnc.org
September 23, 2009: New Underwater Robot Named Beagle in Honor of Darwin’s 200th Birthday The Nature Conservancy announced today the winner of a national online competition to help name its new Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The public voted to name the deep-sea robot “Beagle” – in honor of Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday and the famous research ship on which he traveled to the Galapagos.		Kathleen Goldstein Phone: (202) 841-0295
August 03, 2009: Nature Conservancy Seeks Your Help to Name New Underwater Robot The Nature Conservancy today launched a national online competition to help name their new Remotely-Operated Vehicle (ROV). This September, The Conservancy will launch the first controlled study of its kind on the West Coast, using the ROV to assess the impact of trawl fishing off California’s Central Coast.		Kathleen Goldstein Phone: 202-841-0295 Email: Kathleen Goldstein
April 01, 2009: California's Historic Ranching Culture at Significant Risk from Climate Change The Nature Conservancy today released “The Impact of Climate Change on California’s Ecosystem Services” as part of the California Energy Commission Climate Action Report, a multi-faceted study that highlights how climate change will impact California’s economy, residents and our natural areas.		Kathleen Goldstein Phone: (202) 841-0295
March 31, 2009: Southern California Mountain Lion Study Calls for Regional Approach to Land-Use Planning A new study co-authored by scientists from The Nature Conservancy and the University of California at Davis calls for a more regional approach to land-use planning in order to protect California’s wildlife corridors.		Josette Olivera Phone: (213) 327-0104 x4204 jolivera@tnc.org
March 17, 2009: The Nature Conservancy Secures a Stronghold for Endangered Coho Today The Nature Conservancy announced the protection of the 4,543-acre Shasta Big Springs Ranch in Siskiyou County, California, which will have a resounding impact on salmon, steelhead and other important species throughout the Klamath basin. As climate change progresses, the area could also become one of the last and best strongholds for coho and other salmon species in California.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 402-2810 vmartin@tnc.org
January 19, 2009: Spectacular Spring Hikes at Dye Creek and Vina Plains Preserves The Nature Conservancy will host a series of free public hikes on two breathtaking preserves in the Chico area. The 37,540-acre Dye Creek Preserve, located near Los Molinos, and the Vina Plains Preserve, 12 miles north of Chico.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 402-2810 vmartin@tnc.org
January 07, 2009: Nature Conservancy Releases Conservation Strategies To Save the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta The Nature Conservancy today released its Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservation Strategy, a report which provides recommendations for restoring key habitats and species in the Delta.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 402-2810 Email: vmartin@tnc.org
December 05, 2008: Conservation of Central Coast Property Preserves Family Legacy and Expands Montaña de Oro State Park The Nature Conservancy and California State Parks today announced the protection of Andre Ranch, a 1,902-acre property located in the Irish Hills. Working closely with the Andre family, The Nature Conservancy purchased a conservation easement on approximately 1,172 acres of the ranch to permanently protect it from development. State Parks’ acquisition of the remaining 730 acres at the southern part of the ranch will be added to Montaña de Oro State Park and will be open for public access.		Josette Olivera Cell: (213) 364-5777 Email: jolivera@tnc.org
November 19, 2008: Obama's Pledge Marks a Turning Point in the Global Fight Against Climate Change This week’s Global Climate Summit in California marks a historic turning point as government leaders - from state, national and international levels - joined forces to take the real action needed to fight climate change.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 402-2810 Email: vmartin@tnc.org
November 18, 2008: Nature Conservancy Lends Support to Governor Schwarzenegger’s Desert Protection Plan The Nature Conservancy today added its support to Governor Schwarzenegger’s Renewable Energy Project and Desert Energy Conservation Plan, which will mandate the implementation of renewable energy technologies, with least environmental impact, in the Mojave and Colorado Desert regions within two years.		Josette Olivera Phone: (213) 327-0104 x204 Email: jolivera@tnc.org
November 14, 2008: Nature Conservancy Applauds Klamath Agreement The Nature Conservancy applauds the Agreement in Principle announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Governor Kulongoski, Governor Schwarzenegger, and PacifiCorp, setting the stage for removal of four dams on the Klamath River.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 402-2810 Email: vmartin@tnc.org
