Dear Friends,
It is with regret that we bring the San Francisco Bay Area License Plate "Nature Within Reach" campaign to a close. It was a very difficult decision and though we were optimistic and committed during this campaign, the number of pledges needed was far below the target goal of 7,500.
We would like to say "Thank you" to those that have supported us with their pledges or other support. We are sending out notification letters at the end of May 2010 and then processing pledge returns in August 2010. Should you have had a change in address please contact us with your current information to avoid refund delays.
Once again, we would like to express our Thanks to our supporters and to urge you to continue your support of environmental projects in our beautiful Bay Area.
The Nature Within Reach campaign needs 7,500 license plate registrants by summer 2010 to become a reality.
More info >
Give a Nature Within Reach License Plate
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Delight your loved ones and share your passion for environmental conservation with this gift perfect for any occasion. The Nature Within Reach License Plate features an iconic image of the Golden Gate Bridge and delivers green benefits long after the holidays (and won't end up as clutter in a closet). |
Invest in the Bay Area's future by purchasing one today. Here's to a holiday season that's happy, healthy and green.
Three Ways to Order
Call 1-877-4SF-BAY1
About Us
The San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy is a program of the State Coastal Conservancy, an agency that works to preserve, protect and restore the resources of the California Coast and nine-county Bay Area. We help keep California a great place to live, work, and play by preserving our beautiful natural heritage.
The objectives of the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program are to protect open space and fish and wildlife habitat, restore wetlands, rivers and creeks, protect water quality, provide picnic areas, campgrounds, and educational centers, complete regional trails, and preserve farmland and rangeland in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma Counties.
The special license plate will help us fund these types of projects for years to come.
For more information please visit the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program
Bay Area Projects
The San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program of the State Coastal Conservancy undertakes projects throughout the nine-county Bay Area to protect open space and natural lands, restore wetlands, protect rivers and creeks, improve water quality, provide picnic areas, campgrounds, and educational centers, complete regional trails, and preserve farmland and rangeland. The special license plate will help us fund projects for years to come. More Information >
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MARIN: Giacomini Dairy Ranch
The Conservancy helped Marin Agricultural Land Trust acquire an agricultural conservation easement over the 714-acre Giacomini Dairy Ranch on Tomales Bay. The property has been a working dairy ranch for over 40 years. A full-scale cheese manufacturing plant on site produces "Point Reyes Original Blue Cheese." The easement conserved the entire Ranch for agricultural uses, secured a viable operation for future family generations, and will prevent future subdivision thus protecting its natural resource and scenic values.
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SONOMA: Hood Mountain Ridge Trail
Thanks to Conservancy funding and the work of many volunteers, the Sonoma County Regional Parks Department constructed a new 5 mile segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail within Hood Mountain Regional Park. Hood Mountain is a wilderness park with hiking, biking and equestrian trails. The trail passes by ponds and a group of historic cabins, through a grassland meadow, up a wooded canyon, and emerges on the ridgelines between the Napa and Sonoma valleys to offer fantastic views.
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NAPA: Napa River Habitat Restoration and Flood Protection
The Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District developed a nationally acclaimed flood protection project for the urban reaches of the Napa River. Conservancy funds were used to acquire 192-acres within the Napa River's historic floodplain. The property was restored to wetlands and is being used as part of the overall flood project, which is reconnecting the river to its floodplain, creating wetlands, and using environmentally sensitive stream bank treatment.
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SOLANO: King and Swett Ranches
The Conservancy provided funds to Solano Land Trust to acquire the King and Swett Ranches, nearly 4,000 acres in one of the most rapidly growing counties in California. The acquisitions protected wildlife habitat, grazing lands, and scenic open space, and have enabled the future dedication of a segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. From the ridgetops of these ranches, visitors see sweeping vistas of the Bay Area, Carquinez Strait, Mount Diablo, and Suisun Marsh.
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CONTRA COSTA: Fernandez Ranch
The Conservancy helped the Muir Heritage Land Trust acquire the 702-acre Fernandez Ranch near Hercules. The property is predominantly scenic grassland hills, with Coast live oak woodland, riparian habitats, and freshwater wetlands, which support several at-risk species. The Conservancy has also funded riparian habitat restoration on two miles of Rodeo Creek as well as construction of 2.5 miles of Bay Area Ridge Trail on the Ranch.
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ALAMEDA & CONTRA COSTA: Eastshore State Park
For over twenty years advocates sought the creation of Eastshore State Park along the shoreline of eastern San Francisco Bay stretching through the Cities of Richmond, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Oakland. The Conservancy contributed funds to East Bay Regional Park District and California State Parks to conduct planning and construct trails, recreational facilities, and habitat restoration to help make the park a reality.
