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 José. 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 José’s efforts to transform a flood control project into an outstanding urban park, providing downtown San José 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.