November 12, 2008: Convergence of World Leaders Marks Turning Point in Fight against Climate Change California Program Executive Director Mike Sweeney will represent The Nature Conservancy in a historic summit organized by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that will — for the first time — bring together governors from across the U.S. and leaders from Brazil, Indonesia, China and other developing countries to establish a process to lower the world’s carbon emissions and fight climate change.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 402-2810 Email: vmartin@tnc.org
October 15, 2008: Top Environmental Groups: California’s Climate Plan Is on the Right Track A coalition of key conservation organizations in California — Audubon California, The Nature Conservancy and Defenders of Wildlife — commends the California Air Resources Board for its completion of the AB 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan. In this plan, California demonstrates the essential role nature and finance play in a comprehensive solution for climate change.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 402-2810 E-mail: vmartin@tnc.org
September 19, 2008: County Expands Ramona Grasslands The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation has partnered with The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state to add more than 3,000 acres of high-quality habitat to the Ramona Grasslands Preserve.		Josette Olivera Phone: (213) 327-0104 Email: jolivera@tnc.org
August 14, 2008: Exempted Fishing Permit Approved – Boats Take to the Water Last fall, a partnership of fishermen, community leaders, conservation organizations and government entities submitted an exempted fishing permit (EFP) proposal to the Pacific Fishery Management Council to help improve the environmental and economic performance of the Central Coast groundfish fishery through a community-based approach. Final approvals and permits were recently issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service, and fishing efforts began today.		Kathleen Goldstein Phone: (202) 841-0295
July 14, 2008: The Nature Conservancy Urges Immediate Action on Water Bill The Nature Conservancy today released the following statement of support for measure SB1XX, by Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, which would allocate nearly $1 billion of existing bond funds to address water supply reliability.		Vanessa Martin Phone: 916-402-2810 Emai: vmartin@tnc.org
July 11, 2008: The Nature Conservancy: Water Bond Proposal Opens the Door to End California’s Water Crisis The Nature Conservancy today released the following statement of support for Governor Schwarzenegger's and Senator Dianne Feinstein's efforts to address California's water issues.		Vanessa Martin Phone: 916-402-2810 Email: vmartin@tnc.org
June 26, 2008: Enviro Coalition Hails State's Agressive Plan on Climate Change A coalition of three leading California conservation groups working to combat the growing crisis of global warming – Audubon California, Defenders of Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy – applaud the proposal by the California Air Resources Board to implement AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, a precedent-setting road map for addressing climate change.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 402-2810 Email: vmartin@tnc.org
June 06, 2008: Nature Conservancy and Save-the-Redwoods League Applaud Pacific Lumber Bankruptcy Court Decision The following joint statement was issued today by Mike Sweeney, executive director of the California chapter of The Nature Conservancy and Ruskin Hartley, executive director of Save-the-Redwoods League.		Jordan Peavey Office: (415) 281-0492 Cell: (415) 517-9540 Email: jpeavey@tnc.org
March 11, 2008: Iconic Mt Toro Vista Protected The Nature Conservancy and a well-known Monterey County ranching family have protected Dorrance Ranch, a spectacular 4,300 acre property located on Mt. Toro’s northern ridge.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 402-2810 Email: vmartin@tnc.org
March 07, 2008: Spring Wildflower and Vernal Pool Guided Public Tours at Rancho Seco Howard Ranch Trail The Nature Conservancy is hosting a series of Vernal Pool Walks at the Rancho Seco Howard Ranch Trail led by trained naturalists from the Cosumnes River Preserve. Walks will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday March 22nd, April 5th, April 19th and May 3rd.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 402-2810 Email: vmartin@tnc.org
March 07, 2008: Spectacular Spring Hikes at Dye Creek and Vina Plains Preserves The Nature Conservancy will host a series of free public hikes on two breathtaking preserves in the Chico area. The 37,540-acre Dye Creek Preserve, located near Los Molinos, and the Vina Plains Preserve, 12 miles north of Chico.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 402-2810 Email: vmartin@tnc.org