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SANTA CLARA: Guadalupe River Park
The Conservancy funded the creation of recreational enhancements within the Guadalupe River Park in downtown San Jose. Enhancements include the development of landscaped open spaces, continuous trails along the river banks, and interpretive signs. These projects are part of the City of San Jose's efforts to transform a flood control project into an outstanding urban park, providing downtown San Jose residents, workers and visitors with a spacious and green oasis in an otherwise urbanized area.
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SAN MATEO: Mori Point
Conservancy funds helped the Trust for Public Land acquire the 105-acre Mori Point property, preserving natural resources and public open space south of Pacifica. In 2002, Mori Point became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Conservancy then provided grants to conduct trail planning and build the Coastal Trail and connector trails over this spectacular bluff, while enhancing vital habitat for the San Francisco garter snake and the California red-legged frog.
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SAN FRANCISCO: Crissy Field
The Conservancy provided funds to assist the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service restore the Crissy Field wetlands and construct the Crissy Field Center. The Crissy Field Center is housed in a historic building overlooking the new 20-acre tidal wetland within the Presidio. The Crissy Field Center and wetlands have become one of the Bay Area's most important resources for understanding and addressing the interface between urban and natural environments.
Sponsors
We would like to thank our sponsors for their support of the Bay Area Special License Plate campaign and their commitment to conservation in the Bay Area.
- Bay Area Open Space Council
- Coastal Conservancy
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Golden Gate Bridge Transportation District
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area
- San Francisco Bay Joint Venture
Friends
Show your support for the Bay Area Special License Plate program by placing a link to www.bayarealicenseplate.org on your own website and including information about the Bay Area Special License Plate in your newsletter or emails to your members. There are many opportunities to help us reach our goal of 7,500 paid pledges. For more ideas, please contact us at 1-877-4SF-BAY1.
- Assemblyman Mark Leno
- Association of Bay Area Governments
- Bay Crossings
- Bay Area Council Economic Institute
- Bay Nature
- California Council of Land Trusts
- City CarShare
- Coast and Ocean
- Ducks Unlimited
- Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
- Greenbelt Alliance
- LandPaths
- Muir Heritage Land Trust
- Peninsula Open Space Trust
- Save Mount Diablo
- San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
- San Francisco Bay Trail
- San Francisco Estuary Project
- San Francisco Examiner
- San Francisco Maritime National Parks Association
- Save the Bay
- The Land Trust of Napa County
- The Watershed Project
- Trust for Public Land
- Urban Creeks Council
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Bay Area Special License Plate?
- How does the process work?
- Who can get these plates?
- How much do the plates cost?
- Where will the fees go?
- Are the fees tax deductible?
- Why do I need to list my DMV Office?
- If I already have personalized plates, can I keep my configuration?
- How can I find out if a personalized plate is available?
- I currently have a different specialized license plate - can I switch to the Bay Area special license plate?
- How long will it take to get the plates?
- Will I be able to give these plates as a gift?
- How can I help?
- What if I change my mind after I order a plate and want my money back?
- What will you do with the information I provide on the order form?
- Can I get a Bay Area license plate if I currently have a disabled plate?
- What is the difference between the Coastal Conservancy and the Coastal Commission?
- What is the Bay Area Special License Plate?
The Bay Area Special License Plates will be issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles upon receipt of 7,500 paid pledges. The sale of these special plates will benefit the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program which provides funding for conservation, habitat restoration, recreation, and other environmental projects in the nine-county Bay Area. [Back to List]
- How does the process work?
The Bay Area Special License Plate campaign needs 7,500 paid pledges within a year for the special license plate to become a reality. To reserve your plates click here. Your payment will be deposited into a special account at the State Coastal Conservancy until 7,500 paid pledges are received, at which point they will be turned over to the DMV for processing. If we do not receive 7,500 paid pledges by summer 2010, you will be given the option to receive a full refund of your payment, or give the Bay Area Special License Plate campaign another calendar year to complete the campaign. You will be notified by mail once we have either received 7,500 paid pledges or if we do not receive 7,500 pledges by summer of 2010 and need your decision on the options above. The DMV will notify you as soon as your plates are available for pick-up. [Back to List]
- Who can get these plates?
Anyone who has a currently registered California automobile, truck, trailer or motorcycle, including commercial vehicles, may order Bay Area Special License Plates. [Back to List]
- How much do the plates cost?
