A Note from the Directors

Dear Community, In this time of uncertainty and transition, we would like to reassure you that the Santa Lucia Conservancy is continuing to adapt to the circumstances and make changes to our operations to help ensure the continued health of our team, our community, our conservation grazing herd and the land we all love. Consistent with the recent Shelter in [...]

Conservation Champions: Inspiration from Our Community

The first hint that we are on our way to interview a bird lover is the owl sitting atop the home’s sign post. Indications become more prevalent as we park in this Vermont native’s drive and approach her front door. Bird baths and feeders dot the perimeter of the yard, spiral bird tape create rainbow prisms near glass doors and [...]

Grassroots: Tales from the Field

There are many beautiful and diverse grasslands around the world, as two of our newest staff members can attest. Before joining the Conservancy team, Rodrigo researched prairie dogs, ran cattle, and managed bison in the arid grasslands of Janos, Chihuahua, Mexico. While Lindsay snorkeled seagrass meadows in the Philippines, working with fishing communities to protect and restore this threatened ecosystem. [...]

Into the Weeds: A Weed Warrior’s Toolkit

When I first received the exciting news that I would be working with the Conservancy on the Santa Lucia Preserve, I did not really know what was in store for me. However, spending the day at Peñon Peak filled me with enthusiasm about my role here as the Natural Lands Manager. Surrounded by the call of raptors and buzz of bees busily [...]

Wild Preserve: Coyotes, It’s a Family Affair

One of the joys of living on The Preserve is the fabulous wildlife watching opportunities that exist here, every season of the year. Spring is one of the best times to see our second largest resident predator, the coyote. Right now, coyotes appear bigger, or rather, fluffier, as they are still sporting their thick winter coats but in reality, coyotes [...]

Grasslands, Explained: For the Love of California’s Grasslands

What is it about those grasslands? Over the last six years I’m sure you have heard the Conservancy talk about how important our grasslands are at least a time or two, or a few dozen more. But you may still be wondering why exactly grasslands are so important. Especially when compared to the visually complex and biodiverse oak woodlands, coastal [...]

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Santa Lucia Conservancy’s new bi-monthly newsletter. We hope you find stories below that engage, inform, entertain and inspire you! We’d love to hear from you as well. Please share your photos, stories and memories of time spent in nature or communing with wildlife, and we’ll find a place to feature them in future [...]