February 19, 2008: The Nature Conservancy Hails CalPERS Move to Invest in the Ultimate Growth Fund: Sustainable Forestr The Nature Conservancy congratulated the California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS) for its vote today to adopt a trend-setting forest investment policy that requires certified sustainable forest management and positions CalPERS to profit from the rapidly emerging global market in forest carbon credits.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 449-2850 x 23 Cell: (916) 402-2810 Email: vmartin@tnc.org
February 12, 2008: Conservation Partners Announce Garcia River Forest Receives Top Carbon Credit Verification The Conservation Fund and the Nature Conservancy announced that Garcia River Forest, a nonprofit-owned forest on California’s North Coast, has become one of the first forests – and the largest – recognized by the California Climate Action Registry as a verified source of carbon credits.		Vanessa Martin Phone: (916) 402-2810 Email: vmartin@tnc.org
January 31, 2008: Alliance of Timber Industry Investors and Conservation Interests Intend to Bid on Great Redwood Fore An alliance of community groups, conservation organizations and private investors formally expressed interest in acquiring more than 200,000 acres of redwood forest, the Scotia sawmill and other assets. The coalition’s proposal would create a sustainable timber operation, which would preserve jobs by guaranteeing the forest is always kept in working timber management, and would ensure permanent protection for the remaining old-growth.		Jordan Peavey Phone: (415) 281-0492 Email: jpeavey@tnc.org
January 20, 2008: Protecting the Heart of Mt. Hamilton Wilderness The Nature Conservancy announced that the 28,359-acre San Felipe Ranch nestled in the heart of the Mt. Hamilton landscape, just 16 miles from downtown San Jose, will be kept as natural rangeland and its open and rolling hills will remain the scenic backdrop to the east of the community for future generations.		Jordan Peavey Phone: (415) 281-0492 Email: jpeavey@tnc.org
January 16, 2008: Historic Opportunity to Protect Great Redwood Forests of Humboldt Today an innovative alliance of private capital investors and conservation interests have joined forces to try to ensure that 197,000 acres of redwood forests be permanently kept in sustainable timber management, while 12,000 acres of old-growth and environmentally significant habitat are preserved.		Jordan Peavey Phone: (415) 281-0492 E-mail: jpeavey@tnc.org
January 10, 2008: Nature Conservancy Protects 1,080 Acres of Mediterranean Habitat The Nature Conservancy has completed a $2.3 million purchase of 1,080 acres of globally-rare habitat that will expand Anza-Borrego Desert State Park southward. The acquisition is the latest in The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to create an interconnected network of protected lands throughout San Diego County that encompasses the full spectrum of what conservationists are calling “the mediterranean mosaic.”		Misty Herrin Phone: (773) 248-1380 E-mail: mherrin@tnc.org
January 08, 2008: Salinas Valley Farmers Act to Protect Vital Monterey County Landscape The Big Sur Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy have completed the purchase of a conservation easement on the Violini Ranch, a 4,000 acre property in the Carmel River watershed that supports some of Monterey County’s most threatened wildlife habitats, including oak woodlands, seasonal wetlands and native grasslands.		Shari Cravens Phone: (415) 281-0497 E-mail: scravens@tnc.org
November 05, 2007: In Memoriam, Fred Balderston Dr. Frederick Balderston, Trustee Emeritus for The Nature Conservancy, died on Thursday, October 18th.		Shari Cravens Phone: (415) 281-0497 E-mail: scravens@tnc.org
October 26, 2007: California Air Resources Board Action to Address Climate Change The Nature Conservancy commends the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and its chair, Mary Nichols, for taking historic, significant measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.		Jordan Peavey Phone: (415) 281-0492 E-mail: jpeavey@tnc.org Louis Blumberg Phone: (415) 271-3749
October 24, 2007: Statement on Southern California Fires from Ecoregional Director Mark Sanderson The Nature Conservancy extends our sympathy and support for the people affected by the fires in southern California, especially the firefighters and those among us whose properties have been destroyed or damaged. Our hearts go out to those who have suffered loss and displacement during this time.		Misty Herrin Phone: (213) 327-0405 E-mail: mherrin@tnc.org