The Bay Area Special License Plates cost an additional fee above your normal registration fee. To order a sequentially numbered set of plates (a random set of six numbers and letters selected by the DMV), you will pay $50 ($40 per year to renew). To order personalized plates (6 characters maximum), you will pay $90 ($70 to renew). [Back to List]
- Where will the fees go?
After deducting a small processing fee, the DMV will forward the majority of the Special License Plate fees to the State Coastal Conservancy's San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program. This funding will be a flexible source of revenue to help the Conservancy protect open space, restore and protect habitat and wetlands, provide public access and trails, provide education centers, and protect farmland. [Back to List]
- Are the fees tax deductible?
A portion of the Nature Within Reach license plate purchase price and renewal fee is considered a charitable contribution and is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. For questions about your tax situation, consult a tax professional. [Back to List]
- Why do I need to list my DMV Office?
You will need to turn in your current license plates in order to receive your Bay Area Special License plate, so please list the DMV Office location where you would like to pick up your new plates and turn in your old ones. When the plates arrive at your specified DMV Office, you will be notified by mail that they are ready to be picked up. [Back to List]
- If I already have personalized plates, can I keep my configuration?
If your personalized plates have 6 characters or less, you can keep your configuration. The legislation regarding special plates require that the image be in a 2" x 3" rectangle to the left of the numbers and letters. Because of this restriction, the maximum number of characters allowed on the plate is six. [Back to List]
- How can I find out if a personalized plate is available?
Follow the instructions on the DMV website as though you are making an order to see if the configuration is currently available. Do not place the actual order through the DMV website because you will not be able to choose the Bay Area special interest plate untli after we have reached our pledge goal. Remember that the plate only allows for six characters. Unfortunately, we are unable to reserve specialized plates. If your configuration is no longer available when the plates are issued, we will offer you a full refund or alternate plate text. [Back to List]
- I currently have a different specialized license plate - can I switch to the Bay Area special license plate?
Yes. Go to the Order Now page and complete the web or paper pledge form. [Back to List]
- How long will it take to get the plates?
We hope to receive 7,500 paid pledges within 24 months from the launch in summer of 2008. After receiving 7,500 paid pledges, the State Coastal Conservancy will submit the applications and fees to the DMV, who will produce and distribute the Bay Area special license plates. As of October 31, 250 license plates have been sold.[Back to List]
- Will I be able to give these plates as a gift?
Yes. You may give a Bay Area Special Interest License Plate as a gift. Go to the Order Now page and complete the web or paper pledge form and fill out on behalf of your gift recipient. [Back to List]
- How can I help?
Tell your friends, family, and co-workers to order a Bay Area Special License Plate. Email this web site to everyone you know that lives, works, and plays in the Bay Area. [Back to List]
- What if I change my mind after I order a plate and want my money back?
If you change your mind about your paid pledge before the 7,500 paid pledges have been received, we can refund your entire pledge amount ($50 or $90 depending on whether you selected personalized plates). Please contact us at 1-877-4SF-BAY1, indicate your request for a full refund and provide us with your name, address, and license plate number. We will issue a check or credit card refund, depending on how you paid. Once the 7,500 pledges have been received and the funds transferred to DMV, the State Coastal Conservancy will not be able to refund your money. However, you can choose to not pay the annual renewal fee and DMV will replace your Bay Area Special License Plate with a standard plate. [Back to List]
- What will you do with the information I provide on the order form?
We will not share your information or send unsolicted emails/mailing or make unsolicted phone calls. The State Coastal Conservancy will very occasionally contact you by mail or email with updates on the progress towards 7,500 paid pledges. Once 7,500 paid pledges are received, we will notify you and transfer your information to DMV. DMV will produce and distribute the Bay Area Special License Plates and contact you when your plates are ready for pick up at your local DMV office. [Back to List]
- Can I get a Bay Area license plate if I currently have a disabled plate?
DMV allows disabled person and disabled veterans to display Special Interest License Plates only in lieu of DP or DV plates. In such cases, a parking placard must be displayed in the vehicle to receive the parking privileges. [Back to List]
- What is the difference between the Coastal Conservancy and the Coastal Commission?
The Legislature created the Coastal Conservancy as a unique entity with flexible powers to serve as an intermediary among government, citizens, and the private sector in recognition that creative approaches would be needed to preserve California's coast and San Francisco Bay lands for future generations. The Coastal Conservancy's non-regulatory, problem-solving approach complements the work of the California Coastal Commission, a distinct agency that regulates land use along the coast and issues development permits. [Back to List]