October 22, 2007: Nature Conservancy Nears 4,000-Acre Goal in Ramona Grasslands The Nature Conservancy today announced the purchase of the 1,350-acre Gildred Family Ranch near Ramona, a big step forward in its mission to preserve 4,000 acres of one of San Diego County’s last expanses of grasslands. This is the fourth ranch purchased by the Conservancy in the Ramona Grasslands since 2002, bringing the amount of acres under protection to approximately 3,300.		Misty Herrin Phone: (213) 327-0405 E-mail: mherrin@tnc.org
October 12, 2007: The Nature Conservancy and Trawl Fisherman Partner to Pilot New Conservation Tool in California The Nature Conservancy announced today the launch of the organization’s first Conservation Fishing Agreement. The Agreement between a central coast fisherman and the Conservancy is aimed at helping sustain fisheries, protect California’s marine resources and support fishing communities.		Kathleen Goldstein Phone: (202) 841-0295 E-mail: kgoldstein@greenfishcommunications.com
October 09, 2007: The Nature Conservancy Purchases Landmark Property Near Lassen Volcanic National Park The Nature Conservancy announced today the purchase of a 1,440-acre complex of nearly pristine mountain fields known as Child’s Meadow near the southern entrance of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The property, which will continue to be used as summer pasture by a local ranching family, is home to the headwaters for Deer Creek and a variety of wildlife including black-tailed deer, mountain lion, bear and migratory birds.		Shari Cravens Phone: (415) 281-0497 E-mail: scravens@tnc.org
June 22, 2007: Partners Protect 3,344 Acres of Truckee River Canyon Seven miles of one of the most ecologically rich and scenic stretches of the Truckee River in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains are now permanently preserved thanks to an alliance of public and private partners in California and Nevada.		Misty Herrin Phone: (213) 327-0405 E-mail: mherrin@tnc.org
June 15, 2007: Big Sur Land Trust and Nature Conservancy Partner to Preserve Arroyo Seco Ranch The Big Sur Land Trust has taken the reins from The Nature Conservancy on the 1,675-acre Arroyo Seco Ranch located just west of Greenfield and cities along the south Salinas Valley corridor.		Misty Herrin Phone: (213) 327-0405 E-mail: mherrin@tnc.org
May 30, 2007: Program Protects More Habitat for Kit Fox at Carrizo Plain A collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, the County of San Luis Obispo, the Bureau of Land Management and the California Department of Fish and Game has resulted in the protection of an additional 222 acres of the Carrizo Plain.		Misty Herrin Phone: (213) 327-0405 E-mail: mherrin@tnc.org
March 28, 2007: Cosumnes Workday Extravaganza Just in time for Earth Day, the Cosumnes River Preserve is holding a Spring Workday Extravaganza on Saturday, April 14, from 9:30am – 3:30pm. People of all ages are invited to roll up their sleeves and help protect one of the state’s most ecologically important rivers.		Misty Herrin Phone: (213) 327-0405 E-mail: mherrin@tnc.org Amber Veselka E-mail: aveselka@sacparks.org
January 10, 2007: The Conservancy joins with the Northcoast Regional Land Trust to Advance North Coast Conservation The Northcoast Regional Land Trust today announced the creation of a cooperative relationship with The Nature Conservancy, an international conservation organization, designed to increase the effectiveness of North Coast conservation efforts.		Shari Cravens Phone: (415) 281-0497 E-mail: scravens@tnc.org Jim Petruzzi E-mail: j.petruzzi@ncrlt.org
August 09, 2006: Nature Conservancy Protects More Land in Irish Hills The Nature Conservancy has acquired another property in the heart of San Luis Obispo County’s Irish Hills, protecting 160 acres of wildlife habitat and scenic beauty. Since the year 2000, the Conservancy has preserved approximately 2,700 acres in the Irish Hills. The Conservancy also played an assisting role in the original acquisitions dating back to 1965, which established Montana de Oro State Park.		Misty Herrin Phone: (213) 327-0405 E-mail: mherrin@tnc.org
July 27, 2006: The Nature Conservancy protects 2,900 acres in Mount Hamilton Range The Nature Conservancy announced today the acquisition of the 2,899-acre South Valley Ranch in the San Antonio Valley near Mount Hamilton.		Misty Herrin Phone: (213) 327-0405 E-mail: mherrin@tnc.org
June 26, 2006: Conservancy Purchases Federal Trawling Permits and Vessels to Protect Marine Areas in California The Nature Conservancy announced today the purchase of six federal trawling permits and four trawling vessels from commercial fishermen in Morro Bay as part of a collaborative effort to protect a vast swath of ocean off the coast of central California and help reform a troubled fishery. The precedent-setting acquisitions represent the nation’s first private buy out of Pacific fishing vessels and permits for conservation purposes.		Shari Cravens Phone: (415) 281-0497 E-mail: scravens@tnc.org